■tx  JGibrtH 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


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7 


ft 
THE 


HISTORY 


OF 


THE  SEVERAL  TOWNS,  MANORS,  AND  PATENTS 


OF  THE 


County  of  Westchester, 


FROM 


ITS    FIRST  SETTLEMENT 


TO  THF. 


PRESENT  TIME. 


Carefully   Revised  by   its  Author. 


By  the  Late  Rev.  ROBERT  BOLTON, 

AUTHOR  OF  THE  "GUIDE  TO  NEW  ROCHELLE,"  AND 
A  MEMBER  OF  N.  V.  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


Edited  by  the  Rev.  C.  \V.  BOLTON,  New  Rochelle. 


VOLUME    1  . 


"It  is  the  privilege  of  History  to  impart  the  experience  of  age,  without  its  infirmi- 
ties ;  to  firing  fiack  things  long  ol>seured  fiy  time,  or  sinking  into  oblivion  ;  and  enable 
us  to  form  some  reasonable  conjectures  of  'what  may  happen  to  posterity"- — PuULSON's 
Hist,  of  IIoldekness. 


NEW  YORK: 
CHAS,  F.  ROPER,  27  Rose  Street. 
1881. 


Copyright  by  C.  W.  BOLTON, 


Cadmus  Press, 

17-a?  ROSB  STBEBT,  NBW  VORK. 


THE  PREFACE. 


IN  presenting  to  the  public  '•  The  Revised  History  of  Westchester 
County,"  left  nearly  completed  by  the  Author,  the  late  Rev.  Robert 
Bolton,  I  assume  no  responsibility  for  its  contents,  nor  any  credit  in  its 
authorship.  The  Author  published  The  First  History  in  1848,  after 
gathering  all  the  information  then  in  his  power.  Soon  after  its  ap- 
pearance a  large  amount  of  extra  information  was  placed  at  his  dis- 
posal, and  many  corrections  kindly  sent  to  him.  He  determined  at  once 
to  commence  a  revision  of  it,  and  had  been  so  doing  up  to  the  day  of 
his  death,  29  years  in  all.  He  had  re-written  more  than  two-thirds  of 
the  original  book,  adding  thereto  many  very  valuable  old  documents  and 
bringing  the  work  down  to  that  time.  All  that  I  have  had  to  do  was  to 
finish  up  little  unimportant  points,  and  conduct  it  through  the  press. 

If  I  were  to  assert  that  there  were  no  errors  I  should  be  presenting 
to  the  public  what  no  other  man  has  ever  done,  a  perfect  book.  There 
must  be  errors,  but  they  are  unimportant.  No  serious  error,  I  believe, 
will  be  found. 

There  never  was  a  more  careful  complier  of  History  than  my  late 
brother.  He  always  asked  for  proof,  and  then  well  weighed  it.  His 
book  mil  be  his  monument ;  he  wore  himself  out  in  its  completion.  And 
I  regret  that  he  does  not  live  to  give  the  whys  and  the  wherefores  that 
thousands  of  its  readers  will  propound. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  the  Author  of  this  History  was  born  in 
Bath  in  the  county  of  Somerset  England,  on  the  17th  of  April  181 4,  and 
was  baptized  by  his  grand-father,  the  Rev.  William  Jay,  in  Argyle  chapel. 
Bath.  (His  father,  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  was  born  in  Savanah,  in  the 
State  of  Georgia,  but  married  in  England  and  resided  there  for  several 
years.)  He  was  the  oldest  of  thirteen  children,  and  came  to  this  country 
with  his  father  on  his  return  in  1836.    He  first  studied  medicine  in 


iv 


PREFACE. 


England,  but  it  did  not  suit  his  tastes.  Afterwards  he  became  a  farmer, 
and  resided  at  Bronxville,  East  Chester  ;  moved  to  New  Rochelle,  then  to 
Tarrytown  where  he  took  charge  of  the  Irving  Institute,  (now  occupied 
by  Prof.  Jackson),  from  there  he  removed  to  Bedford,  having  charge 
of  the  Institute  in  that  town  for  many  years,  and  finally  removed  to 
Lewisboro. 

He  was  ordained  deacon  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
October,  1868,  and  priest  in  June  1869.  He  was  settled  over  the  parish 
of  St.  Johns,  Lewisboro,  his  only  charge;  and  died  October  11,  1877,  at 
Pelham  Priory  and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault  under  Christ  church, 
Pelham. 

He  became  a  walking,  living  history  of  the  county ;  and  we  deeply 
regret  that  so  much  has  perished  in  his  death,  for  he  had  other  plans,  and 
other  purposes  which  he  intended  to  present  to  the  public. 

I  acknowledge,  with  pleasure  and  gratitude,  the  valuable  assist- 
ance I  have  received  from  the  Rev.  Chas.  Baird.  D.  D.,  historian  of 
Rye;  Edward  F.  Delancey,  Esq.;  Geo.  H.  Pell,  Esq.;  Fordam  Morris, 
Esq.;  Josiah  Mitchel,  Esq.,  and  the  Rev.  O.  R.  Willis,  of  White  Plains, 
who  has  compiled  the  Flora  Table  for  this  work.  And  I  also  take  this 
opportunity  of  returning  thanks  to  all  those  kind  friends  who  have  in 
any  way  assisted  my  late  brother  in  the  present  Revised  Edition. 


MAP  OP  THE  INDIAN  TERRITORY,  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


INTRODUCTION. 


AT  the  period  of  the  Dutch  discovery  the  Mahicanni  resided  on  the 
east  shore  of  the  Hudson  River.  "  These  were  the  MankikanizxsA 
Mahikans  of  De  Leat,  the  Mahiccanders,  Mohickanders  and  Nahmanders 
of  the  Dutch,  the  Manhikanss  Mahikans,  or  Mohegans,  according  to 
Professor  Ebeling,  and  the  Mohegans  or  Mithltckanew,  (the  original  name 
of  Mohegans.)  According  to  the  English  the  Mohiccans,  Mahiccon,  and 
lastly  Mahiccans,  were  all  one  people  j  originally  a  branch  of  the  Dela- 
ware nation.  The  Mahiccans  and  Delawares  both  say  they  were  once 
one  people  "rt  "  The  best  information  (says  Mr.  Heckewelder)  which  I 
could  procure  of  the  extent  of  the  country  the  Mahicanin  inhabited,  was 
from  an  aged  and  intelligent  man  of  this  nation,  whose  grandfather  had 
been  a  noted  chief.  His  report  was  as  follows,  to  wit :  '  When  I  was  a 
a  boy,  my  grandfather  used  to  speak  much  of  old  times :  how  it  had 
been  before  the  white  people  came  into  this  country,  (that  is  the  State 
of  New  York,  in  which  the  relator  was  born,)  and  what  changes  took 
place  since,  from  time  to  time.  The  western  bounding  line  of  the  Ma- 
hicanni  was  the  river  Ma'hicamittuck,  which  the  white  people  now  call  the 
'  North  River.'  Our  towns  and  settlements  extended  on  the  east  side 
of  this  river  from  Thuphane  or  Tuphanne,  (a  Delaware  word  for  cold 
stream,  from  which  the  whites  have  derived  the  name  Tappan,)  to  the 
extent  of  tide  water  up  this  river;  here  was  the  uppermost  town.  From 
thence  our  towns  were  scattered  throughout  the  country  on  the  smaller 
rivers  and  creeks.  Our  nearest  neighbors  on  the  east  were  the  Watn- 
pano.'"b 

"  The  country  between  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  Riverc  and 
the  Hudson,  (says  Mr.  Bancroft,)  was  possessed  by  independent  villages 
of  the  Mohegans,  kindred  with  the  Manhattans  ;  whose  few  smokes  once 
arose  amidst  the  forests  on  New  York  Island.""1  Mr.  Schoolcraft  informs 
us  that  "  The  Mohegans  and  the  Minci  were  two  tribes,  of  Algonquin 

a  Moulton's  Hist,  of  Xew  York,  226. 

b  Moulton's  Hist,  of  New  York,  part  i.  227. 

c  Connecticuota,  meaning  Long  River,  was  the  Indian  name,  says  Judge  Benson, 
d  Braucroffs  Hist.  U.  S.  A.,  vol.,  vol.  lii.  239. 


vi 


INTRODUCTION. 


lineage,  who  inhabited  the  valley  of  the  Hudson  between  New  York  and 
Albany."  Mohegan,  (continues  the  same  authority.)  is  a  word,  the 
meaning  of  which  is  not  explained  by  the  early  writers  j  but  if  we  may 
trust  the  deductions  of  philology,  it  needs  create  little  uncertainty.  In 
the  Mohegan,  as  spoken  at  the  present  time  by  their  lineal  descendants, 
the  Stockbridges  of  Wisconsin,  Maitshow,  is  the  name  of  the  common 
wolf.  It  is  called,  in  cognate  dialects  of  the  Algonquin,  Mycgan  by  the 
Kenistenos,  and  Myengun  by  the  Chippewas,  Ottawas  and  Pottowatto- 
mies.  In  the  old  Algonquin,  as  given  by  La  Hontan,  it  is  Mahingan, 
and  we  perceive  that  this  was  the  jerm  ■  employed  by  the  early  French 
writers  for  the  Mohegans.  In  the  language  of  the  Indian  priests  ormedais, 
a  mystical  use  of  the  names  of  various  objects  in  the  animated  creation 
is  made,  in  order  to  clothe  their  arts  with  the  degree  of  respect  and  au- 
thority, which  ignorant  nations  are  ready  to  pay  to  whatsoever  they  do  not 
fully  understand ;  in  other  words,  that  which  is  mysterious.  Thus,  in 
the  medicin  songs  of  the  Objibwas,  a  wolf  is  called,  not  Myeengun,  the 
popular  term,  but  Mohhwag.  It  is  believed  the  priests  of  the  ancient 
Mohegans  made  similar  distortion  of  their  words,  for  similiar  ends,  and 
that  the  terms  Moh  hi  Kan  and  Moh  hin  gan,  used  by  the  early  French 
missionary  writers  for  this  tribe,  furnish  the  origin  of  the  term.  The  term 
itself,  it  is  to  be  understood,  by  which  the  tribe  is  known  to  us,  is  not 
the  true  Indian ;  but  has  been  shorn  of  a  part  of  its  sound,  by  the  early 
Dutch,  French  and  English  writers.  The  modern  tribe  of  the  Mohegans, 
to  whom  allusion  has  been  made,  called  themselves  Muhhekaniew.  This 
is,  manifestly,  a  compound  declarative  phrase,  and  not  a  simple  nomina- 
tive, and  is  equivalent  to  the  phrase,  "  I  am  a  Mohegan."  It  is  in 
accordance  both  with  religious  custom,  and  the  usage  of  the  Indian 
priesthood,  to  infer  a  unity  of  superstitious  practices  in  nearly  affiliated 
tribes.  In  this  manner  the  word  "  Mohegan  "  was  used  to  denote,  not  a 
common  wolf,  but  the  caries  lupus,  under  the  supposed  influence  of  med- 
ical or  necromantic  arts.  In  other  words,  Mohegan  was  a  phrase  to 
denote  an  enchanted  wolf,  or  a  wolf  of  supernatural  power.  This  was  the 
badge  or  arms  of  the  tribe,  rather  than  the  name  of  the  tribe  itself.  And 
this,  also,  it  may  be  inferred,  constituted  originally,  the  point  of  distinc- 
tion between  them  and  the  Minci,  or  wol  ftribe  proper.  The  affinities 
of  the  Mohegans  with  the  Minci,  or  Moncess,  on  the  west  banks  of  the  Hud- 
son, and  through  them  with  the  Delaiuares,  are  apparent  in  the  language, 
and  were  well  recognized  at  the  era  of  the  settlement."*1 

The  universal  name  the  Mousey s  have  for  New  York,  (says  Mr.  Hecke- 
welder)  is  Laaphawachking,  or  the  place  of  stringing  beads. 


a  Proceedings  of  N.  Y.  IIis,.  Soc.  1S14,  S7. 


INTRODUCTION. 


vii 


The  Mohegans  were  again  sub-divided  into  numerous  bands,  each 
known  by  a  distinctive  name.  Among  these,  inhabiting  the  County,  may- 
be enumerated  the  Siwanoys,  who  occupied  the  northern  shores  of  the 
Sound  ''from  Norwalk  to  24  miles  to  the  neighborhood  of  Hellgate." 
How  far  they  claimed  jurisdiction  inland  is  uncertain. 

The  Manhattans  had  their  principal  settlement  on  New  York  island, 
and  from  thence  north  to  the  bounds  of  Yonkers,  nearly  opposite  Tap- 
pan.  The  Weckquaskecks  possessed  the  country  "  lying  between  two 
rivulets  called  Sift/  Sincks  and  Armanci,  lying  between  the  East  and 
North  rivers." 

The  Sint  Sincks  occupied  the  present  town  of  Ossin  ing,  and  its  im-  t 
mediate  vicinity. 

The  Kitchawonks  claimed  the  lands  bordering  the  Kitchawan  or  Cro- 
ton  River,  and  as  far  north  as  St.  Anthony's  Nose  in  the  Highlands. 
The  Pachami  and  Wappingers  possessed  the  Highlands. 
The  Tankitekes,  "resided  in  the  rear  of  Sing  Sing."° 
The  principal  Indian  villages  appear  to  have  been  as  follows : 


"  The  three  prominent  Indian  names  for  the  Hudson  River  (says  Mr. 
Schoolcraft)  are  'The  Mohegan,6    Chatemuc,c  and  the  Cahotatea." 

Like  their  neighbors,  the  Indians  of  Westchester  were  in  subjection 
to  the  Iroquois,  and  acknowledged  it  by  the  payment  of  an  annual 
tribute. 


In  giving  a  history  of  the  County,  it  appears  proper  to  begin,  with  a 
recital  of  the  act  framing  the  same,  entitled  "  An  Act  to  divide  the 
Province  of  New  York  and  dependencies  into  Shires  and  Counties,  etc." 

"  Having  taken  into  consideration  the  necessity  of  dividing  the 
Province  into  respective  Countys,  for  the  better  governing  and  settling 

o  O'Callahan's  Hist,  of  N.  N.,  210. 
b  Mohegan  Kiver. 

e  "  Shaita,  In  the  cognate  dialect  of  the  Objlbwa,  means  a  pelican."  "  re  is  the  ordinary 
Inflection  for  locality. ,-— Mr.  Schoolcraft's  Paper,  Proceedings  of  N.  Y.  riist.  Soc  1S44.  "The 
great  white  pelican  |P.  trachyrhyncus)  was  formerly  nunierou*  ou  the  fludson  and  other  rivers 
and  lakes  of  this  State.  At  the  present  day  It  has  entirely  disappeared,  and  I  do  not  know  of 
Its  existence  even  as  an  accidental  visitor.  '—Nat.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  by  James  De  Kav. 


Nappeckamak, 

Weecquaesguack, 

Alipconck, 

Sinck  Sinck, 

Nanichiestawck, 

Momoronuck, 


Kestaubaiuck, 


Kitchawan, 
Sackhoes, 


Kekisconck, 

Betuck-quapock, 

Pasquashic. 


Noapaim. 


A  GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  COUNTY. 


viii 


INTRODUCTION. 


courts  in  the  same,  be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  the 
Representatives,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  the  said  Pro- 
vince be  divided  into  twelve  Countys  as  followeth  :  The  County  of 
Westchester,  to  conteyne  West  and  Eastchester,  Bronx-land  Fordham, 
Anne  Hook's  Neck,  Richbells,  Miniford's  Islands,  and  all  the  land  on 
the  maine  to  the  eastward  of  Manhattan's  Island  as  farre  as  the  govern- 
ment extends,  and  the  Yonkers'  land,  and  northward  along  Hudson's 
River  as  farre  as  the  Highland." 

"This  bill  having  been  three  times  read  before  the  governor  and 
Council,  is  assented  to  the  first  of  November,  1683."0 

Westchester  County  was  represented  in  the  first  Legislative  Assembly 
of  the  Colony,  which  met  at  New  York  on  the  9th  of  April,  1691  ;  6  and 
it  has  constituted  one  County  to  this  time,  having  been  organized  as 
such  by  the  General  Acts  of  1788  and  1801.  It  is  situated  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Hudson,  immediately  north  of  New  York  County ; 
bounded  north  by  Putnam  and  Dutchess  Counties ;  east  by  the  State  of 
Connecticut;  southerly  by  Long  Island  Sound  and  East  River;  west 
by  Haarlem  River  and  the  Hudson  River,  or  by  New  York  County,  the 
State  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  County  of  Rockland  in  this  State.  The 
area  may  be  480  square  miles — 307,200  acres — situated  between  400 
47',  and  410  22'-  north  latitude,  103'  east,  and  32'  east  longitude  from 
New  York. 

The  County  is  thus  described  by  William  Smith,  the  historian,  of 
New  York,  in  1756. 

"Westchester  County  is  large,  and  includes  all  the  land  beyond  the  Island  of 
Manhattans  along  the  Sound  to  the  Connecticutliiw,  which  is  its  eastern  boundary. 
It  extends  northward  to  the  middle  of  the  Ilighlands,  and  westward  to  Hudson's 
River.  A  great  part  of  this  county  is  contained  in  the  manors  of  Philipsburgh, 
Pelham,  Fordham,  and  Courtlandt,  the  last  of  which  has  the  privilege  of  sending 
a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly.  The  county  is  tolerably  settled.  The 
lands  are  in  general  rough  but  fertile,  and  therefore  the  farmers  run  principally 
on  grazing.  It  has  several  towns,  Eastcliester,  Westchester,  New  Rochclle,  Rye, 
Bedford,  and  North  Castle.  The  inhabitants,  are  either  English,  or  Dutch  Pres- 
byterians, Episcopalians,  Quakers,  and  French  Protestants.  The  former  are 
the  most  numerous.  The  two  Episcopal  missionaries  are  settled  at  Rye  and 
Eastchester,  and  receive  each  £60  annually  taxed  upon  the  county.  The  town 
of  Westchester  is  an  incorporated  borough,  enjoying  a  mayor's  court  and  the  ' 
right  of  being  represented  by  a  member  in  Assembly." 


a  Provincial  Laws  of  N.  Y.,  County  Clerk's  Office,  Queen's  Co.,  L.  L  The  above  act  was 
confirmed  on  the  1st  of  October,  1691. 

b  In  the  person  of  John  Pell,  Esq.  On  the  20th  of  Oct.,  16S5,  James  n.  appointed  John  Pell, 
John  Palmer,  William  Richardson.  Joseph  Ilorton,  sen.,  and  Joseph  Theale,  Justici-s  of  the 
Peace  in  the  County  of  Westchester. 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


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X  INTRODUCTION. 


THE  POPULATION  OP  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


— —  . 

TOWN. 

1846 

1  s7*i 



l  ton 

Bedford 

9  TObi 

Q  744 

q  T-J9 
o,  to* 

Cortlanrlt  

0,  ioO 

■  9  fij;4 
Xw,  OO* 

Greenbiir<rh  . 

CI  RH*> 

Eastchester  

R  0Q4 

R  7T7 

1  039 

1  -131 

1  494 

Lewisboro  

X, 

1  (114 

Mount  Pleasant... 

fi  4*\f* 
O.aOO 

Mamaroneck 

1  49^ 

1,OOCS 

1,495 

2,242 

2,297 

New  Roplipllp 

1  G"7"7 

4  £7Q 
4,0/0 

oJn 

North  Castle 

9  ni  n 

-  ■  U1V 

l,olo 

1   ft!  ft 
1,019 

North  Salem  

1  99fi 

1,  ->—0 

X,  ooo 

3,312 

8,533 

8,769 

466 

1,538 

2,540 

1,427 

1,000 

1,044 

Rye  

2,180 

5,369 

6,577 

341 

529 

614 

1,761 

1,600 

1,638 

Wesechester) 

West  Farms!  c 

5,052 

6,560 

6.7S9 

1,155 

2,757 

3.16S 

2,27S 

2,650 

2,481 

2,517 

17,232 

18.924 

103,564 

109,036 

Present  population,  109,050. 


"  The  County  of  Westchester  comprises  a  very  important  section  of 
this  State;  washed  on  the  west  by  the  Hudson,  on  the  south  by  the  East 
River  and  Long  Island  Sound,  it  enjoys  very  superior  advantages  for 
trade  and  commerce,  with  a  fine  soil  for  agriculture,  and  a  charming  di- 
versity of  surface  and  of  elegant  situation ;  while  its  contiguity  to  the 
great  commercial  metropolis  of  North  America,  completes  a  proud  su- 
periority of  geographical  position.  The  north-west  corner  is  consider- 
ably broken  by  the  south-east  border  of  the  Highlands,  of  a  mountain 
character;  and  a  range  of  hills  of  moderate  height  extends  from  York 
Island  toward  the  north-east  extremity,  on  which  are  situated  the  heights 
and  hills  much  known  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  particularly  in  the  year 
1776.  Besides  Harlem,  Hudson  and  East  Rivers,  forming  the  boun- 
daries, there  are  several  small  streams  that  afford  many  mill  seats. 


a  Name  changed  to  Ossin-ing  In  1S4C.  See  Sess.  Laws,  chap.  30,  sec.  6. 

b  Part  of  Somers  annexed  to  Newcastle.   See  Laws  of  1S4C,  chap.  249. 

c  West  Farms  erected  from  part  of  Westchester.  See  Sess.  Laws,  184,  chap.  279. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Peckskill  Creek  and  Croton  River,  which  rise  in  Dutchess  and  Putnam 
counties,  run  south  westward  across  the  north  western  part  of  West- 
chester County  to  the  Hudson.  Saw  Mill  River  runs  from  Mount 
Pleasant  to  the  Hudson  at  Yonkers;  and  Bronx  River,  the  largest, 
Hutchinson's  and  Mamaroneck  Rivers  run  south  into  the  East 
River.  Byram  River  runs  from  Westchester,  principally  in  Connecti- 
cut, and  forms  two  miles  of  the  State  boundary  from  its  mouth  in  East 
River,  which  receives  some  other  small  streams  from  the  south-east 
angle  of  Westchester  County,  direct  across  the  south-west  angle  of 
Connecticut." 

''The  soil  of  this  County  admits  of  no  general  character,  except  that 
its  tillage  is  productive  to  the  agriculturist.  The  style  of  its  agriculture 
is  in  the  first  order,  if  we  except  Dutchess.  The  lower  part  has  consid- 
erable of  ornamental  farming  and  gardening,  where  are  the  seats  of  men 
of  opulence,  cultivated  with  much  taste."  The  manufactures  are  num- 
erous. White  Plains  and  Bedford  are  the  half  shire  towns.  "  Tarry- 
town,  Sing  Sing,  and  some  others,  are  charming  positions  on  the  Hud- 
son, where  are  small  villages  and  landings  with  considerable  trade. 
Tappan  Bay,  a  wide  place  in  the  Hudson,  is  here  three  miles  in  width, 
where  crowds  of  shipping  are  constantly  seen  passing  in  opposite  direct- 
ions, exhibiting  a  most  elegant  display  of  commercial  activity."0 

'•  The  County  of  Westchester  is  based  on  primitive  rock  called  hypo- 
gene,  or  granite  gneiss,  long  ridges  of  which  intersect  the  county,  with 
here  and  there  small  veins  of  iron  ore  and  quartz.  Large  numbers  of 
granite  boulders  are  found  here,  both  inland  and  on  the  coast ;  also 
some  fine  quarries  of  white  marble,  and  two  silver  and  gold  mines  at 
Sing  Sing  and  Peekskill."  According  to  the  late  geographical  survey 
the  principal  minerals  are,  white  marble,  iron  ore,  galena,  sulphate  of 
barytes,  copper,  iron  and  zinc,  oxide  of  manganese,  green  carbonate  of 
copper,  serpentine,  calcareous  spar,  phoshate  of  lime,  hydrate  and 
carbonate  of  magnesia,  quartz,  drusy,  calcedony,  agate,  jasper, 
hyroxene,  hornblende,  asbestos,  actynolite,  homolite,  hyderous  an- 
thophylite,  felspar,  stilbite,  garnet,  epicote,  chenite,  tourmaline,  sphene, 
vandquelemite,  magnetic  pyrites,  chromate  of  iron,  red  ochre  and  red 
chalk. 

The  natural  growth  of  wood  is  very  extensive,  especially  upon  the 
higher  lands.  Among  the  principal  varieties  may  be  enumerated  the 
White  Oak,  (Quercus  Alba,)  Red  Oak,  (Quercus  Rubra,)  Pin  Oak, 
(Quercus  Paluster,)  and  the  Black  Oak,  (Quertetron ;)  the  White  Elm, 
(Ulmus  Americana ;)  Red  or  Slippery  Elm,  (Ulmus  Fulva,)  and  the 

o  See  Spafford's  Gazetteer  of  N.  Y. 


xu 


INTRODUCTION. 


Witch  Elm,  (Ulmus  Montana;)  the  Plane  or  Buttonwood,  (PUtanus;) 
the  Ash,  ( Traxinus) ;  Basswood,  Lime  or  Linden,  (Zelia) ;  Beach, 
(Tagus) ;  Birch,  (Betula) ;  Maple,  (Acer) ;  Locust,  (Robinia );  Chestnut, 
(Castanea);  Walnut,  (Juglans) ;  Hickory,  (Carya);  the  Whitewood  or 
Tulip,  (Liriodendron) ;  Dogwood,  (Cornus) ;  Hemlock  or  Spruce,  and 
the  Red  Cedar,  (Juniperus.) 

"This  County  suffered  severely  during  the  Revolution.  The  whole 
southern  part  was  marked  by  the  marches,  works  of  defence,  or  skirmishes 
and  battles  of  hostile  armies ;  and,  indeed,  the  active  operations  of  the 
war  in  1776  were  principally  confined  to  this  region,  and  in  the  Autumn 
to  this  County — and  the  two  armies  were  in  full  force,  constantly  on  the 
alert,  and  under  the  eyes  of  their  respective  Commanders-in-Chief.  And 
this,  too,  was  probably  the  most  interesting  period  of  the  war,  though 
attended  with  no  exploits  of  very  brilliant  fame.  The  British  with  a 
numerous  army,  and  a  powerful  marine,  were  in  possession  of  New  York, 
while  Washington,  with  an  inferior  and  badly  supplied  army,  dispirited 
by  the  affair  of  Long  Island,  was  merely  manoeuvring  to  keep  them  in 
check.  The  battle  of  White  Plains,  October  28th,  will  long  be  remem- 
bered, as  will  the  dismal  prospect  of  that  year,  when  the  Patriot  Fathers 
of  America  had  still  the  courage  to  declare  Independence,  and  assert  the 
rights  of  nature  and  of  nations.*1  But  though  the  morning  sun  of 
Declared  Independence  arose  thus  in  a  cloud, — while  yet  it  was  morning, 
Princeton,  Trenton  and  the  plains  of  Saratoga  enjoyed  a  broad  reful- 
gence, diffusing  new  spirits  over  the  nation.  And  it  were  well  worthy 
the  attention  of  every  American  youth  to  study  the  history  of  that  war, 
and  thus  learn  the  price  paid  for  Independence ;  the  better  to  know 
how  to  appreciate  its  value.  Nor  ought  we  to  forget  that  the  privileges 
so  dearly  purchased,  can  only  be  preserved  to  our  posterity,  by  that  zeal 
for  our  country  which  governed  the  conduct  of  our  fathers,  now  descended 
to  the  grave."6 

"The  County  of  Westchester,"  says  Mr.  N.  P.  Willis,  "has  been 
made  the  scene  of,  perhaps,  the  best  historical  novel  of  our  country,  and, 
more  than  any  other  part  of  the  United  States,  suffered  from  the  evils 
of  war.  The  character  and  depredations  of  the  '■'Cow-boys"  and 
"Skinners"  whose  fields  of  action  were  on  the  skirts  of  this  "  Neutral 
Ground,"  are  familiar  to  all  who  have  read  "  the  Essay''  of  Mr.  Cooper. 
A  distinguished  clergyman"  gives  the  following  very  graphic  picture  of 
Westchester  County  in  those  days: — 
a  July  4th,  1770. 

&  Stafford's  (iazetteer  of  N.  Y.  Upon  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  British  forces, 
Nov.  25, 1 7S3,  the  Governor  of  the  State  and  Commander-in-chief  were  escorted  by  a  body  of 
H'»/.7.'.ff  -  r  I,, <il.'  hoi-si ,  commanded  by  Captain  Delavan," — JSdUor. 
c  Dr.  Timothy  D  wight's  Travels,  3d  vol. 


INTRODUCTION. 


xiii 


"  In  the  autumn  of  1777,  I  resided  for  some  time  in  this  County.  The  lines  of 
the  British  were  then  in  the  neighborhood  of  King's  Bridge,  and  those  of  the 
Americans  at  Byram  River.  The  unhappy  inhabitants  were,  therefore,  exposed 
to  the  depredations  of  both.  Often  they  were  actually  plundered,  and  always 
were  liable  to  this  calamity.  They  feared  every  body  whom  they  saw,  and  loved 
nobody.  It  was  a  curious  fact  to  a  philosopher,  and  a  melancholy  one  to  hear 
their  conversation.  To  every  question  they  gave  such  an  answer  as  would  please 
the  inquirer ;  or,  if  they  despaired  of  pleasing,  such  a  one  as  would  not  provoke 
him.  Fear  was,  apparently,  the  only  passion  by  which  they  were  animated. 
The  power  of  volition  seemed  to  have  deserted  them.  They  were  not  civil,  but 
obsequious;  not  obliging,  but  subservient.  They  yielded  with  a  kind  of  apathy, 
and  very  quietly,  what  you  asked,  and  what  they  supposed  it  impossible  for 
them  to  retain.  If  you  treated  them  kindly,  they  received  it  coldly ;  not  as  a 
kindness,  but  as  a  compensation  for  injuries  done  them  by  others.  When  you 
spoke  to  them,  they  answered  you  without  either  good  or  ill  nature,  and  without 
any  appearance  of  reluctance  or  hesitation ;  but  they  subjoined  neither  questions 
nor  remarks  of  their  own;  proving  to  your  full  conviction,  that  they  felt  no 
iuterest  eitiier  in  the  conversation  or  yourself.  Both  their  countenances  and 
motions  had  lost  every  trace  of  animation  and  feeling.  The  features  were 
smoothed,  not  into  serenity,  but  apathy;  and,  instead  of  being  settled  in  the 
attitude  of  quiet  thinking,  strongly  indicated  that  all  thought  beyond  what  was 
merely  instinctive,  had  fled  their  minds  for  ever. 

"Their  houses,  in  the  meantime,  were  in  a  great  measure  scenesof  desolation. 
Their  furniture  was  extensively  plundered,  or  broken  to  pieces.  The  walls, 
floors,  and  windows  were  injured  both  by  violence  and  decay ;  and  were  not 
repaired,  because  they  had  not.  the  means  to  repair  them,  and  because  they  were 
exposed  to  the  repetition  of  the  same  injuries.  Their  cattle  were  gone.  Their 
enclosures  were  burnt,  where  they  were  capable  of  becoming  fuel ;  and  in  many 
cases  thrown  down,  where  they  were  not.  Their  fields  were  covered  with  a  rank 
growth  of  weeds  and  wild  grass. 

"Amid  all  this  appearance  of  desolation,  nothing  struck  my  eye  more  forci- 
bly than  the  sight  of  the  high  road.  Where  I  had  heretofore  seen  a  continual 
succession  of  horses  and  carriages,  life  and  bustle — lending  a  sprightliness  to  all 
the  environing  objects — not  a  single,  solitary  traveller  was  seen,  from  week  to 
week,  or  from  month  to  month.  The  world  was  motionless  and  silent,  except 
when  one  of  these  unhappy  people  ventured  upon  a  rare  and  lonely  excursion  to 
the  house  of  a  neighbor  no  less  unhappy;  or  a  scouting  party,  traversing  the 
country  in  quest  of  enemies,  alarmed  the  inhabitants  with  expectations  of  new 
injuries  and  sufferings.  The  very  tracks  of  the  carriages  were  grown  over,  and 
obliterated ;  and  where  they  were  discernible,  resembled  the  faint  impressions  of 
chariot  wheels  said  to  be  left  on  the  pavements  of  Ilerculaneum.  The  grass  was 
of  full  height  for  the  scythe ;  and  strongly  realized  to  my  own  mind,  for  the  first 
time,  the  proper  import  of  that  picturesque  declaration  in  the  Song  of  Deborah : 
'In  the  days  of  Shamgar,  the  son  of  Anath,  in  the  days  of  Jael.  the  highways 
were  unoccupied,  and  the  travellers  walked  through  by-paths.  The  inhabitants 
of  the  villages  ceased;  they  ceased  in  Israel.'  "<* 


a  American  Scenery,  by  Bartlett  and  Willis. 


XIV 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  subjoined  account  of  the  County,  in  1780.  is  taken  from  Dr. 
Thacher's  Military  Journal : — 

"The  country  which  we  lately  traversed,  about  fifty  miles  in  extent,  is  called 
"Neutkat.  Gi:ound;"  but  the  miserable  inhabitants  who  remain  are  not  much 
favored  with  the  privileges  which  their  neutrality  ought  to  secure  to  them. 
They  are  continually  exposed  to  the  ravages  and  insults  of  an  infamous  banditti, 
composed  of  royal  refugees  and  tories.  The  country  is  rich  and  fertile  j  and  the 
farms  appear  to  have  been  advantageously  cultivated,  but  it  now  has  the  marks 
of  a  country  in  ruins.  A  large  proportion  of  the  proprietors  having  abandoned 
their  farms,  the  few  that  remain  find  it  impossible  to  harvest  the  produce.  The 
meadows  and  pastures  are  covered  with  grass  of  a  summer's  growth,  and  thousands 
of  bushels  of  apples  and  other  fruit  are  rotting  in  the  orchards.  We  brought  off 
about  two  hundred  loads  of  hay  and  grain ;  and  ten  times  the  amount  might 
have  been  procured,  had  teams  enough  been  provided.  Those  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  neutral  ground  who  were  tories,  have  joined  their  friends  in  New  York  ; 
and  the  Whigs  have  retired  into  the  interior  of  our  country.  Some  of  each  side 
have  taken  up  arms,  and  become  the  most  cruel  and  deadly  foes.  There  are 
within  the  British  lines  banditti,  consisting  of  lawless  villians,  who  devote  them- 
selves to  the  most  cruel  pillage  and  robbery  among  the  defenceless  inhabitants 
between  the  lines;  many  of  them  they  carry  off  to  New  York,  after  plundering 
their  houses  and  farms.  These  shameless  marauders  have  received  the  names  of 
Cowboys  and  Skinners.  By  their  atrocious  deeds,  they  have  become  a  scourge 
and  terror  to  the  people.  Numerous  instances  have  been  related  of  these  miscre- 
ants subjecting  defenceless  persons  to  cruel  tortures,  to  compel  them  to  deliver 
up  their  money,  or  to  disclose  the  places  where  it  has  been  secreted.  It  is  not 
uncommon  for  them  to  hang  a  man  by  the  neck  till  apparently  dead,  then  restore 
him,  and  repeat  the  experiment,  and  leave  him  for  dead.  Odc  of  these  unhappy 
persons  informed  me,  that  when  suffering  this  cruel  treatment,  the  last  sensation 
which  he  recollects,  when  suspended  by  the  neck,  was  a  Hashing  heat  over  him 
like  that  which  would  be  occasioned  by  boiling  water  poured  over  his  body ;  he 
was,  however,  cut  down  ;  and  how  long  he  remained  on  the  ground  insensible, 
he  knows  not.  A  peaceable,  unresisting  Quaker,  of  considerable  respectability, 
by  tbe  name  of  Quiucy,  was  visited  by  several  of  these  vile  ruffians:  they  first 
demanded  his  money,  and  after  it  was  delivered  they  suspected  he  had  more 
concealed,  and  inflicted  on  him  the  most  savage  cruelties  in  order  to  extort  it 
from  him.  They  began  with  what  they  call  scorching,  covering  his  naked  body 
with  hot  ashes,  and  repeating  the  application  till  the  skin  was  covered  with 
blisters ;  after  this  they  resorted  to  the  halter,  and  hung  the  poor  man  on  a  tree 
by  his  neck,  then  took  him  down,  and  repeated  it  a  second,  aud  even  a  third  time, 
and  finally  left  him  almost  lifeless.1*0 

/ 

Westchester  County  under  the  late  constitution  formed  the  Second 
Senatorial,  and  Assembly  Districts ;  under  the  present,  she  constitutes 
the  Seventh  Senatorial  with  Rockland,  and  is  divided  into  two  Assembly 
Districts. 


a  Thacher's  Military  Journal,  232. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


JUDGES  OF  THE  COUNTY. 


John  Pell 

16SS 

William  Jay 

.  1820 

Caleb  Ileuthcotc 

1700 

Isaac  Rcqua 

.  1820 

William  Willett 

17U1 

Jonathan  Ferris  . 

.  1820 

Frederick  Phillips  . 

1730 

William  Miller  . 

.  1820 

Isiuic  Honeywell 

1731 

Edward  Kemeys  . 

.  1821 

John  Thomas 

1734 

St.  John  Constant 

.  1822 

Lewis  Morris,  Jun.  , 

1738 

Ezra  Lockwooil  . 

.  1822 

Samuel  Purely 

1744 

Henry  White 

.  1823 

William  Leggett 

1752 

John  Townsend  . 

1825 

Nathaniel  Underbill 

1755 

Nehemiah  Brown,  Ju 

q.       .  1831 

John  Thomas 

1765 

Aaron  Vark 

.  1833 

Robert  Graham 

1778 

Joseph  A.  Constant 

.  1838 

Stephen  Ward 

1778 

George  Case 

.  1843 

Gilbert  Drake 

1778 

Albert  Lockwood 

.  1845 

Ebenezer  Lockwood 

1778 

Robert  J.  Hart  . 

•  1846 

Jonathan  G.  Tompkins  . 

1778 

John  W.  Mills  . 

.  1851 

Ebenezer  Purdy 

1797 

Albert  Lockwood 

.  1857 

John  Waters  . 

1802 

Robert  Cochran 

.  1867 

Caleb  Tompkins  . 

1808 

Silas  D.  Glfford  i 

.  1871 

CLERKS  OF 

THE  COUNTY. 

Edward  Collier 

1CS8  to  1691 

1691  to  1698 

1698  to  1707 

1707  to  1711 

Daniel  Clark  . 

1711  to  1722 

William  Forster 

1722  to  1732 

1745  to  1746 

1760  to  1764 

Richard  Hatfield 

1777  to  1800 

1807  to  1815 

1815  to  1820 

1820  to  1821 

Nehemiah  S.  Bates 

1821  to  1829 

1S29  to  1833 

1833  to  1837 

1837  to  1839 

Charles  A.  Purdy  . 

1839  to  1843 

Muuson  I.  Lockwood 

1843  to  1849 

Robert  R.  Oakley 

Hiram  P.  Rowel  2  . 

1855 

Chauncey  M.  Depew  3 

1867 

1  Re-elected. 

2  Re-elected  each  subsequent  term. 

3  Appointed,  vice  Rowel  deceased. 


xvi  INTRODUCTION. 

William  TV.  Pierson  i  1867 

J.  Malcone  Smith  1857 

John  M.  Rowel   1875 

SHERIFFS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Thomas  Wheeler,  under  the  Dutch,  ....  1654  to  1664 
Resolve  Waklron,  High  Sheriff  of  the  North  Riding,  .  16C4  to  1670 
Robert  Coe  .  '■  "  ditto  "  "  .  .  1670  to  1671 
John  Manning  .  "  "  ditto  "  "  .  .  1671  to  1672 
Benjamin  Collier,  High  Sheriff  of  Westchester  County,  .    16S8  to  1692 

Rodger  Barton  October  14,  1702  to  1706 

Nicholas  Cooper   1733  to  1837 

Isaac  Willet  ,  1737  to  1766 

Lewis  Graham   .    1766  to  1768 

John  de  Lancey       .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .    1768  to  1769 

James  de  Lanccy,  Juu.,  last  of  the  Colonnial,  .  .  1709  to  1775 
John  Thomas  .      .      .      .  •    J      .      .  January  6,  1778  to  1780 

Jesse  Hunt  17S0  to  1781 

John  Thomas  1781  to  1785 

Jesse  Hunt   1785  to  1788 

Thomas  Thomas   1788  to  1792 

Samuel  Haight   1792  to  1796 

Elias  Newman   1796  to  1799 

William  Barker   1799  to  1806 

Daniel  Delavan        .    1806  to  1807 

St.  John  Constant   1807  to  1810 

Elijah  Ward  1810  to  1811 

St.  John  Constant  1811  to  1814 

Lyman  Cook  1814  to  1815 

Zabud  June  1815  to  1818 

Lyman  Cook  1818  to  1821 

Ward  B.  Howard     .      .      .      .      .      .      .      .    1821  to  1823 

"  John  Townsend   1823  to  1826 

Alan  McDonald   1826  to  1829 

David  D.  Webbers   1829  to  1832 

Aaron  Brown  1832  to  1835 

Joseph  H.  Anderson   1835  to  1838 

Amos  T.  Hatfierd  183S  to  1S41 

Joseph  Lyon  1841  to  1844 

William  H.  Brigga   1844  to  1847 

James  M.  Bates  1847 

Benjamin  D.  Miller .       •   1849 

Alsop  H.  Lock  wood  1852 

Daniel  H.  Little  1855 

William  Bleakley,  Jr  1858 

Leemon  B.  Tripp  1861 


1  Appointed  vice  Depew,  failed  to  qualify. 


INTRODUCION. 


XVII 


Darius  Lyon  . 
John  Bussing  . 
Root.  F.  Brundage 
Ziba  Carpenter  . 
Robt.  F.  Brundage 
Jas.  C.  Courter  . 


1864 
1867 
1870 
1873 
1876 
1S79 


SURROGATES  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

John  Bartow   1754  to 

Caleb  Fowler   1791  to 

Richard  Hatfield   1778  to 

Philip  Pell   1787  to 

Elias  Newman   1796  to 

Samuel  Young   1800  to 

Edward  Thomas   to 

Samuel  Young   1807  to 

Ezra  Lockwood   180S  to 

Henry  White  March  1C,  1815  to 

Samuel  Young  July  8,  1819  to 

Ebenezer  White,  Jun  Feb.  17,  1821  to 

Jonathan  Ward   1823  to 

Alexander  H.  Wells  ■      .  1839  to 

Frederick  I.  Coffin   1844  to 

Lewis  C.  Piatt   1847  to 

Robert  H.  Coles     .      .  ... 

Silas  D.  Gifford*  

John  W.  Mills*  

Owen  T.  Coffin  


1708 
1778 
1787 
1796 
1800 


1S08 
1815 
1819 
1821 
1823 
1839 
1844 
1817 
1852 
1855 
1862 
1S62 
1870 


Deputies  from  Westchester  County  to  the  Provincial  Congress,  met 
at  New  York,  May  23d,  1775  : — 

Gouverneur  Morris  Philip  van  Cortlandt 

Lewis  Graham  James  nolmes 

James  van  Cortlandt  David  Dayton 

Stephen  Ward  John  Thomas,  Jun. 

Joseph  Drake  Robert  Graham 

William  Paulding. 

Members  of  the  New  York  Convention  from  Westchester  County  for 
deliberating  on  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
assembled  at  Poughkeepsie,  June  17,  1788  : — 

Lewis  Morris  Philip  van  Cortlandt 

Philip  Livingston  Thaddeus  Crane 

Richard  Hatfield  Lott  W.  Sarles. 


a  Appointed  vice  Coles,  deceased,  Jan  16, 1S62. 
b  Re-elected  each  subsequent  term. 


xviii 


INTRODUCTION. 


Delegates  from  Westchester  County  to  the  Convention  met  at 
Kingston,  Ulster  County,  to  frame  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  April  20th,  1777: — 

Pierre  van  Cortlandt  Ebenezer  Lockwood 

Gouverneur  Morris  Zebediah  Mills 

Gilbert  Drake  Jonathan  Piatt 

Lewis  Graham  Jonathan  G.  Tompkins. 

Delegates  from  Westchester  County  met  in  Convention  for  framing  the 
late  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  York,  November  10th,  1821  : — 
Peter  A.  Jay,  Peter  Jay  Munro,  Jonathan  Ward. 

Delegates  from  Westchester  County  met  in  Convention,  for  framing 
the  present  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  York  :  — 

John  Hunter,  Aaron  Ward. 


A  List  of  the  Officers  chosen  in  ike  several  districts  of  the  South  Battalion 
of  Westchester  County,  {except  Westchester.)  A.  D.  1775. 

YOJSKBRS. 

John  Cock,  Captain.  John  Warner,  2d  Lieutenant. 

William  Betts,  1st  Lieutenant.  Jacob  Post,  Ensign. 

New  officers  to  be  chosen  for  this  company,  no  commission  issued. 

EASTCHESTER. 

Stephen  Sneden,  Captain.  Daniel  Sersing,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Thomas  Pinckney,  1st  Lieutenant.  William  Pinckney,  Ensign. 

Commission  issued,  dated  September  20. 

NEW  ROCHELLE, 
And  Manor  of  Pclham. 
Joseph  Drake,  Captain.  James  Willis,  1st  Lieutenant. 

David  Guion,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Commission  issued  and  dated  20th  September. 

PIIILIPSBURGI1 

Upper  Company. 

Abraham  Ledew,  Captain.  John  Belyea,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Benjamin  Brown,  1st  Lieutenant.  John  Oakley,  Ensign,  (son  of  Isaac. 

Commission  issued  September  2,  delivered  to  Mr.  Paulding. 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 


PHILIPSBURGH. 
Tarrytawn  Company. 
Abraham  Storms,  Captain.  Joseph  Appleby,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Georae  Combs,  ist  Lieutenant.  Nathaniel  Underbill,  Ensign. 

Same  date,  delivered  to  Mr.  Paulding. 

PHILIPSBURGH. 
East  Company. 

David  Storms,  Captain.  Gdbert  Dean,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Benjamin  Vermilyea,  1st  Lieutenant  Gilbert  Requaw,  Ensign. 

Same  date  delivered  to  .Mr.  Paulding. 

PHILIPSBURGH.. 
Lower  Company'. 

Isaac  Vermilyea,  Captain.  Isaac  Honeywell,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Dennis  Lent,  2d  Lieutenant. 
Dated  September  20,  delivered  to  Mr.  Paulding. 

MAMARONECK  and  RYE. 
Except  the  Upper  End  of  King  Street 
Robert  Blomer,  Captain.  Ezekiel  Halstead,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Alexander  Hunt,  1st  Lieutenant.  Daniel  Horton  Ensign. 

SCARSDALE,  WHITE  PLAINS, 
And  Brown's  Point. 
Joshua  Hatfield,  Captain.  Anthony  Miller,  2d  Lieutenant. 

James  Verrian,  1st  Lieutenant.  John  Falconer,  Ensign. 

HARRISON  PRECINCT, 
And  the  Upper  End  of  King  Street. 
Henry  Dusinberry,  Captain.  Caleb  Paulding,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Lyon  Mills,  1st  Lieutenant.  Gilbert  Dusinberry,  Ensign. 

NORTHCASTLE. 
East  Company. 

Benoni  Piatt,  Captain.  Abraham  Knapp,  2d  Lieutenat, 

David  Hobby,  1st  Lieutenant.  Jonathan  Guion,  Ensign. 

NORTHCASTLE. 

South  Company. 

Benjamin  Ogdeu,  Captain.  Caleb  Merritt,  Jun.,  2d  LieuteaiUiU 

Jeremiah  Hunter,  1st  Lieutenant.  James  Broudige,  Ensign. 


XX 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  Northcastle,  North  Company,  there  were  not  persons  sufficient  in 
number  who  had  signed  the  association,  to  make  officers  of ;  so  that 
nothing  was  done. 

BEDFORD. 

Eastern  District. 

Lewis  McDonald,  Jun.,  Captain.  Henry  Lord,  2d  Lieutenant. 

James  Miller,  1st  Lieutenant.  Jesse  Miller,  Ensign. 

BEDFORD. 

Western  District. 

Eli  Seely,  Captain.  Ephraim  Raymond,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Hezekiah  Grey.  1st  Lieutenant.  Gabriel  Higgins.  Ensign. 

P.OUNDRIDGE. 

Joseph  Lockwood,  Captain,  William  Fansher,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Noah  Bouton,  1st  Lieutenant.  Gilbert  Reynolds,  Ensign, 

SALEM. 

South  District. 

Abijah  Gilbert,  Captain.  Sands  Raymond,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Jacob  Haight,  1st  Lieutenant.  Joseph  Cooley,  Ensign. 

SALEM. 

Northern  District. 

Thaddens  Crane,  Captain.  Ezekiel  Hawley,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Jesse  Truesdale,  1st  Lieutenant.  Ebenezer  Brown,  Ensign. 


A  List  of  the  Officers  chosen  in  the  several  districts  of  the  North  Bat- 
talion, of  Westchester  County. 

MANOR  OF  CORTLANDT. 
The  District  late  commanded  by  Francis  Lent. 

James  Kronkhyte,  Captain,  Staats  Degrete,  2d  Lieuteutant. 

Abraham  Lamb,  1st  Lieutenant.  David  Penore,  Ensign. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Bartow  Underhill : — 
Gilbert  van  Cortlaudt,  Captain. 

Daniel  Haines,  1st  Lieutenant ;  sigDed  the  association  the  day  he  was  chosen. 
James  Teller,  2d  Lieutenant. 
Hermanns  Gardiner,  Sen.,  Ensign. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxi 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Jeremiah  Drake : — 
Gilbert  Lockwood,  Captain. 

John  Drake,  1st  Lieutenant ;  signed  the  association  the  day  he  was  chosen. 
Joshua  Drake,  2d  Lieutenant ;  the  like. 
Peter  Carman,  Ensign;  the  like. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Joseph  Strang  : — 

John  Hyatt,  Captain. 
John  Drake,  1st  Lieutenant. 
Obadiah  Purdy,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Joseph  Horton,  Ensign  ;  signed  the  association  the  day  he  was  elected. 
Commission  issued,  dated  September  20. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Ebenezer  Theall : — 
Andrew  Brown,  Captain.  John  Orissey  Miller,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Samuel  Haight,  1st  Lieutenant.  Solomon  Purdy,  Ensign. 

Commission  issued,  dated  September  20. 

The  North  Division  of  the  District,  late  commanded  by  Levi 
Bailey : — 

Nathaniel  Delavan,  Captain.  Titus  Runnells,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Thomas  Nichols,  Jun.,  1st  Lieutenant.       Abraham  Purely,  Ensign. 

Commission  issued,  dated  September  20. 

The  South  Division  of  the  same  District : — 

Gideon  Selah.  Captain.  Caleb  Hobby,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Samuel  Lawrence,  1st  Lieutenant.  Abram  Todd,  Ensign. 

The  Company  commanded  by  David  Montross  refused  to  choose 
officers. 


A  List  of  Officers  chosen  in  the  several  Districts  of  the  North  Battalion 
of  Westchester  County. 

Manor  of  Cortlandt,  the  District  late  commanded  by  Francis  Lent : — 

James  Kronckhyte,  Captain,  Abram  Lamb,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Staats  Dregrete.  2d  Lieutenant.  David  Penore,  Ensign. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Bartow  Underhill. : — 
Gilbert  van  Cortlandt,  Captain. 

Dan.  Hains,  1st  Lieutenant ;  signed  the  association  the  day  he  was  chosen. 
James  Teller,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Hermanus  Gardiner,  sen'r,  Ensign. 


XXII 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  District  late  commanded  by  Jeremiah  Drake : — 
Gilbert  Lockwood,  Captain. 

John  Drake,  1st  Lieutenant ;  signed  the  association  the  day  he  was  chosen. 
Justus  A.  Drake.  2d  Lieutenant ;  the  like. 
Peter  Carman,  Ensign ;  the  like. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Joseph  Strang  : — 
John  Hyatt,  Captain. 

John  Drake,  1st  Lieutenant ;  commission  issued  dated  Sept.  20. 
Obadiah  Purely,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Joseph  Horton,  Ensign ;  signed  the  association  the  day  he  was  elected. 

The  District  late  commanded  by  Ebenezer  Theall: — 

Andrew  Brown,  Captain. 
Samuel  Haight,  1st  Lieutenant. 

John  Crissey  Miller,  2d  Lieutenant ;  commission  issued  dated  Sept.  20. 
Solomon  Purdy,  Ensign. 


INTROOWrlOS. 


xxiii 


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XXIV 


INTRODUCTION. 


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INTRODUCTION. 


XXV 


Tntitled  List  of  Field  Officers  for  Westchester  County,  Sept.  12,  1775. 

(Endorsed  on  the  back,  "An  Old  Letter  on  Military  Returns,"  Sec.  Stat.  Offlce,  foL  26, 17T5, 

page  13.) 

Commissions  issued,  dated  October  14,  1775. 

FIELD  OFFICERS  NOMINATED  BY  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  WESTCHESTER  CO. 

First  Regiment. 

Jo9eph  Drake,  Colonel. 
James  Hammond,  Lieutenant. 
Moses  Drake,  1st  Major. 
Jonathan  G.  Graham,  2d  Major. 
Ahraham  Emmons,  Adjutant. 
Theophilus  Bartow,  jun'r,  Quarter  Master. 

Second  Regiment. 

Thomas  Thomas,  Colonel. 
Gilbert  Budil,  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Ebenezer  Lockwood,  1st  Major. 
Thaddeus  Crane,  2d  Major. 
Jonathan  G.  Tompkins,  Adjutant. 
John  Thomas,  2d  Quarter  Master. 

Third  Regiment. 
Pierre  van  Cortlandt,  Colonel. 
Gilbert  Drake,  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Joseph  Strang,  1st  Major. 
Ebenezer  Purdy,  2d  Major. 
John  Cooley,  Adjutant 
Isaac  Norton,  Quarter  Master. 


THE  WESTCHESTER  GUIDES. 
During  the  Revolution. 
John  Pine,  Michael  Dyckman, 

John  Odell,  James  Oakley, 

Abraham  Dyckman,  Frederick  Martin  Post, 

Isaac  Odell. 


MAP  OP  BEDFORD. 


THE 

REVISED  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 

This  town  forms  in  shape  nearly  a  square,  each  of  its  sides  being  six 
miles  in  length.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  town  of  the  same  title 
in  Bedfordshire,  England,  from  whence  the  early  settlers  came.  The 
earlier  etymology  of  its  name  in  the  Saxon  language  was  Jjcbanpoiti), 
"more  eminent,"  says  Camden,  "for  the  pleasantness  of  its  situation, 
and  its  antiquity,  than  for  either  beauty  or  largeness."* 

Among  the  Mohegan  Indians  Bedford  formed  a  portion  of  the  sachem- 
dom of  Rippowam,  which  extended  eighteen  miles  north  of  Stamford, 
on  the  "  Manunketesuck,"  or  Sound,  also  eight  miles  east  and  west  of 
the  same. 

"Within  this  territory,"  we  are  informed,  "were  traces  of  at  least  four 
distinct  clans."  "On  the  west  side,  with  his  seat  not  far  from  where 
the  line  now  separates  Stamford  from  Greenwich,  was  the  bold  and  war- 
like Mayaro,  with  his  vindictive  band  of  warriors,  already  experienced 
in  the  conflict,  both  with  the  savage  and  civilized  foe.  Whence  they 
had  come,  or  how  many  they  might  count,  we  shall  never  know." 

Further  to  the  east,  with  his  princely  residence  overlooking  both  the 
bays  which  enclosed  the  finest  headland  of  Rippowam,  was  WasGussue, 
Lord  of  Shippan.  Not  so  spirited  as  Mayaro,  he  seemed  to  linger  with 
a  handful  of  his  tribe,  in  a  sort  of  princely  repose  upon  the  fair  field 
which  his  more  youthful  arm  had  won,  unwilling  to  leave  the  charming 
heritage,  which  in  his  sadness  he  saw  now  for  the  first  time  seriously 
invaded. 

Still  farther  towards  the  rising  sun  and  beyond  the  lovely  Noroton 
bay,  was  the  empire  of  Piamikin,  whose  deed  of  alienation  makes  him 


•Camden's  Brittannia. 


2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


sagamore  of  Roatan,  and  whose  jealous  eye  guarded  the  territory  and 
fishing  grounds,  away  out  to  the  waters  of  the  babbling  Ro  .valton  (Five 
Mile  River). 

On  the  north  of  these  sea-washed  domains  lay  the  more  extended 
realms  of  Ponus.  From  his  ancestors  he  had  received  the  wooded 
hills  and  brook-washed  vales  that  stretch  far  away  to  the  north  until 
they  are  lost  in  the  forests,  even  among  the  Mohawk  tribes,  which  even 
the  red  men  did  not  claim — a  wild  border  ground  between  the  eastern 
and  western  tribes,  and  he  hoped  to  hand  them  all  over  to  hie  idol, 
Powahag,  the  bright-faced  son  of  his  first  born  Onox.  But  the  old 
patriarch  of  his  wasting  tribe,  saw  his  warriors  fade  and  perish  as  if 
touched  with  the  power  of  his  own  decay,  and  he  yielded  gracefully  to 
the  stern  necessity.  He  lived,  as  we  shall  see  presently,  to  sign  with  his 
own  hand  the  deed  which  forever  alienated  from  himself  and  heirs,  "all 
the  uplands,  meadows,  and  grass,  with  the  rivers,  and  trees,"  that  had 
once  been  his  rejoicing  and  his  pride.* 

Upon  the  ist  of  July,  1640,  Nathaniel  Turner,  agent,  in  behalf  of  the 
people  of  Quinipiacke  (New  Haven),  "bought  of  Ponus,  sagamore  of 
Toquams,  and  of  Wascussue,  sagamore  of  Shippan  (the  other  Indians 
consenting  thereto),  all  the  ground  belonging  to  the  said  sagamores, 
except  a  piece  of  ground  which  Ponus  reserved  for  himself  and  the 
other  Indians  to  plant  upon."  This  purchase  embraced  all  the  land 
sixteen  miles  north  of  the  Sound.  The  Indian  name  of  the  tract  was 
Rippowams.f 

"The  consideration  was  twelve  coats,  twelve  hoes,  twelve  hatchets, 
•twelve  glasses,  twelve  knives,  two  kettles,  and  five  fathoms  of  white 
wampum."  The  liberty  of  hunting  and  fishing  on  the  land  was  reserved 
by  the  Indians.^  The  above  sale  was  confirmed  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Stamford  on  the  nth  of  August,  1655,  by  Ponus,  and  Onox  his  eldest 
son:  "extending  sixteen  miles  north  of  the  town  plot  of  Stamford  and 
two  miles  still  further  north  for  the  pasture  of  their  cattle ;  also  eight 
miles  east  and  west,  (the  same  as  paid  for  before);  and  as  a  further 
recompense,  four  coats  of  English  cloth  was  given  them.j  This  grant, 
which  embraced  nearly  the  whole  township  of  Bedford,  "was  offered  by 
the  New  Haven  Colony  (the  same  year)  to  a  company  of  dissatisfied 
men  at  Weathersfield,  Conn.,  who,  looking  about  for  a  new  home;  but 

'Huntington,  nist.  of  Stamford,  p.  102-3. 

tOn  the  30th  of  October,  HMO,  Mr.  Andrew  Ward  and  Mr.  Robert  Coe,  on  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  twenty  other  planters,  purchased  Kippowains  of  New  Haven,  for  .£33  sterling. 
Lambert's  nistory  of  New  Haven,  176. 

tLambert's  nistory  of  New  naven. 

{Huntington's  nist.  of  Stamford. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HEDFORD. 


3 


no  settlement  was  effected  under  this  deed,  and  it  is  only  of  interest  as 
fixing  the  earliest  date  at  which  any  part  of  the  present  town  of  Bedford 
passed  out  of  Indian  possession."*  Ponus  Street,  New  Canaan,  denotes, 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  Sachem's  residence,  as  well  as  Onox's  Ridge, 
that  of  his  son  and  successor.  There  was  also  a  path  called  Ponassesf 
in  the  town  of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  as  early  as  1687.  The  following  table 
will  show  the  descent  of  Ponus  for  three  generations. 


Wascussue, 
Sachem  of  Shippan. 


Onox  the  elder,  Taphasse,  Owenoke, 

1G55.  1CG7.  1640. 


Pouus,  Sachem  of 
Rippowains,  A.  I).  1640. 


Powahag,  Onox  the 

1667.  younger. 

Sometime  subsequent  to  the  Indian  sale  in  1655,  the  old  township  of 
Bedford  was  emphatically  styled  "Catonah's  land,"  after  the  Indian 
chief  and  proprietor  of  that  name;  hence  we  deduce  the  origin  of  the 
local  term  "Cantitoe,"  which  yet  survives  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
town.  The  termination  "oe"  denoting  the  place  of  that  Sachem's  resi- 
dence. Catonah  must  have  assumed  the  supremacy  over  these  lands 
about  1680,  for  his  first  conveyance  to  the  proprietors  of  the  "Hop 
Grounds"  bears  date  23d  December  that  year.  Some  connection  doubt- 
less existed  between  Catonah  and  his  predecessor  Powahag  or  Penaghag, 
but  what  it  was  is  hard  to  determine  at  this  distant  period.  About  1700 
Catonah  or  Catoona  and  Coll  confirmed  to  the  English  (inhabitants  of 
Stamford)  all  the  previous  grants  of  territory,  "westward  as  far  as  Bed- 
ford," and  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  "considerable  and  valuable  sums 
of  money;"  and  beside  all  this  make  special  mention  "of  deeds  or 
grants  made  to  the  English  by  Taphasse,  Ponus,  Penchayo,  old  Onox, 
young  Onox,  a  deed  to  Captain  Turner  and  also  a  deed  by  Hawatona- 
man,  which  the  Stamford  records  have  not  preserved."  J  In  a  convey- 
ance to  John  Belden,  of  Norwalk,  and  others,  Sept.  30th,  1708,  Catonah 
styles  himself  "Sachem  of  the  Ramapo  Indians  within  his  majesty's 
province  of  New  York,"  and  this  is  the  last  we  hear  of  him.  AVacham- 
ane  was  probably  his  son  and  successor  in  the  Sachemdom. 


•Address  of  Joseph  Barratt,  Esq.,  4th  July,  1S7G. 
tE.  Hall's  Hist.  Rec  of  Norwalk,  page  S2. 
^Huntington's  History  of  Stamford. 


Recorder  Catonah,  July,  '77. 


4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


A  bold  eminence  lying  to  the  north  of  Bedford  village  retains  the  abo- 
riginal name  of  Aspetong  or  Aspicung  (Indian  terms  for  a:i  indigenous 
variety  of  an  odoriferous  grape);  while  another  on  the  west,  covered 
with  luxurious  woods  and  visible  from  all  parts  of  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, still  bears  the  title  of  its  aboriginal  proprietor,  Nanama,  one  of  the  six 
great  sagamores  who  (we  shall  see  presently)  sold  land  half  a  mile  square 
lying  west  of  the  old  Hop  Grounds  in  1692.  Two  roads  in  the  western 
part  of  the  town  traverse  the  Indian  paths  of  Potiticus  and  Suckebouk, 
the  former  leading  to  Cohansey,  a  wild  and  romantic  spot  west  of  Broad 
Brook,  and  almost  under  the  shadow  of  Nanama.  Here  was  a  famous 
spring  of  water,  and  here  the  Indians  continued  to  reside  down  to  a  late 
period  of  our  Colonial  History. 

Amawalk  lot  is  a  fine  knoll  situated  near  the  banks  of  Stony  Hill 
River,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  which  are  the  "pits,"  a  sandy  plain 
surrounded  by  woods  and  marshy  ground,  almost  bordering  on  the 
Beaver  Dam  River,  both  these  places  were  favorite  sites  for  Indian 
lodges.  Patomus  Ridge  lies  a  little  farther  eastward,  upon  which  stood 
a  Cluster  of  wigwams,  in  1692.  Armonck,  Comonck,  or  Kahomesug, 
sold  by  Catoona  and  other  Indians  to  the  proprietors  of  the  Hop 
Grounds  in  1683,  is  situated  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town.  Cor- 
nelius Van  Tienhoven  (an  early  Dutch  authority)  in  describing  the 
bounds  of  the  Indian  territory  of  Wechquaesqueck,  says,  "This  land  is 
situate  between  two  rivulets  called  Sintsinck  and  Armonck  lying  between 
the  East  and  North  River.*  The  term  Armonck|  (here  alluded  to)  is 
supposed  to  have  been  the  original  Indian  appellation  for  the  Byram 
River,  whose  springs  rise  from  the  Comonck  hills  in  this  town,  some- 
times called  Cohamong  ridge  the  last  syllable  otick  or  ong,  when 
taken  in  connection  with  the  rest  of  the  word,  denotes  "the  place  or 
locality  where  shells  are  manufactured  into  wampum."  From  this  we 
infer  that  the  seawan  (the  specie  currency  of  the  natives)  was  once  man- 
ufactured in  large  quantities  upon  the  banks  of  the  Byram  or  Armonck, 
while  the  whole  county  of  Westchester  was  denominated  "Laapha- 
wachking,"  or  "place  of  stringing  beads." 

"Quauhaug  is  an  English  corruption  of  the  Indian  word  Poquau- 
hock.  The  New  England  and  Long  Island  Indians  called  the  round, 
hard-shell  clam  Poquau,  and  added  the  termination  hog,  huog,  hock  or 
haug,  to  signify  the  plural.    In  old  works  on  New  England  and  New 


•O'Callagan's  Hist,  of  New  Netherland,  vol.  1,  p.  UO. 

tAmochk  in  the  Delaware  tongue  signlfles  Baaver.  Essay  of  a  Delaware  Indian,  Ac,,  by 
Bjivid  Zeisberger,  Phila,  1776. 

JRec.  of  60.   Road's  Register's  office,  p.  L 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


5 


Netherland  History  these  clams  are  called  Poquauhock,  Poquauhaug, 
&c  The  English  {not  the  Indians),  by  omitting  the  first  syllable  re- 
duced the  word  to  Quauhaug  or  Quahaug,  the  latter  being  the  mode  of 
spelling  usually  adopted  by  the  early  New  England  and  Dutch  writers. 
Roger  Williams  does  not  use  the  word  "  Quauhaug,"  nor  does  he 
allude  to  the  corruption.  The  following  is  his  description  of  "Poquau- 
hock':  'This  the  English  call  hens;  a  little  thick  shell  fish  which  the 
Indians  wade  deep  and  dive  for ;  and  after  they  have  eaten  there — in 
those  which  are  good,  they  break  out  of  the  shell,  about  half  an  inch  of 
a  black  part  of  it,  of  which  they  make  their  '  Suckauhock,'  or  black  money, 
which  is  to  them  precious.  'Seawan,'  or  'Seawant,'  was  the  general 
name  applied  by  the  Indians  to  their  currency  made  from  shells.  Wam- 
pum or  White  money  was  made  from  the  stem  or  stock  of  'Meteahock' 
(Periwinkles).  This  was  their  silver.  '  Suckanhock  was  made  from  the 
purple  portion  of  the  shell  of  '  Poquahock.'  This  was  their  gold.  Both 
the  Dutch  and  English,  however,  soon  began  to  drop  the  distinctive 
terms.  Hence  we  find  '  Wampum '  or  '  Wampom '  used  to  designate  the 
Indian  money  without  regard  to  color.  In  making  their  'gold,'  the 
Indians  broke  from  the  'Poquauhock'  a  'Quauhaug'  about  half  an  inch 
of  the  dark  purple  portion  of  the  inside  and  converted  it  into  beads  of 
the  diameter  of  a  large  straw,  and  about  one  third  of  an  inch  in  length. 
Before  the  introduction  of  awls  and  thread  from  Europe,  these  beads 
were  bored  longitudinally  with  sharp  stones  and  strung  upon  the  sinews 
of  animals.  'Their  Merchandise,'  said  Josselyn,  in  speaking  of  the  In- 
dian commerce,  'are  their  beads  which  are  their  money;  of  these  there 
are  two  sorts:  blue  beads  and  white  beads;  the  first  is  their  gold,  the 
last  their  silver;  these  they  work  out  of  certain  shells  so  cunning  that 
neither  Jew  nor  Devil  can  counterfeit;  they  drill  them  and  string  them 
and  make  many  curious  works  with  them  to  adorn  the  persons  of  their 
sagamores  and  principal  young  men  and  women,  as  belts,  girdles,  tab- 
lets, borders  for  their  women's  hair,  bracelets,  necklaces,  and  links  to 
hang  in  their  ears.  Prince  Phillip,  a  little  before  I  came  from  England, 
had  a  coat  on  and  buskins  set  thick  with  these  beads  in  pleasant  wild 
works — and  a  wide  belt  of  the  same; — his  accoutrements  were  valued  at 
twenty  pounds.'  With  this  Seawan,  commonly  called  Wampum,  the 
Indians  paid  tribute,  redeemed  captives,  atoned  for  murders  and  other 
wrongs,  and  purchased  peace  with  their  more  powerful  neighbors  as  oc- 
casion required.  It  was  the  seal  of  a  contract  and  the  oath  of  fidelity. 
In  the  form  of  a  belt  it  was  sent  with  all  public  messages,  and  some- 
times— marked  with  curious  hieroglyphics — was  preserved  as  a  record  of 
important  transactions  between  rival  tribes.    A  message  sent  without 


6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  belt  was  spurned  as  an  empty  word.  The  return  of  a  belt  was  un- 
derstood as  the  rejection  of  an  offer  or  of  the  terms  accompanying  the 
same.  A  string  of  'Sea wan'  was  sometimes  delivered  by  the  orator  in 
public  council  at  the  close  of  each  proposition  as  ratifying  the  speaker's 
truth  and  sincerity.  Strings  of  'Wampum'  were  occasionally  tied 
around  the  neck  of  a  white  dog,  and  the  animal  thus  decorated  was  fas- 
tened to  a  pole  and  offered  up  as  a  sacrifice  to  'Thalonghyawaagon,' 
the  upholder  of  the  skies.  Long  Island  was  called  '  Seawan-Hacky,' 
the  Island  of  Shells.  Immense  quantities  of  Seawan  were  manufactured 
there.  In  the  extensive  shell-banks  left  by  the  Indians,  a  whole  shell  is 
rarely  found,  nearly  all  having  been  more  or  less  broken  in  the  process 
of  making  'wampom.'  The  French  at  one  time  made  unsuccessful 
efforts  to  circulate  a  porcelain  counterfeit.  The  Dutch  manufactured 
great  quantities  from  the  genuine  material — their  superior  mechanical 
facilities  giving  them  much  advantage  over  the  Indians.  The  Dutch 
valued  three  purple  beads  at  one  Stuyver  (penny) — double  the  price  of 
the  white  beads. 

"According  to  Loskiel,  'Wampum'  or  'Wampom,'  signifies  in  the 
language  of  the  Iroquois  a  'muscle.'  'These  muscles,'  he  says,  'are 
chiefly  found  on  the  coast  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  are  valued 
according  to  their  color,  which  is  brown,  violet,  and  white.  The  former 
are  sometimes  of  so  dark  a  shade  that  they  pass  for  black,  and  are  dou- 
ble the  price  of  white.  Having  first  sawed  them  into  square  pieces 
about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length  and  an  eighth  in  thickness,  they 
grind  them  round  or  oval  upon  a  common  grindstone.  Then  a  hole 
being  bored  lengthways  through  each,  large  enough  to  admit  a  wire, 
whipcord,  or  thin  thong,  they  are  strung  like  beads  and  the  string  of 
'wampom'  is  complete.  Four  or  six  strings  joined  in  one  breadth  and 
fastened  to  each  other  with  fine  thread  make  a  belt  of  'wampom,'  being 
about  three  or  four  inches  wide  and  three  feet  long,  containing,  perhaps, 
from  eight  or  twelve  fathoms  of  'wampom'  in  proportion  to  its  requisite 
length  and  breadth.' 

"One  of  the  most  celebrated  'wampom'  belts  known  to  have  been 
wrought  by  the  Indians  was  presented  to  William  Penn  by  the  Lenni- 
Lenape-Sachems  on  the  occasion  of  the  famous  Treaty  of  1682.  The 
writer  has  in  his  possession  a facsimile  of  this  belt.  The  original  belt  was  » 
presented  to  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society  by  Granville  John 
Penn,  Esq.,  May  25th,  1857.  It  is  of  the  very  neatest  workmanship.  Its 
length  is  twenty-six  inches,  and  its  breadth  nine  inches.  It  consists  of 
eighteen  strings  woven  together — formed  entirely  of  small  beads  strung 
in  rows.    In  the  centre  there  is  a  rude,  but  striking  representation, 


THK  TOWN  OF  BKDFORD. 


7 


worked  in  dark  violet  beads — of  two  men,  one  somewhat  the  stouter, 
wearing  a  hat ;  the  other  rather  thin,  having  an  uncovered  head.  The 
figures  stand  erect,  with  hands  clasped — symbolic  of  the  contract  which 
will  always  live  in  History  as — 'Not  sworn  to,  but  never  broken.' 

"The  use  of  'Quauhaug'  in  the  form  of  a  wampum  belt  was  the  most 
solemn  purpose  to  which  the  Indians  devoted  the  precious  shell. 

"For  more  than  one  hundred  years  after  the  settlement  of  New 
Netherland  and  New  England  it  served  as  a  circulating  medium  in  the 
affairs  of  trade  and  was  received  with  equal  good  faith  by  the  Indians 
and  Whites. 

"Until  within  quite  a  recent  period  wampum  was  manufactured  in 
Suffolk  County,  Long  Island.  As  late  as  the  Summer  of  1831,  several 
bushels  were  sent  from  Babylon  to  be  used  by  the  Indians  of  the  West- 
ern Territories  for  the  purpose  of  conventions  and  treaties.  Although 
Quauhaug  is  technically  a  plural — custom  and  usage  long  established 
and  now  sanctioned  by  the  best  writers  have  made  it  a  singular  word."* 

The  great  Indian  settlement  of  this  town  was  called  "Nanichiesta- 
wack,"  which  occupied  the  southern  spur  of  "Indian  Hill,"  sometimes 
called  the  "Indian  Farm,"  and  "Stony  Point  or  Hill,"  stretching  toward 
die  north-west.  There  is  a  most  romantic  approach  to  the  site  of  moun- 
tain fastness,  by  a  steep,  narrow,  beaten  track  opposite  the  Stamford 
cart  path,  as  it  was  formerly  denominated,  which  followed  the  old  Indian 
trail  called  the  "Thoroughfare."  There  is  a  tradition  current  in  the 
neighborhood  that  the  south  side  of  this  hill  was  the  scene  of  a  bloody 
fight  between  the  early  settlers  and  the  aboriginees.  Mrs.  Martha  Holmes, 
an  aged  inhabitant  of  Bedford,  living  in  1848,  remembered  as  far  back 
as  1765  to  have  seen  several  mounds  at  the  foot  of  this  hill,  a  little  south 
of  the  old  school  house,  which  were  pointed  out  to  her  as  the  graves  of 
those  who  fell  in  the  conflict ;  while  another  tradition  says  that  a  stream 
of  blood  ran  down  on  the  south  side  of  the  hill,  and  many  bones  were 
afterwards  interred  there.  The  truth  is  that  a  bloody  fight  actually  took 
place  here  between  a  hundred  and  thirty  Dutch  troops,  led  by  the  re- 
doubtable Capt.  John  Underhill  (who  had  fought  under  Maurice  of 
Nassau,  Prince  of  Orange,  in  the  Low  Countries),  one  full  moonlight 
night  in  February,  1644,  and  a  tribe  of  the  Sinaroys  Indians,  on  which 
occasion  seven  hundred  of  the  latter  perished  amidst  the  flames  and 
surroundings  of  "  Nanichiestawack."\ 

It  appears  that  "the  campaign  of  1644  was  opened  by  an  expedition 

•An  "  Indian  Talk  "  abont  QuahauK  ami  Wampum,  hv  Reuhkwehhehnweh,  New  Rochelle, 
July  18,  1SG0.   Taken  from  yew  Rochelle  Pioneer,  July  15, 1865. 

tSome  say  the  village  of  "  Petuguepaen." 


8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


that  scoured  Staten  Island  in  the  hope  of  meeting  the  tribes  of  that 
region;  but  they  found  no  Indians  to  contend  with,  and  returned  after 
only  a  few  days'  absence,  with  no  other  booty  than  a  few  hundred  sche- 
pels  of  corn. 

A  messenger  from  Stamford  arrived  at  the  fort,  bearing  the  head  of 
the  Indian  chief  Mayano,  and  reporting  that  a  large  body  of  hostile  In- 
dians was  encamped  near  Greenwich.  A  detachment  of  one  hundred 
-  and  twenty  men  was  sent  off  by  water.  They  landed  at  Greenwich  and 
after  marching  all  night  without  meeting  the  enemy,  halted  at  Stamford. 
It  was  evident  either  that  the  Indians  had  been  warned  of  the  expedi- 
tion, or  that  the  story  of  the  encampment  was  false.  The  troops  had 
been  sent  mainly  on  the  representations  of  Captain  Daniel  Patrick,  of 
Greenwich,  and  to  him  the  disappointed  Dutchmen  looked  for  an  ex- 
planation. On  a  Sunday  afternoon,  during  the  hour  of  sen-ice,  a  Dutch 
soldier  met  the  captain  at  Stamford,  and,  after  stating  that  the  troops 
had  been  deluded,  openly  charged  him  with  treachery.  The  captain 
threw  back  the  insult  with  some  rough  words,  and  spat  in  his  accuser's 
face;  but  as  he  turned  on  his  heel  the  Dutchman  drew  a  pistol  and  shot 
him  dead. 

Some  Stamford  men,  who  seemed  nettled  at  the  taunts  of  the  Dutch, 
volunteered  to  discover  the  place  where  the  Indians  lay  concealed. 
Four  scouts  went  out,  who  60on  returned,  and  conducted  a  party  of 
twenty-five  to  an  Indian  village,  where  about  twenty  savages  were  killed; 
and  an  old  man,  two  squaws,  and  some  children  made  prisoners.  The 
old  man  offered  to  show  the  Dutch  the  way  to  Wetquescheck,  an  Indian 
stronghold  consisting  of  three  castles  constructed  of  plank  five  inches 
thick,  nine  feet  high,  and  braced  all  around  by  heavy  timbers,  pierced 
for  small  arms.  Sixty-five  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Baxter  and  Sergeant  Cock,  following  the  old  man's  guidance,  cautiously 
approached  the  castles,  expecting  a  formidable  resistance;  but,  to  their 
surprise,  they  found  the  stronghold  deserted.  The  over-prudent  Indians 
had  retreated,  leaving  the  Dutch  to  burn  two  of  the  castles,  a  small 
quantity  of  stores,  kill  one  or  two  men,  and  take  a  few  women  and 
children  prisoners. 

Meanwhile  Pennewitz,  of  Long  Island,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
experienced  chiefs  in  the  country,  and  who,  in  the  first  war,  had  pro- 
posed  to  slaughter  the  Dutch  in  a  single  night,  was  secretly  acting  a 
hostile  part,  and  had  already  killed  a  number  of  Christians  and  burnt 
numerous  barns.  It  was  therefore  resolved  to  send  a  force  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men  towards  Heemstede  (Hempstead),  the  English 
under  command  of  Underhill,  the  Dutch  under  Peter  Cock,  and  all 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


9 


under  the  general  supervision  of  La  Montague.  The  advance  guard, 
having  killed  an  Indian  spy,  waited  until  the  main  body  came  up,  when 
the  troops  were  formed  in  two  divisions,  and  an  attack  was  made  at  the 
same  time  on  Matsepe  (Maspeth)  and  a  smaller  village  near  at  hand 
In  a  few  hours  over  a  hundred  Indians  lay  dead  upon  the  field,  while, 
on  the  part  of  the  Dutch  and  English,  the  loss  was  only  one  killed  and 
tliree  wounded. 

On  the  return  of  this  expedition,  Captain  Underhill  was  dispatched  to 
Stamford  in  quest  of  information  relative  to  the  Indians  of  that  region. 
Meeting  the  same  guide  who  had  led  the  Dutch  forces  astray  in  the 
Greenwich  expedition,  he  learned  that  nearly  a  thousand  Indians  were 
assembled  not  far  off,  to  celebrate  one  of  their  festivals.  The  guide, 
anxious  to  redeem  his  reputation,  offered  to  lead  the  Dutch  to  the 
Indian  rendezvous,  in  order  to  prove  that  the  former  mischance  was 
not  his  fault. '  Captain  Underhill,  in  reporting  these  facts  to  Kieft, 
advised  an  immediate  attack.  A  force  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men 
was  dispatched  in  three  yachts,  under  the  Captain's  command. 

It  was  now  mid-winter.  The  earth  was  covered  with  snow,  and  the 
little  army,  after  landing  at  Greenwich,  passed  a  dreary  night  in  the 
midst  of  a  howling  storm.  Early  next  morning  the  troops  took  up  their 
line  of  march  in  a  north-westerly  direction,  and  steadily  but  slowly  ad- 
vanced all  day  long,  trudging  through  the  deep  snow,  creeping  over 
stony  hills  laid  bare  by  the  sweeping  winds,  and  wading  over  half  frozen 
streams.  By  eight  o'clock  they  arrived  within  a  league  of  the  Indian 
village,  and  halted  to  rest  and  arrange  the  plan  of  battle.  The  village, 
which  had  been  carefully  arranged  for  winter  quarters,  lay  snugly  en^ 
sconced  in  a  low  mountain  recess,  completely  sheltered  from  the  bleak 
northerly  winds,  and  consisted  of  a  large  number  of  huts  disposed  in 
three  streets,  each  about  eighty  paces  long.  As  the  Dutch  approached 
they  found  the  Indians  prepared  to  receive  them,  whereupon  Capt. 
Underhill  gave  orders  to  charge  sword  in  hand.  His  men  rushed  in  and 
tried  to  surround  the  huts ;  but  the  savages,  who  seemed  this  time  to 
act  with  some  degree  of  military  skill,  deployed  in  small  bands,  and 
fought  with  such  vigor  that  in  a  few  moments  thirteen  of  the  soldiers 
were  disabled. 

The  contest,  however,  did  not  long  continue.  The  Dutch,  though 
greatly  inferior  in  numbers,  were  vastly  superior  in  skill,  weapons,  disci- 
pline, and  powers  of  endurance,  to  their  brave,  but  weak,  half-starved, 
and  poorly  armed  adversaries.  The  Indians  were  soon  pressed  so  hard 
as  to  be  obliged  to  make  for  their  huts,  where  they  still  kept  up  the 
fight  by  discharging  arrows  through  loop  holes.    Nearly  two  hundred  of 


IO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


their  number  lay  dead  upon  the  snow;  but  the  survivors  still  fought  on 
with  the  desperation  of  men  who  understood  the  merciless  character  of 
their  assailants,  and  preferred  death  to  a  captivity  that  might  end  in 
torture.  Underhill  now  gave  orders  to  fire  the  huts.  The  Indians 
tried  every  way  to  escape;  but  they  were  by  this  time  completely  sur- 
rounded, and,  finding  it  impossible  to  break  through  the  lines,  they 
quietly  retired  with  their  wives  and  children  to  the  blazing  huts,  and 
whole  families  submitted  to  the  flames  rather  than  die  by  the  sword. 
They  would  not  even  gratify  their  enemies  by  the  least  sound  that 
might  betray  anything  like  pain  or  terror;  although  more  than  five  hun- 
dred Indians,  many  of  whom  were  women  and  children,  miserably  per- 
ished on  that  awful  night ;  not  one  was  heard  to  cry  or  scream. 

The  Dutch  victory  was  complete.  Large  fires  were  built,  for  the  air 
was  intensely  cold;  the  wounded  were  dressed,  sentinels  were  posted, 
and  the  weary  troops  bivouacked  on  the  battle  ground  for  the  remain- 
der of  the  night. 

How  terrible  the  change  that  a  few  hours  had  brought  upon  the  Indian 
village,  which,  at  the  setting  of  the  sun,  lay  so  peacefully  in  that  moun- 
tain gorge,  surrounded  by  the  pure,  untrodden  snow ! 

The  village  now  a  smouldering  ruin — the  snow  trampled  and  scat- 
tered by  many  a  desperate  struggle — crimsoned,  too,  with  blood,  and 
holding  in  its  cold  embrace  hundreds  of  ghastly  forms — what  more  des- 
olate picture  could  Revenge  itself  have  desired  to  behold  than  the 
ruined  homes,  the  broken  weapons,  the  gory  scalps,  and  the  grim  faces 
of  the  dead,  which  the  full  moon  disclosed  as  her  silvery  rays  streamed 
upon  the  mountain  slope  and  floated  down  the  valley  !* 

O'Callaghon  thus  details  the  action  in  his  history  of  the  N.  H. : 
"  On  his  return  from  Heemstede,  Capt.  Underhill  was  ordered  to  Stam- 
ford, to  obtain  particulars  of  the  whereabouts  of  the  savages.  He 
brought  word  back,  that  they  were  encamped  some  five  hundred  strong 
in  that  direction,  and  that  the  old  guide  urged  the  forwarding  a  body  of 
troops  immediately  thither,  as  he  was  desirous,  on  the  one  hand,  to 
prove  that  the  former  ill-success  of  the  Dutch  was  not  his  fault;  on  the 
other  hand  anxious  for  protection,  as  his  life  was  in  constant  danger. 

"One  hundred  and  thirty  men  embarked  accordingly,  under  Capt. 
Underhill  and  Ensign  Van  Dyck,  in  three  yachts,  and  landed  the  same 
evening  at  Greenwich.!  But  a  severe  snow  storm  having  set  in,  de- 
tained them  at  that  settlement  the  whole  of  the  night.    The  weather, 


'Sunday  Lines,  Manhattan  Papers  No.  10,  by  Jan  Vogelanger. 

tThey  probably  landed  on  Greenwich  Point,  called  by  tha  Indians  Mouakewego. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


I  l 


however,  moderated  towards  morning,  when  the  party  set  forward  and 
arrived  soon  after  at  the  foot  of  a  rocky  mountain,*  over  which  some  of 
the  men  had  to  crawl,  with  considerable  difficulty,  on  their  hands  and 
feet.  The  evening,  about  eight  o'clock,  brought  them  to  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  enemy.  Their  further  progress  was,  however,  now  impeded 
by  two  rivers,  one  of  which  was  some  two  hundred  feet  wide,  and  tiiree 
in  depth.  It  was  considered  best  to  remain  here  awhile,  in  order  to 
refresh  the  men,  and  to  make  arrangements  for  the  coming  attack. 
After  a  rest  of  a  couple  of  hours,  the  party  again  set  forward  at  ten 
o'clock.  It  was  full  moon,  and  the  night  so  clear — *a  winter's  day 
could  not  be  brighter,' — that  the  Indian  village  was  soon  discovered  at 
a  distance.  It  consisted  of  three  rows  of  houses  or  huts,  rangec  in 
streets,  each  eighty  paces  long,  and  backed  by  a  mountain  which  shei  • 
tered  it  from  the  north-west  wind. 

"But  the  Indians  were  as  much  on  the  alert  as  their  enemy.  They 
soon  discovered  the  Dutch  troops,  who  charged  forthwith,  surrounding 
the  camp,  sword  in  hand.  The  Indians  evinced  on  this  occasion,  con- 
siderable boldness,  and  made  a  rush  once  or  twice  to  break  the  Dutch 
line,  and  open  some  way  for  escape.  But  in  this  they  failed,  leaving 
one  dead  and  twelve  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  assailants,  who  now 
kept  up  such  a  brisk  fire  that  it  was  impossible  for  any  of  the  besieged 
to  escape.  After  a  desperate  conflict  of  an  hour,  one  hundred  and 
eighty  Indians  lay  dead  on  the  snow  outside  their  dwellings.  Not  one 
of  the  survivors  durst  now  show  his  face.  They  remained  under  cover, 
discharging  their  arrows  from  behind,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  the 
Dutch  troops.  Underhill  now  seeing  no  other  way  to  overcome  the 
obstinate  resistance  of  the  foe,  gave  orders  to  fire  their  huts.  The  order 
was  forthwith  obeyed;  the  wretched  inmates  endeavoring  in  every  way 
to  escape  from  the  horrid  flames,  but  mostly  without  success.  The 
moment  they  made  their  appearance,  they  rushed  or  were  driven  precip- 
itately back  into  their  burning  hovels,  'preferring  to  be  consumed  by 
fire  than  to  fall  by  our  weapons.' 

'Tn  this  merciless  manner  were  butchered,  as  some  of  the  Indians 
afterwards  reported,  five  hundred  human  beings.  Others  carry  the 
number  to  seven  hundred;  'the  Lord  having  collected  most  of  our 
enemies  there  to  celebrate  some  peculiar  festival.' 

"Of  the  whole  party,  no  more  than  eight  men  escaped  this  terrible 
slaughter  by  fire  and  sword.  Three  of  these  were  badly  wounded. 
Throughout  the  entire  carnage  not  one  of  the  sufferers — man,  woman, 
or  child — was  heard  to  utter  a  shriek  or  moan. 


'Supposed  Stony  Hills,  a  mountainous  ridge  north  of  Bedford. 


12 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"This  expedition  having  been  crowned  with  complete  success,  the 
wounded,  fifteen  in  number,  were  attended  to,  and  sentinels  posted  to 
prevent  surprise.  Large  fires  were  then  kindled,  as  the  weather  was 
still  excessively  cold,  and  the  conquerors  bivouacked  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  night,  on  the  field  of  battle.  They  set  out  next  morning  on 
their  return  in  good  order,  '  marching  with  great  courage  over  that  har- 
rassing  mountain,  the  Lord  enduing  the  wounded  with  extraordinary 
strength.'  and  arrived  at  Stamford  at  noon,  after  a  march  of  two  days 
and  one  night,  during  which  they  had  little  repose  and  less  comfort. 
The  English  received  the  soldiers  with  friendly  hospitality,  proffering 
them  every  possible  kindness.  Two  days  afterwards  the  detachment 
arrived  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  where  a  public  thanksgiving  was  ordered  for 
the  brilliant  success  which  attended  the  New  Netherland  arms.a 

"The  late  punishment  (continues  the  same  authority)  inflicted  upon 
these  Indians,  and  the  approach  of  Spring,  made  them  desirous  of  peace, 
-  and  they  therefore  solicited  the  intervention  of  Capt.  Underhill  to  pro- 
cure a  cessation  of  hostilities. 

"Mamaranack,  chief  of  the  Indians  residing  on  the  Kicktawanc,  or 
Croton  River,  Mongockonone,  Pappenoharrow  from  the  Weckquaes- 
queecks  and  Nochpeem,  and  the  Wappings  from  Stamford,  presented 
themselves  in  a  few  days  (April  6,  1644),  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  and  hav- 
ing pledged  themselves  that  they  should  not,  henceforth,  commit  any 
injury  whatever  on  the  inhabitants  of  New  Netherland,  their  cattle  and 
houses,  nor  show  themselves,  except  in  a  canoe,  before  Fort  Amsterdam, 
should  the  Dutch  be  at  war  with  any  of  the  Manhattan  tribes,  and  hav- 
ing further  promised  to  deliver  up  Pacham,  the  chief  of  the  Tankitekes, 
peace  was  concluded  between  them  and  the  Dutch,  who  promised  on 
their  part  not  to  molest  them  in  any  way,  but  to  allow  them  to  cultivate 
their  fields  in  peace;  and  as  a  guarantee  of  their  sincerity,  surrendered 
several  of  their  prisoners."! 

A  path  like  a  sheep  walk  leads  up  from  the  site  of  this  memorable 
battle  field  to  the  top  of  "  Indian  Hill,"  which  commands  a  very  envi- 
able view,  being  a  wonderful  assemblage  of  mountain,  hill,  and  dale, 
woodland  and  water  hardly  equalled.  The  prospect  is  bounded  to  the 
south-east  and  east  by  the  waters  of  the  Sound,  and  light  blue  shores  of 
Long  Island,  whither  the  Indians  of  yore  carried  on  their  fishing  excur-  - 
sions  in  the  Summer  season ;  to  the  north  and  north-west  far  away  for 
hundreds  of  miles,  extend  the  Green  Mountains,  and  still  nearer  to  the 
west  the  majestic  Highlands,  bordering  on  the  Hudson,  from  whence 


(n)  General  Van.  N.  N. 

(b)  O'Callaghau's  Hist,  of  N.  N.,  p.  300-3. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


13 


came  the  dreaded  Mohawk,  above  which  towers  the  mighty  Dunden- 
burg,  in  olden  times  abounding  in  game  which  the  Indians  hunted  for 
pleasure  and  subsistence,  which,  together  with  the  beautiful  valleys  of 
the  Myanos  and  the  Muscoota  or  Beaver  Dam  and  Cohamong  hills, 
form  a  noble  and  extensive  outline.  The  Myanos  River  (probably  so 
named  after  the  bold  and  warlike  Mayano  Sachem  of  Petuquapaen, 
killed  by  the  celebrated  Captain  Daniel  Patrick,  Patroon  of  the  Manor 
of  Greenwich  in  1643)*  for  three  or  four  miles  below  the  village  is  bor- 
dered by  what  is  called  the  "River  Hills,"  which  are  extremely  pictur- 
esque and  romantic;  in  some  places  its  rocky  and  wooded  banks  are 
almost  precipitous,  one  spot  in  particular  called  "Crow  Rock,"  soon 
after  which  the  landscape  expands  and  the  Myanos,  released  from  its 
narrow  bed,  widens  and  continues  its  course  until  lost  in  the  "  Manunk- 
etesuck,"  or  Sound  near  Cos  Cob. 

What  had  become  of  the  descendants  of  the  warlike  Ponus  does  not 
appear;  but  in  the  year  1680  the  "Hop  Grounds,"  which  were  situated 
at  the  north  end  of  the  Stamford  bounds,  belonged  to  the  Sachem 
Katoonah  and  other  Indians,  all  which  is  shown  by  the  following  grant, 
under  which  it  may  be  truly  said  the  settlement  of  Bedford  was  actually 
begun : 

Stamford,  ths  twenty-third  day  of  December,  one  thousand,  six  hundred  and  eighty. 

Witness  these  presents  that  we  whose  names  are  under  written  namely  Ka- 
toonah Rockahway  Sepotah  Iovis  Tomacoppah  Kakenand,  we  doe  for  orselves 
our  heirs  executors  administrators  and  asigns  and  for  and  in  behalfc  of  al  other 
proprietors  of  the  land  commonly  caled  the  hopp-ground ;  we  say  we  doe  here- 
by sel  Alinatc  asigne  and  set  oner  from  us  or  heirs  executors  Administrators  and 
asignes  for  ever  a  certaine  parsel  of  meddow  and  upland  commonly  called  and 
known  by  the  hoppground  which  land  lyes  at  the  north  end  of  Stanford  hounds : 
as  it  is  already  bounded  with  markt  trees  only  the  west  line  to  be  extended: 
southward  til  it  shall  meet  with  a  southwest  line  drawn  from  three  markt  white 
oaks  standing  very  ncere  together  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  s'd  land  we 
the  above  named  doe  hereby  sel  Alinate  and  assigne  and  set  ouer  frrm  us 
the  land  above  specifyd  with  all  the  rights  and  privilidges  thereunto  be- 
longing for  euer,  unto  Richard  Ambler  Abraham  Ambler  Joseph  Thcal  Daniel 
Weed  Eleazer  Slawson  John  Wescot  Ionathan  Petit  iohn  Cross  iohn  Miller  Nich- 
olas Webster  Richard  Ayres  William  Clark  ionas  Seeley  ioseph  Stevens  Daniel 
iones,  Thomas  Pannoycr,  iohn  Holms  iunr,  beniamin  Steuens  iohn  green  senr, 
david  waterbury  S  im  weed  ionathan  kilborn,  them  their  hcires  executors  ad- 
ministrators asignes  for  euer  quiatly  to  posese  and  injoy  without  molestation  by 
us  or  ours  or  any  by  our  means  or  procurement,  moreouer  we  ye  above  uien- 


•Patriek  was  killed  by  a  soldier  at  Capt.  John  rnderhill's  house  In  1644.  He  married  Annctje 
Van  Beyerea,  and  by  her  had  one  sou  who  afterwards  claimed  his  father's  land  at  Green- 
wich. 


*4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


tioned  Katonah  Sepotah  iovis  Tohmocapph,  Pannaps  Kakenand  dou  bargcn  and 
hereby  grant  full  liberty  of  timber  and  herbedge  for  them  and  theire  creatures 
upon  our  aineont  lands  for  euer  and  doe  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  received 
full  satisfaction  for  the  land  above  sd'  in  witness  of  truth  we  have  caused  this 
bill  of  sale  to  be  made  and  hereto  set  our  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  date 
aboue  written ; 


Katoonah  *  mark 

signed  sealed  &  deliver  rockaway  ||  mark 

ed  in  the  presence  of  ioshua  Sepotah  1  mark 

Knap  David  "Water-  iovis  §  his  mark 

bury  taco  0  his  mark  Tomopoh  X  mark 

poading  —  mark  Pannaps  t  mark 

Kakenand  t  mark 


The  above  bill  of  sale  is  acknowledged  by  the  grantors  the  indians  by  their 
seueral  names  i  say  acknowledged  before  me. 

Rich.  Law,  Comis'. 

Stanford  Deeembe  23,  1680. 


Stanford  23d.  deeembe,  1680. 

Then  payd  unty  ye  indians  specified  in  this  within  bill  of  sale  for  the  purchase 
as  follows 


twelve  Indian  cotes 

09-0-0 

six  blankets 

09-0-0 

300  gilders  wampan 

16-0-0 

entered  upon 

two  yard  red  brod  cloth 

2  5-0 

record  26  of 

six  yard  red  coton 

1-10-0 

Peb'e  1694-5 

more  by  expenses 

8-01-0 

Abraham  Am- 

total 

46-16-10 

bler  recdr  « 

This  purchase  of  the  "Hop  Ground"  probably  included  about  7,700 
acres.f 


a  First  Book  of  Bedford  Rec,  p.  129.  The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  Hon.  John  Jay  of 
Bedford. 

t"Froni  an  ancient  memorandum  found  in  the  town  record  it  is  sp.pposcdtli.it  tins  first 
purchase  of  the  hopgronnd,  as  it  was  called  from  its  natural  product,  included  about  7700 
acres.  The  'cotes,'  blankets,  'brod  cloth,'  'red  coton,'  wampum,  or  current  funds  of  the 
time,  and  the  somewhat  mysterious  entry  of  'more  by  expenses,  s  pounds,  1  shilling,'  corre- 
sponding perhaps,  to  the  '  contingent  expenses'  of  modern  committee-men,  only  made  up  the 
moderate  total  of  4fi  pounds.  lt>  shillings.    But  real  estate  was  not  high  in  those  days,  though 

it  seems  to  have  1  n  looking  no,  for  it  was  only  in  l(i'2i'>  that  the  whole  city  and  county  of 

New  York  was  sold  for  twenty-four  dollars."— Address  of  Jos.  Barrett,  July  4,  1876.  Re- 
corder, Katonah,  July  7. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


The  same  year  the  following  charges  were  expended  on  account  of 
the  "  Hop  Ground"  : 


The  amount  of  charges  expended  upon  the  account  of  and  for  ye"hopp 
ground"  in  the  year  1680 


Rich.  Ambler 
Abra.  " 
Jos  Thcals 
Dan.  Weed 
Dan.  Wescot 
Jo.  " 
Jonah  Petit 
Jo.  Cross 


06-04-00 
06-00  00 

04-  00-00 
06-00-00 

05-  00-00 
05-00-00 
09-00-00 
02-06-04 

43-10-10 


Total  is  ; 
ye  sum  paid  purchase  as  above  was 
Forty  shillings  each  person. 


The  proportion  and  how  these  men 
paid 

Jos.  Hunt 

Nickolas  Webster  to  (_ 


Richd  Ambler 
Abra.  Ambler  to"» 
Jo  Miller  > 
Eli  Slason  X  X 
David  Waterbery 


Joseph  Theale  payd) 
by  Sa  Weed  J 
Dan  Weed  p'ayd  by) 
Thos  Parroyer  j 
by  Rich  Ayres 
Dan  Wescot  by) 
Will  Clark  | 
by  Jonas  Selly  2  lb  ) 
by  Tho  panoyer  1  lb) 
Dan  Wescol  by  1 
Ben  Stevens  J 
Jonah  Pettit  payd) 
by  Gren 
Jos  Steveus 
Kilboru 
Dan  Jones 
Jo  Cross  :  pd  by) 
Eli  Slauson  x  ) 


02-00-00 
02-00-00 

02-00-00 

01  -12-06 

00-  07-06 

02-  00-00 

01-  00-00 

03-  00-00 

02-  00-00 

03-  00-00 

02  00-00 

01-  00-00 

02-  00-00 
02-00-00 
02-00-00 

00x07-00 


By  the  following  document  it  appears  that  the  proprietors  began  their 
settlement  by  holding  their  first  meeting  at  Stamford  from  whence  they 
all  came. 


Stamford  io  March  :  i6gj. 

by  vote  the  proprietors  of  the  "hop  grounds"  doe  chuse  and  appoynt 
and  fully  empower  Jos  Theale  Abra  Ambler  John  Miller  Daniel  Jones: 
and  John  Cross  to  be  theire  committee  to  lay  out  the  town  plot  both  for 
situation  and  also  to  lay  out  the  house  lots  and  one  lotment  to  every 
proprietor  in  the  field  or  the  East  side  of  the  plains:  and  three  of  the 
aforesaid  men  have  full  power  to  act  in  ye  premises  and  it  shall  be  in 
the  discretion  of  these  men  to  make  each  man's  lot  proportionable;  in 


1 6  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

quantity  'what  it  wants  in  quality  it  is  also  agreed  by  the  parsons :  above 
that  noe  man's  house  lot  shall  be  less  than  three  acres:  but  more  if  the 
land  will  allow  it:  Further  it  is  agreed  by  the  proprietors  aforesd  that 
the  committee  above  named  shall  have  full  power  to  lay  out  or  leave  a 
convenient  lot  in  the  town  plot  for  the  use  of  the  town  and  also  in  the 
field  a  lot  proportionable  with  the  other  lots  for  the  use  of  the  town 
upon  the  17th  March:  ™  the  committee  above  named  went  and 
after  meausure  of  Land:  and  laying  out  the  street  they  proceeded  to  lot 
and  the  lots  were  as  follows 

Riard  Ambler  16 
Abra  Ambler  8 
Jos  Stevens  20 
Joseph  Theale  5 
Daniel  Weed  2 1 
Elea  ;  Slauson  13 
Joe  Wescot  19 
Jonah  Pettit  22 
John  Cross  4 
John  Miller  3 
Nicke  :  Webster  9 
Rich  :  Ayres  14 

22:  March,  16JJ;  the  proprietors  agree  that  what  the  committee 
had  done  in  laying  out  ye  town  plot,  and  the  house  lots,  shall  stand; 
and  the  place  they  reserved  for  the  town  common,  and  the  town  lot  to 
be  as  they  laid  it  out,  and  the  meeting  house  shall  be  set  upon  the 
common  so  laid  out  among  the  rocks  called  Bates;  his  Hill. 

2:  By  vote,  the  proprietors  agree  to  receive  John  Bates,  Nathaniel 
Cross,  proprietors  with  them,  they  enjoying  a  full  proportion  of  charges 
with  which  that  is  part,  and  what  shall  be  further  expended  upon  the 
said  land,  and  they  to  hold  their  house  lots  and  their  field  lots,  after 
those  that  were  already  granted  to  be  laid  out. 

3.  By  vote  the  proprietors  agree  it  shall  not  be  in  the  power  of  any 
proprietor  to  sell,  exchange  or  any  other  way  alynate  his  propriaty  in 
the  said  hop  grounds  without  the  approbation  and  consent  of  the  maine 
part  of  the  proprietors ;  upon  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  his  right  to  ye 
said  proprietors: 

4ly.  By  vote  the  proprietors  doe  chuse,  apoynt  and  fulley  impower 
Joseph  Heals,  Abraham  Ambler,  John  Bates,  John  Miller  and  John  Cross 
as  theire  committee  to  lay  out  all  their  plaines  and  meadows,  west- 
ward and  eastward  of  the  town  plot  already  layd  out;  and  on  other 
lands  and  meadows  they  see  convenyant;  unto  the  propriators  now  in 
being;  the  comity  to  order  the  said  lands;  in  laving  it  out  according  to 
their  discresion. 

5ly.  By  vote  the  proprietors  agree  that  David  Waterbury  shall  have 
liberty  to  rune  his  homlot  fence  to  the  rock,  commonly  called  Bates  his 


Will  Clark  18 
Jonas  Sely  17 
Da  Jones  20 
Thos  Panoyer  12 
Ben  Stevens  11 
Jo  Homes  15 
Jo  Green  1 
David  Waterbury  10 
Sa  Weed  7 
Jonah  Kilborn  2 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


'7 


Hill,  and  shall  have  ye  use  of  the  town  land  between  his  lot  and  the 
said  Hill  provided  the  said  David:  always  maintaine  A  good  gate  or 
bars  and  liberty  is  reserved  for  the  town  to  fetch  stones  or  other  neses- 
aries  out  of  the  said  town  land  reserved. 

Ye  same  March:  '8i.  the  committee  apoynted  work  of 

laying  out  the  field  land  and  meadow  and  after.  —  of  ye  land  and  lay- 
ing the  cart-ways  they  cast  lots  first  for  the  east  field:  2ly.  for  ye  mead- 
ows: 3ly.  for  the  plains  and  the  lots  being  solemnly  drawn  were  as 
follows : 


Field  lots : 

Meadows : 

plains 

Rich:  Ambler 

17 

10 

1 

Abra  Arable., 

12 

22 

19 

Jos.  Theals, 

4 

8 

7 

Dan.  weed, 

6 

6 

5 

Elea:  wescot, 

15 

2 

4 

Jo-  wescot, 

10 

14 

21 

Jonah:  Pettit, 

19 

11 

18 

John  cross, 

11 

24 

12 

John  Miller, 

16 

15 

24 

Nicke:  Webster. 

14 

23 

3 

Rich.  Ayres, 

1 

9 

23 

Jonas  Seely, 

13 

4 

2 

Jos.  Stevens, 

2 

21 

6 

Dan:  Jones, 

18 

13 

17 

Tho:  Panoyr, 

8 

7 

13 

Jo-  Stones, 

21 

20 

11 

Ben.  Stevens, 

5 

11 

10 

Jo-  Green, 

20 

5 

22 

Dauid  AVaterbury, 

7 

1 

9 

Sa-  Weed, 

3 

18 

15 

Jonh.  Kilborn, 

22 

12 

14 

Jonn  Bates, 

23 

16 

16 

Natha:  Cross, 

24 

19 

20 

The  first  official  notice  or  recognition  of  the  settlement  of  the  town 
appears  to  be  the  following  grant  from  the  General  Court  of  Connecti- 
cut Colony,  at  Hartford  in  1681. 

"  At  a  general  court  held  at  Hartford  May  12,  1681. 

This  court  being  moved  to  grant  liberty  to  erect  a  platform  upon  the  hopp- 
ground  &  ancient  lands  about  Twelve  miles  to  ye  northwards  of  Stamford  doe 
grant  their  request  &  appoynt  Captain  Richard  Olmstead,  Lieut  Jonath  Bell  Lieut 


i8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTX  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Jonathan  Lockwood  and  Mr.  Joseph  Theal  to  be  a  committee  to  entertain  such 
persons  as  shall  plant  there  &  to  manage,  order  &  dispose  of  ye  allays  of  that 
plantation  according  to  their  best  skill  as  may  best  aduance  ye  wellfar  and  groth 
of  ye  said  plantation  &  they  ear  tacke  care  yt  there  be  sutable  loot  laid  out  for 
the  first  minister  of  ye  place  &  a  loot  for  ye  ministry  to  be  and  belong  to  ye 
ministry  forever.    This  is  a  trew  coppy  tacken  out  oi  the  Records  of  Harford. 

Vera  Copia 

Tlartfrd  Test.  Eleazar  Kimberly 

Janry  21st,  1G9G.  ,  Secretary."* 

Upon  the  nth  of  October,  1681,  the  proprietors  of  the  Hop  ground 
agreed  that  no  one  might  be  admitted  as  an  inhabitant,  nor  should  have 
power  to  sell  or  exchange  the  land  that  might  be  allotted  to  him,  nor 
should  he  have  any  voice  in  disposing  of  lands,  but  that  any  inhabitant 
on  paying  forty  shillings  should  have  an  equal  share  with  the  proprietors 
in  all  the  undivided  land.  "The  settlers  seem  to  have  feared  the  ac- 
.  cumulation  of  large  tracts  of  land  in  the  hands  of  single  individuals. 
Hence,  each  man  had  a  home  lot  of  three  acres  which  was  to  be  for- 
feited if  not  built  on  in  three  years  in  the  town,  and  a  lot  in  the  '  east 
field'  or  the  great  'north  plain,'  and  also  some  'meadow  land.'"'1  "  In 
December,  1681,  Samuel  Barrett,  Taebariah  Roberts  and  Thomas  Car- 
field  commenced  to  inhabit  only.J  This  man  Roberts  was  chosen  town 
clerk,  afterwards  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  for  many  years  prominent  in 
nearly  all  the  affairs  of  the  town."§  He  was  also  a  bitter  opponent  of 
the  Church  of  England  as  we  shall  have  occasion  to  show  presently. 

"In  December,  1681,  Joshua  Webb  is  received  as  Inhabitant,  in 
case  they  shall  agree  with  him  to  build  a  grist  mill  in  ye  place."  "A 
committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  Joshua  Webb,  and  a  mill  and 
a  dam  were  built  by  him  and  the  town  jointly,  he  to  furnish  the  iron 
work  and  the  town  to  cart  and  furnish  the  timber  and  mill-stones,"  and 
the  mill  when  finished  is  to  be  the  sd  Joshua  Webb's,  his  proper  right 
and  tytle,  only  he  is  not  at  any  time  to  sell,  alienate  or  any  other  ways 
dispose  of  ye  said  mill;  except  it  be  to  him  or  them  that  the  town  shall 
appoint  and  the  said  Joshua  doth  binde  himself;  and  his;  to  finde  the 
town  at  hop-ground  with  good  meale,  they  finding  good  corne;  the  tole 
as  in  the  law  expressed."  || 


*  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett  July  4th,  1TT6,  copied  from  the  original  document  preserved 
among  the  old  papers  of  John  Holmes  are  of  the  original  pioneers,  now  in  possession  of  John 
C.  Holmes,  Esq.,  of  Cross  River,  Lewisboro. 

a  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4, 1ST6.  Recorder,  Katonah,  July  "th. 

iThe  following  will  serve  as  a  sample  of  the  vote  by  which  new  settlers  were  received  into 
the  colony.  The  date  is  "  December  1681.  Th.'y  give  unto  William  Stnrdeuant  upon  his 
acceptance  and  submitting  to  their  order  of  reselling  Inhabitants :  they  give  him  a  house  lott 
containing  three  Accres,  and  six  Accres  of  land  in  the  east  feild :  and  three  accres  of  mead- 
ow :  he  paving  twenty  shillings  to  ye  company  and  to  take  twenty  rod  of  fence  in  ye  conian 
Held  for  eu'er."'— Address  of  Joseph  Barrett. 

{Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4, 1S76.— The  Recorder,  Win.  A.  Miller  and  J.  T.  Lock- 
wood  editors,  &c. 

II  Ditto. 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


*9 


"  This  mill  stood  on  Myanos  road  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  or  less 
above  where  James  Miller's  mill  now  stands.  In  1701  the  town  "doth 
agree  to  buy  "  the  mill  of  Richard  Webb,  son  of  Joshua,  for  the  use  of 
the  town,  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  pounds.  Another  mill  seems  to  have 
become  necessary  at  this  time,  for  in  November  1701,  "the  town  by  a 
maigor  vote  doth  agree  that  their  corn  mill  shall  be  set  upon  beucr  dam 
Riuerat  the  first  conueniant  place  below  davids  broock:  and  that  there 
shall  be  thirty  acres  of  land  laved  out  to  the  mill  and  to  lye  to  it  foreuer 
that  the  lawful  oners  of  the  mill  shall  enjoy  the  said  thirty  acres  of  land 
foreuer,  not  else."  And  very  stringent  "artickells  of  agreement"  were 
entered  into  with  John  Dibell  to  build  the  mill,  he  is  in  the  former  case 
to  "fmde  the  town  with  good  sofisiant  meall,  they  finding  good  sofisiant 
come"  and  he  to  have  both  mill  and  "thirty  acres  of  land"  foreuer. 
This  was  on  the  site  where  Cox's  mill  now  stands. 

There  is  some  reason  for  believing  that  this  was  the  old  mill  removed 
to  the  new  site.  In  October  1703,  a  little  special  legislation  for  the 
miller  became  necessary.  "The  town  by  maigor  vote  agreeth  and 
ordereth  that  every  numday  shall  be  the  day  for  the  miller  to  attend  to 
grind  for  the  town  and  what  come  or  grain  is  brought  to  the  mill  to  be 
ground  within  the  24  hours  what  is  not  ground  within  ye  time  aforesaid 
the  miller  is  to  attend  to  grind  it  next  day."* 

At  a  court  of  election  holden  in  Hartford,  May  nth,  1682,  the  fol- 
lowing license  was  granted  to  the  people  of  the  Hop  ground : 

"  Upon  the  petition  of  the  people  of  the  Hop  ground,  this  court 
doth  grant  them  the  privilege  of  a  plantation  and  do  order  that  the  name 
of  the  town  be  henceforth  called  Bedford,  and  this  court  doe  appoint 
Joseph  Theall  to  be  the  present  chief  military  officer  for  the  train  band 
of  Bedford,  and  Abraham  Ambler  is  also  empowered  by  this  court  to 
grant  warrants,  to  swear  officers  and  witnesses,  and  to  joyne  persons  in 
marriage  according  to  law,  and  they  doe  free  the  sayd  towne  of  Bedford 
from  county  rates,  for  the  space  of  three  years  next  ensuing.  6 

In  1683,  Catoonah  Sagamore  and  other  Indians,  convey  to  the  pro- 
prietors of  Bedford  the  land  and  meadow  of  Kohamong,  lying  South- 
west of  the  "  Hop  ground." 

INDIAN  DEED. 

Witness  these  present  that  we  Katoonah,  Saggarnore  and  Papiag  his  son 
Tadaquid,  Queranoy  and  Chickhoag,  we  proprietors  of  the  land  and  mid- 
dow  at  Koamong  have  for  ourselves  and  for  the  rest  of  ye  Indians  which  are 
proprietors  of  the  said  land  and  middow  at  Koamong  Commonly  so-called  have 
sold  and  by  these  presents  doe  sell,  alienate,  assign  and  set  over  from  us  and 
every  one  of  us,  and  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  rest  of  the  proprietors  of  ye 
land  and  middow  at  Koamong  and  all  our  heirs  executors,  administrators  and 
assigns  forever  unto  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Bedford,  in  the  colony  of 


•Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4,  1876.  Copied  from  the  Recorder,  Katonah,  July  Ttn. 
b.  Cour.  Col.  Kec.  Hartford  vol.  ill.,  fol.  131—134. 


20 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Conecticot,  them,  their  heirs,  executors,  Administrators  and  assigns  for  ever,  A 
certain  parsell  of  upland  and  middow  as  it  is  already  marked  by  us  Katoonah. 
Sagganiore  and  Papiag,  his  son  tangaquid,  queraway  and  chickhoag  unto  ye 
proprietors  of  Bedford  and  theirs,  which  land  and  middow  lj-cs  at  the  South- 
west of  the  bounds  of  the  said  proprietors  of  Bedford,  bought  of  ye  Indians  as 
appears  by  a  former  bill  of  sale,  this  above  land  and  middow,  with  all  the  rights, 
title  and  priviledges  thereof,  wee  doe  make  over  from  us  and  ours  and  from  all 
those  claiming  right  and  title  and  theirs. 

for  ouer  unto  the  forenamed  propriators  of  Bedford  and  doe  acknowledge  to 
have  received  full  satisfaction  for  the  said  land  and  middow  from  the  propria- 
tors of  the  town  of  Bedford  and  doe  promise  and  engadge  that  the  propriators 
of  Bedford  shall  quietly  poses  and  enjoy  the  same  land  and  middow  without 
molestationby  us  or  any  of  ours  for  euer,  as  witnes  our  hands  in  Bedford  the  sec- 
ond day  of  may,  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  and  three:  thus  under 
written : — 

This  bill  of  sale  signed  and  delivered)  .  His 

in  the  presence  of  us.  >  KATO  O  NAH. 

JOHN  GREEN,  mark- 
JOHN  BATES,  His 
NICHOLAS  WEBSTER,  PA  P  PIAG. 

mark. 

His 

TANDAO  QUID. 

marke 

His 

QTERA  Eh  NOT. 
mark. 

His 

CHICK  X  HEAGO, 
mark. 

This  above  bill  of  sale  is  acknowledged  by  the  grantors,  each  of  them 
before  me. 

Bedford,  the  2d  day  of)  ABRAHAM  AMBLER, 

May,  1683.  >  Comisiouated. 

This  bill  of  seall  is  entred  in  the  publick  records  of  Bedford ;  p :  115. 

By  me,  ZACHARIAH  ROBERTS, 
Recorder. 

May  1st,  1702. 

By  the  settlement  of  the  colonial  boundaries,  November,  1664,  Bed- 
ford fell  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut,  the  line  between  the 
two  colonies  commencing  from  the  east  point  of  Mamaroneck  River, 
where  the  fresh  water  falls  into  the  salt  at  high  water  mark,  north  north- 
west to  the  line  of  Massachusetts.  On  the  ground  that  this  decision 
was  erroneous,  a  further  agreement  was  concluded  at  New  York,  2Sth 
of  October,  1683,  between  the  governor  of  Connecticut  and  certain 
persons  appointed  to  act  with  him,  by  which  it  was  stipulated  that  the 
line  between  New  York  and  Connecticut  should  begin  at  Byram  River, 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


21 


at  the  east  point,  called  Lyon's  Point,  and  so  up  along  the  said  river  to 
the  country  road,  west  eight  miles  from  Lyon's  Point,  and  then  twelve 
miles  east  north-eastward,  thence  in  a  line  parallel  to  the  North  River 
and  twenty  miles  distant  therefrom,  to  the  south  line  of  Massachusetts- 
The  whole  matter  being  left  subject  to  the  King's  ratification.  By  this 
settlement  Bedford  would  have  been  transferred  to  New  York,  but  the 
King's  death  unfortunately  took  place  on  the  6th  of  February,  1685, 
before  its  completion,  in  consequence  of  which  the  whole  matter  was 
again  left  open  for  a  long  and  angry  discussion  which  soon  ensued. 

In  1685,  the  General  Court  of  Connecticut  issued  an  order  to  the  ef- 
fect that  all  towns  should  take  out  patents,  in  due  form,  and  that  there 
should  be  legal  evidence  of  their  rights.  In  "  lenwary  1687-S » 
there  were  18  men  at  a  town  meeting  who  voted  "that  every  one  here 
present  at  the  town  meeting  shall  have  a  pees  of  land  containing  four 
akers  added  unto  their  former  dividends  for  theyr  faithfulness  at  the  at- 
tending of  towne  meetings."  Before  the  28th  of  January,  1688,  the 
Town  ordered  that  as  much  money  should  be  raised  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  pay  for  a  patent.  The  annual  meeting  in  March,  1690,  chose  a 
"dark,  two  sezars,"  (assessors)  two  fence  "vewars,"  and  two  "souairs," 
(surveyors).  In  1691  they  made  "  chois  of  Daniell  Simkings  for  head 
man  for  ye  town  of  Bedford,  to  end  any  contravercy  between  indians 
and  inglish  accrding  to  the  best  of  his  skill."  In  1693  the  "round  swamp 
on  the  south  sid  of  Aspicung "  was  given  to  David  Clason,  for  his  four 
acres  of  "burnory  land." 

The  names  of  the  inhabitants,  including  the  resident  proprietors  of 
Bedford  in  1692,  number  thirty-one,  and  were  as  follows: 

John  Grum,  N.  Miran  Clark, 

Joseph  Miller,  John  Holmes,  Sr., 

Joun  Holmes,  Richard  Ayres, 

John  Miller,  John  Holmes,  Jr., 

Mrs.  Wildman,  Abraham  Wildman, 

Mr.  Dunham.  Isaac  Dunham, 

Zachariah  Roberts,  Jeremiah  Andrews, 

John  Webb,  Richard  Wescote, 

Stephen  Clason,  Daniel  Simpkins, 

Stephen  Holmes,  William  Clark, 

Abraham  Ambler,  John  Brown, 

John  Miller,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Miller, 

John  Ambler,  David  Mead, 

Daniel  Jones,  Caleb  Webb, 

Thomas  Astor,  David  Clason, 
John  Higgins. 


22 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Upon. the  25th  May,  1692,  Catonah,  Noname,  Wappomofiam,  Wene- 
nanopoage,  Chickheog  and  Pommeshecon,  sell  to  Daniel  Simpkins,  of 
Bedford,  a  certain  piece  of  land  lying  west  of  the  bounds  of  Bedford, 
to  say  half  a  mile  square,  as  it  is  already  marked  and  laid  out  by  the 
Indians,  and  bounded  as  followeth,  viz.:  East  by  the  bounds  of  Bed- 
ford, and  south  by  a  brook  coming  off  from  the  west  ridge,  and  west 
and  north  as  it  is  marked  by  the  aforesaid  proprietors. 

His 

CATO  X  NAH. 
mark. 

Witnessed  and  delivered  in  )  His 

the  presence  of  us.         j  PUMMESEo  CHAM. 

STEPHEN  HOLMES,  and  mark. 
JOHN  BROWN.  His 

NO  <  NAME, 
mark. 
His 

WEMEWANA  g  POGE. 

mark. 
His 

CHUCK  *SHEAG. 
mark. 

•Bedford  Town  Rec.  vol. ;  p.  S39. 

In  1692  we  find  the  proprietors  of  Bedford  treating  with  Connecticut 
for  a  general  patent  for  their  township.  The  general  Court  however 
did  not  choose  to  grant  their  request  until  five  years  after,  as  we  shall 
have  occasion  to  show  presently — again  in  1692  at  the  October  session 
of  the  general  Court  Mr.  Underhill  of  Rye  and  Zachary  Roberts  of 
Bedford;  were  in  attendance  and  the  Court  granted  them  an  allowance 
for  their  expenses  in  coming;  to  be  payd  at  Stanford  out  of  the  county 
rate." 

February  10th,  1695,  the  town  ordered  that  the  rates  shall  be  issued 
according  to  the  following  valuations,  viz:6 

Each  head  or  person        -  -     £12    0  0 

"Ox,  -  -  -  -  -  4  0  0 
"    Cow,  -         -         -  3   0  0 

"    Horse,    -         -         -         -         -    2  0  0 
All  improved  lands.         -  -  -         0  15  0 

All  improved  meadow  with  fence,    -  0  10  0 

In  March,  1695-6,  we  find  Governor  Fletcher  of  New  York,  writing 
to  Governor  Treat  concerning  sundry  persons  in  Rye  and  Bedford  who 
desired  to  have  their  land  titles  confirmed." 


a  Public  Rce.  of  Conn.  Vol.  iv,  p  S3. 
6  Bedford  Town  Rec. 

c  Boundary  letters,  Hartford,  fol.  10,  letter  137. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  23 

At  a  meeting  of  ye  governor  and  council,  held  at  Hartford,  January 
19th,  1696,  protection  was  granted  to  the  towns  of  Rye  and  Bedford,  as 
members  of  their  corporation;  and  on  the  10th  of  May  following, 
Daniel  Simpkins  was  appointed  ensign  for  the  latter  town.  January 
21st,  1696-7,  Rye  and  Bedford  applied  to  be  united  to  Connecticut, 
upon  which  that  colony  concluded  to  receive  them." 

In  a  letter  from  Governor  Fletcher,  to  the  authorities  of  Connecticut, 
dated  April  5th,  1697,  the  former-complains  about  the  lattcr's  receiving 
Rye  and  Bedford,  and  thus  withdrawing  them  from  the  obedience  of 
New  York.'' 

To  compel  the  refractory  towns  into  obedience,  Governor  Fletcher 
issued  a  proclamation  upon  April  15th,  1697,  in  which  he  required  Rye 
and  Bedford  to  return  to  their  allegiance. c 

April  19th,  1697,  Governor  Fletcher  states  that  Major  Sellick  had 
interfered  in  favor  of  Connecticut,  with  fifty  armed  men."* 

In  reply  30th  of  April,  1697,  Connecticut  disclaims  the  use  of  violent 
measures,  and  refers  the  whole  matter  to  the  King. 

Governor  Fletcher  and  council,  in  answer  to  Connecticut,  May  10th, 
1697,  entitles  the  reasons  of  the  latter  subtcrfugees,  and  complains  of 
her  making  a  disturbance  in  time  of  war.  In  conclusion,  Connecticut 
may  rest  assured  that  New  York  will  use  all  lawful  means  to  reduce 
the  people  to  obedience.6 

From  the  following  document  it  appears  that  in  1696/  the  action 
of  the  Council  of  Connecticut  was  favorable  towards  the  inhabitants  of 
Bedford  in  granting  these  requests,  and  that,  that  action  was  approved 
by  the  general  court  in  May,  1697  : 

May,  1)597. 

To  the  Honr''  Governr  and  GenrU  Assembly  sitting  in  Hartford. 

Whereas  God  by  his  providence  orders  all  things :  Att  a  General  Court  held 
in  Hartford  May  the  11th,  16S2,  upon  the  petition  of  the  people  of  Hopground  the 
Court  did  see  cause  to  grant  them  the  priviledg  of  a  plantation  as  doth  upon  record 
appear  — And  in  the  year  16S4,  there  was  a  conditional  agreement  made  between 
Colon"  Dougan  of  New  York  and  some  of  the  heads  of  the  freemen  of  this  Cor- 
poration which  proved  almost  our  undoing  for  severall  years  together  th^re  was 
almost  a  c  among  us,  because  they  cutt  off  Rye  and  Bedford  from 

this  Colonic  Some  said  they  were  under  New  York,  and  some  said  they  were 
not,  but  for  peace  sake  we  submitted  to,  and  paid  rates  to  New  York— But  if  so 
be  that  Connecticut  and  New  York  could  have  made  a  firme  bargain  without 

a  Bound,  letters,  fol.10,  p.  138. 
b  Bound,  letters,  140. 
c  Bouud.  letters,  141.  , 
d  Bound,  letters,  141-2. 

e  Bouud.  letters,  No.  144.   Bound,  letters,  145. 
/  Printed  Col  lice,  of  Conn.,  Vol.  It,  p.  192. 


24 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  King,  then  wt  should  have  been  at  quiet,  but  them  that  know  any  thing 
know  that  it  could  not  be.  Then  seing  a  copie  that  came  from  the  Kings 
court  at  Whitehall,  dated  Aprill  the  19th,  1694,  and  the  records  of  England  be- 
ing searched,  it  was  found  that  the  Charter  of  Coimecticutt  stood  good  and 
firme  to  the  freemen  of  this  Corporation,  their  heirs  and  associates,  which  we 
well  knew  that  we  were  part  of  by  the  dividing  line  that  was  firmly  confirmed  to 
this  government,  then  Janr>'  the  last  petitioning  the  Governr  and  Councill  for 
protection  they  granted  our  request  as  may  appear  to  this  Assembly,  therefore 
we  request  for  what  favour  we  cau  have  from  the  Honrl  Court  at  this  time  for  our 
growth  and  increase,  as  we  may  be  beneficiall  to  the  honour  of  God  and  the 
good  of  the  country.  Written  in  behalf  of  and  upon  the  request  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Bedford.  Your  most  Humble  Servant 

Zachakiah  Kobekts.* 

The  following  memorandum  of  the  quantity  of  land  in  each  purchase 
— was  found  in  a  blank  leaf  of  a  book  of  laws  and  orders  of  Connecti- 
cut Colony  (or  MS.)  1697. 

Farthing,  Acres,  Qurt.  Rents. 

•  old  Purchase,  18415,  7693,  19,    3,  7-3. 

New       "  14376,  5990,  14,  19.  6. 

N.  W.  Corner,  6865,  2.S65,  7,    3,  8-1. 

N.  E.      "  4266£,  1736,  4,    8.  10.  2. 

Vincent  &  Dibble,  4266i,  1736,  4,    8.  10.  2. 

Upon  the  1st  of  May,  1697,  the  town  petitioned  for  a  patent  embrac- 
ing ten  miles  in  length,  from  the  north  end  of  Stamford  bounds  to  ten 
miles  northward  into  the  woods  and  eight  miles  wide.  The  petition 
was  granted  on  the  21st  of  May,  and  the  following  patent  issued. 


BEDFORD  PATTENT. 

Whereas,  the  General  Court  of  Connecticott  Colony  Assembled  May  13th, 
1697,  hath  granted  unto  the  proprietters  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Bedford  al 
thoss  Lands  boath  Meadows,  Swamps  and  uplands  within  these  abuttments  viz. 
Southerly  on  the  bounds  of  the  Townshipp  of  Stanford.  Westerly  on  the 
Wilderness.  Northerly  on  the  Wilderness,  and  Easterly  on  the  Wilderness 
or  Laud  not  layd  out.  Every  of  which  sides  is  Six  Miles  in  Length  to 
witt.  from  the  East  side  Westerly  and  from  the  South  Side  Northerly  and 
is  a  Townshipp  of  six  miles  Square  or  Six  miles  on  Every  Side,  which  sJ  Lands 
have  been  by  purchass  or  Otherwise,  Lawfully  Obtayncd  of  the  Indian  Native 
proprieters  and  whereas  the  afoars'1  Proprietors  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of 
Bedford  have  Humbly  desired  of  the  GovI,r  and  Company  assembled  in  Court 
May  13,  1697,  as  afoars1  that  they  may  have  a  Pattent  for  the  Confeirmatiou  of 
the  afoars1  Lands  so  purchased  and  Granted  to  them  and  which  they  have  stood 
Seized  and  Quietly  Possessed  of  for  many  years  Last  past  without  interruption. 

Now  for  a  more  full  Confeirmatiou  of  the  afoars 1  Track  of  Land  as  it  is  butted 

a  Kindly  famished  by  Charles  J.  Hadley,  Esq.,  Conn.  State  library,  Hartford.  Presented 
by  Hou.  liobu  C.  \\  iuthrop. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  25 

and  bownded  afoaresaid  unto  the  present  proprietors  of  the  said  Township  of 
Bedford  in  their  possession  and  Injoyment  of  the  premises  Know  Yee  that  the 
said  Governour  and  Company  Assembled  in  Gen1  Court  according  to  the  Com- 
mission Grauutcd  them  by  his  Maj's,y  Charter.  Have  Given  Granted  &  do  by 
these  presents  Give  Grant  Rattifie  and  Coufcirme  unto  Jno.  Miller  Senr  Danie 
Simkins  Zachariah  Robbert,  Cornelius  Seely  Jeremiah  Andrews  Jno.  West- 
coate Jno.  Miller  Junr  Jno.  Holmes  Jun'  and  the  rest  of  the  present  proprie- 
tors of  the  Township  of  Bedford,  their  Heires  and  Successors  Associates  Assigns 
for  Ever  the  afoares1  Parcell  or  tract  of  Land  of  Six  miles  Square  Containing 
aboute  Twenty  and  three  Thousand  acres  within  the  boundaries  above  mentioned 
together  with  all  the  Woods  Meadows  Pastures  Ponds  Waters  Rivers  Planes 
Fishings  Huntings  fowlings  Mines  Mineralls  Quarries  and  precious  stones 
upon  or  within  the  said  Graunt  of  lands  and  all  other  Proffltts  and  Comodities 
thereunto  belonging  or  in  any  ways  Appurteineing  and  doe  also  graunt  unto  the 
aforesJ  Jno,  Miller  Dan  'Simkins  Zach.  Roberts  Cornelus  Seely  Jerr.  Andrass 
Jno.  Westcoate  Jno.  Miller  Jno.  Holmes  and  the  Rest  of  the  proprietors  Inhabi- 
tants of  Bedford  their  Heirs  Successors  and  assignes  for  Ever  that  the  af ores'1  Tract 
of  Land  shall  be  for  Ever  hereafter  Es'med,  reputed  bee  an  Iutire  Townshipp  of 
it  selfe  to  have  and  to  Hold  the  said  Tract  of  Lands  and  premises  with  all  and 
singular  their  appurtenances  with  the  privillidgesand  Immunetyes  Franchizes  & 
nuaditamuts  herein  Given  and  Granted  unto  the  said  Jno  Miller,  Danl. 
Simkins,  Zach.  Robberds,  Cornelius  Seedy,  Jerr.  Andrews,  Jno.  Westcoate, 
Jno.  Miller  Junr  Jno.  Holmes  and  all  others  the  Proprietors,  Inhabitants,  of  Bed- 
ford, their  Heirs  and  Successors  and  to  the  only  propperusebenefittand  behoofe 
of  them  and  every  of  them  their  Heirs  .Assigns  Successors  and  and  Asso- 
ciates for  Ever  According  to  the  Tenour  of  his  Majestie's  Manner  of  East 
Greenwich  in  the  County  of  Kent  in  the  Kingdom  of  England  in  Free 
and  Common  Lonage  and  not  in  Cappita  nor  by  Knights  Service  yeilding 
therefore  and  paying  to  our  Sovereigne  Lord  the  King  his  Heires  &  Success- 
ors his  dues  according  to  Charter.  Always  provided  that  nothing  herein  con- 
tained shall  extend  to,  or  be  understood  or  taken  to  Impeach  or  prejudice  any 
Right,  Title,  Interest,  Claime  or  Demands  which  any  person  or  persons  hath 
or  have  or  Claime  to  have  of  into  or  out  of  any  part  of  the  said  Townshippe 
seittuatcd  within  the  Limitts  above  mentioned  according  to  the  Laws  and 
General  Customs  of  this  Colony  but  that  all  and  Every  Such  person  and  persons 
may  and  shall  have,  hold  and  Injoy  the  same  in  such  manner  as  if  these  pres- 
ents had  not  been  had  or  made.  In  Witness  whereof  we  have  caused  the  seale  of 
the  Colony  to  be  Hereunto  Alhxed  this  one  &  Twentieth  day  of  May  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  Ninety  aud  Seaven  and  in  the  9th  year 
of  the  Reigne  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  William  by  the  Grace  of  God  and  England 
Scottland,  France  and  Ireland,  King  Fidei  Defender  &c. 
Bo  order  of  the  Gov"r  ROBERT  TREATE,  Governor. 

Eleazer  Kimbekly,  Secretary, 

The  above  written  with  that  or  the  other  side  is  a  true  Copy  of  the  Original 
being  therewith  Compared  this  2d  day  of  May,  1697. 

Pr  Me.  E.  K  a 


a  Ancient  Col.  Rec.  Conn.  Deeds  Ac,,  Vol.  11,  pp.  254,  255. 


26 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


From  the  town  records  it  appears  that  in  1697,  Zachariah  Roberts'1 
was  allowed  by  the  town,  three  shillings  a  day,  and  half  his  expenses, 
and  the  town  further  ordered  that  every  man  should  pay  him  two  pounds 
of  flax  for  his  expenses  in  going  to  Connecticut  about  the  said  patent. 

In  answer  to  Governor  Fletcher's  letter  of  May  the  10th,  the  Gover- 
nor and  general  assembly  of  Connecticut  reply  May  19th,  1697,  that 
they  consider  the  arguments  of  New  York  weak  and  unsatisfactory,  and 
are  therefore,  determined  to  protect  these  people. 1 

May  the  31st,  1697,  Governor  Fletcher  and  council  find  just  fault 
with  Connecticut  for  using  "such  a  stile,"  and  assert  that  Connecticut 
gave  up  these  towns  by  arrangement,  in  1683,  and  made  no  claim  to 
them  for  twelve  years  or  more,  New  York  is  therefore  determined  to 
pursue  her  duty." 

Governor  Fletcher  addressing  the  Lords  of  Trade,  the  same  year, 
says : — 

"  Some  time  before  I  came  down  from  Albany,  two  small  towns  of  Rye 
and  Bedford  in  West  Chester  County  that  ly  next  to  Connecticut  being 
much  in  arrearyes  of  taxes  have  revolted  to  Connecticut  who  counte- 
nance them  notwithstanding  I  found  there  at  my  arrival  part  of  this 
province,  and  so  have  continued  till  now,  which  is  contrary  to  a  stipu- 
lation made  between  the  Collony  and  Coll.  Dougan  An"  1683  under  the 
hands  and  seals  of  their  Gov"r  and  assistants:  I  am  loath  to  make 
warr  upon  any  of  His  Majesties  subjects  and  therefore  lay  this 
matter  before  your  Lordships:  They  have  invaded  us  with  a 
CaptQ  and  fifty  men  armed  with  Fuzees  on  Horseback,  to  disturb 
the  election  of  a  representative,  pursuant  to  the  King's  writt  at  the 
town  of  Rye.  I  never  found  them  so  fonvard  to  give  assistance  to  al- 
bany,  upon  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  my  frequent 
application  &  the  Royal  Commands,  that  did  oblige  their  obedience." 
(New  York,  Col.  M.S.S.,  vol.  iv,  276.) 

Upon  the  accession  or  Lord  Bellamont  to  the  government  of  New 
York,  April,  1698,  we  find  Connecticut  sending  a  delegation  to  con- 
gratulate him.  In  a  letter  dated  May  6th,  Lord  Bellamont  expresses 
his  thanks  and  good  will  towards  Connecticut,  and  encloses  a  letter  from 
the  Lords  Commissioners  of  Trade,  in  regard  to  Rye  and  Bedford;  he 
also  denies  their  reasons  for  countenancing  those  towns  in  their  revolt.^ 

The  Earl  of  Bellamont  writing  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  13th  of  May, 

a  "In  ir>97  they  sent  the  inevitable  Zach.  Roberts  to  confer  with  Oovernor  Treat  of  Connectl- 
cut  about  being  settled  under  the  colour,  and  naitl  him  3  shillings  a  day  "for  himself  and 
his  hois,  and  paid  halfe  his  expellee.-'  After  his  return  Roberts  had  another  town  meeting 
and  got  an  allowance  for  back-pav  in  the  shape  of  an  assessment  of  two  pounds  of  flax  on 
each  man  in  the  town."  Address  "of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4,  1S7G— Recorder  Katouah.  July  7. 
1870. 

b  Round,  letters,  No.  147. 
c  Round,  letters,  No.  149. 
d  Round,  letters,  No.  146. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


27 


1699,  says,  "your  Lordships  have  sent  me  no  orders  about  the  towns  of 
Rye  and  Bedford  which  revolted  from  this  Province  (to  avoid  paying 
taxes)  to  the  government  of  Connecticut :  to  which  town  said  govern- 
ment has  noe  colour  or  right.  (New  York,  Col.  M.S.S.,  London,  Doc. 
vol.  iv,  p.  517.) 

In  reply,  May,  1698,  the  deputy  governor  and  assistants  express  the 
kindest  and  most  friendly  feelings  towards  his  excellency,  but  cannot 
answer  concerning  Rye  and  Bedford  until  Governor  Winthrop's  return. d 

Upon  the  29th  of  March,  1700,  King  William  the  third  gave  his  ap- 
probation and  confirmation  to  the  agreement  and  survey  of  1683  and 
1684,  whereby  Rye  and  Bedford  were  included  in  New  York. 

"In  November,  1699,  the  town  received  a  great  acquisition  in  Mr. 
Copp,  of  Norwalk,  a  surveyor  and  quite  a  scholarly  man  for  that  time. 
He  was  at  once  given  a  "home  loot,  twenty  acres  of  out  land,  sixteen 
of  plow  land  and  four  acres  of  medow  land."  He  was  also  to  have 
"the  use  of  ye  towne  loot  and  ye  towne  land  and  medow  in  ye  feild 
this  next  yeare,  without  they  want  of  it  for  a  minestar."  The  next 
month  '•  the  town  by  a  maigor  not  chuse  Mr.  John  Copp  to  put  things 
to  vote  in  theyr  town  meetings  if  he  is  presant." 

They  also  bought  of  "ye  said  Copp"  a  "grindle  stone"  for  which 
they  paid  the  modest  price  of  "six  acres  of  pastur  land."  For  a  while 
he  quite  eclipsed  Zachariah  Roberts.  The  next  week  they  elected  him 
town  Treasurer,  and  put  him  on  a  "  committy"  to  agree  with  the  Indians 
for  the  land  westward  of  the  town.  This  committee  arranged  with  the 
Indians  for  the  "west  purchase,"  included  in  the  deed  of  Sept.  6,  1700, 
and  it  may  have  been  incident  to  the  negotiations  that  we  find  this 
entry  on  "Aprell  15,  1700.  The  town  by  a  maigor  vote  doth  agree 
yl  if  they  fortify,  it  shall  be  John  Holmes  senrs  hous,  and  ye  house 
y'  was  Joshua  Webb's  desesed."  It  does  not  appear  that  it  became 
necessary  to  fortify. 

The  west  purchase  was  made  and  "every  man  y'  hath  land  in  ye 
town  hath  liberty  to  put  in  a  head,"  or  share. — There  were  36  of  these 
head  rights,  of  which  Col.  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  had  8,  Zach.  Roberts, 
3,  John  Copp,  2,  John  Holmes,  Jr.,  2,  and  the  rest  one.  The  land  was 
then  surveyed  by  Copp  and  laid  out  into  36  lots  of  50  acres  each  (for 
the  small  field  plan  seems  to  have  become  exploded)  which  were  subse- 
quently drawn  for  by  lot.  One  of  the  town  books  consists  of  the 
records  of  this  "west  purchase"  or  "  new  purchase,"  and  is  in  the  neat 
handwriting  of  Copp — Proprietors  Clerk.  It  shows  how  he  first  laid  out 
two  highways  ten  rods  wide  from  Broad  Brook  west  to  the  Kisco  Brook, 

d  Bound,  letters,  No.  14S. 


28 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


and  then  laid  out  his  fifty  acre  tracts  on  each  side  of  them.  This  book 
was  accompanied  by  a  map,  which  cannot  now  be  found.  The  two  ten 
rod  highways  were  the  one  leading  from  S.  C.  Sutton's  to  Mt  Kisco  and 
the  nearly  parallel  one  a  mile  south  leading  over  Knapp's  Hill,  nearly  in 
a  straight  course  to  Kisco  Mountain.  The  present  '  swamp  road"  run- 
ning south  from  Simeon  Woolsey's  was  at  this  time  laid  out  as  a  "four 
rod  highway,"  but  the  liberal  views  of  John  Copp  and  his  employers  did 
not  prevail  with  their  successors  and  there  are  now  but  ordinary  roads 
with  occasional  wide  spots.  There  was  also  a  quantity  of  rough  land 
bounded  "northerley  by  ye  highway  y1  passes  under  Nonames  Hill, 
called  Frederick's  path,"  (which  I  take  to  be  the  road  leading  from  the 
Four  Corners  to  Mt.  Kisco).  The  division  of  the  "west  purchase"  was 
not  fully  concluded  until  1738." 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1741,  John  Copp,  of  Norwalk,  in  the  County 
Fairfield  and  Colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  England,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  ye  sum  of  650  pounds,  New  England  money  bills  of  credit 
of  ye  old  tennure,  received  of  Moses  Fountain,  of  Bedford,  in  West- 
chester County,  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  the  receipt  whereof  I  do 
hereby  acknowledge  and  myselfe  therewith  fully  satisfied  and  contented, 
have  given,  granted,  &c,  viz.,  the  following  described  parcels  of  land, 
being  upland  lying  upon  Bates  hill,  so  called,  containing  about  8  acres, 
&c,  bounded  northerly  by  Richard  Holmes'  land,  westerly  by  undivided 
land,  southerly  by  the  top  or  brow  of  said  hill,  and  easterly  by  the  land 
formerly  granted  to  the  builders  of  the  meeting  house  and  the  land  ex- 
changed with  the  Town,  &c.6 

There  was  for  many  years  after  this  date  a  great  extent  of  common 
or  town  land,  where  the  people  pastured  their  cattle.  It  is  probable 
that  they  also  pastured  lands  not  yet  bought  of  the  Indians.  A  brander 
for  the  town  was  therefore  appointed  and  the  cattle  were  marked  with 
the  owner's  mark,  and  such  entries  as  the  following  begin  to  appear  on 
the  town  records  :  "  Zachariah  Roberts  maketh  entry  of  his  ere  marck 
for  his  marckeble  creatures,  namly  a  swalow  forck  on  ye  toop  of  each 
ere."  "  John  Miller  senr  macks  entry  of  his  ere  marck  for  his  marckeble 
creatures  namly  one  half  penny  on  the  under  sid  of  the  offe  ere  &  a  slit 
on  the  toop  of  the  neer  ere."  These  marks  are  found  on  record  as  lat'e 
as  1813. 

On  the  13  th  of  March,  1700,  the  town  sold  to  John  Johnston  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  for  ,£56,  and  some  months  after  Crosse's  vine- 
yard for  £8.    On  the  6th  of  Sept.  1700,  Katonah  Sagamore  and  other 

a  Address  of  Jos.  Barrett  Jnly  4,  1ST6— Recorder  Katonah,  July  7. 
6  No.  3  of  Bedford  Tovru  Books,  p.  61. 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


29 


Indians,  chief  proprietors  of  the  lands  about  Bedford,  made  a  convey- 
ance confirming  to  the  inhabitants  of  Bedford  a  purchase  made  twenty 
years  before,  supposing  that  they  had  received  their  pay  to  their  full  sat- 
isfaction for  ye  lands  and  all  the  timber  and  feed  on  said  lands  "  within 
ye  bounds,  as  follows,  namely :  to  begin  where  Beaver  Dam  River  and 
Cross  River  meets  and  so  to  run  on  ye  nor-west  side  of  a  brook  called 
miry  brook,  and  then  to  run  cross  the  hills  west  on  ye  west  side  of  Cis- 
qua  meadow  until  it  meets  the  river  called  Cisqua  River  and  a  great 
swamp,  and  so  to  run  up  the  brook  and  by  marked  trees  to  the  North 
Birum  pond,  and  so  to  ye  south  end  Cohansey,  and  then  to  a  great  red 
ash  tree  formerly  marked  by  ye  Indians  for  Bedford's  southermost  bounds, 
which  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  west  turn  of  Meanous  River." 
Signed,  sealed  &  delivered ) 
in  the  presence  of  us :  j" 

ZACHARIAH  ROBERTS,  His 
JOHN  HOLMES,  KOTO  X  NAH. 

Mark. 

His  His 
CACA  X  RACO.  WACK  >  EMANE. 

Mark.  Mark. 
His 

MANGA  O  KORN. 
Mark. 
His 

ARAN  TORN 
Mark. 
His 
SI*  MON. 
Mark* 

On  the  10th  day  of  October,  1700,  the  General  Court  of  Connecticut 
released  Bedford  from  all  allegiance. 

October,  17 13,  Connecticut  appointed  certain  Commissioners  to  meet 
those  of  New  York  in  fixing  the  line.  A  final  agreement  and  conclusion 
took  place  between  the  Commissioners  at  Dover,  in  Dutchess  Co.,  May 
the  14th,  1731,  by  which  Bedfordand  Rye  were  forever  hereafter  included 
in  ye  province  of  New  York. 

The  following  grant  and  confirmation,  under  the  hand  of  Catonah, 
occurs  on  the  24th  of  July,  1700: 

Katonah,  Sagamore  and  chief  proprietor  of  ye  land  about  Bedford,  have 
formerly  sold  unto  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Bedford  a  certain  tract  of 
meadow  land  and  upland  northard  from  ye  town  and  joining  to  their  first  pur- 

•Beilford  Rec,  vol.  i.,  p.  1G0. 


3° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


chase,  which  tract  of  land  is  bounded  by  a  small  brook  east,  which  runs  near  ye 
west  side  of  Pohticus  path,  and  west  by  Beaver  Dam  River,  northerly  by  ye 
Cross  River,  and  south  by  Bedford's  land.  This  above-named  tract  of  land 
Catonah  have  sold  from  ine  and  mine,  or  any  Indian  or  Indians  laying  claim 
thereunto,  to  ye  inhabitants  of  Bedford,  for  a  valuable  consideration  in  band, 
already  received,  to  my  full  satisfaction,  &c. 

Signed,  scaled  and  delivered  1  His 
in  presence  of  us.  J  KATO  M  NAH. 

BENJAMIN  HAIT,  and  mark. 
ABRAHAM  FINCH.  . 
His 

TOYE>h  BEAKEEP. 
mark. 
His 

RAROH  NQUOSH. 
mark. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Bedford,  Oct.  4th,  1701  . 

"The  town  by  a  maiger  vote  doth  order  the  Committee  to  proceed  with  the 
Indians  about  purchasing  ye  lands  westward  of  ye  old  purchase,  and  now 
marked  the  old  purchase,  formerly  bought  of  the  Indians  November  2d,  1701. 
The  town  doth  also  agree  that  ye  land  westward  of  the  first  purchase  shall  be 
paid  by  beads,  and  every  hand  that  payeth  the  Indians  for  it  shall  have  every- 
one of  them  an  equal  share,  according  to  what  they  pay.  At  the  same  time  a 
committee  is  chosen  by  vote,  consisting  of  Zachariah  Roberts,  John  Holmes, 
Jun.,  and  Jonathan  Petit,  to  see  ye  Indians  satisfied  for  ye  lands  formerly  bought 
of  them,  which  is  west  of  the  first  purchase." 

Upon  the  4th  of  November,  1700  : 

"The  town  by  a  maiger  vote  doth  devise  and  impower  Mr.  John  Tomson  & 
Zachariah  Roberts,  Senr.,  to  go  to  New  York  &  cleerup  our  ritsand  priveledges 
in  order  to  atainea  patten  toconforme  to  usourrits,  titles  &  priveledges,  &theyr 
chardges  to  be  payed  out  of  the  above  said  bargeu.a 

At  a  town  meeting  March  13th,  1701. 

The  town  of  Bedford,  by  a  maiger  vot  doth  reseve  Mr.  John  Tomson,  late  of 
Lundon,  now  trader  in  Stanford,  an  inhabitant  in  to  ye  town  among  us ;  &  do 
give,  grant  and  sell  to  him  an  hundred  acres  of  land  on  the  north  sidof  the  high- 
way yt  gos  to  Danicll  Simkings  plain,  bounded  by  the  brook  or  Indian  line 
west,  as  it  shall  be  layd  out  by  the  comityc,  and  if  it  is  not  all  to  be  had  there 
then  to  mack  it  up  elce  where  as  conveniant  as  may  be,  for :  56  :  fifty-six  sib- 
lings, all  ready  payd  to  the  town,  and  he  is  to  mack  cmprovements  for  ye  space 
of  three  yera.6 

Upon  the  4th  of  Feb'y,  1702,  the  town  of  Bedford  sold  to  John  Dib- 
ble, Crosse's  vineyard  purchase  for  ^18  ;  on  the  1 6th  of  March  following, 


a  Bedford  book  of  ord.,  Rec.  rass.,  p.  41. 
6  Distr. 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


31 


John  Dibble  agrees  to  sell  100  acres  of  the  same  to  Jacobus  VanCourt- 
landt,  &c. 

By  a  grant  dated  April  20th,  1702,  Katonah  and  Wackemane  convey 
to  the  Inhabitants  of  Bedford  all  that  tract  of  land,  within  the  following 
bounds,  viz: — 


"To  begin  where  Beaver  Dam  River  and  Cross  river  meet  and  then  to  run 
across  the  south-westeriy  on  the  west  side  of  Cisqua  meadow,  until  it  meets  the 
river  called  Cisqua  River  and  a  great  swamp,  and  so  to  run  up  the  brook  and 
by  marked  trees  to  the  north  end  of  By  ram  pond,  and  so  to  the  north  end  of 
Cob. among  pond,  and  then  to  a  great  red  oak  tree  formerly  marked  by  the 
Indians  for  Bedford  southernmost  bounds  which  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the 
west  turn  of  Meanau's  River,  and  this  above  said  land,  we  Katonah  and 
Wackemane  do  sell  for  us,  our  heirs,  &c,  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Bedford. 


Signed  sealed  and  delivered  ) 
in  presence  of  us,  J 


ZACIIARIAII  ROBERTS, 
and  JOHN  HOLMES. 


Uis 

KATO*  NAIL 

mark. 

His 

WACKE  O  MANE, 
mark. 


His 

ARAT  XTOMA. 

mark. 

His 
SIoq  MON. 
mark. 

His 

CARAx  ROEA. 
mark. 

His 

MANGtt  AKOM.  * 

mark. 

Upon  the  4th  of  January,  1703-4,  Katonah,  Sagamore  and  Wackemane  chief 
proprietors  of  the  lauds  about  Bedford,  have  sold,  and  by  these  presents  doe 
sell,  &C,  unto  John  Dibble  of  Bedford,  in  the  county  of  West  Chester,  &c,  a 
certain  tract  of  upland  and  meadow,  &c,  all  within  ye  bounds  hereafter  named 
and  bounded  by  marked  trees,  from  one  branch  of  Beaver  Dam  River  south- 
ward of  Stone  Hills,  and  to  run  westward  of  Stone  Hills,  northward  by  marked 
trees  until  it  meets  with  a  brook  coming  out  of  Stone  Hills,  and  so  to  be  bound- 
ed by  ye  said  brook  until  it  meets  the  Cross  River,  and  bounded  by  the  said 
Cross  River  until  it  meets  a  small  brook,  and  then  bounded  on  the  westward  by 
Bedford's  cross  vineyard  purchase,  southerly  and  eastwardly  until  it  meets  ye 


•  From  the  original,  in  possession  of  the  Hon.  Joan  Jay. 


32 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


aforesaid- branch,  which  tract  of  land  thus  bounded  we  Catonah  and  Wacke- 
maue  for  us,  our  heirs,  &c,  have  sold  to  the  above  said  John  Dibble,  &c. 
Signed  sealed  and  delivered  )  His 
in  presence  of  us,  /  CAT  OX  NAH. 

JOHN  MILLER,  mark. 
JOHN  THOMSON,  His 
JOHN  BARTLETT.  WACKE  O  MANE. 

mark. 
His 

MANG  rOCAM. 
mailt, 
nis 

CAC  3D  RECA. 
mark. 
His 

MAN  C  AQUI. 

mark. 
His 

SI  O3M0N.* 
mark. 

The  same  year  we  find  John  Dibble  and  wife  conveying  to  Jacques 
Van  Courtlandt  700  acres  of  land  lying  in  Bedford,  called  the  Vineyard 
Purchase,  besides  a  certain  parcel  of  meadow  and  upland  in  ye  bounds 
of  said  Bedford,  first  purchased,  with  marked  trees  northerly,  eastwardly 
by  a  small  brook  which  runneth  into  Cross  River,  and  northerly  by  the 
Cross  River,  and  southerly  by  the  Cross  River,  containing  about  400 
acres. 

In  1703,  the  town  granted  John  Thomson  formerly  a  London  merchant 
but  lately  of  Stamford,  a  tract  of  land  on  condition  that  he  should  pay 
forty  shilling,  "and  to  bring  up  four  hundred  sheep  and  lambs  next 
summer  and  let  them  to  ye  inhabitants  of  ye  town  for  two  bits  in  money 
or  one  pound  and  halfe  of  flees  wool  as  the  sheep  afords  it  yearly." 

Upon  the  5th  of  May,  1703,  Catonah  Sagamore  and  Wackcniane,  for  them- 
selves and  in  behalf  of  an}'  other  Indians  concerned,  sell  to  Zachariah  Roberts 
of  Bedford,  all  that  land  between  Bedford  bounds  and  Muscotah  River  which 
lycth  between  Oisqua  River  and  ye  Cross  River,  for  the  several  particulars  here- 
inafter named. 

This  is  ye  truth  of  ye  bargain  test.  Zaciiakiaii  Roberts,  Sen. 

10  pieces  of  eight  which  is  paid, 
6  shirts, 
4  dozen  coats, 
2  blankets, 

1  broad  cloth  coat, 
4  lbs  of  powder, 

4  hatchets, 

2  gallons  of  rum. a 

•  From  the  original  in  the  possession  of  Hon.  John  Jav.   Bedford  Book  of  rublic  Uec. 
vol.  i.  p.  181. 
sTown  Kec.  of  Deed,  vol.  i,  p.  C9. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


33 


July  24th,  1703,  Catonah  and  Wackemaue  sell  to  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  and  Zachariah  Roberts,  senr.,  of  Bedford,  a  certain 
tract  of  upland  meadow  and  swamp,  all  within  ye  bounds  hereafter  named,  that 
is  to  say  to  begin  where  Beaver  Dam  River  and  ye  Cross  River  meets,  and  so  to 
run  west wardly  by  Bedford's  marked  trees,  until  it  comes  to  a  black  oak  tree 
marked  upon  a  high  hill,  and  then  to  run  west  to  Cisqua  River,  and  then  down  said 
River  until  it  runs  into  Muscotah  River  and  then  to  keep  ye  south  side  of  Muscotah 
River  until  it  meets  the  aforesaid  river,  and  to  keep  the  said  Cross  River  until  it 
meets  ye  aforesaid  Beaver  Dam  River,  &c.  The  Indians  acknowledge  that 
they,  the  Indians,  have  received  all  our  pay  to  our  full  satisfaction. 


Syned  sealed  and  delivered  j 
in  the  presence  of  us.  ) 
NATHAN  CLARK, 
JOSEPH  HUNT, 
ZACHARIAH  ROBERTS. 


His 

CATO  X  NAH.  (L.S.) 
mark. 
His 

"WACKE  O  MANE.  (L.S.) 
mark. 

His 

MUS  a  TATO. 
mark. 
His 

MEQUA  N  COM. 
mark. 

His 

CACO  -c  PORO. 
mark. 
His 

WAP  a  APO. 
mark. 
His 

MAN  Kj  TORO. 
mark. 
His 

AN  *d  HOOCK. 
mark. 


Town  Rec.  of  Deeds  vol.  i.  TO. 


In  1700,  after  the  decision  which  left  the  town  within  the  province  of 
New  York,  the  people  began  to  again  agitate  the  matter  of  getting  their 
patent  confirmed,  and  sent  John  Thomson  and  Zach.  Roberts  to  New 
York,  which  was  then  the  capital,  on  that  mission  ;  but  nothing  came  of 
it  until  May  14,  1702,  when  they  empowered  "Mr.  Capt.  Peter  Mathews 
to  git  our  patent  and  privileges  confermed  to  us  the  town  of  Bedford  as 
soon  chep  and  easy  as  may  be,"  and  they  promised  Mathews  a  "grate- 
tude  of  land"  for  his  services.  So  the  next  year  they  gave  him  300 
"akers  on  the  south  sid  of  the  road  that  goeth  from  bedford  to  hutsons 


34 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Riur  and  so  by  the  place  whair  Wainpas  wigwam  was."  Upon  this  the  en- 
terprising Zach.  Roberts  got  the  town  to  vote  him  a  large  tract  near  the 
west  boundary,  "on  condision  that  he  goeth  to  New  York  and  ioynes 
with,  and  is  helpful  to  Captain  Peter  Mathews."  It  appeared  that  Zach. 
Roberts  helped  to  "git"  the  patent  and  got  his  land,  and  in  "Ogust" 
of  that  year  Mathews  asked  for  and  obtained  700  acres  more,  and  in 
1707,  200  more,  making  1200  acres  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
patent,  that  is,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mount  Kisco." 

The  patent  was  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  Bedford  by  Queen 
Anne  on  the  8th  day  of  April,  1704.  The  grantees  yielding  and  ren- 
dering to  the  Crown  therefore  the  sum  of  ^5  per  annum. 

This  Quit  Rent  wras  annually  paid  in  New  York,  and  mention  of  its 
being  levied  and  collected  is  occasionally  found  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Town  meetings.6 

ROYAL   PATENT    FOR  BEDFORD. 

"  Whereas  the  general  court  of  Connecticut  on  the  13th  day  of  May  in  ye 
year  of  our  Lord  Christ,  1697,  hath  granted  unto  the  proprietors,  inhabitants  of 
the  town  of  Bedford,  then  within  that  colony,  all  those  lauds,  &c,  in  their 
abutments,  viz :  southerly  on  ye  bounds  of  the  township  of  Stamford,  west- 
wardly  bv  ye  wilderness,  north  on  ye  wilderness,  and  eastward]}'  on  ye  wilder- 
ness or  land  not  laid  out,  every  of  which  sides  is  six  miles  in  length,  which  said 
lands  have  been  by  purchase  or  otherwise  lawfully  obtayned  of  the  native  Indian 
proprietors  thereof,  &c,  and  the  governor  and  company  of  the  said  colony  assem- 
bled in  general  council  by  virtue  of  their  charter  afterwards  to  wit,  ye  21st  day 
of  May,  in  the  ninth  year  of  King  William,  did  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm 
&c,  unto  John  Miller,  sen.,  Daniel  Simpkins.  Zachariah  Roberts,  Samuel 
Seeley,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  John  Westcoate,  John  Miller,  jun.,  and  John  Holmes, 
jun  ,  and  the  rest,  &c.  The  aforesaid  parcel  of  land  six  miles  square  the  privi- 
leges of  being  one  entire  township  by  patent. 

We  have  given,  granted,  &c,  to  our  loving  subjects,  Zachariah  Roberts,  sen., 
John  Holmes,  sen.,  Cornelius  Seely,  sen,,  Zachariah  Roberts,  jun.,  Cornelius 
Seely,  jun.,  John  Miller,  jun.,  Jonathan  Miller,  John  Holmes,  jun.,  David  Mil- 
ler, Richard  Holmes,  Jonathan  Holmes,  David  Holmes,  Capt.  Peter  Mathews, 
Col.  Jacobus  Van  Courtlandt,  Obadiah  Seely,  Stephen  Claeson,  John 
Westcoate,  jun.,  Richard  Westcoate,  Nathan  Clarke,  Joseph  Hunt, 
Richard  Ayrcs,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  Joseph  Palmer,  David  Mead,  John 
Dibble,  Daniel  Jones,  John  Clapp,  Thomas  Howard  and  Vincent  Simpkins,  their 
heirs  the  said  tract  of  23,000  acres,  called  ye  town  of  Bedford,  &c.  Witiress 
our  right  trusty  and  right  well  beloved  cousin,  Edward  Vicount  Cornbury,  Cap- 
tain General  and  Governor  in  chief  of  our  province  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  and  ye  territories  and  tracts  of  land  depending  on  them  in  America 
Admiral  of  the  same,  &c„  in  council  at  Fort  Anne,  New  York,  the  8th  day  of 
April,  in  the  third  year  of  our  reign  A.  D.  1704. c 

a  Address  of  Jos.  Barrett  July  4, 1ST0.   Recorder  Katonan,  July  T. 
6  Mr.  Barrett  says  it  was  thus  paid  until  17t». 
c  Albany  Book  of  Patents,  vol.  vil  271. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


35 


In  the  spring  of  17 14  a  rate  was  levied  on  ye  proprietors  of  ye  town- 
ship of  Bedford,  in  proportion  to  their  several  properties  therein,  for  ye 
raising  ye  sum  of  £50  for  ye  discharging  of  her  majesties  dues  of  quit 
rent  for  ten  years. 

The  proportion  of  Col.  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  for  2565 
acres  in  ye  north  west  corner  of  ye  patent  lands  was       .    jQ6  08  06 
For  his  vineyard  purchase,  607  acres    .       .       .       .       1  10  05 
For  his  right  in  Dibble's  purchase,  762  acres       .       .       1  18  00 
For  his  right  in  ye  new  purchase         .       .       .       .       2  13  04 

The  following  document  is  extracted  from  a  manuscript  volume  enti- 
tled "  the  receipt  book  of  the  quit  rents  of  Bedford,  paid  from  17 14  to 


"  Received  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Miller  and  Joseph  Seeley  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds, 
proclamation  money,  being  in  full  for  ten  years  quit  rent  for  the  town  of  Bed- 


Witness  my  hand  this  1st  dav  ) 
of  May,  A.  D.  1714.        '  J  % 
.£50,  procl.  money. 

Upon  the  12th  of  October,  1705,  John  Dibble,  by  a  bill  of  sale,  con- 
veyed all  his  right,  title  and  interest  in  the  town  of  Bedford  to  Jacobus 
Van  Cortlandt.  This  individual  subsequently  became  invested  in  the 
rights  of  Jonathan  Miller  on  the  15th  of  October,  17 13,  and  Zachariah 
Roberts,  on  the  13th  of  October,  17 17. 

The  last  Indian  deed  for  lands  in  Bedford  bears  date  23d  of  January, 
1722,  wherein  Lackawawa  and  Peparinuk  and  Moses,  Indian  natives 
and  owners  of  ye  land  on  ye  north  side  of  Cross  River,  in  ye  bounds  of 
Bedford,  for  ye  sum  of  twenty  pounds,  conveyed  to  Joseph  Seely  and  his 
heirs,  &c,  "being  on  ye  north  side  of  ye  Cross  River,  so  called,  and 
bounded  as  follows :  Easterly  by  a  brook  that  runeth  into  sd  river, 
westerly  by  a  brook  yt  runs  to  ye  Cross  River,  northerly  by  two  black 
ash  trees,  southerly  by  ye  above  Cross  River,  &c 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of 


1767. 


ford  to  the  2oth  of  March  last. 


T.  BYERLY,  Coll." 


JOHN'  WESTCOTTE, 
ANDREW  MILLS, 
ZACH.  MILLS. 

His 
SI  <  MON 
mark. 


WACKA  X  MAW  A 


PAPA  m  RINUK. 


mark. 


mark. 
His 


His 


His 


His 
SI  co  MON. 


WITH  Z>  AMS. 


mark.6 


mark. 


a  Copied  from  original,  In  possession  of  Hon.  John  Jay. 


b  Bedford  Kec.  vol.  ii.  p.  111. 


36 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


This  last  deed  marks  the  end  of  Indian  rule  in  Bedford.  It  is  the 
only  one  of  the  "nine"  deeds  which  is  not  signed  by  Katonah  Saga- 
more. Hence  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  he  died  between  1704  and  1722, 
and  was  spared  the  pain  of  seeing  the  last  of  his  happy  hunting  grounds 
pass  out  of  the  possession  of  his  race.  Tradition  tells  us,  that  he  lies 
buried  beside  his  favorite  wife  on  the  heights  of  Cantitoe  ( Katonah' s  own 
land),  and  two  immense  boulders  on  the  farm  of  Henry  E.  Pellew,  Esqr., 
are  shown  as  marking  the  spot,  where,  with  his  face  towards  the  rising 
sun,  lies  all  that  was  mortal  of  the  great  chieftain."0  Katonah  may 
have  been  the  son  of  Powahag  or  Powahay  the  eldest  son  of  Onox,  and 
left  issue  at  least  two  sons,  who  figure  in  the  Bedford  conveyances,  viz., 
Papiag  and  Wackemane. 

A  remarkable  feature  about  these  Indian  deeds  of  Bedford  is,  that 
with  the  exception  of  the  first  one,  no  consideration  of  great  value  is 
in  any  case  named.  The  bargains  were  usually  made  "  to  the  full  satis- 
faction" of  the  grantors;  and  the  doubtful  phraseology  leads  to  the 
suspicion  that  some  of  the  early  settlers  had  the  knack  of  making  easy 
bargains  with  the  red  men  when  they  were  in  good  humor.  In  many  of 
their  bounds,  except  where  streams  were  followed,  these  deeds  are  indefi- 
nite, and  it  is  believed  that  in  some  cases  parcels  of  land  were  included 
in  two  or  more  deeds,  and  other  parcels  were  left  out  entirely.  They 
could  afford  to  be  careless  about  a  few  acres  at  the  prices  of  those 
times.'6 

Upon  the  23d  of  June,  1736,  "the  land  to  the  north  of  Cross  River 
was  divided  by  lot  among  the  twenty-nine  proprietors  of  Bedford." 

Among  the  largest  landed  of  the  proprietors  of  Bedford  was  Jacobus 
Van  Cortlandt,  son  of  Hon.  Oloff  Stevens  Van  Cortlandt  and 
brother  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt 
(which  lordship  embraced  the  upper  portion  of  the  town).  This  indi- 
vidual had  purchased  lands  here  from  the  Indians  and  settlers  as  late  as 
1 7 14,  so  that  his  estate,  as  we  shall  have  occasion  to  show  presently, 
when  divided  in  1743,  amounted  to  5,115  acres. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1738,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  devised  "  all  his 
tenements  and  hereditaments  situated  within  the  patent  and  township-of 
Bedford  to  his  son  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt,  of  Yonkers,  and  his  three 
daughters :  Margaret,  wife  of  Abraham  Depeyster ;  Anne,  wife  of  John 
Chambers,  and  Mary,  wife  of  Peter  Jay,  the  parties  giving  mutual  leases 
and  releases  to  one  another."0 


a  Address  bv  Joseph  Barrett  Julv  4th,  1S76,  Recorder  Katonah  July  "th. 
b  Hist,  sketch  of  the  town  of  Bedford  delivered  by  Joseph  Barrett,  1876.  Record  Katonah 
July  7. 
c.  Co.  Kec,  lib.  G.,  fol.  20S. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


37 


Frederick  Van  Cortlandt,  one  of  the  above  devisees,  obtained  a  release 
from  the  following  freeholders  of  Bedford  on  the  2  ist  of  September,  1 741 : 

Hezekiah  Roberts,  John  Holmes,  Daniel  Holly, 

John  Miller,  Jonathan  Westcoat,  Nathan  Clark, 

Joseph  Seely,  Richard  Westcoat,  Moses  Fountain, 

Jonathan  Holmes,  Daniel  Miller,  John  Miller, 

Zachariah  Mills,  Richard  Holmes,  Samuel  Miller, 

Jonathan  Seely.  Daniel  Haight,  Samuel  Barras, 

Ebenezer  Holmes,  Philip  Ayres,  Ebenezer  Owen. 

Jonathan  Miller,  Vincent  Simpkins. 

From  an  original  map,  drawn  up  by  Samuel  Purdy,  surveyor,  it 
appears  that  a  partition  of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandl's  estate  took  place  in 
1743.  To  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt  was  allotted  1,424  acres ;  to  Abra- 
ham De  Peyster,  1,1 10  acres;  to  John  Chambers,  1,282  acres;  and  to 
Peter  Jay,  1,299  acres- 

Upon  the  death  of  Peter  Jay,  Esq.,  in  1782,  his  share  fell  to  three 
sons,  Peter,  Frederick  and  John.  The  latter  was  subsequently  invested 
with  a  large  portion  of  the  original  allotment." 

By  the  decease  of  the  Honorable  John  Jay,  in  1829,  his  son,  the  late 
William  Jay,  Esq.,  became  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  Bedford  estate, 
which  since  his  death  has  passed  to  his  son,  the  Hon.  John  Jay ;  the 
Hon.  John  Jay,  therefore,  is  the  only  descendant  of  Jacobus  Van  Cort- 
landt that  owns  a  foot  of  the  original  patent  in  the  town  of  Bedford. 
Abraham  De  Peyster  sold  to  various  individuals.  The  descendants  of 
the  ancient  proprietors  of  the  Hop  grounds  (resident  in  Bedford)  are 
still  very  numerous,  viz.:  the  Greens,  Millers,  Holmes,  Roberts,  Amblers, 
Clarks,  Ayres,  Wcstcoats,  Simpkins,  Meads,  Webbs,  Clasons  and  Higgins. 

New  York,  2d  Nov.,  1785. 
Dear  Sir  :  Mr.  Taylor,  the  Bearer  hereof,  waits  upoa  you  with  a  petition 
which  we  propose  to  present  to  the  Superior  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  West- 
chester Co.,  in  order  to  have  commissioners  appointed,  agreeable  to  a  late  act  of 
Assembly,  to  divide  the  lands  of  the  late  Mrs.  Chambers,  at  Bedford,  among  her 
Devisees.  They  are  now  in  a  neglected,  ruinous  Condition,  and  until  divided 
and  properly  attended  to,  will  continue  to  decrease  in  value.  I  intend  to  go  to 
Bedford  next  week,  in  order  to  see  this  Business  put  in  a  proper  train.  Be 
pleased  to  sign  the  Petition  and  return  it  to  Mr.  Taylor. 

Mrs.  Jay  joins  with  me  in  desiring  you  to  present  our  best  Compliments  to 
Mrs.  De  Peyster  and  the  rest  of  the  Family. 

I  am,  Dear  sir,  your  most  ob't  serv't, 

(Signed.)  JOHN  JAY. 

Mr.  James  De  Peyster,  Jamaica. 

a.  The  following  letter  of  Chief  Justice  John  Jay  to  James  DePeyster  shows  that  the  lands 
of  Anne  Van  Cortlandt,  daughter  of  Jacobus,  and  wife  of  Judge  John  Chambers,  and  sister 
of  Mary  Jay,  mother  of  the  writer,  had  not  been  divided  as  late  as  17S5. 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  village  of  Bedford  is  delightfully  situated  a  little  north  of  the 
Mehanas  River,  in  a  large  and  fertile  vale  almost  environed  by  high 
hills.  The  surrounding  country,  is  well  wooded,  and  watered  by  several 
streams  tributary  to  the  Croton.  The  principal  of  these  are  the  Myanos 
the  Pepemighting,  misnamed  the  Kisco,  the  Cisqua  or  Beaver  dam,  and 
the  Peppeneghek  or  Cross  River.  Bedford  was  for  a  long  time  a  half 
shire  torn  with  White  Plains,  (which  is  located  sixteen  miles,  south), 
but  within  a  few  years  last  past,  the  courts  have  been  held  entirely  at  the 
latter  place. 


Court  House,  Bedford. 


"The  present  Court  House  was  built  in  1787.  Courts  had  been  held 
in  Bedford  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  that  date,  and  Bedford  con- 
tinued to  be  a  half  shire  town  of  the  county  until  1868.  The  Board  of 
Supervisors  frequently  met  at  Bedford  about  the  end  of  the  last  century. 
In  1723,  Richard  Holmes,  collector  of  this  town,  was  "required  forth- 
with" to  collect  a  tax  upon  the  "freeholders,  Residents,  Inhabitants  and 
Sojourners"  within  the  town  of  Bedford  for  the  purpose  of  "finishing 
ye  Court-House"  and  Gaol  in  ye  Count}-."  This  Court-House  was 
probably  the  one  at  Westchester,  for  White  Plains  was  not  made  the 
County  seat  until  1758.  The  tax  for  this  town  amounted  to  the  enor- 
mous sum  of  two  pounds  one  shilling  and  nine-pence."a 

As  early  as  16S0  the  proprietors  of  the  Hop-ground  (then  residing  at 
Stamford)  appointed  a  committee  "for  the  purpose  of  laying  out  a  town 
spot,  and  house  lots,  the  latter  to  consist  at  least  of  three  acres  each, 
also  a  town  common,  field  or  park,  was  directed  to  be  laid  out."  At 

a  Address  by  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4.  1S7G,  Recorder,  Katonah,  July  7. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


39 


this  period  the  Hop  ground  formed  a  part  of  Stamford  township  within 
Fairfield  county,  and  was  therefore  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecti- 
cut. In  1 68 1  the  general  court  of  that  colony  ordered  the  laying  out 
of  a  plantation  at  the  Hop  ground. 

On  the  nth  of  October,  1681,  the  proprietors  of  the  Hop  ground 
appointed  a  committee  to  lay  out  and  divide  the  residue  of  the  land  at 
the  Hop  ground.  It  was  also  agreed  to  receive  eleven  inhabitants  in 
order  to  form  a  town,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  go  and  view 
the  land  for  the  purpose  of  laying  out  a  cart  way  to  the  Hop 
ground. 

"Upon  the  nth  of  May,  1682,  the  general  court  ordered  that  the 
name  of  the  town  be  henceforth  called  Bedford." 

Bedford  has  for  a  long  period  been  celebrated  for  its  schools.  "The 
Bedford  academy  was  one  of  the  first  Institutions  chartered  by  the  Re- 
gents of  the  University  after  their  incorporation  in  1784,  but  is  not  now 
subject  to  their  supervision."*1 

The  Bedford  Female  Institute,  which  is  situated  on  a  beautiful  hill, 
(formerly  known  as  part  of  the  "East  Field")  surrounded  by  a  grove  of 
forest  trees,  is  an  incorporated  institution  and  under  the  control  of  a 
board  of  trustees,  subject  to  the  Regents  of  the  University.  "In  1S13 
the  town  voted  to  comply  with  the  State  act  providing  for  common 
schools  and  elected  the  requisite  board  of  Commissioners  and  Inspectors. 
Since  that  time  the  town  has  maintained  (besides  the  Academies  and 
Seminaries  already  alluded  to)  fifteen  public  schools  and  has  been  fully 
up  to  the  average  rural  towns  in  matters  of  education."6 

"Bedford  yields  nothing  that  is  interesting  in  a  business  point  of  view. 
Before  the  construction  of  the  Harlem  Rail  Road  there  was  quite  a 
lively  traffic  carried  on  by  means  of  stages  along  the  Boston  post  road 
which  passes  through  the  villages  between  New  York  and  Danbury." 

Accommodations  for  travellers  have  always  been  had  from  a  very 
early  period — "as  early  as  1698  a  hotel  became  a  necessity;  and  Corne- 
lius Seely,  sen,  was  chosen  as  keeper  of  the  "Ordinary"  "to  give  enter- 
tainment according  to  law."6 

The  next  mention  of  taverns  is  nearly  a  hundred  years  later  when 
six  "  Inns  "  were  alluded  to  for  which  the  license  fees  were  2  pounds  and 
10  shillings  each.""2 

A  large  hotel  still  occupies  the  site  of  Seeh/s  tavern  in  the  village, 
(kept  by  Robert  J.  Jimmerson)  which  affords  excellent  accommodations 

a  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett 

6  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4, 1ST6. 

c  Ditto  Bedford,  M.S.S.  p.  32. 

d  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4, 18T<E 


4° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


to  parties  visiting  the  town  for  the  salubrity  of  its  air  or  the  beauty  of 
its  scenery. 

The  old  burying  ground  of  the  Town  is  situated  on  the  declivity  near 
the  Methodist  meeting  house  in  the  village  directly  under  Bates's  hill — 
This  spot  was  formerly  a  part  of  the  "common"  (of  which  only  "the 
green"  now  remains),  laid  out  in  1681. 

Tradition  says  that  the  Indians  at  one  time  interred  their  dead  here. 
It  is  quite  certain,  however,  that  the  white  settlers  used  it  from  the  be- 
ginning for  burying  their  dead.  April  7th,  1784,  it  was  voted  at  a  town 
meeting  "That  the  Burying  Ground  be  fenced  in  agreeable  as  it  was 
laid  out  for  or  sett  apart  for  Burying  the  dead."  Again  it  was  "voted 
that  James  McDonald,  Philip  Peck  and  James  Trowbridge  be  a  com- 
mittee to  superintend  the  work  and  see  that  it  be  done."a 

Occasional  notes  in  the  town  records  refer  to  repairing  the  fence  by 
setting  newposts  &c,  until  1802,  the  careof  it  was  madeoverto  the  Presby- 
terian Society;  this  continued  three  years,  when  the  town  voted  to  raise 
by  subscription  money  to  build  a  stone  wall  about  the  ground  5  after- 
wards it  was  the  practice  to  rent  it  "for  the  pasture  of  sheep  and  calves 
only."6 

The  ground  contains  many  curious  memorials. 


The  Sacred  W.  W. 

Decea  to  the  memory  of  here  lies  the 

sed  Col.  Lewis  McDonald  Esy.  body  of  Thomas 

Thomas  and  Sarah  his  wife  Woolsey 

Woolsey  being  a  native  of  North  Britain  also 

born  in  borne  at  Strathspey  1709  Jacob  Brian 

the  year  and  departed  this  life  2i  July,  1777.      sou  of  Thomas 
A.  D.,  16G5.  bom  Sept.  1773  ob.  1760. 


The  first  religious  society  organized  at  Bedford  in  16S0-1  wasCongre- 
gregational,  at  that  time  the  established  religion  of  the  Colony  of  Con- 
necticut— so  that  it  was  a  kind  of  Church  and  State  affair,  for  the  town  at 
regular  meetings  transacted  all  the  business  of  a  religious  nature.6 

The  proprietors  of  the  Hop  Ground  appear  to  have  made  early  pro- 
vision for  the  erection  and  support  of  a  church,  for,  on  the  2  2d  of 
March,  1680,  the  "proprietors  agree  that  what  the  committee  had  done 
in  laying  out  ye  town  plot  and  the  house  lots  shall  stand,  and  the  place 
they  reserved  for  the  town  common,  and  the  town  lot  to  be  as  they  laid 
it  out  and  the  meeting-house  sh-dl  be  set  upon  the  common  so  laved  out, 
namely,  the  rock  called  Bates  his  Hill." 

a  Bedford  Town  Rco,  Book  ii,  p.  4. 

b  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4,  ISTfi. 

c  Hist,  of  Fresb.  Ch.  Bedford,  by  Kev.  P.  B.  Heroy. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


41 


In  i6Si,  the  General  Court,  held  at  Hartford,  instructed  the  com- 
mittee then  residing  in  Stamford,  who  had  been  appointed  to  lay  out  a 
plantation  at  the  hop  ground,  "to  take  care  that  there  should  be  a  suit- 
able lot  laid  out  for  the  first  minister  of  the  place,  a  lot  for  the  minister 
forever." 

The  first  minister  of  the  Congregational  society  who  preached  in  Bed- 
ford was  the  Rev.  John  Prudden  who,  in  1675,  the  General  Courts  of 
Connecticut  ordered  to  resume  his  settlement  in  Rye.  It  would  appear 
that  he  came  from  where  he  had  formerly  preached  for  some  time.  In 
the  town  we  have  this  minute: 

"Dec.  2d,  1681.  They  agree  to  give  Mr.  priddon,  of  Gemeco,  (Ja- 
maica,) a  call  to  be  a  minister  in  this  place.  Joseph  Theale  the  chief 
military  officer  of  the  train  band  of  Bedford  is  chosen  to  goe  to  Mr. 
priddon  to  declare  theire  mind  in  order  to  his  coming  among  them  as 
above;  and  Abra.  Ambler  who  was  appointed  by  the  Court  at  Hartford 
to  grant  warrants  to  officers  e  witnesses,  and  to  join  persons  in  marriage, 
is  desired  so  write  to  Mr.  priddon  in  theire  name  and  behalf:"  Mr. 
Prudden  accepted  their  invitation  and  came  and  preached  for  them 
some  time." 

Mr.  Prudden  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Prudden,  who  came  to 
New  Haven  in  company  with  the  celebrated  John  Davenport  and  had 
charge  of  the  church  in  Westerfield,  Conn.,  in  1638.  John  was  born  at 
Milford,  Conn.,  Nov.  9th,  1645,  to  which  place  his  father  had  removed, 
with  a  few  of  his  congregation,  in  1640,  and  began  the  settlement  of 
that  town.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1668,  and  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Jamaica,"01  March  6th,  1670.  From 
Jamaica  he  went  to  Rye  in  1675,  and  came  here  as  we  have  seen  in  1681. 
He  subsequently  returned  to  Jamaica,  and  "on  the  23d  of  Aug.,  1692, 
received  a  call  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  to 
succeed  Mr.  Pierson,  which  he  accepted.  He  continued  minister  of 
this  church  until  Jan.  9th,  1699,  when  for  some  cause,  not  now  known,  he 
was  dismissed.  He  died  at  Newark,  Dec.  nth,  1725.  His  epitaph  is 
as  follows : 

Here  lies  the  body 

OF  THE 

REV.  MR.  JOHN  PRUDDEN 
minister  of  the  Gospel, 
who  departed  this  life  11  Dec,  1725, 
Aged  80  Years. 

"He  sustained  a  worthy  character  as  a  man  of  sense  and  religion, 
though  he  does  not  appear  to  have  been  a  popular  preacher.    His  de- 

a  Hist,  of  Presb.  Oh.  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  by  Jas.  M.  Macdonalu,  p.  21. 


42 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


scendants  are  numerous  and  reside  chiefly  in  Morris  Co.,  N.  J.;  some 
of  whom  are  said  to  have  been  distinguished  as  worthy  and  useful  mem- 
bers of  society.  "a 

Jan.  28th,  1688,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Denham  was  called  and  settled  in 
Bedford,  and  the  town  ordered  that  ^20  be  raised  for  his  salary.  He 
was  son  of  John  Denham,  deacon,  and  one  of  the  first  purchasers  of 
Dartmouth ;  preached  at  Sheepscott  in  Massachusetts  colony  (now  in 
Maine),  and  suffered  great  losses  in  the  destruction  of  that  settlement 
in  1675  during  King  Philip's  war.  He  came  to  Rye  in  1677  and  re- 
mained till  1684.  Says  a  historian,  "He  was  advanced  in  life  when  he 
came  and  was  held  in  great  respect  by  the  people  here  who  gave  him 
proprietary  rights,  which  descended  to  his  son  Isaac  who  became  one  of 
the  principal  men  of  the  place.  Mr.  Denham  had  preached  a  long  time 
in  the  town  of  Rye  previous  to  his  settlement  here."  This  was  evidently 
his  last  settlement,  for  it  is  reported  that  he  died  in  Bedford  after  a  few 
months'  labor,  aged  67.  His  will  is  said  to  be  on  record  in  the  Court 
House  at  White  Plains,  and  his  grave  is  on  the  hillside  in  our  old  grave- 
yard in  the  village.6 

During  the  next  eight  or  ten  years  the  people  seemed  to  be  supplied 
with  the  labors  of  intelligent  laymen  in  carrying  on  the  Sabbath  and 
conducting  their  religious  services. 

September  23d,  1689,  the  town  by  vote  agreed  that  "in  case  Mr. 
Abram  Ambler,  senr,  will  come  up  and  carry  on  the  Sabbath  as  God 
shall  enable  him,  we  will  give  him  the  sum  of  £20  a  year  as  long  as  he 
shall  perform  the  work  among  us."  October  15th,  1689,  we  have  this 
minute  which  somewhat  modifies  the  former  vote : 

"  At  a  town  meeting  the  town  doth  agree  to  build  Mr.  Abram  Ambler 
Senor.  a  frame  fortey  foots  long  &  twenty-two  foots  wide  and  to  set  it  up 
fit  for  clabording  &  shingling  and  to  rais  it  up  by  the  last  of  March  to 
come  after  the  deate  thereof  &  the  house  above  mentioned  is  to  be  teen 
foots  &  a  half  between  ioynts  and  the  frame  above  mentioned  is  to  be 
set  up  upon  the  consideration  that  Mr.  Abraham  Ambler,  Senor.  will 
com  up  as  often  as  he  can  conveniantly  to  cary  on  the  Lord's  day 
amongst  us  one  year  yt  he  may  settle  with  us."  May  14th,  1690.  seven 
months  after  the  former  vote,  at  another  town  meeting  we  have  -the 
following  minute:  "The  town  doth  by  uote  chuse  Zachariah  Roberts 
for  to  cary  on  the  Sabba  th  day  whill  they  can  be  othcrwavs  provided." 

Jannewary,  1694,  we  have  this  vote:  "The  town  by  vote  doth  agree 
that  as  much  land  e  medow  as  can  be  spaired  e  not  predigous  to  high- 
wavs  yt  lyeth  one  the  norwest  sid  of  whiping-post  brook  shall  be  keept 
for  a  ministar  e  to  be  disposed  to  now  man  els  but  a  minister." 

a  Hist.  Presbvterian  Ch.  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  by  Jas.  M.  Maedouald. 
b  Hist  of  Presbyterian  Ch.  Bedford,  by  Rev.  P.  B.  neroy. 


THE  TOWN'  OF  BEDFORD. 


43 


October  16th,  1694,  the  town  agreed  to  buy  a  house  and  lot  of  John 
Ambler  for  a  parsonage,  '"provided  his  price  do  not  exceed  £25."  In 
all  probability,  the  spot  on  which  the  Presbyterian  church  (built  in  1872) 
now  stands  is  a  part  of  this  original  purchase. 

"February  21st,  1694-5.  The  town  by  uote  doth  chois  John  Holmes, 
Sen.,  Zachariah  Roberts,  John  Wascott  e  Daniell  Jones  to  carry  on  the 
Sabbath  day  according  to  theyr  descresion  whill  they  ear  other  ways 
provided.  2iidly.  The  town  doth  by  vote  mack  choice  of  Cornelus 
Selly  to  carry  on  the  Lord's  day  along  with  ye  others  chosen  e  yt  in 
Daniell  Jones  roome. 

March  21st,  1698.  The  inhabitance  of  the  town  of  Bedford  by  a 
maiger  uote  doth  order  e  agree  yt.  every  acre  of  land  e  meadow  within  the 
bounds  of  Bedford  that  is  alooted  unto  pertickler  persons;  both  im- 
proved e  not  emproved ;  that  is  to  say.  what,  every  man  doth  possess 
for  their  one;  that  man  or  parson  shall  pay  three  pence  an  acre  yearly 
for  evry  acre  towards  the  maintaining  of  a  minister  amongst  us. 

2nly.  The  town  by  a  maigor  uote  doth  order  that  this  above  said 
uote  shall  be  presented  unto  the  Jenarall  Court  at  Herford,  that  it  may 
be  established  as  a  law  for  the  town  of  Bedford."  Their  supplies  all 
seemed  to  leave  them,  and  "ieneuary  9th,  1698-9:  the  town  by  a  mai- 
gor uote  doth  order  that  there  shall  be  a  request  made  to  the  ministars 
of  the  county  to  inquire  for  us,  e  to  acquaint  us  where  we  may  be  likely 
to  ataine  to  a  ministar  and  for  his  encuredgment  we  do  agre  upon  seri- 
ous consideration  for  his  incuredgment  to  give  him  a  house  loot  e 
forty  acres  of  land  e  medow;  e  thurty  pounds  a  yer  in  curant  provision 
pay.  Febuarv  Sth,  1698-9.  The  town  by  a  maigor  vote  doth  agree  to 
improve  the  town  loot  this  year  in  the  town  way  towards  the  maintain- 
ance  of  a  ministar  e  to  mack  theyer  fence,  now  belonging  unto  ye 
house  loot  e  euery  inhabitant  to  mack  theyer  equall  sharis  up  with  good 
sofisiant  fine  raill  fence  as  it  shall  be  laved  out  by  ye  towns  men  e  it  is 
to  pass  the  vewars; — e  the  town  dos  agree  to  plow,  plant  e  tend  the  loot 
in  a  way  of  a  town  rate,  e  if  any  refuse  or  nedgleckt  to  dew  theyr  shair 
of  fence  up  by  the  fifteenth  of  march  next  to  come  shall  pay  four  shill- 
ings a  rood  to  the  town  men  as  they  may  have  it  dun  up  as  above  said. 

"  16th  of  December,  1692,  David  Mead  was  chosen  by  the  town  to 
keep  the  town  drum,  to  keep  it  in  repair  and  to  beat  it  when  necessary, 
and  to  be  allowed  10  shillings  yearly." 

Prior  to  the  use  of  bells  in  New  England,  the  meetings  were  sum- 
moned by  beat  of  drum,  or  the  blowing  of  the  conch  shell:  to  this 
practice  the  poet  alludes: 

"New  England's  Sabbath  day," 
Is  heaven-like,  still  and  pure. 
Then  Israel  walks  the  way 
Up  to  the  temple's  door : 

The  time  we  tell, 

When  there  to  come, 

By  beat  of  dcum, 

Or  sounding  shell. 


44 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


In  1699  the  town  votes  to  exchange  with  Stewhen  Clason  4  acres  of 
swamp  and  give  him  4  acres  of  upland  if  he  will  "beat  the  Drum  until 
this  day  twelve  month,"  the  town  to  keep  the  drum  in  repair. 

November  14th,  1699.  The  town  by  a  maigor  note  doth  grant  yt 
Mr.  Copp  shall  have  the  use  of  ye  towns  land  e  medow  in  ye  feild  this 
next  year  without  they  want  it  for  a  ministar." 

Their  efforts  for  a  minister  were  successful,  for  before  the  close  of  the 
year  we  find  these  records : 

desember;  26  1699:  The  town  by  a  maigor  uote  doth  agre  to  give 
unto  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan  upon  his  comming  to  carry  on  ye  ministry 
amongst  us,  seuerall  particklars  as  followeth  for  his  settlement: 

1  ly  to  give  him  all  yt  rit  of  land  e  medow  which  the  Town  bought  of 
Mr.  Ambler  e  of  his  son  John  upon  the  condisions  of  his  comming  and 
macking  his  abood  three  years  with  us. 

2  nly  To  build  him  a  hotis  two  story  high,  twenty-seven  foot  long  e 
twenty  on  foots  wid  with  a  leantu  e  a  chamber  chimbly  e  the  condishans 
that  if  Mr  Morgan  liveth  e  dyeth  with  us  the  house  shall  be  his  on  e  his 
avers  for  euer,  e  otherwise  if  Mr.  Morgan  see  cause  upon  any  acount  to 
leave  us  he  shall  pay  to  the  town  the  ually  of  the  chardg  yt  by  an  acount 
taken  there  of  shall  be  giuen. 

3ly  To  giue  him  for  maintainance  for  the  first  year  forty  pounds  in 
good  currant  prouision  paye  and  plant  and  mannure  four  acres  of  Land. 

4ly  To  maniage  for  years  following  and  till  ten  acres  of  Land  for 
winter  grain=the  produce  of  ye  same  for  him  yerly=&  twenty  pounds 
in  good  currant  prouision  paye  and  more  hereafter  as  god  shall  inable 
us  if  he  stands  in  need  thereof — two  pounds  of  the  same  to  be  Delivered 
at  Stamford  or  horse  neck,  if  he  Desires  it. 

5ly.  To  cut  and  cart  to  his  Dore  all  his  fire  wood  from  yeare  to  yeare. 

61y  to  transport  him  and  his  famely  to  bedford  or  to  be  at  ye  charg 
theire  of. 

Jenen  1  st.  The  town  by  a  magor  uote  ses  caus  to  repeall  part  of  the 
first  and  second  uote  passed  desember  26th,  '99,  e  to  resarue  the  hous  e 
the  whole  homestead  to  themselves,  except  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan  liueth 
&  dyeth  with  us. 

2ly.  The  town  by  a  maiger  uote,  doth  chuse  e  mack  chois  of  Mr. 
John  Copp,  Stephen  Clason,  John  Miller,  iuner,  Richard  Wascott.  David 
Mead  for  theire  commitie,  for  to  agree  with  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan  for  his 
settlement  at  Bedford  acording  to  the  acts  of  the  town,  e  to  tack  the 
caire  of  ye  whole  manigment  for  his  maintinance  in  case  he  commeth  to 
dwell  with  us. 

Joseph  Morgan  was  the  grandson  of  James  Morgan,  who  settled  in 
Conn.,  1647,  with  the  first  settlers.  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Morgan, 
born  in  New  London  Nov.  6th,  1672,  and  was  graduated  at  Vale  Col- 
lege. During  the  first  year  of  his  settlement  he  was  ordained  by  the 
ministers  of  Fairfield  County,  and  preached  a  sermon,  according  to  the 
custom  of  that  time.  June  12,  1700,  he  was  indicted  under  the  act  of 
1693  for  settling  a  ministry,  but  was  acquitted.    Two  years  after,  1702, 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  45 
• 

he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  as  one  of  the  first  class  of 
graduates  of  Yale.  When  he  commenced  preaching,  contrary  to  the 
practice  of  the  times,  he  used  notes,  but  some  of  his  brethren  protested 
so  strongly  that  he  quickly  abandoned  them.  Having  ministered  at 
Bedford  and  during  part  of  the  time  in  the  neighboring  town  of  East 
Chester  for  nearly  four  years,  he  removed  to  Greenwich,  Conn.,  and 
preached  there  till  1708.  "It  seems  that  in  1705,  to  encourage  and 
sustain  Mr.  Morgan,  the  right  had  been  granted  to  him  to  build  a  mill 
at  the  mouth  of  Coscob  River,  now  known  as  Davis's  mill.  He  built 
the  mill  and  went  to  live  near  it  that  he  might  manage  it  in  person,  and 
see  that  his  peoples  grists  were  well  ground.  The  congregation,  after  a 
while,  thought  his  zeal  in  this  matter  was  rather  greater  than  they  had 
bargained  for,  especially  as  his  position  down  at  the  mill  made  him  inac- 
cessible to  the  people,  and  rendered  his  visits  among  them  angel-like, 
'  few  and  far  between.'  Finding  remonstrance,  however,  vain,  they  first 
referred  the  case  to  the  neighboring  ministers,  to  say  what  should  be 
done.  This  showed  forbearance  on  their  part.  Meanwhile,  the  good 
brother,  as  he  had  to  take  his  salary,  according  to  the  custom  of  those 
early  times,  in  grain,  and  a  short  allowance  at  that,  thought  it  wise  to 
stick  to  his  mill.  Whereupon  the  Horseneck  people,  never  wanting  in 
spirit  when  spirit  was  called  for,  grew  impatient.  They  sent  their  com- 
mittee, Ebenezer  Mead,  Joshua  Knapp  and  Caleb  Knapp,  chief  men 
among  them,  to  press  the  question  to  an  immediate  decision,  whether 
Mr.  Morgan  would  quit  personally  attending  his  mill  (adding  this,  per- 
haps, to  all  other  objections,  that  a  white  dress  was  not  in  character  for 
a  Congregational  minister),  and  attend  to  the  parish.  If  he  would  not, 
they  were  to  strike  off  his  official  head  at  a  blow,  and  provide  a  suc- 
cessor. Now  the  inventions  of  our  day  are  wonderful,  especially  in  the 
line  of  sharp-cutting  machines,  mowers,  reapers,  etc.;  but  our  congrega- 
tions, I  will  venture  to  say,  have  invented  no  instrument  for  disposing  of 
refractory  ministers  that  can  go  ahead  of  this  ecclesiastical  guillotine  of 
1708.  Matters  were  now  brought  at  once  to  an  issue.  Mr.  Morgan 
decided  to  abide  by  his  mill,  and  the  committee  decided  to  consider  the 
I  pulpit  vacant  and  provide  a  successor."  He  left  there,  and  settled  in 
Freehold,  N.  J.,  1709.  In  September,  1728,  complaints  were  made 
against  him  to  the  Synod  that  he  practiced  astrology,  countenanced  pro- 
miscuous dancing,  and  transgressed  in  drink.  But  these  complaints 
were  dismissed  for  want  of  proof.  He  left  Freehold  and  went  to  Hope- 
well and  Maidenhead.  Here  he  was  again  charged  with  intemperance, 
and  was  suspended  from  the  ministry ;  but  he  was  finally  restored 
through  the  kindness  of  some  of  his  brethren.    He  published  many  of 


46 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


his  sermons  and  treatises  on  other  topics.  He  preached  a  funeral  ser- 
mon on  the  death  of  his  son,  Joseph,  who  was  graduated  at  Yale  in  1723, 
and  died  one  year  after.  His  text,  Ps.  cxxxvii.  1,  and  Job  x.  2.  Noth- 
ing is  heard  of  Mr.  Morgan  after  1740.  His  name  disappears  from  the 
minutes  of  Synod.  In  1702-3,  the  people  called  the  Rev.  John  Jones, 
and  here  we  have  the  first  regular  call  on  the  part  of  the  people  to  a 
minister,  and  his  reply  in  his  own  words,  which  have  come  down  to  us 
as  a  precious  relic  of  nearly  two  hundred  years  ago : 

"  Desember  7th,  1702,  the  town  by  a  unanimis  uote  doth  Mr.  John 
Jones  thanks  for  his  labors  with  us  the  day  past  in  ye  work  of  ye  minis- 
try, ami  if  ye  sd  Mr.  Jones  acording  to  our  unighted  desires  continueth 
in  ye  work  aforesd  three  months  among  us,  then  we,  ye  sd  town,  will 
pay  him  ye  sum  of  teen  pounds  in  money  or  equivalent  to  money  upon 
ye  account  of  our  furder  acquaintance,  he  with  us  &  we  with  him  in 
order  to  settle  him,  ye  said  Mr.  Jones  with  us,  if  we  &  he  agree  at  ye 
three  months'  end."    Mr.  Jones,  his  answer: 

To  my  christian  friends  and  neighbors,  the  inhabitants  of  ye  town  of 
Bedford,  after  dew  salutations  to  you  premised ;  wishing  grace,  marcye 
and  peace  from  God  ye  Father  &  from  ye  lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  be 
multiplyed  towards  you  &  yours,  these  lines  are  to  intermate  yt  yours  I 
received  from  ye  hands  of  your  worthy  messengers,  Mr.  Roberts,  jus- 
tice of  ye  peace,  Mr.  Miller  and  Mr.  John  Holmes. 

I  unfainedly  bless  God  and  thank  you  for  your  grateful  acceptance  of 
my  labors  in  ye  ministry  among  you  yesterday,  and  do  desire  yt  you  and 
I  may  be  more  and  more  faithful  in  eury  good  work  to  ye  glory  of  His 
name  and  our  mutuall  edification  and  comfort,  and  I  do  here  furder  inter- 
mate yt  I  have  no  objecktion  to  make  to  your  proposalls  for  my  incour- 
agement  in  ye  work  of  Christ  among  you,  but  accept  them  humbly  and 
thankfully,  and  shall  by  ye  Lord's  help,  without  whome  I  can  do  noth- 
ing, ingadge  in  your  seruice,  yt  God  as  I  appryhend  calls  me  unto  for  a 
quarter  of  a  year  among  yourselves,  begging  your  prayers  that  I  may 
grow  in  gifts  and  grace  and  yt  my  poor  labors  may  be  blessed  for  ye  pro- 
moting of  ye  spirituall  and  eternall  wellfair  of  your  precious  and  emortal 
souls,  which  will  be  to  me  great  joy  and  comfort  which  is  in  all  haste, 
from  your  friend  and  servant,  for  Christ's  sake. 

John  Jones,  from  my  study 
Bedford,  Desember  7th,  1702. 

A  true  copy  received  from  Mr.  Jones  which  I  received  and  entered. 

Zachakiau  Roberts, 
Clark. 

After  the  three  months  had  expired,  it  seems  that  the  people  desired 
to  continue  Mr.  Jones  as  their  minister,  as  we  learn  from  the  following 
recorded  correspondence: 

Feb.  15th,  1702-3,  the  town  by  a  unanimous  vote  doth  agree  to  give 
unto  Mr.  John  Jones  minister  of  ye  gospell,  all  yt  right  of  land  and 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  47 

meadow  with  ye  house  and  home  loot  which  ye  town  bought  of  Mr. 
Ambler  upon  ye  account  yt  sd.  Mr.  Jones  settle  with  us  in  Bedford  and 
carryeth  on  ye  work  of  ye  ministry  among  us — and  forty  pounds  a  year 
for  his  maintenance  in  speshe  as  followeth — that  is  to  say — winterwheat 
at  4s.  6d.  prbushell,  ry  3s.  pr  bushell,  llax  6d.  pr  pound,  beef  one  penny 
half-penny  pr  pound,  pork  two  pence  half-penny  pr  pound.  And  in 
case  Mr.  John  Jones  continueth  with  us  until  he  be  settled  and  ordained 
in  gospell  order  amongst  us,  then  ye  above  sd  house,  land  and  medovv 
to  be  his  owne  for  him  &  his  forever;  as  witness  our  hands  thus  under- 
written: Zachariah  Roberts  Clark,  John  Miller,  John  Holmes,  sen'r, 
Cornelius  Seely,  John  Holmes,  Jr.,  Richard  Holmes.  Richard  Wcscott, 
Nathan  Clark,  Cornelius  Seely,  Junr.,  Jonathan  Holmes,  David  Miller, 
John  Wescott,  David  Holmes,  Zachariah  Roberts,  Jun'r,  Joseph  Hunt, 
Jno.  Dibbell,  Thomas  Howard,  Joseph  Palmer. 

REV.  JOHN  JONES'  REPLY. 
TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  BEDFORD. 

My  Oood  Friends: 

These  are  in  answer  to  your  unanimous  motion  made  unto 
me  respecting  the  work  of  the  ministry  to  be  carried  on  in  your  place;  that  hav- 
ing endeavoured  at  Due  consideration  of  the  motion  I  apprehend  encouridgment 
on  the  one  hand  And  Discouridgment  on  the  other ;  eucouridging  To  me  Are 
my  own  Affection.  Altho  unworthy  According  to  my  poor  capacity  in  that  way 
to  be  serving  the  interest  of  my  Dearest  Lord  and  Master.  And  if  I  maybe 
profitable  to  the  eternall  good  of  Precious  and  Immortal!  Soules,  witli  which  is 
to  Be  Added  in  Relation  to  your  Place,  your  unanimous  Agreement,  And  good 
Affection  manifested  During  my  Late  Short  Abode  with  you.  And  your  une- 
versal  Desires  of  my  further  Improvement  in  that  Sacred  Lnployment  with  you; 
Discouridgeing  to  me  is  the  uncertain  face  of  things  with  Respect  to  the  govern- 
ment's allowance  and  appropriation  of  my  improvement  freed  from  any  Impo- 
sitions which  I  doe  comply  with,  however  in  fine  my  thoughts  are  these,  that  soe 
long  as  I  may  Diserne  the  Providence  of  God  going  Before,  Guiding  and  Direct- 
ing me  continuing  your  good  Affections  to  my  Service,  And  Reasonable  En- 
couridgement  and  Support,  preventing  and  Diverting  any  snares  or  yoke  uneasy 
to  my  conscience,  your  Precious  and  Dear  Souls,  To  Be  Dillegent  in  the  minis- 
terial Improvement  Among  you.  And  to  Banish  all  thoughts  of  the  neglecting 
you,  or  Deserting  the  Spirituall  work  and  Employment  by  you  desired,  this  I 
conceive  the  Present  needful,  from  your  Affectionate  friend  and  Enclined  to  Be 
According  to  Power — which  (with  thankful  acceptance  of  your  late  Proposalls 
for  my  Encouragement  In  Christ's  Service  Among  you)  is  All  from  your  Absent 
friend  And  Servant  for  Christ's  Sake—  JOHN  JONES. 

Given  in  Att  a  Publick 
Town  Meeting  at  Bedford 
upon  their  Desires  of  my  i 
Answer  [ 
Aprill  ve  2d  1703 
J.  J. 

November  30th,  1703,  the  town  by  a  maijor  vote  doth  make  chois 
of  Jonathan  Miller,  Na»han  Clark  John  Holmes  Jr.  and  Jonathan  Holmes 


48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


to  take  a  list  and  make  Mr.  Jones  his  this  year's  rate  and  to  gather  it 
for  him. 

March  5th  1704-5  the  town  by  a  maijor  vote  chuseth  Nathan  Clark, 
Colleckter  to  geather  Mr  Jones,  his  half  year  rate. 

John  Jones  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Jones  "a  man  of 
some  note  in  the  early  history  of  the  New  England  churches,"  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  society  at  Fairfield,  Conn.  He  was  born  at  Con- 
cord in  1639  and  graduated  at  Harvard  College0  after  preaching  there 
a  short  time  finally  went  to  Greenwich. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Bed- 
ford for  the  next  sixteen  years;  in  the  meantime  the  church  had  changed 
its  form  of  government,  from  that  of  Independent  to  that  of  Presby- 
terian. Who  supplied  the  people  with  the  gospel,  we  have  not  been 
able  to  find  out;  but  God  preserved  and  fostered  the  little  band  of 
Christian  men  and  women,  while  they  planted  their  feet  upon  the  good 
sound  scriptural  principles  of  Presbyterianism :  Here  they  stood,  forti- 
fied by  faith  and  prayer,  until  God  heard  and  answered,  and  sent  them 
from  far  over  the  sea  a  man  after  His  own  heart,  to  break  unto  them 
the  Bread  of  Life. 

May  $d,  1720. — Rev.  William  Tennent  was  invited  here  to  preach 
the  gospel.  It  is  not  certain  whether  he  was  ever  regularly  installed — 
probably  not,  as  he  united  first  with  the  Presbyter)'  of  Philadelphia  after 
he  left  here — for  he  remained  here  only  a  short  time.  The  church,  in 
all  probability,  belonged  at  this  time  to  the  Presbyter)-  of  Long  Island, 
which  numbered  but  two  or  three  ministers,  and  it  was  not  convenient 
then,  as  now,  to  hold  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  Mr.  Tennent  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1673,  where  he  received  a  liberal  education  at  Trin- 
ity College,  Dublin,  and  where  also  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  and  afterward  became  a  dissenter  and  a 
Presbyterian  from  conviction.  He  was  first  settled  in  East  Chester, 
New  York.  From  there  he  came  to  Bedford,  and  from  Bedford,  after  a 
little  more  than  a  year's  labor,  he  went  to  Bensalem  and  Smithfield 
churches,  in  Pennsylvania.  From  there  he  accepted  a  call  to  Nesha- 
miny,  1726,  where  a  rich  man,  by  the  name  of  Logan,  a  relative  of  his, 
gave  him  fifty  acres  or  land,  on  the  Neshaminy  Creek,  on  which  to  lo- 
cate and  carry  on  a  school,  which  he  had  already  commenced.  Here 
he  built  a  small  house,  about  twenty  feet  square,  mostly  of  logs,  rudely 

a  The  will  of  Rev.  John  Jones  Pastor  of  the  Chnvch  of  Fairfield  in  New  England  is  recorded 
in  that  place.  In  it  he  mentions  his  wife  Susanna,  six  children.  John  Eliphalet.  four  daugh- 
ters, Sarah  Wilson,  widow,  ninth  Jones),  Rebeckah  Hull,  Elizabeth  Kill.  To  his  eldest  son 
John  Jones,  he  leaves  part  of  his  library  to  whit  the  works  of  St.  Augustine,  Cbrysostom, 
and  other  Authors  usually  railed  the  '•  Father's."  Mr.  Gold  ami  Mr.  Tell  of  Fairfield  were 
appointed  overseers  there  on  Jan'rv  17th,  low.  Fairfield  Book  of  Rec  vol.  ii  p.  6,  1005, 1675. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


49 


shaped,  cut  out  of  the  woods  from  the  very  spot  where  the  house  was 
erected;  and  being  skilled  in  the  Latin  language,  so  as  to  speak  and 
write  it  almost  as  well  as  his  mother  tongue,  he  continued  his  school, 
and  educated  some  of  the  first  and  most  eminent  ministers  that  ever 
adorned  the  American  pulpit.  This  was  called  the  Log  College,  out  of 
contempt,  by  its  enemies.  Every  vestige  of  it  has  long  since  passed 
a\vay,but  this  was  the  germ  whence  sprung  Princeton  College,  with  all 
its  vast  influence  and  renown,  giving  character  in  a  great  measure  to  the 
intelligence  and  usefulness  of  the  learned  men  in  this  country.  Mr. 
Tennent  continued  till  the  close  of  life  in  Neshaminy,  where  he  died 
May  6th,  17-16,  aged  seventy  three  years. 

While  Mr.  Tennent  was  settled  in  Bedford,  through  the  munificence 
and  liberality  of  the  people,  he  became  possessor  of  some  land,  which 
his  son  Gilbert,  in  his  last  will  and  testament,  gave  to  the  Trustees  of 
the  Presbyterian  Society  of  Bedford;  for  on  the  records  of  the  town  we 
find  the  following  minute: 

"May  16:  1749.  Gilbert  Tennent  of  Philadelphia  in  the  Colony  of 
Pennsylvania,  Gentlemen ;  Son  and  heir  at  law  unto  Rev.  William  Ten- 
nent, formerly  of  Bedford  in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Colony  of  New 
York,  but  lately  of  Neshamina,  in  the  Colony  of  Pensilvania,  deceased, 
for  the  promoting  and  supporting  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  accord- 
ing and  under  the  Presbyterian  Discipline,  in  the  above  said  Bedford, 
gave  to  John  Holmes,  John  Miller  and  Zebediah  Mills,  trustees,  and 
their  successors,  several  pieces  of  land  formerly  possessed  by  his  Rever- 
end Father  for  the  use  and  support  of  the  ministry. 

DEED  OF  GIFT  TO  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

To  all  those  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come  sendeth  greeting. 
Know  yee,  that  I,  Gilhert  Tennent,  of  Philadelphia,  in  Colony  of  Pennsylvania, 
gentleman,  son  and  heir-in-law  uuto  Rev.  Mr.  William  Tennent,  formerly  of 
Bedford,  in  Westchester  County  in  the  Colony  of  New  York,  but  lately  of  Nash- 
amina,  in  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania,  deceased,  have  for  divers  good  reasons  to 
me  there  unto  moving,  but  more  especially  for  the  promoting  and  supporting 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  according  to  and  under  the  Presbyterian  Discipline 
in  thu  above  said  Bedford,  given,  granted,  quitted,  devised,  enfeofed,  quit  claim 
and  make  over  unto  John  Holmes  and  John  Miller,  Esqs.,  Zebediah  Mills,  yeo- 
lnan,  all  of  the  above  said  Bedford  as  hereafter  mentioned,  formerly  possessed 
by  my  Reverend  Father,  viz.,  one  house  and  home  lot  containing  by  estimation 
about  ten  acres ;  two  lots  in  the  east  field  containing  eight  acres  each  ;  one  piece 
on  the  south  side  of  Mahanns  River,  containing  by  estimation  twelve  acres; 
three  acres  on  a  plain  called  South  Plain  ;  one  acre  and  a  quarter  in  a  meadow 
called  Theal's  meadow ;  one  and  a  half  acre  in  a  meadow  called  David's  Hill 
meadow,  two  acres  and  a  half  in  a  meadow  called  the  great  meadow,  &c.,  &c. 

Dated  16th  May.  1749.* 

a  Bedford's  Record*,  Book  Xo.  3,  p.  99. 


5° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


From  time  to  time  the  Trustees  have  sold  the  land  belonging  to  the 
parsonage,  which  formerly  consisted  of  a  large  Tract,  for  the  more  pro- 
fitable use  of  the  minister,  until  there  is  not  more  than  eight  or  ten  acres 
left  at  the  present  date,  May  27,  1874." 

After  Mr.  Tennent,  in  1721,  there  is  no  certainty  as  to  who  preached 
here  until  1740,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Sturgeon  was  minister  in  Bed- 
ford. He  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  left  his  native  place  under 
some  embarrassment  and  came  to  New  England,  and  was  licensed  by  a 
council  greatly  to  the  regret  of  Cotton  Mather,  by  reason  of  his  conduct 
here  and  at  home.  He  is  said,  in  President  Stile's  Papers,  to  have  been 
settled  in  Bedford,  N.  Y.,  for  twelve  years.  But  here  seems  a  discrep- 
ancy in  the  history  of  those  times,  for  the  Presbyter)-  of  New  Brunswick 
installed  here,  in  1743,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sacket.  This  would  hardly 
seem  probable  if  Mr.  Sturgeon  still  sustained  any  relation  to  the  people  ; 
but,  says  Mr.  Webster,  the  historian,  when  so  many  other  ties  were  sun- 
dered rudely,  even  this  unbrotherly  act  may  have  been  committed.  Mr. 
Sturgeon  was  present  in  1745,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  New 
York,  as  a  member  of  the  New  York  Presbytery.  His  name  is  not  men- 
tioned after  1750,  and  where  he  finally  settled  and  died  we  have  not  the 
means  at  hand  of  knowing. 

The  next  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  Rev.  Samuel 
Sacket,  son  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Sacket,  minister  of  the  Second  Society  of 
Greenwich  in  17  i7,who  was,  in  all  probability,  installed  pastor  here  by  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick.  He  acted  also  as  a  sort  of  missionary 
n  this  part  of  the  country,  and  in  1747  Crumpond  obtained  his  services 
for  half  of  his  time;  he  supplied  Salem,  also,  and  Peekskill.  In  Decem- 
ber 1749,  he  was  released  from  his  labors  in  Crumpond,  now  York  town, 
and  gave  the  whole  of  his  time  to  Bedford ;  but  resigned  the  care  of  the 
Church  here  in  April  4th,  1753,  the  affections  of  the  people  being  alienated 
from  him  after  ten  years'  labor.  He  left  here  and  settled  at  once  over 
the  Church  of  Hanover  in  Cortland  Manor.  He  was  dismissed  from 
here  on  April  1st,  1760,  and  the  next  year  was  installed  again  in  Crum- 
pond. The  Church  Missionary  of  Hanover,  immediately  wrote  to  Eng- 
land that  the  new  light  preacher  had  left  them.  Mr.  Sacket  had  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  with  his  brethren  in  the  Presbytery,  as  he  differed  widely 
from  them  in  both  the  doctrines  and  government  of  the  Church.  He 
preached  for  twenty  years  in  Yorktown  or  Crumpond,  and  finally  died 
there  June  5th,  1784  His  tomb  in  the  cemetery  bears  record  that  he 
was  judicious,  faithful,  laborious  and  successful  in  his  ministry. 

On  the  resignation  or  Mr.  Sacket  in  1753,  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Ball 
was  called  as  pastor,  and  was  installed  Dec.  31st,  1754.  He  created  quite 


Tin;  town  of  nr.DRiki). 


5r 


a  division  and  difficulty  in  the  church,  and  was  finally  dismissed  Dec. 
21st,  1758.  He  died  in  Balston  in  1797.  After  one  year's  vacancy, 
Dec.  13th,  1769,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Mills  was  installed  pastor  of  Bedford 
Church,  and  remained  until  May  18th,  1786,  when  the  Presbytery  of 
Dutchess  County  met  and  dissolved  the  relation  between  him  and  the 
church,  and  the  same  day  installed  the  Rev.  John  Davenport  as  pastor 
of  the  Church.  But  Mr.  Mills,  though  nominally  pastor  of  the  church 
from  1769  to  1786,  was  absent  from  the  charge  for  several  years — having 
been  driven  from  Bedford  by  the  distressing  circumstances  attending  the 
war.  In  the  meantime,  their  former  pastor,  Rev.  Eliphalet  Ball  returned 
and  assumed  the  supply  and  charge  of  the  church,  and  remained  in  this 
connection  till  1784  when  he  was  dismissed.  Mr.  Ball  having  spent  four 
years  at  Amity,  in  Woodbridge,  Conn.,  removed  to  Saratoga  County 
New  York,  1788,  taking  with  him  a  part  of  his  Bedford  congregation. 
The  settlement  for  a  long  time  was  called  Ball  Town,  now  Ballston. 

Mr.  Ball  was  the  stated  supply  of  this  church  in  the  stormy  times  of 
the  American  Revolution,  when  the  people  were  struggling  for  their  in- 
dependence. When  the  old  church,  built  in  1680,  was  burned  to  the 
ground,  having  stood  an  hundred  years,  and  having  proved  amiable  to 
the  hearts  of  the  people  of  God  for  a  century,  they  stood  silently  by 
and  saw  it  reduced  to  ashes  by  the  British  army  under  Lieut.  Col.  Tarle- 
ton.  An  old  veteran  still  lingering  among  us,  almost  ninety  years  old, 
remembers  having  heard  her  mother  say  she  saw  the  smoke  of  the  old 
church  rising  to  heaven,  as  sweet  and  holy  incense,  as  the  timbers 
yielded  to  the  devouring  element,  though  living  a  mile  and  a  half  distant. 
Mr.  Ball  saw  his  own  house  (the  parsonage),  his  church,  and  the  entire 
village  reduced  to  ashes  by  the  British  troops;  but  he  lived  to  see  anew 
house  of  worship  built  on  a  more  commanding  spot,  and  no  doubt  on  a 
larger  scale;  so  that  the  latter  house  exceeded  the  former  in  its  external 
proportions,  if  not  in  the  internal  manifestations  of  the  spirit  of  God. 
We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  records  of  the  church  kept  in  the 
parsonage  were  destroyed  with  it,  as  we  have  no  records  of  the  church 
preserved  until  after  peace  was  declared. 

The  elders  of  the  church  when  the  second  house  of  worship  was 
built,  were  Ebenezer  Miller,  Jacob  Smith,  Moses  St.  John,  and  soon 
after  were  added  Eli  Tyler,  Justus  Harris,  Peter  Fleming,  Stephen  Bene- 
dict and  Joseph  Owen. 

Rev.  Samuel  Mills,  who  was  nominally  the  pastor  of  the  church,  though 
not  present  continually  from  1769  to  1786,  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Zedediah 
Mills,  of  Ripton.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1765.  In 
1782  he  was  preaching  at  Patterson  (then  Fredericksburg),  and  there  he 


53 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


continued  till  1789,  when  he  joined  the  Anabaptists  and  was  dismissed 
from  connection  with  the  Presbytery.    He  died  in  1815. 

In  1783,  Capt.  Lewis  M.  Donald  gave  to  the  Presbyterian  Society 
the  land  on  which  the  second  house  of  worship  was  built.  Here  is  the 
deed  of  gift  as  recorded  in  the  town  records: 

DEED  OF  GIFT  FOR  SITE  OF  SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 

"  To  all  christian  People  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  Greeting.  Know  ye 
that  I  Lewis  M.  Donald,  formerly  of  Bedford  in  Westchester  Co.,  state  of  New 
York  but  now  a  Resident  of  Long  Island,  for  certain  causes  me  thereunto  mov- 
ing &  out  of  Love  &  Affection  for  the  Encouragement  of  Virtue  and  the  propiga- 
tion  of  the  gospel,  do  hereby  Bequeath  &  give  unto  the  Presbyterian  Society  of 
Bedford  iu  county  &  State  abovesaid  &  to  their  Heirs  &  Successors  forever,  as 
long  as  they  shall  Remain  a  Society  and  as  long  as  they  shall  stand  in  Want  of 
a  House  of  Public  Worship  or  a  Spot  of  Ground  to  Erect  a  House  of  Worship 
thereon,  one  half  acre  of  Land,  Situate  &  Lying  &  being  in  the  Township  of 
Bedford  in  the  County  &  State  aforesaid,  Bounded  (as  follows.  Lying  on  an 
Eminence  above  the  spot  of  ground  where  the  former  meeting  House  stood) 
Easterly  by  the  Road  that  Runs  from  the  Town  to  Cantito,  Westerly,  North- 
erly and  Southerly  by  my  own  Land  which  land  was  purchased  of  John  Eliot. 
Reference  being  had  to  the  original  conveyance  to  have  &  to  hold  the  above  Be- 
queathed &  given  Spot  of  Laud  with  all  &  singular  the  rights  and  privileges 
thereunto  belonging — to  the  above  mentioned  Society,  to  their  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors, agreeable  to  the  above  mentioned  Terms  and  Conditions,  and  also  I  the 
said  Lewis  M  Donald,  do  for  myself,  my  Heirs  and  assigns,  Covenant  with  the 
said  Society,  their  Heirs  &  successors,  that  at  and  until  the  Ensealing  of  these 
presents,  I  am  well  seized  of  the  Premesis  as  a  good  indefeaseable  Estate  in  fee 
simple  and  have  good  Right  to  Dispose  of  the  same  in  manner  &  form  above 
written,  &  the  same  is  free  of  all  Incumbrance  whatsoever,  and  furthermore  I, 
the  said  Lewis  M  Donald,  do  by  these  presents  bind  myself  &  my  Heirs  to 
Warrant  and  defend  to  the  above  Coveneanted  premises  to  the  said  Society, 
their  Heirs  &  successors  against  all  claims  and  Demands  Whatsoever,  in  Testi- 
mony &  confirmation  of  which  I  have  hereunto  set  my  Hand  &  seal  this  the 
sixth  Day  of  August  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  christ  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  Eighty  &  three  and  the  Seventh  year  of  our  Independence. 

LEWIS  M  DONALD.  ***« 

in  the  presence  of 

Stephen  Cornwell 
Mary  CoRiWEii." 

On  the  back  of  this  old  document  we  have  this  record: 

"Be  it  Remembered  that  on  the  14th  day  of  June  1792,  personally  appeared 
before  me,  Ebenezer  Lockwood  Esquire,  first  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
pleas  iu  &  for  the  County  of  Westchester,  the  within  named  Lewis  M  Donald 
the  grantcr  to  the  within  deed  of  gift  and  acknowledged  that  he  signed  &  sealed 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


53 


&  Delivered  the  same  as  bis  free  &  Voluntary  act  &  Deed  and  having  Examined 
the  same  and  finding  no  material  mistake,  Erasure  or  Interlineation  Do  allow 
the  same  to  be  recorded.  Eukn  Lockwood." 

The  records  of  the  town  inform  us  that  the  town  meeting  of  1784  and 
5  were  held  in  the  meeting  house.  The  judges  of  the  court  of  common 
pleas  and  the  supervisors  of  the  county  held  their  meetings  May  9th, 
1786,  in  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house  in  Bedford,  so  that  we  have 
conclusive  proof  that  this  second  house  of  worship  was  built  where  it 
now  stands,  but  which  has  been  vacated  by  the  people  for  one  larger 
and  more  commodious,  built  on  the  ground  owned  by  the  church  next 
to  the  parsonage. 

In  1785  the  Presbyterian  Society  was  incorporated  by  the  name  of 
the  Trustees  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  Congregation  of  Bedford, 
to  be  governed  in  Discipline  and  Worship  according  to  the  Directory  of 
the  now  established  Church  of  Scotland.  The  first  Trustees  elected  were 
Zebediah  Mills,  Israel  Lyon  and  Joseph  Owen.  These  were  men,  no 
doubt,  who  were  prominent  in  erecting  the  church  in  1789. 

The  next  minister  called  here  was  Rev.  John  Devenport,  May  i8th) 
1786.  He  was  born  in  Philippi,  New  Jersey,  Aug.  nth,  1752,  gradu- 
ated at  the  college  of  New  Jersey,  in  1769,  and  studied  theology  partly 
under  Dr.  Bellamy  and  partly  under  Dr.  Buel,  of  East  Hampton,  Long 
Island.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island,  and  served 
the  congregation  of  Southhold  as  stated  supply  for  two  years.  From 
Southhold  he  came  to  Bedford,  and  settled  May  18th,  1786,  and  re- 
mained here  a  faithful  and  godly  minister  for  five  years.  Leaving  here, 
he  was  called  to  Deerfield,  New  Jersey,  and  settled  there  Aug.  1 2th, 
1795.  He  remained  there  ten  years,  and  was  dismissed  on  account 
of  failing  health.  He  finally  became  a  home  missionary  in  Western 
New  York,  and  died  in  Lysander,  July  13th,  1821,  an  amiable  and  ex- 
cellent man. 

In  June,  1792,  Rev.  Isaac  Foster  was  settled  here,  and  remained  not 
more  than  two  years.  We  are  in  possession  of  the  original  subscription 
list,  with  the  amount  promised  by  each  subscriber  for  the  support  of  Mr. 
Foster  for  one  year,  commencing  March  22d,  1792,  in  £.  s.d.,  and 
here  we  find  the  names  of  ancestors  of  families  still  residing  in  Bedford 
— the  Millers,  Mills,  Holmes,  Clarks,  Lyons,  Benedicts,  French,  Ambler, 
etc  Mr.  Foster  remained  probably  two  years  and  left,  as  tradition  re- 
ports, with  his  name  and  that  of  his  wife  in  bad  repute.  But  we 
know  nothing  of  the  place  whence  he  came,  or  whither  he  went,  or 
where  he  died.  Then  came  a  most  excellent  man,  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Blatchford,  who  preached  here  for  some  time  as  stated  supply,  refusing 


54 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


to  settle  permanently.  He  was  an  Englishman,  and  was  invited  here 
by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  church,  from  Topsham,  England,  to 
settle  here  with  the  people  in  Bedford.  He  resigned  his  charge  in  Top- 
sham,  and  sailed  at  once  for  this  country.  The  captain  of  the  vessel  on 
which  he  sailed  was  present  and  heard  his  farewell  sermon  in  Topsham, 
and  so  deeply  was  he  affected  by  it,  that  he  immediately  offered  to  take 
him  and  his  family  at  a  greatly  reduced  price,  that  he  might  have  the 
benefit  of  his  instructions  during  the  passage;  though  previous  to  that,  the 
price  talked  of  was  so  much  beyond  Mr.  Blatchford's  means  that  he 
almost  regretted  having  projected  the  enterprise.  He  left  his  native 
shores  on  the  19th  of  June,  1795,  and  arrived  within  the  Hook  at  New 
York  on  the  1st  day  of  August.  Without  any  unnecessary  delay  he 
made  his  way  to  Bedford,  the  anticipated  field  of  his  labors,  but  several 
adverse  circumstances  occurred  in  connection  with  his  arrival  here  which 
occasioned  his  disappointment  and  even  despondency.  The  most  morti- 
fying thing  of  allwas,  that  one  of  the  individuals  with  whom  he  had  corre- 
sponded informed  him  that,  as  his  arrival  had  been  delayed  beyond  their 
expectations,  they  had  actually  filled  the  place,  and  a  Mr.  Benedict  was 
engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  one  year.  When  Mr.  Benedict,  how- 
ever, came  to  understand  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  he  generously 
insisted  on  withdrawing  in  favor  of  Mr.  Blatchford;  but  the  result  was 
that  they  were  both  retained  to  supply  alternately  the  congregations  of 
Bedford  and  Poundridge.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Hudson,  to  which  the  congregations  then  belonged,  Mr.  Blatchford,  giv- 
ing assent  to  the  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith  and  form  of  govern- 
ment, was  appointed  the  sole  supply  for  Bedford,  as  many  Sabbaths  as 
convenient  for  him.  But  in  1 796  he  received  a  call  to  Greenfield,  Conn., 
in  the  church  that  was  formerly  in  charge  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dwight.  In 
1 797,  he  was  invited  to  the  church  at  Stratford  (now  Bridgeport),  to  preach 
for  them  six  months  with  reference  to  a  final  settlement.  He  was  finally 
installed  here  and  remained  for  a  number  of  years  both  as  a  preacher 
and  a  teacher  in  an  Academy  built  by  his  special  request.  In  1 S04  he  was 
invited  to  take  charge  of  the  Churches  of  Lansingburgh  and  Waterford, 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  where  he  remained  for  seven  years  and  died 
March  17th,  1828,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age  and  the  forty-first 
year  of  his  ministry.  Dr.  Nott,  president  of  Union  College  preached 
his  funeral  sermon.  He  was  the  father  of  seventeen  children,  of  these, 
seven  died  before  him ;  two  of  his  sons  were  ministers,  one  a  physician, 
and  one  a  lawyer — all  respectable  and  useful  in  their  professions.  After 
Mr.  Blatchford  left,  the  Rev.  Josiah  Henderson  of  Martha's  Vineyard, 
was  called  as  pastor  and  installed  over  the  church  by  the  Presbytery  of 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


55 


Hudson,  Nov.  15th,  1798,  and  remained  just  five  years.  He  was  dis- 
missed Nov.  3d,  1 803.  The  elders  of  the  Church  were  then  Moses  St. 
John,  Justus  Harris,  Ely  Tyler,  Peter  Fleming,  Joseph  Owen  and 
Stephen  Benedict,  all  most  venerable,  pious  men.  Rev.  Ebenezer  Grant 
succeeded  Rev.  Mr.  Henderson  and  was  installed  Sept.  20th,  1 804.  He 
preached  here  for  seventeen  years.  He  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and 
came  here  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick.  He  was  a  faithful, 
good  man,  but  his  labors  were  not  abundantly  blessed.  At  his  death,  the 
session  of  the  church  made  this  record  to  their  deceased  pastor: 

"Be  it  remembered  that  on  the  6th  day  of  September,  182 1,  the  Rev. 
Eben.  Grant,  having  fulfilled  his  ministry,  closed  the  scene  of  life,  and 
sleeps  with  his  fathers,  being  buried  in  the  town  of  Bedford,  in  the  bury- 
ing ground  in  the  village." 

Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Lewis,  of  Greenwich,  preached  his  funeral  sermon 
from  Rev.  xiv  :  13.  "And  I  heard  a  voice  from  Heaven  saying  unto  me, 
Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth: 
Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors;  and  their 
works  do  follow  them."  His  remains  lie  beneath  the  green  sward  under 
the  cliff,  where  the  ground  is  terraced  gradually  up  to  the  overhanging 
rocks,  and  on  the  broad  marble  slab  marking  this  interesting  spot,  the 
sculptor  has  engraven  these  words: 

Sacred 
to  the  memory  of  the 
REVD.   EBENEZER  GRANT, 

17  years  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Bedford, 
who  departed  this  life  September  6,  1821, 
Aged  48  Years. 

'•  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth : 
yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ; 
and  their  works  do  follow  them."— Rkv.  xiv  :  13. 

There  is  not  an  individual  member  of  the  church  living,  who  was  pres- 
ent when  Rev.  Mr.  Grant  was  installed  here.  Officers  and  private  members 
have  all  passed  away.  And  there  is  only  one  member  of  the  church 
living  who  followed  their  beloved  pastor  to  his  grave  and  saw  his  remains 
deposited  in  their  mother  dust.  Our  fathers,  where  are  they  ?  and  the 
prophets,  do  they  live  forever?  Only  a  few  months  elapsed  before  the 
church  was  again  supplied  with  a  pastor.  April  16,  1822,  the  Rev. 
Jacob  Green  was  called  and  installed  pastor  of  this  church,  and  remained 
here  a  faithful  standard-bearer,  a  consistent,  godly  and  acceptable 


56 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


preacher  for  twenty-seven  years.  Mr  Green  was  a  graduate  of  Rutger's 
College,  N.  J.,  and  studied  theology  at  the  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  which  he  entered  the  first  year  it  opened,  in  1812,  and 
remained  two  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Hanover,  N.  J.,  and  was  first 
settled  in  Suckasunny,  N.  J.  Leaving  this,  his  first  charge,  he  was 
afterwards  appointed  a  domestic  missionary  in  Western  Virginia,  where  he 
was  married.  From  this  field,  he  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  of  this  place,  April  16,  1822.  Mr.  Green  was  the 
nephew  of  the  venerable  and  distinguished  Ashbel  Green,  one  of  the 
former  Presidents  of  Princeton  College,  and  author  of  some  valuable 
theological  works.  The  labors  of  Mr.  Green  in  the  church,  as  many 
now  living  are  ready  to  bear  witness,  were  greatly  blessed.  The  church 
by  his  fidelity  was  greatly  enlarged,  and  many  new  plans  were  adopted 
for  its  greater  efficiency  at  home  and  in  the  foreign  fields.  He  loved 
the  cause  of  missions,  and  frequently  had  young  men  in  his  family,  board- 
ing or  educating  them,  while  they  were  preparing  for  the  ministry  at 
home  or  abroad.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  his  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry, and  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  executive  of  all  our  benevolent 
boards  and  directors  of  our  seminary  at  Princeton.  God  never  blessed 
him  with  any  children ;  but  many  look  up  to  him  as  their  spiritual 
father,  and  many  in  the  congregation  bear  his  honored  name.  After 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  pastorate  here,  and  marrying  the  chil- 
dren that  he  had  baptized,  and  burying  nearly  all  the  congregation  to 
whom  he  preached  when  he  first  came  among  them,  alienation  and  dissatis- 
faction arose  that  almost  broke  his  heart.  He  was  dismissed  by  Bedford 
Presbytery  from  this  charge,  June  25,  1848.  A  kind  providence  pro- 
vided for  his  faithful  servant.  The  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York 
sent  him  an  appointment,  previous  to  his  leaving  Bedford,  to  act  as 
chaplain  in  the  State  prison  at  Sing-Sing.  Completing  his  appointment 
here,  his  health  becoming  impaired,  he  supplied  a  few  churches  in  Pres- 
bytery for  a  short  time;  but  the  time  for  his  departure  came  and  he 
laid  down  his  commission  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  resigned  his 
ransomed  spirit  to  God  who  gave  it,  in  Sing-Sing,  September  185 1,  and 
was  buried  in  their  beautiful  cemetery  to  await  the  glorious  reward  of-the 
Resurrection  Morn.  The  Venerable  Dr.  Spring  of  New  York,  who  has 
recently  gone  to  meet  him,  preached  an  appropriate  sermon  on  his 
funeral  occasion — his  wife  still  survives  him. 

May  1,  1848,  the  Rev.  David  Inglis  was  called  to  take  charge  of  this 
church ;  and  was  installed  here  October  26,  1848.  He  was  a  young  man 
about  twenty  years  of  age,  recently  from  Scotland,  of  great  promise  for 
usefulness,  having  preached  a  short  time  previous  to  his  coming  here  in  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


57 


lower  part  of  this  county.  He  removed  to  Montreal  in  Canada  East,  in 
June,  1 85 2,  from  thence  to  Hamilton  in  Canada  West.  Here  he  remain- 
ed sixteen  years;  and  in  the  summer  of  186 1,  was  elected  by  the  Synod, 
to  a  Professorship  of  Theology  in  Knox  College,  Toronto,  on  Lake 
Ontario.  In  August,  1872,  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  on  the  Heights 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  succeeding  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bethune,  where  he  still 
remains.  December  i,  1852,  the  Rev.  David  C.  Lyon  was  called  and 
installed  as  pastor  of  this  church.  Mr.  Lyon  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
graduate  of  Union  College  in  1S42,  studied  Theology  at  Princeton, 
and  graduated  in  1845,  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Ogdensburgh,  July,  1846;  preached  his  stated  supply  at  Covington, 
New  York,  removed  to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  and  was  thence  called 
to  Bedford.  He  was  dismissed  from  here,  and  was  appointed  a  Synodi- 
cal  Missionary  for  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  From  thence,  he  was  called 
to  the  Presbyterian  church  Winona  ;  but,  in  a  few  years  he  resigned  his 
charge  there,  and  returned  to  what  seemed  a  more  congenial  field  of 
labor — a  Synodical  Missionary ;  and  there  he  is  to-day,  exploring  the 
waste  and  destitute  portions  of  tne  country.  For  his  successor,  see  List 
of  Pastors. 

To  this  church  is  attached  a  commodious  parsonage  and  glebe  of  ten 
acres. 

In  1 87 1  the  old  church  "  showing  some  marks-of  decay,  and  rendered 
inconvenient  as  a  house  of  worship  for  its  large  and  prosperous  congre- 
gation," it  was  determined  to  rebuild  on  a  new  site.  Whereupon,  Mr. 
Francis  A.  Palmer  and  wife,  nobly  offered  to  build  a  new  house  of  wor- 
ship and  present  it  unincumbered  to  the  Society.  This  generous  offer  was 
gladly  accepted,  and  on  June  29,  187 1,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new 
edifice  was  laid  by  Mr.  Palmer,  the  donor,  on  the  lot  next  to  the  parson- 
age. It  was  dedicated  15th  of  August,  1S72.  The  new  church  is 
a  fine  gothic  edifice  of  wood,  with  two  towers  in  front  and  lecture 
room  in  the  rear,  costing  $50,000.  It  contains  a  good  toned  bell 
and  organ. 

A  LIST  OF  PASTORS  OF  THE  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH,  . 


BEDFORD. 


INSTALL  OR  CALL. 


MINISTERS  OR  PASTORS. 


VACATED  BY. 


Dec.  2.  1681. 
Jan.  28,  16S8. 
Dec.  26,  1699. 
Dec.  7,  1702. 


Rev.  John  PisrDDEN. 
Rev.  Thomas  Dentiam. 
Rev.  Joseiti  Morgan. 
Rev.  Joiix  Jones. 


Resigned. 


it 


5 8  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Presbyterian  Church.  Bedford. 


LIST  OF  PASTORS  OR  MINISTERS  OP  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 


CHURCH,  BEDFORD. 

INSTALL  OR  CALL. 

MINISTERS  OR  PASTORS. 

VACATED  BY. 

May  3,  1720. 

Rev. 

William  Texxett. 

Resigned,    -    -  1721. 

"    "  1740. 

Rev. 

Robert  Sturgeon. 

-    -  1743. 

"    "  1743. 

Rev. 

Samuel  Sacket. 

Dismissed,  Apl.  1,  1760. 

Dec  31,  1754. 

Rev. 

Eliphalet  Ball. 

"        Dec.  21. 175S. 

Dec.  13, 1769. 

Rev. 

Samuel  Mills. 

MaylS,  1786. 

May  18,  1786. 

Rev. 

JonN  Davenport. 

Resigned.     -    -  1795. 

June,  1792. 

Rev. 

Isaac  Foster 

"          "  " 

June,  1795- 

Rev. 

Samuel  Blatcuford. 

-    -  1796. 

Nov.  15, 1798. 

Rev. 

Josiaii  Henderson. 

Dismissed,  Nov.  3, 1S03. 

Sept  13, 1804. 

Rev. 

Ebexezer  Grant. 

By  death,  Sept.  6.  1S21. 

April  16, 1822. 

Rev. 

Jacob  Greene. 

Dismissed  June  25.  184S- 

May  1,  1848. 

Rev. 

David  Inglis. 

Resigned,     -    -  ISol. 

May,  1857. 

Rev. 

Peter  B.  Heroy. 

By  death. 

1880. 

Rev. 

J.  H.  Hott. 

Present  Pastor. 

Bedford,  in  the  Colonial  times,  constituted  one  of  the  three  precincts  of 
Rye  parish.  This  was  brought  about  by  the  act  of  the  New  York  Assembly, 
passed  24th  of  March,  1693,  (confirmed,  A.D.,  1697,)  which  annexed 
Bedford  to  the  parish  of  Rye.  It  appears,  however,  that  both  Rye  and 
Bedford  endeavored  for  a  time  to  avoid  its  provisions,  by  declaring  them- 
selves separate  from  New  York,  notwithstanding  the  agreement  of  16S3. 
by  which  they  had  been  surrendered  to  that  Province.  Accordingly,  in 
January.  1697,  they  applied  to  be  admitted  to  Connecticut;  upon  which 
that  Colony  concluded  to  receive  them.  But  in  1700,  King  William  the 
Third  gave  his  approbation  and  confirmation  to  the  settlement  of  16S3, 
whereby  they  were  ever  included  in  New  York. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BF.DFORD. 


59 


Under  the  act  of  1693,  the  Church  of  England  (which  had  been 
guaranteed  her  freedom  under  Magna  Charta,  upon  which  the  common  law 
is  founded,)  was  settled  throughout  the  Province  and  became  therefore  en- 
titled to  the  public  encouragement,  leaving  the  Dissenters  at  liberty  to 
maintain  a  minister  of  their  own  persuasion,  but  obliging  them  to  sup- 
port the  clergyman  settled  by  law.  Surely  Independents  or  Congrega- 
tionalists  had  no  right  whatever  to  complain  of  this;  "For,  while  under  the 
laws  of  Connecticut,  they  taxed  Churchmen  without  mercy  and  all  others 
to  support  their  established  religion  and  blue-laws,  and  that  too  without 
representation.  This,  the  Church  in  all  her  plenitude  of  power, 
never  practised;  for  all  tax-payers  might  be  represented  at  parish  meet- 
ings, if  they  so  desired  it.  In  consequence  of  the  Church  being  settled 
by  law,  all  lands  set  aside  at  public  town  meetings  for  the  provision  of  a 
minister,  all  glebes  and  parsonages  voted  for  their  habitation  and  mainten- 
ance, and  all  meeting  houses  raised  by  public  tax  or  distress  on  the 
people,  unless  particularly  named,  became  vested  in  the  ministry  settled 
by  common  law  and  coeval  with  its  existence."1 

Pursuant  to  the  act  of  assembly,  a  meeting  of  the  parishioners  was 
held  at  Rye,  Feb'y  28th,  1695,  when  Deliverance  Brown  and  Isaac 
Denham  were  chosen  vestry-men  for  Bedford.  In  171 1,  this  precinct 
paid  towards  the  rectors  support  and  poor  of  the  parish,  ^5,  J5. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  at  Bedford,  Oct.  4th,  1702,  we  have  the  fol- 
lowing minute: — 

"The  town  doth  by  a  maiger  vote  desire  that  they  may  be  by  themselves  as  to 
maintain  one  amongst  them  selves  e  thcyr  desire  is  that  they  may  be  clear  from 
y'  former  aekt  of  ye  assembly  of  being  ioyned  to  rye  e  memerinock  and  the 
town  doth  desire  mr.  Jacobus  van  Cortlandt  to  present  theyr  desire  e  pertision  to 
the  genaraU  asembly  e  ye  town  is  willing  to  satisfie  sd  Cortland  for  his  trouble. & 

In  a  summary  account  of  the  state  of  the  Chinch  in  the  Province  of 
New  York,  as  it  was  laid  before  the  clergy  convened  at  New  York,  Oct. 
5th,  1704,  it  is  therein  stated  that: — "There  is  an  Independent  church 
at  Bedford,  where  the  minister  designs  to  leave  them ;  they  are  well  affec- 
ted to  the  Church,  and  it  is  hoped  when  he  is  gone  they  will  be  in  com- 
munion with  her." 

It  appears,  however,  that  although  many  of  the  inhabitants  might 
have  been  well  disposed  towards  the  Church  yet  the  ubiquitous  Zach- 

a  In  ItisO  the  proprietors  of  Bedford  laid  out  a  town  lot  or  parsonage  land  to  be  set  apart 
for  a  minister  (without  naming  to  what  particular  denomination  he  should  belong)  of  said 
town :  contrary  to  law,  this  land  which  of  right  belonged  to  a  minister  settled  by  thr  oommi  in 
law,  was  given  at  a  town  meeting  in  1704  to  one  John  Jones  a  violent  Dissenting  minister  "to 
encourage  him  to  settle  and  preach  among  them.''  The  parsonage  land  seems  t>>  have  em- 
braced 40  acres  in  1099. 

b  1st  Boot  of  Bedford  Rec,  p.  10. 


6o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ariah  Roberts,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  keeper  of  the  town  records,  was 
determined  otherwise,  and  stirred  up  the  Dissenters  to  oppose  the  newly 
inducted  rector,  Thomas  Pitchard ;  so  that  when  Joseph  Morgan  re- 
signed, they  called  One  John  Jones — so  determined  were  they  to  free 
themselves  from  New  York  in  the  ministry. 

From  the  first  report  issued  by  the  venerable  Propagation  Society,  in 
1704,  we  learn: — "That  since  their  incorporation,  June  the  10th,  1701, 
they  had  appointed  the  Rev.  Alexander  Stuart,  missionary  at  Bedford, 
with  a  salary  of  ^50  per  annum,  besides  two  sums  of  jT 20  and  ^15  for 
books. 

To  this  appointment  Mr.  Pritchard  (who  was  inducted  into  the  rectory 
of  Rye,  in  April,  1704)  thus  alludes  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary: — "I  per- 
ceive by  the  account  of  the  Society,  that  one  Mr.  Stuart  is  recommen- 
ded to  Bedford,  and  ^50  per  annum  allowed  him;  whereas  Bedford  is 
a  part  of  my  parish,  as  settled  by  an  act  of  Assembly,  so  that  he  can't 
be  inducted  there.  Hoping,  therefore,  that  the  Society  will  be  so  conde- 
scendingly pleased  to  allow  it  me,  as  also  to  send  per  next  conveniency, 
the  ^£15  worth  of  books,  of  which  mention  is  made  in  the  account. 
The  Society  would  do  very  well,  if  in  their  great  wisdom  they  think  it  fit. 
to  recommend  Mr.  Stuart  to  Hempstead,  upon  Long  Island,  where 
they  stand  very  much  in  need  of  a  minister." 

The  following  extracts  from  affidavits,  (in  the  Secretary  of  State's 
office)  show  very  plainly  however,  that  every  effort,  stratagem  and  threat 
was  made  by  the  Dissenters,  to  prevent  Mr.  Pitchard's  taking  possession 
to  this  portion  of  his  benefice : — 

"Benjamin  Wright  of  Bedford  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  yeoman,  aged 
22  years  or  thereabouts,  being  sworn  before  Thomas  Wenham,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
gents  of  her  Majesties  Council  for  ye  Province  of  New  York,  and  one  of  ye 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  for  the  said  Province,  saith,  that 
since  Mr.  Pitchard  has  been  appointed  minister  of  ye  towns  of  Rye  and  Bedford 
in  the  County  of  Westchester,  this  deponent  has  endeavored  to  prevaile  with  the 
inhabit  ants  of  Bedford  to  encourage  the  said  Mr.  Pritchard  to  preach  and  per- 
form the  duties  of  divine  worship  as  used  in  the  Chinch  of  England  among 
them,  whereupon  the  inhabitants  of  ye  said  town  of  Bedford  became  so  incensed, 
that  by  their  ill-treatment  and  threats,  they  have  forced  this  deponent  to  remove 
with  his  family  from  thence,  and  deterred  the  members  of  ye  said  Church  from 
speaking  anything  in  its  favor.  And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  one  Zach- 
ariah  Roberts  of  Bedford,  a  Justice  of  Peace  in  ye  said  County  of  Westchester, 
went  to  the  inhabitants  of  ye  said  town  to  prevail  with  them  to  sign  an  instru- 
ment or  writing  whereby  to  oblige  them  not  to  pay  ye  said  minister  anything, 
and  likewise  that  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  at  a  town  meeting,  called  by  him 
for  that  purpose,  got  such  an  act  of  the  town  passed  accordingly,  which  act  this 
deponent  saw,  being  presented  to  the  view  of  the  persons  there  present  by  ye 


*  THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  6 1 

said  Zachariah  Roberts,  which  town  act  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  afterwards 
burnt,  and  this  deponent  believes  that  he  cut  it  out  of  the  records  or  books  of  ye 
said  town.  And  the  deponent  further  saith  that  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  hath 
refused  (  tho'  a  Justice  of  Peace)  to  take  any  affidavits  in  behalf  of  ye  Church 
of  England  ,  the  Queen  and  this  Government,  and  when  persons  have  offered  to 
make  such  affidavits  he  has  said  he  would  take  none  against  his  neighbors  and 
himself,  and  that  they  might  tell  my  Lord  so,  &c.  The  rancour  and  malice  of 
said  Justice  Roberts  being  so  violent  that  this  deponent  has  been  told  by  the 
suid  Robert's  wife,  that  she  dares  not  so  much  as  mention  the  name  of  Mr.  Piteh- 
ard  or  any  other  Church  of  England-man  for  fear  of  her  husband's  passion. 
And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  he  hath  been  told  by  the  said  Justice  Rob- 
ert's wife,  that  her  husband  has  razed  or  altered  the  records  of  ye  said  town,  by 
striking  out  the  name  of  one  Thomas  Howard  in  an  assignment  of  a  bill  of  sale, 
and  putting  his  own  name  on  in  the  room  of  it.  And  this  deponent  further 
saith,  that  he  hath  been  informed  that  there  was  formerly  a  parcel  of  land 
bought  by  the  said  town  of  Bedford,  to  be  laid  apart  for  a  minister  for  the  said 
town,  which  said  parcel  of  land  was  within  a  year  last  past  given  at  a  town 
meeting  to  one  John  Jones,  a  Dissenting  minister  in  the  said  town  for  an  en- 
couragement to  him,  to  settle  and  preach  among  them." 

"John  TnoMsox  of  Bedford,  In  ye  County  of  "Westchester,  gentleman,  aged 
40  years  and  upwards  being  sworn  before  Thomas  Wenham,  Ac,  saith,  that 
there  having  been  no  divine  service  according  to  ye  ceremonies  and  usages  of 
the  Church  of  England  in  the  said  town  of  Bedford,  the  said  deponent  hath  often 
gone  to  the  Dissenting  meeting  in  that  town,  where  he  hath  heard  one  John 
Jones,  as  the  minister  of  the  Dissenting  Congregation,  preach,  and  hath  heard  him 
frequently  in  a  very  bitter  and  inveterate  manner  reflect  on  the  present  Constitu- 
tion and  Government  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  particularly  this  deponent 
heard  him  say,  that  he  cared  not  for  the  said  Church  of  England,  and  in  his  ser- 
mon he  used,  to  the  best  of  this  deponent's  memory,  these  words,  viz:  come  out 
of  her  (meaning  yc  Church  of  England)  my  people  lest  ye  partake  of  her  plagues, 
comparing  likewise  the  said  Church  to  ye  Church  of  Rome,  and  saying  at  other 
times,  likewise  in  his  sermon  to  his  congregation,  yc  are  in  a  dangerous  govern- 
ment, where  they  do  not  pray  nor  serve  God,  and  that  he  would  preach  reproba- 
tion and  defiance  of  principalities  and  powers,  and  that  ye,  speaking  to  his  con- 
gregation, may  tell 'em  so  at  York,  for  yt  he  did  not  care  for  my  Lord — and 
this  deponent  further  saith,  that  being  one  day  with  the  said  Jlr.  Jones  at  the 
house  of  one  Zachariah  Roberts,  at  Bedford  aforesaid,  this  deponent  heard  the 
said  John  Jones  say,  he  would  bum  the  Church  of  England  books,  &c, 

The  two  preceding  depositions  were  read  in  Council,  May  8th,  1705. 
Messrs  Roberts  and  Jones  failing  to  give  satisfactory  explanations  there- 
of, were  bound  overto  answer  to  the  Supreme  Court.  (Council  Minutes.)11 

"  In  December,  16S1,  Samuel  Barrett,  Zachariah  Roberts  and  Thomas 
Canfield  were  received  as  inhabitants.  This  Roberts  was  soon  chosen 
town  clerk,  afterward  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  for  many  years  appears 


a  Doc  Hist-  ot  New  York,  VoL  iu,  933-5. 


62 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


prominent  in  nearly  all  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He  seems  to  have  been 
a  very  dissenting  Dissenter.  He  had  a  quarrel  with  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Pritchard,  the  first  Church  of  England  Rector,  in  1705.  He  lived  near 
David's  Hill,  a  few  rods  west  of  where  the  Baptist  Church  now  stands, 
and  gave  his  lands  along  David's  brook  to  his  sons  Zach.  Jr.  and  Heze- 
kiah.  What  was  the  origin  of  the  names  of  David's  Hill  and  Brook  I 
am  unable  to  say,  but  they  are  found  in  the  earliest  records  ;  and  in 
1700  "  the  town  by  a  maigor  vote  doth  order  and  agree  that  ye  land  round 
davids  hill  shall  be  sequestered  for  the  towns'  use  and  for  diging  stones 
so  it  shall  have  a  soficiant  cartway  and  driftway  round  the  hill  and  not 
to  be  disposed  of  to  any  pertickler  parson  what  som  euer."  This  shows 
the  origin  of  a  lane,  still  open,  west  of  David's  hill.  Other  votes  setting 
apart  sequestered  lands  for  "ye  people  of  the  town  to  dig  stones  for 
ever,"  are  found."* 

Minutes. — Upon  the  21st  day  of  June,  1705,  we  find  the  irascible  dis- 
senter, Zachariah  Roberts  and  Mar)',  his  wife,  conveying  three  hundred 
acres  of  land  lying  within  the  "Town  or  Liberties  of  Bedford,"  to 
"  Thomas  Pritchard,  Missionary  and  Rector  at  Rye  and  Bedford,  and 
Anne,  his  wife."  Either  the  Supreme  Court's  decision,  in  his  case  for 
slander,  or  the  prospect  of  handling  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  sterl- 
ing, had  produced  a  wonderful  change  in  our  Justice  of  the  Peace : — 

"  This  indenture  made  the  21st  day  of  June,  in  the  fourth  year  of  the  reign  of 
our  Sovereign  Lutty  Amie,  by  the  grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland,  France 
and  Ireland,  Queen,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  etc. — between  Zachariah  Roberts  of 
Bedford,  in  the  County  of  "Westchester,  in  the  province  of  New  York,  Esquire 
and  Mary,  his  wife,  on  the  one  part,  and  Thomas  Pritchard,  Missionary  and  Rec- 
tor of  Rye  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  and  province  of  New  York,  and  Anne, 
Lis  wife,  on  the  other  part,  Witncsscth  that  the  s;:id  Zachariah  Roberts  ar.d 
Mary,  his  wife,  for  and  the  consideration  of  the  sum  of  £100  sterling,  to  them 
in  hand  paid  already  by  the  said  Thomas  Pritchard  and  Anne,  his  wife,  before 
the  ensealing  and  delivery  thereof,  the  receipt  whereof  they  the  said  Zachariah 
and  Mary,  doth  hereby  acknowledge  themselves  therewith  to  be  fully  satisfied 
contented  and  paid  and  therefrom  and  thereof  and  of  and  from  all  and  every 
part  and  parcel  thereof  doth  hereby,  acquit,  release,  exonerate  and  discharge 
forever  the  said  Thomas  Pritchard  and  Anne  Pritchard,  their  heirs,  executors, 
administrators  and  assigns  forever  in  manner  and  form  following— all  that  or  a 
certain  parcel  of  upland  meadow  and  swamp,  situate  lying  and  being  within  the 
town  or  liberties  of  the  said  Bedford,  being  part  of  that  land  that  Coll.  Van 
Cortland  and  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  heretofore  purchased  of  the  Indians, 
the  said  parcel  of  lands  hear  by  granted,  being  bounded  on  the  south  east  corner 
by  a  young  white  oak  tree  marked  with  green  or  eight  notches  or  crosses,  and 
thence  rumiing  one  hundred  and  ten  rods  northward  along  the  Indian  path  which 


a  Address  of  Joseph  Barrett,  July  4, 1ST6. 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


63 


leads  to  Musscoota  aud  thence  runs  westward  on  the  said  path  in  length  one 
hundred  rods,  south  in  breadth  at  each  end  one  hundred  and  ten  rods  amounting 
to  three  hundred  acres  be  it  more  or  less,  being  bounded  east  w  ard  by  the  great 
Indian  path,  southward  by  the  Town's  new  purchase,  so  called,  and  on  the  east- 
ward and  northward  by  the  pond  of  the  river  also  one  sixth  one 
and  thirtieth  part  or  one  head  right  in  the  new  purchase  of  Bedford,  so  called, 
and  also  one  head  right  of  land  in  new  purchase,  so  called,  which  John  Samp- 
son formerly  purchased  from  Richard  ITolmes  and  conveyed  or  assigned  after- 
ward to  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  together  with  all  woods  and  underwoods, 
etc.,  etc. 

Scaled  and  delivered  ) 
in  presence  of  ) 

JOSEPH  PURDT,  ZACHARIAH  ROBERTS, 

RICHARD  STANTON."  MARY  M  ROBERTS. 

Mark. 

The  Rev.  George  Muirson  in  one  of  his  earliest  reports  to  the  venera- 
ble Propagation  Society  says :  —  "  Rye  is  a  large  parish,  the  towns  are 
far  distant,  the  people  were  some  Quakers,  but  chiefly  Presbyterians  and 
Independents.  They  were  violently  set  against  our  Church ;  but  now, 
blessed  be  God,  they  comply  heartily.  I  find  that  catechising  on  the 
week  days  in  the  remote  towns  and  frequent  visiting  is  of  great  service." 

The  quota  furnished  by  this  division  towards  the  rector's  tax  in  1725, 
was  £16,  S2.  Mr.  Wetmore  writing  to  the  Society  in  February,  1728, 
says :  —  "  That  there  are  three  meeting  houses  in  the  parish,  one  at  Bed- 
ford, built  for  and  used  by  the  Presbyterians,  &c.  They  have  had  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  they  gave  him  a  house  and  farm  to  work  upon, 
and  ,£40  per  annum;  but  finding  it  not  sufficient  to  support  him  with  a 
numerous  family,  he  has  left  them,  and  they  have  now  settled  another 
young  man  to  whom  they  give  the  same  allowance.  There  are  at  Bed- 
ford about  eight  or  ten  families  of  the  Church,  and  the  rest  Presbyterians 
or  Independents." 

"The  Dissenting"  teachers  "officiate  without  qualifying  themselves 
according  to  the  Act  of  Toleration,  so  that  the  people  are  supposed  to 
do  and  say  what  they  please  about  religion,  under  a  notion,  that  the  laws 
of  England  relating  to  religion  don't  extend  to  the  Plantations."  In 
1 73 1 ,  he  writes :  —  "  That  the  people  of  Bedford,  who  are  most  rigid  and 
severe  of  all,  came  very  generally  to  Church,  when  I  was  last  among 
them,  and  many  that  never  before  were  at  Church."  Again  in  1744,  he 
informs  the  Society :  —  "  That  at  Bedford  and  North  Castle  there  were 
four  hundred  families  belonging  to  the  cure,  &c."  The  same  year  the 
parishioners  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Society : — 


a  No.  4  of  Bedford  Town  Books,  p.  495. 


64 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


PARISH  OF  RYE— TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
(extract.  ) 

"Province  of  New  York,  Bedford,  March  Wi,  1744. 

Rev.  Sib, 

The  parish  of  Rye  includes  the  large  town  of  Rye,  the  town  of  Mamaroneck, 
the  manor  of  Scarsdale,  and  a  precinct  called  White  Plains,  besides  Bedford  and 
North  Castle,  in  which  two  last  places  are  near  four  hundred  families,  and  no 
teacher  of  any  sort  in  North  Castle,  but  a  silly  Quaker-woman,  and  at  Bedford 
one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  Methodists.  Mr.  Wetmore  comes  amongst  us  but 
once  in  two  months,  and  very  few  of  us  can  go  to  the  parish  church  at  Rye, 
many  living  twenty  miles  distant,  and  most  of  us  twelve  or  fourteen  miles ;  so 
that  for  the  most  part  there  is  very  little  face  of  religion  to  be  seen  amongst  us, 
and  our  children  arc  apt  to  fall  in  with  the  customs  of  those  amongst  us  that 
have  little  or  no  religion,  and  spend  the  Lord's  day  in  diversions  and  follies, 
which  we  cannot  prevent  tho'  we  much  dislike.  Mr.  Wetmore,  our  minister, 
freely  consents  we  should  endeavour  to  procure  another  as  an  assistant  to  him, 
and  we  are  willing  to  contribute  as  far  as  we  are  able. 

Reverend  Sir, 
Your  most  obed't  and  humble  servants, 

Lewis  McDonald, 
Daniel  Smith, 
Abthtjb  Smith."01 

In  answer  to  this  application,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lamson,  A.M.,  was 
appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Wetmore  in  officiating  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Bedford,  North  Castle  and  Ridgefield.  In  his  first  report  to  the  Society, 
he  writes  :  —  "  That  he  officiates  by  turns  at  these  three  places  to  full 
congregations."  But  his  income  proved  too  small  for  his  support,  and 
he  removed  by  the  Society's  permission  to  Fairfield  in  1747.  In  Mr. 
Wetmore's  report  for  1753,  he  acquaints  the  Society,  "that  his  congre- 
gation at  Bedford  is  large  and  flourishing,  and  that  the  disposition  of 
those  that  oppose  the  interest  of  the  Church  in  that  place  seems  changed 
for  the  better.  The  New  Light  minister  is  removed  from  Bedford,  and 
there  are  some  hopes  of  the  people  uniting  with  North  Castle  towards 
supporting  a  minister  in  the  Holy  Orders  of  our  Church,  to  officiate 
alternately  among  them."  And  it  clearly  appears  from  his  subsequent 
reports  to  the  Society,  that  this  precinct  continued,  upon  the  whole,  in 
a  state  of  gradual  improvement  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took 
place  in  May,  1760.  The  following  inscription  occurs  on  a  monument, 
to  the  memory  of  his  wife,  Althea,  to  be  seen  in  the  old  burying 
ground  at  Fairfield,  Conn. : 


a  New  York,  5ISS.  from  archives  at  Fuloam,  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OK  BEDFORD. 


6$ 


IN  MEMORIAM 
OF 

MRS.   ALTHEA  LAMSON, 
Wife  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lamson, 
and  daughter  of  the  Revr  James  Wetmoke, 
the  Rector  of  Rye,  in  the  New  York  Province. 
Who  departed  this  life  ye  8th  of  Feb'y,  1766, 
Aged  44  Years. 

Their  daughter  Anne  was  also  interred  at  Fairfield,  where  there  is  a 
monument  to  her  memory. 

In  the  Spring  of  1762  the  precincts  of  Bedford  and  Northcastle  were 
visited  by  the  Rev.  George  Dibble,  Rector  of  St.  John's  church,  Stam- 
ford and  St.  George  •  Talbot,  Esq.  Here  the  former  preached  and 
baptized  several  children.0  At  this  time  there  appear  to  have  been 
several  families  professors  of  the  Church  of  England.  Mr.  Talbot  subse- 
quently devised  in  trust,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  pounds,  (for  the  use 
and  benefit  of  the  churches  of  Northcastle  and  Bedford.)  this  amount 
appears  to  have  been  in  possession  of  Lewis  Macdonald  and  others, 
trustees  under  the  will  of  Mr.  Talbot. 

"  From  letters  received  by  Dr.  Auchmuty,  Rector  of  Trinity  church, 
and  Mr.  Livingston  (executor  of  the  late  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,; 
dated  December  8th,  1769,  it  appears  that  the  heirs  at  law  leave  no 
method  untried  to  defeat  the  purposes  of  Mr.  Talbot's  will  j  and,  by  eva- 
sive practices  in  law,  the  cause  is  still  undetermined." 

In  1 77 1,  Mr.  John  Livingston  informs  the  Propagation  Society,  that 
with  regard  to  Mr.  Talbot's  will  the  attorneys  have  judged  it  expedient 
to  come  to  an  agreement  with  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Talbot,  by  which  the 
executors  should  pay  them  ^1300,  in  full  for  their  claim  and  demand 
on  the  real  and  personal  estate.  It  will  be  seen,  however,  that  the 
Church  did  not  receive  the  legacy  until  the  year  1803. 

Mr.  Punderson,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Whitmore  in  1762,  died  Anno 
Domini  1764,  and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Ephriam  Avery  in  1765. 

From  this  period  nothing  worthy  of  especial  importance  appears  in 
the  Society's  Reports  relative  to  Bedford.  Mr.  Avery's  death  took  place 
soon  after  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  Revolution  had  commenced,  and 
during  the  subsequent  years  the  whole  parish  of  Rye  suffered  considera- 
bly from  the  confusion  that  attended  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  Par- 
ochial Church  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  parishoners  dispersed  in 
every  direction.  , 

Upon  the  19th  of  April,  1789  the  present  parish  was  incorporated 


a  See  Parochial  Registers  of  St.  Joliu's  cUurcb,  Stamford. 


66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


under  the  title  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  Township  of  Bedford  and  Northcastle"a  In  consequence  of  an  act 
passed  for  the  relief  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1795,  this  Church  was  again  incorporated  under  the  name  and 
title  of  "The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  united  towns  of  Bed- 
ford and  Newcastle — the  church  at  Newcastle  to  continue  by  the  regular 
name  of  St.  George's  church."  Charles  Haight  of  Newcastle,  and  William 
Miller,  Esq.,  of  Bedford,  church  wardens;  Samuel  Raymond,  Gabriel 
Smith,  David  Haight,  James  McDonald,  Marmaduke  Forster,  Gilbert 
Martin,  Nicholas  Haight  and  Samuel  Smith,  vestrymen.  The  Rev.  The- 
odocious  Bartow  appears  to  have  been  rector  at  the  time  of  election.6 
Upon  the  26th  of  Sept.  1791,  we  find  James  McDonald  of  Bedford, 
(a  vestry-man  of  this  church)  leasing  to  the  trustees  of  St.  Peter's  church 
Westchester,"  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  in  the  township  of  Bedford,  be- 
ing the  farm  where  John  Banks,  Junior,  formerly  lived,  containing  two 
hundred  and  four  acres,"  "also  that  lot  of  land  bounded  North  and 
East  by  land  belonging  to  Lewis  McDonald,  South  by  parsonage  land 
belonging  to  the  Presbyterian  Society,  and  West  by  the  highway,  con- 
taining about  four  acres,  &c,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Court-house 
lot,  in  the  town  or  Bedford."0  No  further  proceedings  appear  to  have 
been  had  in  this  case,  probably  the  lease  was  never  properly  executed. 
Mr.  Bartow  appears  to  have  been  officiating  here  in  1803.  At  a  vestry 
meeting  held  on  the  12th  November,  1796,  it  was  ordered  "that  William 
Miller,  Esq.,  be  empowered  to  commence  and  carry  on  a  suit  against 
Philip  J.  Livingston  for  money  left  by  St.  George  Talbot  to  the  churches 
at  Bedford  and  Newcastle."  At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  held  on  the  3rd 
of  March,  1803,  "Mr.  Miller  informed  the  board  that  the  money  be- 
queathed to  the  united  churches  by  the  late  St.  George  Talbot,  had 
been  recovered  by  a  judgment  obtained  in  the  Supreme  Court  against 
Philip  J.  Livingston,  and  the  said  money  after  deducting  charges  will 
probably  amount  to  twenty-five  hundred  dollars."  The  Vestry  at  the 
same  meeting  resolved  to  purchase  a  certain  house  and  forty  acres  of  * 
land  in  Bedford,  at  the  price  of  sixteen  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars, 
for  a  glebe  and  parsonage ;  the  purchase  was  subsequently  made,  and  a 
new  parsonage  erected  thereon  in  1822.  In  1804  Trinity  church,  New 
York,  liberally  endowed  the  united  churches  of  Bedford  and  Newcastle 
with  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars;  also  in  1808  the  further  sum  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

a  Incorporation  of  religious  Societies  Liber,  a.,  p.  12 
j,  "  "         "     a.,  p.  64. 

c  Copied  from  original  document  111  possession  of  the  Clerk  of  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  Westchester. 


THE  TOWN  OF  KEDFORD. 


67 


At  a  vestry  meeting  holden  on  the  8th  Dec",  1806,  it  was  resolved 
"  that  the  residue  of  the  bequest  of  St.  George  Talbot  be  appropriated 
towards  defraying  the  cost  of  the  building  a  church  in  Bedford."  The 
Honbl°  John  Jay,  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  took  an  active  part 
in  the  construction  of  this  edifice  and  was  a  constant  attendant  upon  the 
services  held  therein  until  the  year  of  his  death,  1829. 

In  1804  it  was  resolved  by  the  Vestry,  "expedient  to  call  and  settle 
a  minister  without  further  delay;  the  Episcopalians  of  North  Salem  and 
Stephentown  joined  with  Bedford  in  endeavoring  to  effect  it.  It  was 
agreed  between  them,  "  that  the  minister  should  perform  divine  service 
in  the  different  towns  of  Bedford,  New  Castle,  North  Castle  and  Stephen- 
town,  so  often  as  should  be  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  annual 
subscriptions."  In  all  these  places  Churchmen  manifested  the  sincerity 
of  their  professions  by  subscribing  liberally  to  the  support  of  a  minister. 

Upon  the  30th  of  July.  1804,  the  Vestry  called  the  Rev.  George  Stre- 
beck  as  rector  of  the  United  Churches.  He  officiated  in  Bedford  and 
its  vicinity  from  August,  1804,  to  March,  1805,  when  he  resigned,  and 
accepted  the  rectorship  of  St.  Stephen's  church,  New  York.  At  a 
vestry  meeting  held  on  the  8th  of  December,  1806,  it  was  resolved, 
"that  the  residue  of  the  bequest  of  St.  George  Talbot  be  appropriated 
towards  defraying  the  cost  of  building  a  church  at  Bedford." 

In  1809  the  Rev.  Nathan  Felch  was  called  as  minister  of  the  united 
parishes.    The  next  year  he  reported  to  the  Diocesan  Convention : — 

"That  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Bedford  is  in  a  very  nourishing  state; 
the  congregation  is  numerous,  respectable  and  devout:  an  attachment 
to  all  the  rites  and  forms  of  the  Church  is  continually  increasing  among 
them ;  and  as  this  attachment  increases,  so  veneration  for,  and  delight 
in  sober,  rational  and  scriptural  piety  and  virtue  increases." 

Mr.  Felch  resigned  his  charge  in  1813,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  George  Wells,  A.M.,  in  181 6,  for  whose  successors,  see  list  of 
Rectors. 

St.  Matthew's  church  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  a  small  scat- 
tered hamlet,  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  village  of  Bedford.  It  is  a 
neat  structure  of  brick,  erected  in  1807,  and  consecrated  the  same  year 
by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.D.  It  has  been  recently  thoroughly 
repaired,  and  the  interior  somewhat  remodelled. 

The  communion  silver  was  the  united  gift  of  Mrs  Banyar  and  Anne 
Jay,  (daughters  of  the  late  Hon.  John  Jay,  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States)  on  the  29th  of  October,  1810.  The  service  books  were  presented 
by  the  late  Mrs.  Ann  Raymond,  of  Bedford.  The  bell  was  purchased  by 
subscription  in  1874.    To  this  church  is  attached  a  rectory  and  glebe. 


68 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  V/ESTCHESTER. 


St.  Matthew's  Church,  Bedford,  erected  A.  D.  1807, 


MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS  OF  BEDFORD. 

ISTST.    OE    CALL.  INCUMBENTS.  TAG  AT.  BY. 

1704,  Rev.  Alexander  Stuart,  A.  M.,  Clericus.  resig. 
18th  June,  1745,  Rev.  Joseph  Lamson,  A.  M.,  Clericus,  resig. 

1796,  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  Presb.,  resig. 
30th  July,  1801,  Rev.  George  Strebeck,  Prcsb.  resig. 

1809,  Rev.  Nathan  Felch,  Deacon,  resig. 
16th  June,  1816,  Rev.  George  Weller,  A.  Iff.,  Deacon,  resig. 

1819,  Rev.  Samuel  Nictiolls,  Presb.,  resig. 
12th  Aug.,  1838,  Rev.  Alfred  Partridge,  Presb.,  resig. 

1855,  Rev.  Edward  Brexton  Boggs,  D.D.,  Presb.,  resig. 

1867,  Rev.  Lea  Luquer,  Presb.,  present  incumbent. 

The  burying  ground  adjoining  the  church  contains  memorials  to  the 
families  of  the  Jays,  Amblers,  Guions,  Olmsteads,  Collyers,  Raymonds, 
Parks,  Gardeners,  Banks  and  McNultys. 

Number  of  families  in  1853,  belonging  to  the  parish,  50.  Number  of 
souls,  200.    In  1875,  Number  of  families,  47. 

THE  SOCIETY'S  SCHOOLMASTERS  AT  BEDFORD  AND  NORTH  CASTLE. 

TIME  OF  APP'T.  SCHOOLMASTERS.  SALARY.  ' 

1728,  Flint  Dwight,  £15  per  anuni. 

1745,  William  Sturgeon,  B.  A. 

Number  of  Catechists  in  1853,  4;  and  Catechumens,  30. 

1875,—  "  30. 

To  the  parish  is  attached  St.  Maiy*s  church  in  the  middle  patent  of 
North  Castle,  which  was  incorporated  upon  the  29th  of  December,  1851, 
Benjamin  Smith  and  Samuel  Brown,  church  wardens.    William  Henry 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


69 


Hobby,  William  Downs,  Samuel  Lounsbury,  Oliver  B.  Finch,  Henry 
Hobby,  Joseph  H.  Hobby,  David  M.  Johnson  and  Henry  Downes, 
vestrymen.  The  Church  edifice,  erected  in  1853  at  a  cost  of  $1600, 
was  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  on  the  2  2d  of  Septem- 
ber of  that  year,  by  the  late  Rt.  Rev.  Jonathan  M.  Wainwright,  D.  D., 
LL.D.  At  present,  services  are  performed  here  by  the  rector  of  Bed- 
ford, every  Sunday  afternoon.  The  bell  was  presented  by  St.  Matthew's 
church,  Bedford. 

Within  the  ajoining  Hamlet  near  the  Episcopal  church,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Sing  Sing  and  Bedford  roads  stands  the  Baptist  church. 
The  Baptist  Society  was  first  organized  Sept.  22d,  1798;  seven  of  its 
members  having  received  legal  letters  of  dismission  from  the  Baptist 
church  in  Stamford,  to  form  a  new  Society  under  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Elder  Jones.  On  the  8th  of  May,  1802,  Elder  Ezra  Fountain  was 
elected  pastor  of  the  church,  an  office  which  he  held  with  great  accep- 
tance for  thirty-five  years.  Mr.  Fountain  was  descended  from  the 
Fountains  of  Stockingham,  Devonshire,  England.  The  first  member  of 
the  family  who  emigrated  to  America  about  1650,  was  a  merchant  of 
opulence,  who  lived  to  the  age  of  a  hundred  years.  In  the  church  of 
Mysborough  in  the  county  of  Devon,  England,  are  several  monuments 
to  members  of  this  family;  among  others  is  one  to  the  memory  of  Sir 
John  Fountain,  of  whom  there  are  some  fragmentary  sketches  extant. 
The  emigrant  left  two  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  Moses,  a  man  re- 
markable for  his  piety,  and  who  also  lived  to  over  a  hundred  years;  the 
youngest  son  Moses,  had  two  sons,  Moses  and  Mathew,  who  died  with- 
out issue  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  four,  the  latter  was  a  British 
officer  of  some  distinction  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  but  re- 
moved from  Bedford  to  Eastchester  with  the  refugees  and  there  died 
from  the  bite  of  a  fox,  aged  fifty-six.  He  left  four  sons,  Stephen,  Aaron, 
Ezra  and  James,  besides  two  daughters.  Ezra  the  third  son,  the  pas- 
tor of  this  church  was  born  on  the  20th  of  May,  1743,  and  died  Oct. 
25th,  1840,  and  was  interred  on  his  own  farm  at  present  occupied  by 
John  A.  Miller  in  this  town  where  a  monument  has  been  erected  to  his 
memory  containing  the  following  epitaph  written  by  himself. 

"A  dying  preacher  I  have  been, 
To  dying  sinners  such  as  you  ; 
A  dying  preacher  I  remain, 
To  all  who  come  my  grave  to  view." 

It  may  be  truly  said  of  this  good  man  "Though  dead  he  yet  speak- 
eth." 


70  .        HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

By  his  wife,  who  was  a  Tyler,  he  had  first,  James,  M.D.,  of  the  New 
York  University,  the  father  of  Hosea,  M.  D.,  of  Somers;  Elias,  Jabez, 
Husted,  C.  Horton  and  Ezra  James.  The  second  son  was  Hosea,  and 
thirdly  the  late  Tyler  Fountain  of  Peekskill. 

Mr.  Fountain  was  succeeded  in  the  pastoral  charge  by  Elder  Charles 
H.  Underhill,  who  continued  for  two  years.  Their  successors  have 
been  Samuel  Covel,  and  Elder  Nathan  Reed. 

Union  Academy  of  Bedford  occupies  a  prominent  situation  South- 
east of  the  Baptist  church.    Its  principal  is  Alexander  G.  Reynolds. 

Near  the  Hamlet  are  situated  the  residences  of  William  P.  Wood- 
cock and  Milton  Robertson,  Esq.  To  the  North-east  lies  the  Hook 
farm,  the  property  of  Francis  A.  Palmer,  Esq.,  (formerly  belonging  to 
Col.  James  Holmes).  Upon  the  5th  of  April,  1774,  James  Smith  and 
Mary,  his  wife,  sold  to  James  Holmes,  "all  that  messuage  lying  in  Bed- 
ford called  the  Hook,  containing  seventy-three  acres. 

Col.  James  Holmes  was  the  son  of  John  and  Jemima  Holmes ;  his 
father  John  Holmes  was  a  respectable  farmer,  a  man  of  extensive  real 
and  personal  property,  a  large  proportion  of  which  descended  to  him 
from  his  father  John  Holmes,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  from 
Beverly,  Yorkshire,  in  England,  about  the  year  1660,  and  was  one  of 
the  original  proprietors  and  settlers  of  this  town.  John  Holmes, 
father  of  the  said  Col.  James  Holmes,  held  many  civil  and  military 
appointments.  He  was  for  many  years  a  town  clerk,  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  Captain  of  the  Militia,  which  appointments  he  held  till  the 
time  of  his  death. 

During  the  French  war  between  France  and  Great  Britian,  in  1757-8, 
CoL  James  Holmes  volunteered  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and 
was  in  the  great  and  destructive  battle  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Abercrombie,  in  which  were  nineteen  hundred  men  killed  and 
wounded.    After  the  conquest  of  Canada  he  returned  to  Bedford. 

Upon  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  America  and  Great 
Britain,  he  was  appointed  by  the  New  York  Convention  one  of  a  com- 
mittee of  three,  viz.  :  Col.  James  Yan  Courtland,  Capt.  Montgomery, 
(afterwards  Gen.  Montgomery,)  and  himself,  to  proceed  to  examine  the 
heights  about  Kingsbridge,  and  report  where  it  would  be  advisable  to 
fortify.  They  performed  this  duty  and  reported  satisfactorily.  The  same 
convention  ordered  four  regiments  to  be  raised.  The  first  was  given  to 
Alexander  M'Dougal,  the  second  to  G.  Yan  Schaick,  die  third  to  James 
Clinton,  and  the  fourth  to  James  Holmes.  These  regiments  were  im- 
mediately advanced  to  the  northward.  In  1777,  he  retired  from  the 
service  of  his  country',  owing  to  certain  circumstances  which  had  tended 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


71 


to  dampen  his  military  ambition,  and  returned  to  his  farm.  In  the 
spring  of  1778,  he  was  arrested  by  order  of  the  committee  of  public 
safety,  and  conveyed  to  Bedford. 

He  subsequently  accepted  the  appointment  of  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the 
corps  of  West  Chester  County  Refugees,  in  the  British  service ;  in  this 
corps  he  remained  till  the  end  of  the  war.  Colonel  James  Holmes  died 
at  New  Haven,  July,  1824,  leaving  issue  by  his  wife  Tamar,  two  daugh- 
ters ;  Tamar,  who  married  James  Ronalds,  father  of  William  R.  Ronalds, 
Esq.,  of  New  York;  and  Sally,  the  wife  of  Jeremiah  Lounsberry  of  this 
town. 

The  village  of  Bedford  was  burnt  July  2d,  1779,  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  by  a  party  of  British  Light  Horse  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Banastre  Tarleton0  on  their  route  to  Fairfield,  Conn.,  and 
much  valuable  property  destroyed  in  its  immediate  vicinity.  But  the  in- 
habitants remained  firmly  attached  to  the  interests  of  their  country. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Sarles  testified  Oct.  12th,  1846  that,  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  her  father  lived  in  Bedford  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  village  on 
the  road  to  White  Plains.  His  name  was  Samuel  Lyon  and  he  was 
an  active  Whig  and  Committee  man.  When  the  British  burnt  Bed- 
ford they  advanced  by  the  upper  or  West  road  and  entered  after 
daylight.  The  party  consisted  of  several  hundred  composed  of  leather- 
caps  and  refugees  all  of  whom  were  mounted.  The  refugees  did  all 
the  mischief,  plundering  and  burning,  while  the  leather-caps  kept  guard, 
then  finally  retreated  by  the  White  Plains  road.  The  militia  were  all  out  in 
the  direction  of  Stamford  except  a  picket  guard  which  the  enemy  at- 
tacked and  dispersed  killing  one  man.  When  they  arrived  at  our  house 
they  were  constantly  asking  for  bread  and  we  gave  them  all  we  had,  they 
then  set  fire  to  the  house  and  retreated.  The  cry  was  "  Fire  the  house 
boys  and  be  off."  I  endeavored  to  extinguish  the  fire,  but  it  had  made 
too  much  headway — just  then  a  party  of  American  militia  came  to  our 
assistance  and  helped  to  save  some  things  that  were  in  the  house.  The 
leather  caps,  or  regulars  (who  I  think  were  Hessians)  came  here  in  order 
to  support  the  refugees.  Col.  Holmes'  house,  occupied  by  Benjamin 
Hayes,  was  also  burnt  on  this  occasion. 6  Capt.  Da\id  Miller  of  Bedford 
aged  eighty,  Oct.  31st,  1846,  says,  "My  father,  when  Bedford  was  burnt, 
was  a  militia  captain  and  lay  with  his  company  east  of  the  village — he 
had  occupied  a  house  on  the  Stamford  road  a  little  south  of  Mr.  Jonathan 

o  Col.  Tarleton,  afterwards  General  Sir  Banastre  Tarleton,  Bart,  born  in  Uvemool,  Aug. 
81st,  1754  was  intended  for  ye  law,  commanded  ve  advanced  guard  or  the  patrols  which  mads 
General  Lee  prisoner.  Stirring  activity  made  him  popular  and  he  was  M.  P  for  Liverpool  22 
years— was  manied  brft  died  childless  Jan'y  23d,  1S33.   (ients  Mag.  Part  L  p  273. 

6  Extracts  from  "  Lifeof  James  llolmes,"Esq.,"  printed  In  1S15. 


72 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Miller's  but,  fearful  of  a  surprise,  he  moved  up  further  into  a  neighboring 
wood.  He  afterwards  found  that  the  refugees,  when  they  entered  Bed- 
ford made  directly  for  his  house  to  take'  him  prisoner,  so  well  were  they 
informed  of  his  whereabouts.  The  British  party  were  mostly  refugees 
and  commanded  by  Col.  James  Holmes  who  belonged  to  Bedford  and 
was  formerly  an  officer  in  the  American  sen-ice,  but  thinking  himself  ill- 
used  in  not  being  promoted,  when  others,  less  deserving  than  he,  were, 
had  gone  over  to  the  British  and  received  the  commission  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  All  the  houses  in  Bedford  were  burnt  except  one  or  two,  be- 
longing to  persons  friendly  to  the  royal  cause.  Holmes,  after  the  war, 
returned  here.  Stephen  Ambler  on  this  occasion  was  too  late  in  escap- 
ing from  the  enemy ;  trusting  too  much  to  the  fleetness  of  his  horse,  he 
was  overtaken  and  killed. 

Oct.  31st,  1846,  Jonathan  Mills  of  Bedford  aged  eighty-three  says,  that 
on  the  day  Pound  Ridge  was  taken,  "  I  was  out  driving  cattle  for  my 
father  and  neighbors,  to  a  place  of  safety  but  unfortunately  I  conducted 
them  right  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  whom  I  met  on  my  return;  they 
took  all  the  cattle,  but  after  driving  them  for  some  distance  let  them  go, 
so  that  we  obtained  them  again.  Col.  Holmes,  I  think,  commanded  the 
party  who  burned  Bedford,  and  directed  his  own  house  to  be  fired  first — 
well  knowing  that  he  would  be  paid  for  it.  There  were  one  or  two  com- 
panies of  militia  posted  to  guard  the  roads  east  of  the  village ;  a  portion 
of  the  refugees  attempted  to  reach  Middle  Patent  for  the  purpose  of 
burning  the  houses  of  some  Whigs  there  who  were  obnoxious  to  the 
enemy,  but  when  they  came  to  Mahanus  River  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  village  on  the  Middle  Patent  road  they  found  the  bridges  destroyed 
and  the  streams  too  deep  and  muddy  to  cross."  Oct.  29th,  1846,  Silas 
Sutherland  of  Middle  Patent  testifies  that  when  Bedford  was  burnt  they 
fired  on  their  retreat  the  following  houses :  Israel  Lyons',  John  Ferris', 
Peter  Lyons',  Andrew  Sniffins',  and  a  house  occupied  by  Ichabod  Ogden 
where  the  militia  had  quarters,  and  which  was  afterwards  owned  and 
occupied  as  a  tavern  by  John  Smith. 

Nov.  2d,  1846,  Mrs.  Patty  Holmes,  aged  ninety-four,  says:  "We 
were  kept  in  constant  state  of  alarm  in  Bedford  during  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  Frequent  reports  were  abroad  that  the  Refugees  were  at  the 
village ;  when  Pound  Ridge  was  burnt,  news  arrived  that  the  enemy 
was  coming.  An  old  man  named  Andrew  Miller  took  his  gun  to  bed 
with  him ;  the  same  night  the  refugees  arrived  and  carried  him  off,  gun 
and  all,  to  New  York — where  for  sometime  he  was  kept  in  the  sugar- 
house,  till  finally  his  daughters  went  down  and  procured  his  discharge. 
When  the  enemy  returned  from  Pound  Ridge  they  burned  the  house 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  73 

owned  by  Col.  Holmes,  who  had  gone  below  to  join  the  British  some- 
time before.  I  think  that  the  meeting  house  also  was  burnt  the  same 
day,  namely,  Friday,  July  2nd,  when  they  burnt  Bedford  nine  days 
afterwards,  a  widow  woman  begged  them  to  spare  her  house,  to  which 
they  consented — but  finding  a  brace  of  pistols  up  stairs,  they  fired  it. 
The  French  army  lay  in  Bedford  one  night,  but  the  cavalry  went  on  with- 
out halting.  We  were  all  much  pleased  to  see  them,  as  they  came  for 
our  protection.  Col.  Holmes  was  a  clever  man,  very  spirited  in  speak- 
ing, he  could  not  forget  his  treatment  for  advancing  money  to  pay  his 
men,  which  was  not  refunded,  or  not  paid  without  great  difficulty." 

Nov.  2nd,  1846,  James  Fountain  testified,  "I  am  in  my  seventy-ninth 
year  and  remember  the  battle  of  White  Plains.  One  Stephen  Baxter,  from 
North  Salem,  who  had  received  a  commission  of  Captain,  was  here  with  the 
refugees  at  the  burning  of  Bedford.  I  think  they  were  all  refugees  that 
burnt  Bedford,  about  a  hundred  or  a  hundred  and  fifty  in  number.  I  saw 
them  pass,  as  they  advanced  by  the  North  Castle  church  road.  Benjamin 
Haves  kept  a  tavern  at  this  time  in  Bedford  and  his  house  (owned  by 
Col.  Holmes)  was  for  some  reason  burnt."  Col.  Armand  the  Marquis 
de  la  Rouerie  was  for  some  time  stationed  at  North  Castle  and  Bed- 
ford. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  1779,  General  Heath  having  ascertained  that 
the  enemy's  shipping  had  gone  down  towards  New  York,  moved  his 
troops  and  took  a  strong  position  between  Ridgfield  and  Bedford,  send- 
ing out  patrols  of  horse  and  foot  on  all  the  roads.*1 

On  the  evening  of  the  29th  of  December,  1780,  (writes  General 
Heath,)  a  party  of  the  enemy  from  Delancey's  corps,  consisting  of  about 
one  hundred  infantry  and  fifty  horse,  came  up  to  North  Castle  where 
after  a  short  halt  they  proceed  towards  Bedford  new  purchase.  Capt. 
Pritchard  who  was  posted  at  Bedford  with  a  company  of  Continental 
troops,  and  some  militia,  immediately  advanced  towards  them,  attacked 
their  van,  who  retreated,  as  did  their  main  body.  Capt.  Pritchard  pur- 
sued them  as  far  as  Young's.  It  was  said  that  one  of  the  enemy  was 
killed  and  several  wounded  who  were  carried  off  in  a  wagon.  Four 
oxen,  and  between  thirty  and  forty  sheep  were  re-taken,  and  eight  or 
ten  head  of  cattle  were  driven  oft";  but  the  captain  sustained  no  injury.6 

Upon  this  affair,  James  Lyon,  of  Bedford,  aged  eighty-seven,  Nov. 
17th,  1846,  says:  "I  belonged  to  Capt.  Moseman's  company  of  militia 
and  went  out  with  him  on  several  occasions  in  pursuit  of  refugees  and 
cow-boys,  who  had  stolen  our  cattle  and  sheep.    Once,  when  Capt. 

a  Heath's  Memoirs,  pane  270. 
b  Heath's  Memoirs,  p.  2t>s. 


74 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Pritchard  was  with  us,  we  pursued  them  to  the  vicinity  of  Clarke's  Cor- 
ner. a     We  had  a  severe  skirmish  and  recovered  part  of  the  cattle. 

Isaac  Daniels,  of  Chestnut  Ridge,  aged  eighty-six,  Oct.  28th,  1846, 
relates  :  "  I  served  for  two  years  under  Capt.  Marcus  Moseman  (I  be- 
lieve), in  Col.  Thomas'  regiment.  I  was  in  several  skirmishes.  One  of 
the  Kipp's,  of  De  Lancey's  Corps,  came  up  to  Bedford  and  drove  off  a 
great  number  of  cattle ;  Capt.  Moseman's  Company  and  other  volun- 
teers pursued ;  I  think  Moseman  accompanied  us,  but  am  not  certain ; 
lie  was  reported  to  be  rather  timorous  ;  Ephraim  Knowlton  was  our 
Lieutenant,  and  a  good  officer ;  he  was  with  us  at  this  time ;  we  pursued 
on  the  road  leading  to  North  Castle  church,  overtook  the  refugees  five 
or  six  miles  below,  when  we  fired  upon  Kipp's  party,  and  they  aban- 
doned the  cattle  or  most  of  them;  we  followed  on  very  fiercely,  and  were 
soon  after  joined  by  Lieutenant  James  and  three  privates  of  Sheldon's 
regiment ;  all  at  once,  as  we  gained  the  top  of  an  eminence,  we  came 
upon  the  main  body  of  the  enemy's  horse,  who  were  waiting  for  us  over 
the  crest  of  the  hill ;  they  instantly  charged.  Lieutenant  James  was 
badly  wounded  in  the  arms  and  head,  and  taken  prisoner  (shortly  after 
paroled);  one  horseman  was  dismounted,  joined  us  and  escaped ;  but  the 
other  two  were  taken  ;  Thadeus  Seely,  a  private  in  our  Company,  was 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner;  none  of  our  company  were  killed,  and  no 
others  wounded ;  they  did  not  pursue  us  very  far ;  we  re-took  about 
fifty  head  of  cattle  and  escaped  by  taking  to  the  woods;  there  were 
about  fifty  or  sixty  of  us  beside  Sheldon's  Horse ;  Capt.  Pritchard  was 
not  with  us  at  that  time.  On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  1781 "  (continues 
the  same  authority),  "  the  enemy  made  an  incursion  from  Morrisania, 
towards  Bedford,  and  took  Lieutenants  Carpenter,  Wright  and  Peacock, 
and  five  other  inhabitants,  prisoners ;  burnt  five  houses,  plundered  and 
stripped  several  other  inhabitants,  and  returned;  they  were  pursued  by 
Capt.  Pritchard,  but  could  not  be  overtaken." 

"  Some  personal  incidents  are  worthy  of  being  recorded  here.  David 
Williams,  one  of  the  captors  of  Major  Andre,  was  a  citizen  of  this  town. 
We  are  glad  to  see  that  the  bones  of  this  good  man  have  been  removed 
from  Livingston ville,  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  to  Rensselaerville,, 
Albany  County,  where  it  is  proposed  to  mark  the  place  by  a  suitable 
monument.  Another  citizen  of  Bedford,  whose  name  is  given  in  a  note 
to  one  of  the  late  editions  of  Cooper's  "Spy"  as  Elisha  H. — and  it  has 
been  suggested  that  the  "  H  "  probably  stands  for  Haines  or  Holmes — 

a  Clarke's  Corners  were  about  six  miles  from  Xew  Castle  church,  formed  by  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  Tarrytown  and  Bedford  roads;  consists  of  three  corners,  viz.:  the  Whits  Plain  ' 
and  Pine's  Hrnljr'i'  having  joined  the  Redford  and  Tarrytown  roads  half  a  mile  or  more  north. 
—McDonald  MSS.,  in  possession  of  Geo.  11.  Moore,  Esq. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


75 


is  said  to  have  been  the  most  important  secret  agent  employed  by  Wash- 
ington during  the  war." 

On  one  occasion  the  American  officer  commanding  at  Bedford,  where 
there  was  a  depot  of  provisions,  received  a  note  signed  E.  H.,  warning 
him  that  an  attack  was  about  being  made  by  the  British  forces.  The 
officer  sent  the  paper  to  Washington  who  was  stationed  near  the  Hud- 
son, who  returned  it  with  the  endorsement,  "  Believe  whatever  E.  H.' 
may  tell  you.  George  Washington."  This  paper  fell  into  the  hands  of  a 
British  officer  who  sent  it  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  Sir  Henry  sent  for  "  E.  H." 
and  after  some  conversation  on  other  topics  showed  him  his  own  note 
with  Washington's  endorsement,  and  said,  "whose  hand  writing  is  that?" 
The  man  replied,  It  is  that  of  Elisha  Hadden,  the  spy  whom  you 
hanged  yesterday."  The  calm  self-possession  of  the  man  quieted  Sir 
Henry's  suspicions ;  and  E.  H.  left  the  presence  of  the  British  Com- 
mander, and  never  visited  him  again.  It  was  from  a  citizen  of  Bedford, 
Mr.  Jay,  that  Fenimore  Cooper,  during  one  his  visits  to  our  town,  learned 
the  simple  facts  in  the  career  of  Enoch  Crosby,  upon  which  our  great 
novelist  based  his  "  Harvey  Birch,  the  spy  of  the  neutral  ground,"  a 
romance  which  has  been  translated  into  the  languages  of  modern  Europe, 
and  also,  it  is  said,  into  Turkish  and  Arabic. 

His  informant  had  been  a  member  of  the  New  York  Committee  of 
Safety,  in  the  beginning  of  the  revolution ;  and  Enoch  Crosby  had  been 
the  most  skillful  and  faithful  of  his  agents,  passing  with  the  Americans 
as  a  British  Spy  and  incurring  constant  and  great  dangers.  This  mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  of  Safety  having  been  appointed  to  a  foreign  mis- 
sion, reported  to  Congress  before  his  departure  the  important  services 
rendered  by  this  agent,  and  a  sum  of  money  was  voted  as  a  compensation. 
When  in  a  secret  interview  at  night  he  was  offered  the  gold,  he  declined 
it  with  the  remark,  "  that  it  was  not  for  gold  that  he  had  served  his 
country. r-  Thus  it  appears  that  Bedford  did  her  part  in  her  heroic  days.6 

A  short  distance  only  from  the  middle  Patent  road  are  some  singular 
rocks,  one  of  which  from  its  peculiar  shape  is  called  the  "Turtle  Rock." 
Looking  beneath  this  curious  freak  of  nature,  a  beautiful  view  may  be 
had  of  the  Cohaumag  hills,  while  far  off  in  the  West  the  hill  Nonama 
rises  in  great  splendor.  The  hilly  road  West  of  the  village,  leading  to 
Mount  Kisco,  or  "Bedford  New  purchase,"  passes  "Lounsberry  Hill" 
(laid  down  in  General  Washington's  military  map  as  "  Knapp's  Hill") 
the  top  of  which  is  said  to  be  the  highest  ground  in  Westchester  County. 
From  the  summit  of  this  hill  the  prospect  is  uncommonly  extensive  and 

a  Heath's  Memoirs,  pape  274. 

b  Address  of  HonWc  John  Jay,  July  7th,  1S76.— The  Recorder,  Katonah. 


76 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


open.  The  whole  country  looks  like  a  map  unfolded  to  the  sight;  the 
innumerable  enclosures  mark  a  rich  land  thriving  under  the  hand  of  the 
cultivator. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  objects  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Bed- 
ford village,  is  the  round  hill  called  Aspetong,  celebrated  for  its  beauti- 
ful views  of  the  surrounding  country;  its  summit  affords  a  favorite  resort 
for  parties  during  the  summer  season." 

A  short  time  since  Joseph  Reynolds  of  Bedford,  while  hunting  on  the 
Aspen  Ledge,  saw  and,  killed  a  beautiful  wildcat ;  two  others  escaped. 

The  road  proceeding  north  from  the  village  descends  into  the  valley  of 
the  Beaver  dam,  (Cisqua,)  watered  by  a  beautiful  stream  of  the  same 
name,  which  rises  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Poundridge.  In  its  progress 
to  the  Croton,  the  Beaver  dam  is  fed  by  the  waters  of  broad  and  muddy 
brooks.  By  the  process  of  gauging,  in  1833,  (at  a  fair  minimum.)  the 
Beaver  dam  and  Broad  Brook  yielded  four  million  nine  hundred  and 
sixty-three  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty  gallons  per  diem.& 

The  former  stream  appears  to  have  been  in  a  peculiar  manner  the 
haunt  of  the  beaver;  hence  the  origin  of  the  name  Beaver  dam.  This 
timid  animal,  (says  Van  der  Donck,)  ''always  constructed  its  dwellings 
over  running  streams,  having  apertures  in  the  lower  stories  which  com- 
municated with  the  water,  from  which  they  could  more  easily  re- 
treat under  water  to  places  of  safety  which  they  have  always  prepared 
near  their  houses;  these  consist  of  a  hollow  or  hole  entwining  under 
water  from  the  side  of  the  stream  whereon  their  house  is  erected,  and 
adjoining  under  the  bank  into  which  they  retreat  on  the  approach  of 
danger,  wherein  they  seem  to  be  so  safe  and  secure  that  no  person  can 
molest  them.  Eighty  thousand  beavers  (the  same  authority  asserts.)  were 

killed  annually,  during  his  residence  of  nine  years  in  the  New  Nether- 
lands."" 

The  beaver's  favorite  food  was  the  bark  of  the  willow,  birch  and  ma- 
ple trees,  which  still  nourish  on  the  banks  of  the  Cisqua,  (Beaver  dam). 
Rising  above  the  banks  of  this  stream  on  the  west  is  an  extensive  ridge 
called  the  "Deer's  Delight." 

It  appears  that  the  old  road  laid  out  to  the  vineyard  purchase  in  1759, 
"extended  north  from  Harris's  mill  at  the  west  side  of  Cantatoe  ridge 
on  the  east  side  of  the  "Deer's  Delight,"  and  so  through  to  the  pur- 
chase.d 


a  llth  May,  1772,  John  Farnam  conveys  to  James  Holmes  a  lot  of  laud  ljuig  iu  Bedford 
near  a  place  called  Aspetonjr. 
b  Report  of  Water  Commissioners. 

<  Van  der  Donk's  Hist.  N.  N.  New  York  Hist.  Sec  collect. 
d  Book  of  Co.  Roads,  Co.  Clerk  s  office,  lib.  L.  A.  D.  1728. 


THE  TOWN  or  BEDFORD. 


77 


Deer  must  have  been  very  numerous  here  in  1656,  for  the  same 
authority  just  quoted  says,  "the  land  abounded  with  them  every  where, 
and  their  numbers  appear  to  remain  undiminished;  we  seldom  pass 
through  the  fields  without  seeing  deer  more  or  less,  and  we  frequently 
see  them  in  herds;  there  are  also  white  bucks  and  does,  and  others  of  a 
black  colour.  The  Indians  aver  that  the  haunts  of  the  white  deer  are 
much  frequented  by  the  common  deer,  and  that  those  of  the  black 
species  are  not  frequented  by  the  common  deer."* 

The  wolf  appears  to  have  abounded  in  proportion  to  the  other  wild 
game.  So  destructive  had  this  ferocious  animal  become  in  1694  that 
the  town  of  Bedford  offered  "twenty  shillings  bounty  for  the  killing  of 
wolves." 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  called  "  Cantatoe,"  the  place  of 
Katoona's  residence,  is  situated  the  "Jay  homestead;"  for  four  genera- 
tions the  residence  and  estate  of  the  Jay  family,  and  descending  to  them 
from  their  ancestor  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  who  purchased  it  of  the 
Indian  Sachem  Katoonah,  in  1703.  Here  the  Hon.  John  Jay  spent  the 
latter  part  of  his  life.  The  house  is  delightfully  situated  on  a  gentle 
slope  backed  with  high  and  luxuriant  woods.  The  surrounding  scenery  is 
exceedingly  picturesque,  particularly  on  the  west  overlooking  the  Pepe- 
mighting  or  Kisco,  and  Ketchawan  or  Croton  valleys,  and  the  hills 
bordering  on  the  Hudson — among  which  is  the  bold  Dunderberg,  looking, 
from  this  spot,  like  an  inverted  bread  tray;  a  sunset  view  from  the 
ground  west  of  the  house  is  uncommonly  grand,  and  once  seen  can 
never  be  forgotten.  The  interior  of  the  mansion,  which  is  elegantly 
furnished,  displays  on  its  walls  a  large  and  valuable  collection  of  cabinet 
pictures,  and  family  and  historical  portraits ;  among  them  are  the  fol- 
lowing, viz :  In  the  hall,  George  Washington,  by  Trumbull ;  John 
Adams,  by  Trumbull ;  Thomas  Jefferson,  after  Stewart  by  Ames ;  James 
Madison,  by  the  same  ;  De  Witt  Clinton,  John  Jay,  as  Chief  Justice  ; 
Judge  William  Jay,  by  Huntington  ;  John  Jay,  by  the  same  ;  President 
Dwight,  of  Yale  College ;  Stephen  Peloquir,  Mayor  of  Bristol,  who  mar- 
ried Frances  daughter  of  Pierre  Jay. 

In  the  parlors:  Augustus  Jay,  Esq.,  born  at  La  Rochelle  in  France, 
1665;  came  to  New  York,  1697 — in  evening  and  full  dress — copy  from 
an  old  French  picture  ;  the  late  Mr.  William  Jay,  by  West;  and  the  late 
Judge  William  Jay  as  a  young  man,  by  Vanderlyn. 

The  dining-room  contains  :  Judge  Egbert  Benson,  by  Stewart ; 
Stephen  Van  Renselaer,  Lt.  Governor,  by  Stewart ;  Alexander  Hamil- 

a  Van  der  Donk'8  N.  N. 


"j8  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER.  * 

ton,  by  Trumbull ;  William  Livingston,  Governor  of  New  Jersey  as  a 
boy;  Judge  William  Jay,  by  Wenzleu;  Mrs.  John  Jay,  (Sarah  Living- 
ston) wife  of  Chief  Justice  John  Jay  and  daughter  of  William  Livingston, 
Governor  of  New  Jersey,  with  her  children  William  and  Sarah,  pastel  by 
Pine;  Mrs.  H.  G.  Chapman  and  child,  by  Stone;  the  late  H.  W.  Field, 
by  Nims.  Busts  of  Chief  Justice  (after  a  model  of  Carracio),  by  Frazee.0 

Judge  William  Jay,  by  Kunzte,  and  Peter  Augustus  Jay — in  the 
Library — a  photograph  of  Sir  Benjamin  West — an  unfinished  painting  of 
the  Negotiation  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace  at  Versailles  in  1783,  with  por- 
traits of  Jay,  Adams,  DeFranklin,  Temple  Franklin,  Secretary  of  the 
Commission,  and  Henry  Laurens  of  South  Carolina. 

Pastel  of  Josiah  Field,  and  various  engravings  and  portraits  of  the 
family — including  Mrs.  Maria  Banyer  and  Miss  Anne  Jay.  Among  other 
relics  preserved  here  is  the  Philipse  Family  Bible  (which  came  through 
the  Van  Cortlandts,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  having  married  Eva 
Philipse)  printed  at  Amsterdam  1657  by  Paulus  Aertsz  Van  Ravesteyn, 
and  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  and  administration  of  the  Sacraments, 
&c,  printed  by  John  Besket  of  London,  M.  D.  ccxxiv.  Among  the 
entries  in  the  former  are  the  following,  "29  Sept.,  1698,  William  3rd  by 
letters  patent  granted  to  Augustus  Jay  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a 
native  bom  English  subject." 

"4th  March,  1686,  the  Governor  of  New  York  granted  to  Augustus 
Jay  letters  of  denization  for  the  Colony."  "  Augustus  Jay  was  admitted 
to  the  freedom  of  the  city  of  New  York  by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  on 
the  27th  of  January,  1700."  "Augustus  Jay  1726 — born  March  23, 
1665 — died  10th  of  March  1751."  In  the  west  end  of  the  house,  now 
used  as  the  library,  expired  the  venerable  Chief  Justice  Jay,  on  Tuesday 
the  17th  day  of  May,  1829.  "The  Hon.  John  Jay,  LL.D.,  was  the 
eighth  child  of  Peter  Jay,  of  Rye,  and  Mary  Van  Cortlandt ;  he  was 
born  on  the  12th  of  December,  1745,  and  in  1753  was  put  to  school  at 
New  Rochelle.  He  was  graduated  at  King's  College,  New  York,  in 
1764,  after  which  he  studied  law;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1768,  and 
acted  as  secretary  to  the  Commissioner  for  running  the  boundary  line' 
between  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Congress  of  1774,  and  of  that  of  1775,  and  in  1776  assisted  in  fram- 
ing the  Government  of  New  York.  He  was  elected  Chief  Justice  of 
that  State  in  May,  1777,  and  resigned  that  office  in  1779,  when  elected 
President  of  Congress.  In  September,  1779,  he  was  appointed  Minister 
to  Spain ;  was  one  of  the  signers  to  the  definitive  treaty  of  Peace  at 

a  Frazee  executed  several  busts  of  Jay  from  the  model  of  Carracio  for  the  Supreme 
Court,  oue  of  which  was  ordered  by  Congress. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD.  79 

Paris  in  September,  17S3;  and  returned  to  America  in  1784,  having 
been  previously  appointed  Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  affairs.  He 
became  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  in  1789,  and  in  1794  was 
appointed  Minister  to  England ;  was  Governor  of  the  State  of  New 
York  from  1795  to  1801,  after  which  he  retired  from  public  life."" 

A  writer  truthfully  says,  "He  was  one  of  the  wisest  statesmen  and 
purest  patriots  of  the  days  of  the  war  of  Independence,  and  our  country 
has  no  purer  name  inscribed  on  the  list  of  her  worthies."  The  Supreme 
Court  of  the  State  being  in  session  in  New  York,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar  held  a  meeting  and  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions:  "Resolved  that  the  members  of  this  bar  are  im- 
pressed with  deep  grief  upon  the  decease  of  their  illustrious  brother 
John  Jay.  They  find  however,  a  consolation  in  the  reflection,  that  his 
conduct  through  a  long  and  useful  life,  has  given  a  lustre  to  our  profes- 
sion, and  to  this  bar;  and  that  while  his  character  for  private  virtues 
and  public  worth  has  justly  endeared  him  to  the  nation,  his  patriotism, 
his  great  talents  as  a  statesman,  and  his  great  acquirements  as  a  jurist, 
his  eminent  purity  as  a  Christian,  and  his  probity  as  a  man,  all  unite  to 
present  him  to  the  public  as  an  example  whose  radiance  points  to  the 
attainment  of  excellence." 

The  memory  of  this  great  and  good  man  will  be  embalmed  in  the 
heart  of  every  true  friend  of  liberty,  virtue  and  the  honor  and  prosperity 
of  the  State  of  New  York  and  her  civil  institutions,  and  as  long  as  the 
history  of  this  State  and  Nation  shall  be  known  and  read.6 

ANECDOTE  OF  JOHN  JAY. 

One  of  the  purest  of  American  statesmen  was  John  Jay.  lie  was  a  patriot  in 
the  highest  sense  of  the  much-abused  word.  But  he  was  more  than  a  statesman, 
and  was  gifted  with  a  higher  virtue  than  patriotism,  for  he  was  a  Christian.  A 
paragraph  in  a  letter  written  to  his  wife  when  about  retiring  fror.i  the  governor- 
ship of  New  York,  discloses  the  nature  of  the  man.  "A  few  years,"  he  writes, 
"will  put  us  all  in  the  dust,  and  then  it  will  be  of  more  importance  to  me  to 
have  governed  myself  than  to  have  governed  a  State." 

The  self-sacrificing  character  of  Mr.  Jay's  patriotism  was  exhibited  by  his 
acceptance  of  the  office  of  Minister  to  England  to  negotiate  the  treaty  of  1794. 
The  bitter  feelings  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  created  by  the 
Revolutionary  War,  were  so  strong  as  to  interfere  with  the  commercial  pros- 
perity of  the  youthful  nation.  Mr.  Jay,  among  other  statesmen,  recognized  that 
it  was  necessary  that  a  treaty  should  be  made  with  England.  Urging  his  views 
upon  some  friends,  he  said  that  so  intense  was  the  popular  hostility  towards  the 
English,  that  the  Minister  who  should  negotiate  the  treaty  would  be  an  object 


a  Doc  Col.  Hist,  of  N.  V.,  vol.  Till :  p.  469. 

b  Seammonda  Political  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  Vol.  li,  p.  310. 


8o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  public  execration.  A  gentleman  remarked  that  be  bad  good  reasons  for 
thinking  Mr.  Jay  would  be  selected  by  President  Washington  for  that  posi- 
tion.   "If  my  country  demands  the  sacrifice,''  replied  Mr.  Jay,  "I  am  read}'." 

Mr.  Jay  was  appointed.  He  went  to  England,  negotiated  the  treaty,  which, 
though  much  opposed,  was  at  last  ratified  by  the  Senate.  But  Mr.  Jay  was  for 
years  an  object  of  strong  popular  hostility. — The  Boston  True  Flag,  test  June 
24,  1876. 

In  the  same  room  died  on  Thursday,  Oct.  14,  1858,  his  second  son, 
Judge  William  Jay.  He  was  born  June  16,  1779,  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1807,  and  studied  law  at  Albany;  but  having  injured  his 
eyes  by  intense  study,  relinquished  his  practice  and  retired  to  Bedford. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  father  in  1829,  he  acquired  the  Bedford  estate. 
He  was  for  several  years  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  for  Westchester  County.  His  life  was  principally  devoted  to 
philanthropic  labors,  and  he  went  to  his  rest  like  a  stock  of  corn,  fully 
ripe. 

By  his  wife  Augusta  McVicker,  he  had  one  son  the  Hon.  John  Jay, 
and  five  daughters,  Anna,  who  married  the  Rev.  Lewis  P.  W.  Balch, 
D.D.,  Cannon  of  Montreal  Cathedral;  Maria  who  married  John  F. 
Butterworth;  Sarah  Louisa,  who  married  Alexander  M.  Brenan,  M.D., 
and  Eliza  and  Augusta  the  successive  wives  of  Henry  Edward  Pellew, 
Esq, 

Surrounding  the  house  are  ornamental  grounds  tastefully  laid  out  in 
flower-beds  and  shrubbery,  and  to  the  left  is  a  fine  kitchen  garden  and 
green-houses. 

Opposite  the  homestead  in  the  Katonah  wood  is  situated  the  hand- 
some stone  residence  of  Henry  Edward  Pellew,  Esq.  (grandson  of  Ed- 
mund Edward  Pellew,  Viscount  Exmouth,  England,)  brother-in-law 
of  the  Hon.  John  Jay. 

A  little  East  of  the  Jay  homestead,  flows  Spruce  Creek,  the  former 
division  line  between  the  "Vineyards"  and  the  "Dibble"  purchases. 

North  and  East  of  Cantetoe  lies  the  valley  of  the  Peppeneghek  or 
Cross  River,  celebrated  for  its  picturesque  beauty ;  on  this  romantic 
stream  is  situated  the  Jay  Mills,  now  owned  by  the  Hoyt  brothers. 

Katonah  is  a  thriving  village  in  the  North-west  corner  of  Bedford,  sit- 
uated near  the  junction  of  the  Croton  and  Cross  Rivers.  Upon  the 
latter  stream  are  located  several  mills  and  manufactories.  The  Cross 
River  or  Peppeneghek  is  said  to  discharge  at  the  rate  of  nine  millions 
one  hundred  and  forty  thousand  four  hundred  gallons  per  diem. 

The  settlement  contains  two  churches,  a  Methodist  Episcopal  and 


THE  TOWN  OF  BEDFORD. 


81 


Presbyterian,  Rail  Road  and  Telegraph  station,  Post  Office  and  several 
stores. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  which  is  a  new  edifice,  was  erected 
in  1S78,  and  was  incorporated  on  the  25th  of  January,  1837;  Norman 
William  Miller,  Walter  P.  Lyon,  Joseph  Wilson,  Joel  W.  Miller  and 
Noah  Smith,  Trustees.0 

The  Peppeneghek  and  the  Cisqua  intersect  a  mile  to  the  eastward. 
Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  Croton  dam,  the  shad  fish  annually  as- 
cended the  river  to  Katonah  or  Wittlockville,  a  distance  of  nearly  thirty 
miles  from  the  Hudson ;  trout  are  taken  here  in  great  abundance.  The 
several  tributaries  of  the  Kitchawan  or  Croton  in  this  town  supply  a 
great  abundance  of  mill  seats.  There  is  also  a  small  'stream  that  runs 
north  from  the  ullage  of  Bedford  to  Long  Island  Sound  (to  which  we 
have  already  alluded)  called  Myanos  River.  The  mills  are  numerous 
and  more  than  equal  to  the  wants  of  the  inhabitants.  The  general  sur- 
face of  Bedford  is  elevated,  though  broken  by  small  hills,  and  valleys,  has 
very  little  of  waste  ground.  The  arable,  pasture,  and  meadow  lands,  are 
in  very  just  proportion  for  a  good  farming  country,  and  the  whole  is  well 
watered  by  springs,  brooks,  and  rivulets,  the  latter  of  a  good  size  for 
mills ;  the  summits  of  the  hills  afford  many  extensive  and  interesting  pros- 
pects, but  the  hills  are  stony  and  hard  to  till,  though  they  yield  good 
crops  of  grain,  grass,  and  all  the  common  fruits." 

In  the  vicinity  of  Bedford  sulphuret  of  iron,  and  the  oxide  of  iron 
occur  in  beds  of  sand,  also  quartz,  and  slate  are  found  in  numerous 
localities. 


a  Religious  Sue.  Lib.  8.  69. 


THE  TOWN 

or 

OORTLANDT, 


This  town  formerly  belonged  to  the  great  manor  of  Cortlandt,  which 
also  comprehended  the  present  townships  of  North  Salem,  Somers,  York- 
town  and  a  large  portion  of  Lewisboro'.  The  name  itself  is  derived 
from  the  the  ancient  family  of  the  Van  Cortlandts',  the  mesne  Lords, 
and  first  grantees  from  the  Indians.  Under  the  Mohegans  or  "enchanted 
wolf  tribe,"  Cortlandt-town  appears  to  have  been  divided  between  the 
two  chiefs  of  Sachus  and  Ketchawany — the  former  of  whom  exercised 
jurisdiction  over  the  lands  of  Weshqua,  Canopus,  Wenneebus,  Appamagh- 
pogh  and  Meahagh,  a  territory  extending  from  the  south  side  of  Ver- 
planck's  Point  to  St.  Anthony's  nose  in  the  Highlands,  whilst  the  latter 
held  authority  over  the  lands  of  Kitchawan,  lying  south  of  Veq^lanck's 
Point,  including  Senasqua  neck,  (Teller's  Point,)  and  the  small  island  of 
Oscawana. 

The  Indian  villages  in  their  order  were,  first,  Kitchawonk,  situated 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Croton,  so-called  from  the  original  name  of  the 
river,  viz :  "  Kitchawan,"  a  term  which  is  descriptive  of  "  a  large  and 
swift-flowing  current."  Croton,  the  present  name  of  the  same  stream,  is 
said  to  have  been  adopted  from  an  illustrious  Sachem  of  that  name  who 
resided  here  at  an  early  period. 

"  The  first  name  of  importance  above  the  island  (remarks  Mr.  School- 
craft) is  Croton — a  name  of  classic  sound,  but  unquestionably  derived 
from  the  Indian,  though  a  corruption  of  the  original,  and  not  originally 
applied  by  them  to  the  River. 

In  a  deed  dated  16S5.  A^jhich  is  quoted  by  Judge  Benson,  the  river  is 
called  Kitchawan.  "  Croton  as  stated  by  the  same  authority  is  a  cor- 
83 


84 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ruption  of  the  name  of  a  chief  who  lived  and  exercised  his  authority  at 
the  mouth  of  this  stream.  It  is  clearly  a  derivative  from  Kenotin  or 
Knoten,  or  as  it  is  oftener  used  (without  the  prefix).  Noten,  meaning 
in  either  case  the  wind  or  a  tempest.  It  is  a  man's  name  still  common 
in  the  west  and  north."0 

The  Indian  castle  of  Kitchawan  (according  to  tradition)  occupied  a 
commanding  position  on  the  neck  proper,  overlooking  the  Croton  and 
Haverstraw  bays,  a  little  northwest  of  the  manor  house.  This  site  was 
chosen  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  fisheries,  and  overawing  the 
neighboring  tribes.  A  variety  of  Indian  weapons  are  occasionally  found 
in  the  neighborhood,  consisting  principally  of  battle-axes,  javelins  and 
arrow  heads.  The  Indian  burying  ground  is  situated  near  the  entrance 
of  Senasqua  Neck,  (Teller's  Point.)  The  sachem  of  Kitchawan  in  1641, 
was  Metsewakes. 

"Upon  the  10th  July,  1641,  appeared  before  the  counsel,  the  follow- 
ing chiefs  summoned  by  Oratan,  chief  of  Hackinkesacky,  agreeably  to 
the  conversation  with  him  on  the  27th  of  May,  viz.,  Sowanare,  chief  of 
Weckquaeskek,  and  Metsewakes,  chief  of  Ketchawangh,  alias  S'.auper 
Haven ;  they  expressed  a  desire  to  live  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Dutch, 
and  to  detach  themselves  from  the  Esopus  Indians."6 

Upon  the  22d  of  April,  1643,  the  chief  of  Hackinkesacky  was  dele- 
gated by  the  Indians  of  Kitchawan  to  conclude  a  peace  with  the 
Director  General.0 

In  1 644,  Mamaronack  was  chief  of  the  Indians  residing  on  the  Kitch- 
awan/' 

A.  D.  1645,  Aepjen  chief  sachem  of  the  Mohegans  signed  a  treaty  of 
peace  in  behalf  of  the  Kitchawanghs/ 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1663,  occurs  the  name  of  Meghtesewakes, 
chief  of  Kitchawan;  and  in  1699,  that  of  Sackama  Wicker.  ^ 

The  next  Indian  village  north  of  the  Croton,  was  Sachus  or  Sackhoes, 
which  stood  near  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Peekskill.  The  chief 
of  this  place  in  the  year  1682,  was  Sirham. 

The  early  Dutch  maps  place  the  villages  of  Keskisko,  (a  name  that 
partly  survives  in  the  Kisco  River,)  Pasquashic,  and  Noapain  south  of 
the  Highlands. 

The  Wappinger  Indians  occupied  the  region  of  St.  Anthony's  nose 
and  the  Kittatenny  mountains,  (Highlands.)-'' 

a  Pro.  N.  Y.  Ilist.  Soc.  1S44, 100. 

6  Alb.  Rec 

c  Alb.  Rec.  li.  220. 

((  O'lia Haitian's  Hist,  K.  NT.  p.  302. 

c  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  N.  Ser.  vol.  i.  276. 

/  Moultons's  History  of  New  York,  p.  221. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANOT. 


85 


The  Indians  are  said  to  have  been  verynumerous  in  and  around  Peek- 
skill  as  late  as  1740,  especially  during  the  fishing  seasons." 

At  an  early  period,  Teller's  Point  or  neck  passed  from  the  native 
Indian  proprietors  to  William  and  Sarah  Teller.  "  The  point  of  pen- 
insula, (says  Judge  Benson,)  the  northern  chop  of  the  bay  or  entrance 
into  the  Croton  River,  the  Skippers  called  Sarah's  Point,  the  Indians 
gave  it  to  William  and  Sarah  Teller,  husband  and  wife,  and  she  survived 
him."6 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  SENASQUA. 
On  the  3d  of  June,  1682,  occurs  a  sale  from  the  Indian  proprietors,  Ackemak, 
Jangbeor,  Nawakies,  Wattatane,  Kaegara,  Pewengen,  Askawanes,  Siggeres, 
Owarxewie,  Arronjsack,  Serram,  Geckawock,  Garhanck,  Awoejhackias,  Anna- 
wain,  Ogkan,  Nennafanck,  Wapcken,  Sepaacktan  and  Aweuiaracktow,  to 
Cornelius  Van  Burgum,  consisting  of  all  that  parcel  neck  or  point  of  laud,  with  the 
marsh,  meadow  ground  or  valley  thereto  adjoining  and  belonging,  situate,  lying, 
and  being  on  the  east  side  of  the  North  or  Hudson's  river,  over  against  the  Ver- 
drida  Hooke,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Slaupcrs  Haven,  and 
by  the  Indians  Navish,  the  meadow  being  by  the  Indians  called  Senasqua,  being 
bounded  by  the  said  river  and  a  certain  creek  called  or  known  to  the  Indians  by 
the  name  of  Tanrackan  and  Sepperak,  and  divided  from  the  main  land  by  cer- 
tain tries  marked  by  the  Indians,  together  with  half  the  said  creek,  &c,  &c, 
for  and  in  consideration  of  a  certain  sura  or  quantity  of  Warapum  and  divers 
other  goods,  paid  by  Cornelius  Van  Burgum." 

It  is  certain  that  sometime  prior  to  1748,  Sarah  Teller  held  the  neck 
as  tenant  at  sufferance  under  the  Van  Cortlandt  family.  A  branch  of 
the  Teller  family  was  early  connected  with  the  Van  Cortlandt's  by 
marriage,  Andrew  Teller  in  16.71,  having  married  Sophia,  daughter 
of  the  Right  Hon.  Orloff  Stevenson  Van  Cortlandt. 

The  common  ancestor  of  the  Tellers  was  a  Dutch  clergyman  of  some 
distinction  in  the  New  Netherlands. 

Upon  the  30th  of  July,  1667,  occurs  an  act  of  the  English  Governor 
and  his  council,  concerning  William  Teller  and  his  children,  wherein 
the  payment  of  eighty-five  beavers  is  enforced  as  his  daughter's  share 
besides  other  portions  to  his  remaining  children ;  one  of  these  was  a  son 
named  Andries.** 

The  names  of  Jacob  Teller  en  zyn  huys  vtow  (and  his  wife)  occur  in 
the  church  books  of  Sleepy  Hollow. 

Upon  the  14th  of  July,  1800,  the  heirs  of  William  Teller,  conveyed 
part  of  the  neck  to  Elijah  Morgan  of  Cortlandt-town ;  6th  of  November, 

n  This  Is  fttiitccl  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  MancMlle  of  Pcekskill. 

6  Benson's  >lcm.  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.,  47. 

e  Co.  Rec.  Lib,  A.  p.  183. 

d  Surrogate's  office,  New  York,  30. 


86 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


1804,  Elijah  Morgan,  Jr.,  and  Ann  his  wife,  re-sold  the  same  to  Robert 
Underhill;  on  the  16th  of  August,  1804,  Robert  McCord  and  wife  con- 
veyed another  portion  of  the  neck  to  Robert  Underhill ;  upon  the  death 
of  the  latter  individual,  the  whole  became  vested  in  his  two  sons,  the 
present  proprietors  of  Crotoii  Point. 

In  1683,  the  Hon.  Stcphanus  Van  Cortlandt,  purchased  of  the  native 
Indian  proprietors  the  territory  of  Meahagh,  (Verplanck's  Point,)  and 
the  lands  east  thereof  called  Appamaghpogh,  as  follows : 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  MEAHAGH. 

To  all  Christian  people  to  -whom  this  present  writing  shall  come,  Pewemine, 
Oskewans,  Turham,  Querawighint,  Siccham,  Isighers  and  Prackises,  all  Indians, 
true  and  rightful  owners  and  proprietors  of  the  land  hereinafter  mentioned  as  for 
themselves  and  the  rest  of  their  relations  send,  greeting,  know  te  that  for  and 
in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds  in  wampum  and  several  other  mer- 
chandises, as  by  a  schedule  hereunto  annexed  more  at  large,  doth  and  may  appear 
to  them  the  same  Indians  in  hand  paid  before  the  ensealing  and  delivering  thereof, 
receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  for  other  divers  causes  and  consid- 
erations, they,  the  said  Indians  have  granted,  bargained  and  sold,  aliened,  en- 
feoffed and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  do  fully,  clearly  aud  absolutely 
grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  eufeof,  and  confirm  unto  Stephamis  Van  Cortlandt  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  his  heirs  or  assignees  forever,  all  that  certain 
tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying  or  being  on  the  east  side*  of  the  Huoson 
River,  at  the  entering  of  the  Highlands,  just  over  against  Haverstraw,  lying  on 
the  south  side  of  the  creek  called  Tammoesis,  and  from  thence  easterly  in  the 
woods  to  the  head  of  the  creek  called  Kewightahagh,  and  so  along  said  creek 
northerly  to  the  Hudson  River,  and  thence  westerly  to  the  utmost  point  of  the 
said  tract  of  land,  and  from  thence  southerly  along  said  Hudson  River  to  the 
aforenamed  creek,  Tammoesis,  which  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land  known  by 
the  Indians  by  the  name  of  Appamaghpogh  and  Meahagh,  including  all  the 
lands,  soils,  meadows  and  woods  within  the  circuit  and  bounds  aforesaid,  to- 
gether with  all,  and  singular  the  trees,  timber-woods,  under-woods,  swamps, 
runs,  marshes,  meadows,  rivulets,  streams,  creeks,  waters,  lakes,  pools,  ponds, 
fishing,  hunting,  fowling  aud  whatsoever  else  to  the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land 
within  the  bounds  and  limits  aforesaid,  is  belonging  or  in  airy  wise  appertaining 
without  any  restriction  whatsoever,  to  have  and  to  noLD  the  said  parcel  or 
tract  of  land,  and  all  and  singular  and  other  the  premises  aud  every  part  and  par- 
cel thereof  unto  the  said  Stcphanus  Van  Cortlandt.  his  heirs  and  assignees,  to  the 
sole  and  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof  of  him,  the  said  Stcphanus  his 
heirs  and  assignees  forever,  and  they,  the  said  Indians  do  for  themselves,  their 
heirs  and  every  of  them  consent,  promise  and  engage,  that  the  said  Stcphanus 
Van  Cortlandt  his  heirs  and  assignees  shall  and  may  from  henceforth  and  for- 
ever lawfully,  peaceably  and  quietly  have,  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  the  said 
tract  or  parcel  of  land,  and  all  and  singular  the  other  the  premises  with  their 
appurtenances  without  either  let,  hindrance,  disturbance  or  interruption  of  or 
by  them,  the  said  Indian  proprietors,  or  their  heirs  or  any  other  person  or  per- 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


87 


sons  claiming,  or  that  shall  hereafter,  shall  or  may  claim,  by  from  under  them 
or  either  of  them,  and  that  they  shall  and  will  upon  the  reasonable  request  a^nd 
demand  made  by  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  give  and  deliver  peaceable 
and  quiet  possession  of  the  said  tract  and  piircel  of  land  and  premises,  or  of 
some  part  thereof  and  in  the  room  of  the  whole  under  such  person  or  persons, 
as  by  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Courtlandt  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same, 
in  witness  whereof  the  said  Indians  Pewemind,  Oskewans,  Turham,  Querawig- 
hint,  Siecham,  Isighers,  and  Prackises,  the  Indian  owners  and  proprietors  afore- 
said, have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals  in  New  York,  this  twenty  fourth 
day  of  August,  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  his  majesties  reign,  Anno  Domini. 
1683. 


Signed  and  delivered  in  presence 
of  us,  Francis  Iiambolett,  Gulian 
Vcrplanck. 

This  is  the  mark  of  O 
Pewemind, 


This  in  the  marke  of 
Oskewans, 


The  mark  of  W 

Siecham, 
This  is  the  mark  of  H 

Isighers, 
The  mark  of  *i 

Prackises, 
The  mark  of  O 

Turham, 
The  mark  of  S 

Quercwighnit. 


A  schedule  or  list  of  goods  paid  by  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  in  his  deed  ex- 
pressed. 


8  guns, 

9  blankets, 
5  coats, 

14  fathom  of  Duffels, 
14  kettles, 

40  fathoms  of  black  Wampum, 
80  fathoms  of  white  Wampum, 
2  ankers  of  rum, 

5  half  vats  of  strong  beer, 

6  earthen  jugs, 


12  shirts, 

50  pounds  of  powder, 
30  bars  of  lead, 
18  hatchets, 
18  hoes, 
14  knives, 
a  small  coat, 

6  fathom  of  stroud  water  cloth, 
6  pair  of  stockings, 
6  tobacco  boxes. 


This  purchase  was  afterwards  confirmed  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt) 
to  be  holden  of  his  majesty  and  his  successors  in  common  soccage  ac- 
cording to  the  tenure  of  East  Greenwich  in  England,  the  patentee 
paying  yearly  therefore  (as  a  quit  rent,)  two  bushels  of  good  winter 
wheat. 

The  following  year  Thomas  Dekay,  Richard  Abramsen,  Jacob  Ab- 
ramsen,  Sybout  Harche,  Jacob  Harche  and  Samuel  Dekay,  "obtained 
liberty  and  license  to  purchase  of  the  Indians,  (each  of  them.)  three 
hundred  acres  of  land,  lying  and  being  in  the  high  lands  by  the  north  of 


88 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Stephen  Van  Cortlandt's  land,  which  is  called  by  the  Indians,  Wenebees, 
lying  between  two  creeks,  over  against  the  Thunder  hill,  (I)underburgh,) 
on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  &c.    Signed  Thomas  Dongan."0 

The  same  year  Thomas  Dekay,  Richard  Abramsen,  Jacob  Abramsen, 
Sybout  Harche,  Jacob  Harche,  and  Samuel  Dekay,  purchased  of  the 
Indians,  Sirham,  Sachem  of  Sachus,  Pannskapham,  Charrish,  Askewaen, 
Pewinenien  and  Sickham,  eighteen  hundred  acres  of  land,  "situate  on 
the  highlands  north  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt's  land,  which  is  called 
by  the  Indians  Wenebees,  &c." 

The  above  grantees  on  the  21st  of  April,  1685,  made  a  second  pur- 
chase of  land  from  the  same  native  proprietors  consisting  of: 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  SACHUS. 

"All  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  on  Hudson's  River 
at  a  certain  place  called  by  the  Indians  Sachus,  and  stretching  by  the  north 
side  of  Mr.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt's  land  to  the  said  river  to  another  creek, 
and  so  runs  up  said  creek  in  several  courses  to  a  certain  tree  marked  with  R, 
and  from  the  3aid  marked  tree  southerly  by  marked  trees  all  along  to  a  marsh 
to  another  marked  tree,  marked  R,  west,  up  to  the  aforesaid  creek  which  lies 
by  said  Mr.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt's  land,  &c,  &c." 

Here  followeth  the  schedule  or  particular  of  wampum  and  goods  paid  for  the 
said  land. 

100  fathoms  of  white  wampum,  15  bottles, 

60  guilders  of  silver,  15  pair  of  stockings, 

8  fowling  pieces,  12  coopers  knives, 

8  blankets,  6  bullet  moulds, 

10  match  coats,  15  axes, 

8  brass  kettles,  15  hoes, 

6  stroud  water  coats,  40  knives, 

50  yards  of  stroud  water,  2  rolls  of  tobacco, 

15  shirts,  3  lead  ladles, 

40  bars  of  lead,  100  Indian  awls,6 

15  earthon  jugs  cont.  50  lbs  powder,       20  tobacco  boxes, 
1000  fish  hooks.  200  needles, 

3  pistols,  2  swords, 

100  tobacco  pipes,  8  coats, 

1  anker  of  rum,  4  half  vats  of  beer. 

Signed  sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  Brant  Schuyler,  Levinius  V. 
Schayck,  George  Brewerton. 

The  mark  of  k*  Weskhewen  Sachem, 

The  mark  of  X  Tupaine, 

The  mark  of  63  Amterone, 

The  mark  of  Shaphame." 

a  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  A.  fol.  189,  date  of  license,  6th  of  March,  1CS4.    The  principal  part  of  the 
above  purchase  Is  now  covered  by  the  farm  of  John  McCoy. 
6  I'sed  iti  nurforatiiiK  wampum. 
c  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.  vol.  v.  87. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLAXDT. 


89 


A  third  sale  from  Sirham,  Indian  sachem  of  Sachus,  and  other  Indians, 
occurs  on  the  25th  of  June,  1685,  to  Jacobus  Dekay,  &c. 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  WISHQUA. 
"Of  all  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate  and  being  on  the  east  side  of  Hud- 
son's River,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Wishqua,  beginning 
at  the  great  creek,  called  by  the  Indians  John  Peake's  creek,  it  being  in  the 
mouth  of  the  vest  side  of  the  said  creek  and  so  running  up  along  the  said  river 
to  another  small  creek  and  fall,  including  all  fresh  and  salt  meadows  within  the 
said  bounds,  together  with  all.  &c,  &c,  for  the  value  of  four  hundred  guilders, 
seawant."11 

The  Indian  territory  of  Sachus  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  Royal 
Patent  on  the  23d  day  of  December,  1685,  Teunis  Dekay  and  his  as- 
sociates in  the  following  manner  : 

THE  ROYAL  PATENT  OF  SACHUS. 
Thomas  Dongan,  Lieut.  Governor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  New  York,  and  its 
dependencies,  under  his  majesty  James  the  Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  France  and  Ireland,  King,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c,  Supreme 
Lord  and  proprietor  of  the  colony  and  province  of  New  York,  and  its  depend- 
encies in  America,  &c.  To  all  whom  this  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting;  where- 
as, Teunis  Dekay,  Richard  Abramsen,  Jacob  Abramsen,  Sybout  Harchie,  Jacob 
Harcbie  and  Samuel  Dekay,  all  of  the  city  of  New  York,  have  by  virtue  of  my 
order  lyceuse,  bearing  date  the  Gth  day  of  March,  Anno  Domini,  1084-5,  accord- 
ing to  the  law  and  practice  of  the  said  Province,  for  a  valuable  consideration 
purchased  of  the  natives  and  Indian  owners,  their  right,  title,  interest,  clayuie 
and  demand  of,  in  and  to  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  herein  after 
mentioned  and  expressed,  for  their  own  proper  uses  and  behoofs  as  by  the 
Indian  deed  of  sale,  bearing  date  the  21st  day  of  April,  A.  D.,  1G85,  remaining 
upon  record  in  the  secretary's  office  of  the  said  province  may  more  fully  and  at 
large  appear ;  and  whereas  Samuel  Dekay,  one  of  the  purchasers  is  since 
deceased,  and  Jacobus  Dekay  his  father  hath  since  his  decease  desired 
that  his  said  purchase  and  share  may  be  confirmed  unto  his  grand  sonne,  Jacob 
Dekay,  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever.  Now  kuow  ye  that  by  virtue  of 
my  commission  and  authority  devised  unto  me,  and  power  in  me  residing,  in 
consideration  of  the  quit  rent,  hereinafter  received,  I  have  given,  granted,  ratified 
and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  do  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  the 
said  Teunis  Dekay  Richard  Abramsen,  Jacob  Abramsen,  Sybout  Harchie,  Jacob 
Harchie,  and  Jacobus  Dekay,  jun.,  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate, 
lying,  and  being  on  Hudson's  river,  at  a  certain  place  called  by  the  Indians 
Sachus,  and  stretching  by  the  north  side  of  Stephauus  Van  Cortlandt,  his  lar.d 
up  to  the  said  river,  to  another  creek,  and  so  runs  up  said  creek  in  several 
courses,  to  a  certain  tree  marked  with  T  R,  and  from  the  said  marked  trees 
southerly  by  marked  trees  all  along  to  a  marsh,  to  another  tree  marked  with  T 


o  Alb.  Book  of  Pat.  Vol.  v. 


9° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


R,  west  of  the  aforesaid  creek  which  lyes  by  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt's 
land,  including  all  the  meadows  both  fresh  and  salt  within  said  bounds  contain- 
ing in  all  1800  acres,  or  thereabouts,  together  with  all,  and  all  manner  of  rivers, 
rivukts,  runs,  streams,  waters,  feedings,  pastures,  woods,  underwoods,  trees, 
swamps,  moors,  marshes,  meadows,  easments,  profits  and  commodities,  fishing, 
fowling,  hunting  and  hawking,  and  all  other  appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  the 
said  tract  or  parcel  of  land  within  the  bounds  and  limits,  aforesaid  belonging,  or 
in  any  wise  appertaining  to  have  and  to  hold,  the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land, 
and  all  and  singular  other  the  premises  unto  the  said  Tennis  Dckay.  Ac.,  their 
heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  to  their  sole  and  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof, 
of  them  the  said  Tenuis  Dekay,  &c,  and  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  to  be 
holden  in  free  and  common  soccage  according  to  the  tenure  of  East  Greenwich 
in  the  County  of  Kent  in  his  majesties  kingdom  of  England,  yielding,  rendering, 
and  paying  therefor,  every  year,  for  the  use  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King's 
majesty,  his  heirs  or  successors  in  such  affair  or  affairs,  as  by  hint  or  them 
shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same,  ten  bushels  of  good  winter  merchantable 
wheat,  yearly,  on  the  five  and  twentieth  day  of  March,  at  the  city  of  Xew  York. 
And  for  the  better  preserving  the  title  of  the  above  recited  parcel  of  land  and 
premises  I  have  caused  these  presents  to  be  entered  in  the  secretary's  office,  of 
this  province.  Given  under  my  hand  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  province 
at  Fort  James  in  New  York,  the  23d  day  of  December,  A.  D.,  1G85.« 

Thomas  Dosgas. 

The  above  patent,  commonly  called  "  Ryck's  Patent,"  passed  by  pur- 
chase to  Hercules  Lent,  as  appears  by  certain  releases,  the  first  bearing 
date  20th  of  April,  17 15,  wherein  Jacob  Abramsen,  of  ye  upper  Yon<  kers 
one  of  the  original  patentees,  for  the  consideration  of  ^150,  confirms 
Hercules  Lent,  yeoman,  in  all  his  right,  title  and  interest  in  ye  patent 
called  Ryck  Abramsen's  Patent.'' 

The  Rikers  or  Rycke's  Lents  and  Krankheyts  "  were  of  common 
origin  in  Germany  and  located  at  a  very  remote  period  in  Lower  Saxony 
where  they  enjoyed  a  state  of  allodial  independence,  at  that  day  regarded 
as  constituting  nobility.  They  there  possessed  the  estate,  or  manor  of 
Rycken,  from  which  they  took  their  name,  then  written  Von  Rycken, 
indicating  its  territorial  derivation."  "  Hans  Von  Rycken.  the  lord  of 
the  manor,  and  a  valiant  knight  with  his  cousin,  Melchior  Von  Rycken, 
who  lived  in  Holland,  took  part  in  the  first  crusade  to  the  Holy  Land, 
in  1096,  heading  800  crusaders  in  the  army  of  Walter  the  Penniless. 
Melchior  lived  to  return,  but  Hans  perished  in  that  ill-fated  expedition." 
"  In  time  the  descendants  of  Melchior  Van  Rycken  extended  themselves 
from  Holland  to  the  region  of  the  Rhine  and  into  Switzerland."  "  In 
the  Spanish  war  Capt.  Jacob  Simons  de  Rycke,  a  wealthy  corn  merchant 
of  Amsterdam,  and  a  warm  part'zan  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  dis- 

a  Alb.  nook  of  Pat.  Lib. &.  fol.  114  to  117,  Co.  Rec»Lib.  L  p.  145. 
6  Co.  Rcc,  Lib.,  E.,  15T. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


91 


tinguished  himself  by  his  military  services."  His  son  Jacob  de  Rycke 
was  probably  the  father  of  Abraham  de  Rycke  who  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1638,  as  he  received  in  that  year  an  allotment  of  land  from 
Gov.  Kicft,  for  which  he  afterward  took  out  a  patent,  dated  Aug.  8, 
1640.  He  died  in  1689,  leaving  his  farm  by  will  to  his  son  Abraham. 
By  his  wife  Girtie,  daughter  of  Hendrick  Hermensen,  he  had  nine  chil- 
dren— Ryck  Abramsen  of  Cortland  manor  who  adopted  the  name  of 
Lent;  2,  Jacob,  born  1640,  died  young;  3,  Jacob  born  1643,  united 
with  his  brother  Ryck  in  purchashing  Ryck's  patent.  This  grant  was 
indeed  in  the  manual  limits;  4,  Hendrick,  born  1646,  died  young;  5, 
Mary,  born  1649,  married  Sibout  H.  Krankheyt  of  Cortlandt  manor; 
6,  John,  born  165 1,  his  descendants  are  to  be  found  in  New  Jersey ;  7 
Alctta,  born  1653,  married  Capt.  John  Harmense  of  the  manor  of 
Cortlandt;  8,  Abraham,  born  1655  ;  9,  Hendrick,  born  1662." 

"  Ryck  Abramsen  Lent,  eldest  son  of  Abraham  Rycken,  married 
Catrina,  daughter  of  Harek  Siboutsen,  and  in  1685  with  others  pur- 
chased of  the  Indians  an  extensive  tract  of  land,  north  of  Cortlandt, 
called  "Sachus."  He  settled  upon  this  tract,  which  thence  took  the 
name  of  Ryck's  Patent.  He  served  as  au  elder  in  the  Sleepy  Hollow 
church;  was  much  respected  and  died  at  a  good  old  age.  His  will 
was  made  March  30,  1720,  and  was  proved  March  28,  1723.  His 
children  were  Elizabeth,  marr.  Thomas  Heyert,  Abraham,  Ryck,  Harek, 
Mayant,  marr.  Thos.  Benson  and  Catharine,  marr.  to  Joseph  Jones. "a 

On  the  29th  of  December,  1729,  Sybout  Harchie  Krankhyte,  Her- 
cules Johnse  Krankhyte,  and  Jacobus  Krankhyte,  release  to  Hercules 
Lent  "  a  certain  tract  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  river,  at  a 
certain  place  called  by  the  Indians,  Sachus,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north, 
east,  and  south,  by  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  on  the  west  by  Hudson's 
river,  aforesaid  containing  1800  acres,  reference  being  had  to  a  certain 
patent  granted  by  Thos.  Dongan,  &c,  &c."b  The  following  receipts  are 
for  quit  rents,  due  on  the  Ryck  Patent : 

Received  of  Mr.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  three  hundred  and  eighty 
bushels  of  wheat  for  thirty-eight  years  quit  rent,  due  to  his  majesty  from 
the  within  patent,  and  in  full  for  the  said  time.  Witness  my  hand  this 
28th  day  of  December,  r726. 

Archibald  Kennedy,  Rec.  Gen. 

Received  of  Hercules  Lent,  twenty  bushels  of  wheat  for  two  years 
quarter  upon  the  within  tracts  in  full  to  the  25th  of  March  last.  Witness 
my  hand  this  second  of  May,  1729. 

Archibald  Kennedy,  Rec.  Gen. 

a  Anna's  i,f  Newtown  bv  .lames  Riker,  Junr. 

b  The  original  document  is  in  the  possession  of  Mi.  Natal.  Btdle,  of  Peekskiil. 


92 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


In  A.D.  1766,  Hercules  Lent,  of  Ryck's  Patent,  bequeathed  his 
lands  by  will  to  his  children  in  the  following  order: 

"Item.  I  give  and  devise  to  my  son  Jacob,  all  that  farm  he  now 
lives  on,  containing  350  acres,  lying  and  being,  &c,  on  the  south-east 
part  of  a  tract  of  land  formerly  granted  to  my  father,  Ryck  Abramsen 
Lent  and  others,  which  is  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Ryck's 
Patent,  and  by  the  Indian  name  of  Sackhoes,  to  have  and  to  hold,  &c. 
To  my  son  Hendrick,  all  that  farm  I  now  live  on,  containing  350  acres, 
in  the  south-west  part  of  Ryck's  Patent. 

To  my  son  Abraham,  all  that  land  he  lives  on.  containing  350  acres, 
adjoining  to  Hudson's  river,  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  aforesaid  de- 
vised to  my  son  Hendrick. 

To  my  grandchildren,  Abram  Lamb,  Jane  Lamb,  Ira  Lamb,  Rachel 
Lamb,  and  Rachel,  wife  of  James  Lamb,  (the  father  and  mother  of  the 
said  children,)  all  that  part  of  my  lands  and  meadows  situate,  lying  and 
being  in  Orange  county,  by  Hudson's  river,  known  by  the  name  of 
Stony  Point.  To  my  daughter  Catharine,  wife  of  Hendrick  de  Ronde, 
lands  by  Stony  Point.""1 

The  descendants  of  the  testator  are  still  numerous  in  Cortlandt-town. 
Hercules  Lent,  a  great  grandson  of  the  patentee,  holds  a  portion  of  the 
patrimonial  estate  and  occupies  the  family  homestead.  On  the  west 
bank  of  the  Annsville  creek  was  situated  the  property  of  John  Krankhyte, 
consisting  of  300  acres. 

The  lands  of  Kitchawan,  in  this  town,  were  conveyed  by  the  native 
Indians  in  1 6S6,  to  Thomas  Dongan,  Captain  General,  and  Governor- 
in-chief,  and  Vice  Admiral  in,  and  over,  the  Province  of  New  York  and 
territories  depending  thereon,  in  America,  under  his  majesty  James  II, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and  Ireland,  King, 
defender  of  the  faith,  &c. 

To  all  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting:  Whereas,  Eniigent, 
Askewans,  Pcnarand,  and  Tagehkint,  natives  and  principal  owners  of  the  tract 
of  land  commonly  called  or  known  by  the  Indian  name  of  Ketchtawong,  did  in 
and  by  their  certain  deed  or  writing,  under  their  hands  and  seals,  Dealing  date 
the  clay  of  August  now  last  past,  for  the  consideration  therein  mentioned,  grant, 
bargain,  sell,  alien,  enfoeffe  and  confirms  unto  me  the  said  Thomas  Dor.gan, 
my  heirs  ami  assigns,  all  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  on 
the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River, within  the  county  of  West  Chester,  beginning 
at  Kechtawoug  Creek,  and  so  running  along  Hudson's  river  northerly  to  the 
laud  of  Stephanos  Van  Cortlandt,  from  thence  to  the  eastwardmost  end  of  the 
said  Van  Cortlandt's  laud  and  from  thence  to  a  great  fresh  water  pond  called 
Keakates.  and  from  the  said  pond  along  the  creek  that  runs  out  of  the  said  pond 
into  Kitchtawan  creek,  and  so  downward  on  the  south  side  of  the  said  creek  to 
Hudson's  river,  including  all  the  land,  soil  and  meadow  within  the  bounds  and 


a  SuiTOKiiU-'s  Office,  N.  Y.,  NO.  25.  337. 


* 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


93 


limits  aforesaid,  together  with,  &c.  And  whereas  I,  the  said  Thomas  Dongau, 
in  and  hy  a  certain  deed  under  my  hand  and  seal,  bearing  date  12th  day  of  Oc- 
tober, did  grant  and  sell  over  unto  John  Knights,  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
all  my  right  and  title  in  the  same,  &c. 

I  do,  by  these  presents,  ratif y  and  confirm  the  same  to  John  Knights,  this  20th 
day  of  March,  f  G86. 

Upon  the  20th  of  April,  1687,  we  find  a  conveyance  from  John 
Knight,  gent.,  to  his  Excellency,  Governor  Dongan,  of  the  same  terri- 
tory, called  Kitchta\vong.a 

It  will  be  seen  hereafter  that  the  royal  patent  of  the  manor  of  Cort- 
landt  recites  "  sundry  grants,"  made  by  Governor  Dongan  to  the  pa- 
tentee. One  of  which  was  doubtless  the  above  conveyance.  Col. 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  subsequently  received  a  confirmation  for  the 
same,  from  the  Indians,  bearing  date  August  the  8th,  1699. 


"  We,  Sachima.Wicker,  sachem  of  Kightawonck,  Koraghfall,  Awoghran.  Mon- 
inghme,  a  squaw,  Marackencgh.asquaw,  Poking,  aboy,Wighquekamceck,Queen, 
a  boy,  Massarcctt,  llowogarint,  Johnny  Taparinock,  Oghgniaw c,  Orraragpuock, 
Pagkcrngkinck,  Kavisson,  Mighegaroe  Tapugh,  a  squaw  Tappawahigh,  a  squaw, 
AratissanckMaentigrookass,  his  Kapoaghpurmin  Sawappawall,  all  right,  just, nat- 
ural owners  and  proprietors  of  all  the  land  hereinafter  mentioned,  lying  and  be- 
ing witliin  the  bounds  and  limits  of  the  marrinersof  Cortlandt, &c  ,&C,  have  sold, 
for  a  certaiu  sum  of  money,  all  that  tract  and  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying  and 
being  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  in  West  Chester  county,  beginning  on  the  south 
side  of  Kightr.wonck  Creek,  and  so  along  the  said  creek  to  a  place  called  Kewig- 
hecork,  and  from  thence  along  a  creek  called  Peppeneghek,  to  the  head  thereof, 
and  then  due  east  to  the  limits  of  Connecticut,  being  the  easternmost  bounds  of 
said  manner,  and  from  thence  northerly  along  the  limits  of  Connecticut  afore- 
said to  the  river  Mattegtecos  ten  miles,  and  from  thence  due  west  to  Hudson's 
river,  together  with  all  the  lands,  soils,  &c,  &c. 


Signed,  scaled  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  John  Nanfan,  A  Depeyeter, 
James  Graham,  A.  Livingston. "& 


INDIAN  DEED  OF  KEWIGIIELOCK. 


B&ckiroa  wee,  1 
sachem  of  Kichtawank,  N 
his  mark, 
Corachpa,  !» 
Wechrepua,  <J 
Monrechro,  j& 
a  squaw, 

Manackawagh,  a  squaw,  m 
Pooghkiuk,  a  lad  15  years  of  age,  g 
signer  of  the  rights  of  his  father, 


Her  mark  I  Tapahuck,  a  squaw. 
The  mark  of  O  Sawappen,  a  squaw, 


\{  Arahsant, 
X  Maantick, 
A  Kakiskagin,  a  squaw, 
O  Ackparum,  a  squaw, 
V  Ockququqrie, 
D  Oranack  Pank, 
QQ  Paghkinekink 
M  Rawefen, 
O  Michhacharo, 
O  Papruch.  a  squaw, 
i-a  Wighquach  kanno, 
N  Quez.  a  youth  13  years  old, 
—  Masacott, 
■"C  Koocparen, 
O  Jonyeo, 
P  Taparnmck. 


a  Co.  Ecc  Lib.  A.,  121. 

b  Book  ot  Indian  deeds,  Alb.  warrant  for  survey,  Lib.  L,  SS. 


94 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  Hon.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  being  now  vested  in  the  fee 
simple,  the  whole  territory  was  by  royal  charter  erected  into  the  lord- 
ship and  manor  of  Cortlandt,  which,  according  to  actual  survey,  con- 
tained eighty-three  thousand  acres.  It  is  said  that  the  governor's  fees 
on  this  occasion  amounted  to  three  hundred  pieces  of  eight. 

Over  the  extensive  forests  of  Cortlandt  (celebrated  for  their  fat  veni- 
son,) the  lord  of  the  manor  was  constituted,  "the  sole  and  only  ranger, 
to  have  and  enjoy  all  the  benefits  and  perquisites,  &c,  that  of  right 
doth  belong  unto  a  ranger  according  to  the  statutes  and  customs  of  the 
realm  of  England."  In  fact  there  was  a  paramount  right  in  the  superior 
lord  for  the  range  of  deer  within  the  manor,  as  parsel  of  the  forest;  a 
right  which  might  consist  with  free  Chace  and  Warren  on  the  mesne 
lord. 

The  Lords  of  Cortlandt  had  power  to  hold  one  Court  Leet,  and  one 
Court  Baron  in  their  territory  for  the  collection  of  fines,  &c,  to  which 
the  several  wards  in  the  manor  owed  suit  and  service. 

The  lords  of  Cortlandt  also  enjoyed  the  extraordinary  privilege  of 
sending  a  representative  to  the  provincial  assembly. 

The  whole  manor  was  by  the  feudal  tenure  of  paying  therefor  yearly  to 
the  Crown,  upon  the  feast  day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary,  the  rent  of  forty  shillings. 

THE  ROYAL  CHARTER. 
Gulielmus  Tertius  Dei  Gratia,  Angliae,  Scotiae,  France  et  Hibreniae,  Rex.  fidei 
defensor,  &c,  &c. 

' '  To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting :  Whereas,  our 
loving  subject,  Colonel  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  one  of  the  members  of  our 
Council  of  our  Province  of  New  York,  &c,  hath  by  his  petition  presented  unto 
our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Colonel  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Captain-General  and 
Governor-in-chicf  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York  and  territories  depending 
thereon,  in  America,  &c,  prayed  our  grant  and  confirmation  of  a  certain  parcel 
and  tract  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  upon  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  river, 
beginning  on  the  north  line  of  the  manor  of  Phillipsburg,  now  in  the  tenure  and 
occupation  of  Frederick  Phillips,  Esq.,  one  of  the  members  of  our  said  Council, 
and  to  the  south  side  of  a  certain  creek  called  Kightawanck  Creek,  and  from 
thence  by  a  due  east  line,  running  into  the  woods  twenty  English  miles,  and 
from  the  said  north  line  of  the  manor  of  Phillipsburgh  upon  the  south  side  of 
the  said  Kightawanck  Creek,  running  along  the  said  Hudson  river  northerly  as 
the  said  river  runs  into  the  north  side  of  a  high  hill,  which  high  lands,  common- 
ly called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Anthony's  nose,  to  a  red  cedar  tree,  which 
makes  the  southernmost  bounds  of  the  land  now  in  the  tenure  and  occupation  of 
Mr.  Adolph  Phillips,  including  in  the  said  northerly  line,  all  the  meadows, 
marshes,  coves,  bays  and  necks  of  land  and  peninsulars  that  are  adjoining  or  ex- 
tending into  Hudson's  river  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  hue,  and  from  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


95 


said  red  cedar  tree  another  due  easterly  line  running  into  the  woods  twenty 
English  miles,  and  from  thence  along  the  partition  line  between  our  Colony  of 
Connecticut  and  this  our  Province,  until  you  come  into  the  place  where  the  first 
easterly  line  of  twenty  miles  doth  come — the  whole  being  bounded  on  the  east 
by  the  said  partition  line  between  our  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  this  our 
Province,  and  on  the  south  by  the  northerly  line  of  the  manor  of  Phillipsburgh 
to  the  southward  of  Kightawanck  Creek  aforesaid,  and.  on  the  west  by  the  said 
Hudson's  river,  and  on  the  north  from  the  aforesaid  red  cedar  tree  by  the  south 
line  of  the  land  of  Adolph  Phillips,  and  also  of  a  certain  parcel  of  meadow 
lying  and  being  situate  upon  the  west  side  of  the  said  Hudson's  river,  within 
the  said  high  lands  over  against  the  aforesaid  hill  called  Anthony's  nose,  begin- 
ning on  the  south  side  of  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians  Siukapogh,  and  so  along 
the  said  creek  to  the  head  thereof,  and  then  northerly  along  the  high  hills,  as 
the  river  runneth,  to  another  creek  called  Apinnapink,  and  from  thence  along 
the  said  creek  to  the  said  Hudson's  river,  which  certain  tract  of  land  and  meadow 
our  said  loving  subject  is  now  actually  seized  and  possessed  thereof,  and  doth 
hold  the  same  of  us  by  virtue  of  sundry  grants  heretofore  made  unto  him  by  Col. 
Thomas  Dongan,  late  Governor  of  our  said  Pr  wince,  and  whereon  our  said 
loving  subject  hath. made  considerable  improvement,  having  been  at  great  cost, 
charge  and  expense  in  the  purchasing  the  said  tract  of  land  and  meadows 
from  the  native  Indians,  as  well  as  in  the  settling  a  considerable  number  of 
families  thereon,  and  being  willing  to  make  some  further  improvement  thereon, 
doth  by  his  said  petition  f  urther  request  and  pray  that  we  would  be  graciously 
pleased  to  erect  the  aforesaid  tract  of  land  and  meadows  within  the  limits  and 
bounds  aforesaid  into  a  lordship  or  manor  of  Cortlandt,  which  reasonable  re- 
quest for  the  future  encouragement  of  our  said  loving  subject,  we  being  willing 
to  grant :  Know  ye,  that  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mere 
motion,  we  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents 
do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  our  said 
loving  subject,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  all  the  aforesaid  certain  parcel  and 
tracts  of  land  and  meadow  within  their  several  and  respective  limits  and  bounds 
aforesaid,  together  with  all  and  every  of  the  messuages,  tenements,  buildings, 
barns,  houses,  out-houses,  stables,  edifices,  orchards,  gardens,  inclosures,  fences, 
pastures,  fields,  feedings,  woods,  underwoods,  trees,  timber,  swamps,  meadows, 
marshes,  pools,  ponds,  lakes,  fountains,  waters,  water  courses,  rivers,  rivulets, 
runs,  streams,  brooks,  creeks,  harbors,  coves,  inlets,  outlets,  islands  of  meadow, 
necks  of  land  and  meadow,  peninsulas  of  land  and  meadow,  ferries,  fishing, 
fowling,  hunting  and  hawking,  and  the  fishing  in  Hudson's  river,  so  far  as  the 
bounds  of  the  said  land  extends  upon  the  same,  quarries,  minerals,  (diver  and 
gold  mines  only  excepted,)  and  all  other  the  rights,  members,  liberties,  privil- 
eges, jurisdictions,  pre-eminences,  emoluments,  to  the  afore  recited  certain 
parcels  or  tracts  of  laud  and  meadows  within  their  several  and  respective  limits 
and  bounds  aforesaid,  belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining  or  accepted,  re- 
puted, taken,  known,  or  occupied  as  part,  parcel  or  member  thereof,  to  have  and 
to  hold  all  the  afore  recited  certain  parcels  and  tracts  of  land  and  meadows 
within  their  several  and  respective  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid,  together  with  all 
and  every  of  the  messuages,  tenements,  buildings,  barns,  houses,  out-houses,  sta- 
bles, edifices,  orchards,  gardens,  enclosures,  fences,  pastures,  fields,  feedings, 


96 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


woods,  underwoods,  trees,  timber,  swamps,  meadows,  marshes,  pools,  ponds, 
lakes,  fountains,  water,  water-courses,  rivers,  rivulets,  runs,  streams,  brooks, 
creeks,  harbors,  coves,  inlets,  outlets,  islands  of  land  and  meadow,  necks  of  land 
and  meadow,  peninsulas  of  laud  and  meadow,  ferries,  fishing,  fowling,  hunting 
and  hawking,  and  the  fishing  on  Hudson's  river  as  far  as  the  bounds  ot  the  said 
land  extends  upon  the  said  river,  quarries,  mines,  minerals,  (silver  and  gold  ex- 
cepted,) and  alt  other  the  rights,  members,  liberties,  privileges,  jurisdictions, 
pre-eminences,  emoluments,  royalties,  profits,  benefits,  advantages,  heredita- 
ments and  appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  afore  recited  certain  parcels  or  tracts 
of  land  and  meadow  within  their  several  and  respective  limits  and  bounds  afore- 
said, belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining  or  accepted,  reputed,  taken,  known 
or  occupied  as  part,  parcel  or  member  thereof  unto  the  said  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use,  benefit  and 
behoof  of  him  the  said  Stephanas  Van  Cortlandt,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever; 
and,  moreover,  know  ye,  that  of  our  further  special  grace,  certain  knowledge, 
and  mere  motion,  we  have  thought  fit,  according  to  the  request  of  our  said  lov- 
ing subject,  to  erect  all  the  afore  recited  certain  parcels  or  tracts  of  land  and 
meadows  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid  into  a  lordship  and  manor,  and 
therefore  by  these  presents  we  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  erect,  make 
and  constitute  all  the  afore  recited  certain  parcel  and  tracts  of  land  and  meadows 
with  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid,  together  with  all  and  every  the  above 
granted  premises,  with  all  and  every  of  their  appurtenances,  into  one  lordship 
and  manor  to  all  intents  and  purposes;  and  it  is  our  royal  will  and  pleasure 
that  the  said  lordship  and  manor  shall,  from  henceforth,  be  called  the  lordship 
and  manor  of  Cortlandt ;  and  further,  know  ye,  that  we,  reposing  especial  trust 
and  confidence  in  the  loyalty,  wisdom,  justice,  prudence  and  circumspection  of 
our  said  loving  subject,  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant 
unto  our  said  loving  subject,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  to  the  bars  and 
assignees  of  him  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  full  power  and  authority  at 
all  times  forever  hereafter  in  the  said  lordship  and  manor,  one  court  leet  and 
one  court  baron,  to  hold  and  keep  at  such  time  and  times,  and  so  often 
yearly  as  he  or  they  shall  see  meet ;  and  all  fines,  issues  and  amercements 
at  the  said  court  leet  and  court  baron,  to  be  holden  in  the  said  lordship 
and  manor,  to  be  settled,  forfeited,  or  employed,  or  payable,  or  happen- 
ing at  any  time  to  be  payable  at  any  time  by  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  or 
within  the  said  lordship  and  manor  of  Cortlandt,  or  the  limits  and  bounds 
thereof,  and  also  all  and  every  of  the  powers  and  authorities  herein  before 
mentioned,  for  the  holding  and  keeping  the  said  court  leet  aud  court  baron 
from  time  to  time,  and  to  award  and  issue  out  the  customary  writs,  to  be  is- 
sued and  awarded  out  of  the  said  court  leet  and  court  baron,  to  be  kept  by  the 
heirs  and  assigns  of  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  forever,  or  their 
or  any  of  their  stewards,  deputed  and  appointed  with  a  full  and  ample  power 
and  authority  to  distrain  for  the  rents,  services  and  other  sums  of  money,  pay- 
able by  virtue  of  the  premises  and  all  other  lawful  remedies  and  means  for  the 
having,  possessing,  receiving,  levying  and  enjoying  the  premises  and  every 
part  and  parcel  of  the  same,  and  all  waifs,  estrays,  wrecks,  deodands,  goods  of 
felons,  happening,  and  being  forfeited,  within  the  said  lordship  and  manor  of 
Cortlandt,  together,  with  all  aud  every  sum  aud  sums  of  inoucy,  to  be  paid  as  a 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


97 


post  fine,  upon  any  fine,  or  lines,  to  be  levied  of  any  land  tenements,  or  heredita- 
ments within  the  said  lordship  and  manor  of  Cortlandt,  together  with  theadvow- 
son,  and  right  of  patronage,  and  all,  and  every,  the  church  and  churches  erected 
or  established,  or  hereafter  to  be  erected,  or  established  in  the  said  manor  of 
Cortlandt ;  and  we  do  by  these  presents  constitute,  and  appoint,  our  said  loving 
subject  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  be  our  sole  and 
only  ranger  of  the  said  lordship  and  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  to  have,  hold,  and 
enjoy,  all  the  benefits,  perquisites,  fees,  rights,  privileges,  profits  and  appurten- 
ances, that  of  right  dotli  belong  unto  a  ranger  according  to  the  statute,  and  cus- 
toms of  our  realm  of  England,  in  as  full  and  ample  manner,  as  if  the  same  were 
particularly  expressed,  in  these  presents,  anything  to  the  contrary  hereof  in  any 
ways  notwithstanding ;  and  we  likewise  do  further  give,  and  grant,  unto  the  said 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns,  that  all  and  every  the 
tenants  of  him  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  within  the  said  lordship  and 
manor  of  Cortlandt,  shall  and  may  at  all  times  hereafter,  meet  together,  and 
choose  assessors  within  the  manor  aforesaid,  according  to  such  rules,  ways,  and 
methods,  as  are  prescribed  for  cities,  towns  and  counties  within  our  said  province 
by  the  acts  of  General  Assembly,  for  the  defraying  the  public  charge  of  each  re- 
spective city,  town,  and  county  aforesaid,  and  all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  so 
assessed  and  levied  to  collect,  and  pay,  and  dispose  of  for  such  uses  as  the  acts  of 
General  Assembly  shall  establish  and  appoint ;  and  further,  of  our  said  special 
grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  we  do,  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our 
heirs  aud  successors,  give  and  grant  unto  our  said  loving  subject,  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  to  his  heirs  aud  assignees  forever,  that  the  said  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  shall  and  may,  from  time  to  time,  from  and 
after  the  expiration  of  twenty  years  next  ensuing  the  date  of  these  presents,  re- 
turn and  send  a  discreet  inhabitant  in  and  of  the  said  manor,  to  be  a  representa- 
tive of  the  said  manor  in  every  Assembly  after  the  expiration  of  the  twenty 
years,  to  be  summoned  and  holden  within  this  our  said  Province,  which  repre- 
sentative so  returned  and  sent  shall  be  received  into  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  Assembly  as  a  member  of  the  said  house,  to  have  aud  enjoy  such  privi- 
leges as  the  other  representatives  returned  and  sent  from  the  other  counties  and 
manors  of  this  our  said  Province,  have  had  and  enjoyed  in  any  former  Assemblies 
holden  within  this  our  said  Province,  to  have  and  to  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  all 
and  singular  the  said  lordship  and  manor  of  Cortlandt  and  premises,  with  all 
their  and  every  of  their  royalties  and  appurtenances  unto  the  said  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use,  benefit  and 
behoof  of  him  the  said  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  his  heirs  and  assignees  forever, 
to  be  holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors  in  free  aud  common  soccage,  as  of 
our  manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  our  County  of  Kent,  within  our  realm  of  Eng- 
land, yielding,  rendering  and  paying  therefore  yearly  aud  every  year  forever 
unto  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  at  our  city  of  New  York,  on  the  feast  day  of 
the  Annunciation  of  our  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  the  yearly  rent  of  forty  shillings 
current  money  of  our  said  Province,  in  lieu  and  stead  of  all  other  rents  and  serv- 
ices, dues,  duties  and  demands  whatsoever  for  the  afore  recited  tracts  and  par- 
cels of  land  and  meadow,  lordship  and  manor  of  Cortlandt  and  premises.  In  tes- 
timony whereof,  we  have  caused  the  great  seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  here- 
unto affixed:  witness  our  said  trusty  and  well-beloved  Colonel  Benjamin  Fletch- 


98 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


er,  our  said  Captain  General  and  Governor-in-chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York 
and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  and  Vice-Admiral  of  the  same, 
our  Lieutenant  and  Commander  in-chief  of  the  militia  and  of  all  the  forces  by 
sea  and  land  within  our  Colony  of  Connecticut,  and  of  all  the  forts  and  places  of 
strength  within  the  same,  in  council  at  our  fort  in  New  York,  the  17th  day  of 
June,  in  the  ninth  year  of  our  reign,  Anno  Domini,  1G9T.  Benjamin  Fletcher, 
by  his  Excellency's  commaud.    David  Jamison,  Secretary-" 

The  following  receipt  for  manorial  quit-rent  is  endorsed,  on  the 
Royal  Patent: 

Received  in  quality,  as  Receiver  General  of  this  Province,  this  1 6th  day 
of  August,  1720,  of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Van  Cortlandt,  executrix  of  Stephanus 
Van  Cortlandt,  deceased,  the  sum  of  eight  pounds  proclamation  money 
in  full  of  quit-rents,  for  all  the  lands  lying  within  the  Manor  of  Cort- 
landt, to  the  25th  day  of  March  last,  pursuant  to  the  within  patent,  as 
witness  my  hand.  J.  BYERLY,  Collector. 

Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  first  lord  of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  was  the 
son  of  the  Hon.  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt,  immediately  descended 
from  one  of  the  most  noble  families  in  Holland,  their  ancestors  having 
emigrated  thither,  when  deprived  of  the  sovereignty  of  Cortlandt. b 

The  orthography  of  the  surname  is  properly  Corte-landt;  the  first 
syllable  Corte  or  Korte,  meaning  in  the  Dutch  language  short;6  the 
second,  landt,  (land)  literally  the  short  land,  a  term  expressing  the  pecu- 
liar form  of  the  ancient  Duchy  of  Courland  in  Russia. 

Courland  in  Russia,  ( says  Schieutzler, )  formerly  constituted  a  portion 
of  Livonia,  but  was  conquered  by  the  Teutonic  Knights  in  1561. 
It  subsequently  became  a  fief  of  Poland.  After  the  fall  of  the  power  it 
remained  for  a  short  time  independent  under  its  own  Dukes,  but  in 
1795  it  was  united  to  Russia. d 

In  the  early  part  of  the  seventh  century,  we  find  the  Dukes  of  Cour- 
land engaged  in  the  Military  service  of  the  United  Netherlands.  The 
Ducal  troops  are  said  to  have  rendered  great  assistance  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  towns  of  Kaverden  and  Minden. 

The  coat  armor  of  the  Van  Cortlands  as  recorded  in  the  Hall  of 
Records  at  Amsterdam  in  Holland,  and  as  given  by  Burke  and  likewise 
as  brought  by  the  family  to  this  country  in  1637,  are  the  following: — 
Arg.  the  wings  of  a  wind-mill  soltier-ways  sa,  voided  of  the  field,  five 
estoiles  or  etoiles  gu. — Crest — surmounting  the  helmet  of  a  King  or 
Prince  of  the  Blood  Royal ;  an  estoil  or  etoile  gu.  between  two  wings 

a  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.,  No.  vii.,  165, 

b  Bnrkf'N  Landed  Gentry  of  England,  vol.  iv.,  241. 

0  The  use  of  the  letter  K  in  this  word  u  modern,  the  C  ancient. 

d  Schultzler,  La  liussla,  p.  6S0. 


To  /aco  ]>ape  98,  vol.  i. 


PEDIGREE  OF  VAN  CORTLANDT,  OF  CORTLANDT. 


Family  Arms : 


-Arg.  the  wings  or  arms  of  a  wind-mill,  saltierways  sa.  voided  of  the  field,  five  estoiles  gu.    Crest :— Surmounting  a  King's  helmet,  or  Prince  of  the  Blood  Royal ;  an  estoile  gu.  between  two  wings  elevated,  that  on  the 

dexter  side  arg.  sinister  sa.    Motto  : — Virtus  sibi  munus, 


Right  Hon.  Steven  Van  Cortlandt,  (Courland,  or  Dukes  of  Courland),  who— Catharine,  nat.  1566, 
served  with  distinction  in  the  military  Rervice  of  the  United  Provinces.  I  died  at  Cortlandt, 
in  1609;  ob  at  Cortlandt,  South  Holland.  South  Holland. 

Right  Hon.  Oloff  stevensen,  or  Oloff  Stevens  Van  Kortlandt,  as  he  subsequently  —Annetje  Loockermans,  of  "Tornhout," 
signed  his  name ;  nat.  at  Cortlandt,  in  South  Holland,  1600 ;  a  privy  counsellor, 
of  the  State  Govt,  of  Holland,  Burgomaster,  or  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  great 
town  of  Wyck  te  Dauerstede,  or  Wyk  by  Durstede,  Holland,  Province  of  Ut- 
recht, Netherlands,  In  1641-2. 


sister  of  Govert  Loockermans,  mar.  1642, 
ob.  1609. 


Right  non.  de  ncer  Stcphanus^Gertrude  Schuyler,  da  of  Fil- 


Van  Cortlandt,  first  Lord  of 
the  Manorof  Cortlandt. 
Mayor  of  New  York.  Nat. 
7th  May,  and  bapt.  101  h  May, 
1643,  ob.  26th  Nov.,  1700 


yp  Pietersen  Schuyler,  nat. 
4th  February,  1654,  mar.  10th 
September,  1671,  ob.  1718. 


I 

Johannes,  nut. 
1618,  bapt.  Oct. 
25th,  1648,  ob. 
1667. 


I 

Jacobus,  nat.  7th. 
July,  bapt.  7th 
July,  165S :  an- 
cestor of  the 
Yonkers  branch 


.Eva,  da  of  Mary,  nat.  30th  —Col.  Jeremiah 
Frederic  July,  1645,    Van  Rensselaer, 

Phillpse.  bapt.  July,   Patroon  of  Retis- 

1645         selaer  Wyck 


Sophia— Andrew 
nat.  31  Teller 
May, 
1651 
bapt. 
June 
4th 


Catharine  _l.Col.  John  De 
nat.  25th  Witt,  or,  Jan 
Oct  .1052,  der  Vail,  mar. 
bapt.Jau.  Nov.  3d,  1675. 
5th,  1653  2,FrederlckPhll- 
ipse.  mar.  Dec. 
6th,  1092. 


Cornelia —Brant 
nat.  21st  Schuyler 
Nov.,  1655, 
ob.  Feb.,  isth,  1689 


Johannes,  or  John  Van  Corl-„Anna 


laudt,  nat.  24th  Oct.,  1672; 
bapt.  Oct.  25th,  second  Lord 
of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt 


Sophia 
VanSchaick 
mar.  1095 


Oloff,  or  Oliver, 
nat.  26th  Oct.. 
1678,  ob  s  p. 
1708;  bapt. 
Nov.  6,  1678 


Philip,  nat  Mb  Aug.,_ Catharine  de  Peyster,        Stephen  -Catalina 


16S3,  ob.  21st  Aug., 
1746,  bapt.  22d  Aug., 
1083,  will  proved 
174S 


Philip  Verplannk. , 
of  Verplnnck's 
Point,  West- 
chester 

Co. 


mar.  1710,  da.  of  Ab- 
raham de  Peyster, 
bapt.  Aug.  16th.  1686, 
will  dated  1706 


nat.  11th 
August, 
1685 


Striata 


I 

Gyshert,  nat. 
16S8,  ob.  s.  p. 
bapt.  7  Oct., 

1CS8 


Margaret, nat _I  Samuel  Bayard. 
2d  July,  1674,  =2.Stephen  Kem- 
bapt.  29th 


I 


I 

a  9 


o     Cornelia,  nat.  30=Col.  John 


July,  1098 


Schuyler. 


Margaret  _Hon.  Gen.  Thomas  Gage, 
the  rather  of  Henry  Lord 

Gage 


Gen.  Philip  Schuyler 


£  ?  E 

O    D  = 


m  s. 

%  ts 
b  | 


Stephen  Van  Cortlandt, -Mary  Walton  Rlcketts, 


nat.  26th  Oct.,  1710, 
ancestor  of  the  Eng- 
lish branch,  ob.  Oct. 
17th. 1750 


mar.  1738,  da.  of  Witt. 
Rlcketts,  1st  cousin  to 
Win.  n~nry,  father  of 
Viscmnt  St.  Vincent, 
in  the  county  of 
Norlhesk 


I 

Abraham,  nat. 
19th  Oct , 
1713.  ob. 
s.  p  set. 
33 


Philip,  nat. 
29th  Feb.. 
1715,  ob. 
s.  p.  ait  30 


John,  nat. 
9th  Sept., 
1718,  ob. 
s.  p.  est.  29 


Pierre,  nat.  10th  Jan., 
1721,ob.  1st  May  ,1814, 
first  Lieut.  Governor 
of  the  State  of  New 
York 


Joanna  Liv- 
ingston nat. 
28th  August, 
1722,  ob.  10th 
Sept.,  1808, 

da.  of  Gilbert 
Livingston 


Carharine,  nat. 
20th  June, 1725, 
killed  by  the 
bursting  of  a 
cannon  on  the 
King's  birth- 
day, June  4th, 
1733 


John  Van  —Miss  Bayard 
Cortlandt  I 


Philip    Samuel     John  Abeel—Anna 


John=Miss  Cuyler  Stephen. 


1-C. Rutgers 
-2.S  Beekraan 


=J.VanRens- 
I  salaer 


James=nester  Hester  ^James  EIiza-=Jotm  Van  Rens- 

no  issue  Van  Cortlandt  Van  u  beth    I  salaear 

1st  Cousin 


..Elizabeth  Van 
Cortlandt,  1st 
Cousin 


Kort  wright 


Col.  Philip,  nat.  Nov.  10, 1739.  ob.  May— Catharine,  da.  of  Jacob     Will. Rick-  Elizabeth 
1, 1814,  he  was  an  olllcer  in  the  British 
army  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
had  23  children  among  those  who 
reached  maturity 


Ogden,  by  Elizabeth 
Bradford,  who  claimed 
Earldom  of  Bradford, 
mar.  Aug.  2,  170/,  ob. 
Feb.  1820 


etts  nat 
March  l::, 
1742 


20> 


?1 
V  a  q 

"_,6 


3£ 


I 

HO 
Bg 


oW> 
Iwl 


I  I 


li  a* 

'p.  wa- 
ff -  O  3 


Catharine,  nat. 
August  26th, 
1745;  ob.  an  in- 
fant 


Stephen  Van  Cortlandt 


James  II  Van  Rensselaer 


Brig.Gen.  Philip  Van  C. 
nat.  Aug.  21,  1749,  O. 
S.  ob.  Nov.  21,  1831, 
the  last  of  the  heirs  of 
the  entail 


Gilbert,  nat.  6 
April,  1757,  ob. 
S,  p.  12  Nov., 
1786 


Stephen,  nat.  13 
February,  1760, 
ob.  s.  p.  29th 
August,  1775 


I 

Major  Gen,  Pierre— 1. Catharine 
nat.  29  Aug.,  1762.  Clinton, 
of  Cortlandt  town,  =2.  Anne 
member  of  Con-    |  Steven- 
gress,  ob.  1848  son 


Catharine,  nat.  — Theodosius 
4th  July,  1751.      P.  Van 
ob.  29th  Sept ,  Wyck 
1829,  ait.  78,  2 
mos.,  9  days 


Cornelia,  nat.  =Gerard  G. 
2d  Aug,  1753,  Beekman 
ob.  14th  Mar., 
1S47,  ait.  94 


Anne,  nat.  _P.  s.  Van 
1st  June,  Rena- 
1706,  ob.  selaer 
1855 


Gertrude,  nat.  2G 
June,  1755,  ob.  9 
December,  1766. 


I 


Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  heir  of  his  uncle  Philip,  and  first  proprietor  of  the  estate  in  fee  simple -Catharine  Beck,  da.  of  Theodorlc  Romeyn  Beck,  Esq.,  M.D.,  of  Albany 


Pierre     James  Stevenson      Theodoric  Romeyn 


George  Warington  Emmu_hercnneln 
died  young  W.  H.  Warington 


Catharine  _Clement  C. 
Eliza,  m.  Moore,  of 
1814  New  York 


Anna  Maria,  . 


Lieut.  Col.  James 
Drummoud  Bailer 
Elphlnstone 


William  Rlcketts_l.Mlss  Storms 

I     -2  Sarah  Cornell 


Plnlip^Mary  Banker 


Eliza^her  cousin  Wil- 

1  ham  Kicketts 
Catharine  ^First  cousin, 

John  Van  Cortlandt 


Catharine  T.  R._The  Rev.  John 

Rutherford  Mathews, 
  mar.  1873,  U.S  Navy 


Anne  Stevenson 


Their  eldest  son  Wm.  Bailer 
Fuller  Elphinstone,  loth  Lord 
E.  and  one  of  Ihe  Queen's  Lords 
in  waiting 


Oliver  _C.IIyatt,da. 
I  of  Joseph 
|  R.  Hyatt 


Elizabeth 
d.  ait.  25 
years 


Stephen 
ob.  s.  p. 


=First  cousin, 
Catharine 
Rlcketts 


William  -Susan 
Rlcketts  I  Chad- 
 |  eagree 


i  k  k 


Hannah —Ira  Purdy 


o  ^ 


S  "So 


bo  » 

ill 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


99 


elevated;  that  on  the  dexter  side  arg.,  the  sinister"  sa  motto — virtus  sibi 
munus — Another  family  of  that  name  in  Holland  bears  for  a  crest  "the 
arms  or  wings  of  a  wind-mill. — The  helmet  of  a  King  or  Prince  of  the 
Blood  Royal  proves  beyond  a  doubt  the  descent  of  this  family  from 
the  old  reigning  Dukes  of  Courland.  The  estoile  or  star  may  be  a  mark 
of  cadence  borne  by  the  third  son,  during  the  lifetime  of  his  father. — 
[Editor.] 


Ducal  Arms  of  Courland. 


The  Ducal  arms  of  Courland  or  Cortlandt  are: — "arg,  a  lion,  rampant, 
gu.  ducally  crowned  or,  for  Courland,  charged  on  the  breast  with  an 
escutcheon,  on  which  are  placed  the  arms  of  the  reigning  Duke.  Sup- 
porters.— Two  lions  ducally  crowned,  or,  the  whole  within  a  mantle 
lined  ermine,  surmounted  with  a  ducal  crown. 

The  ancient  Dukes  of  Courland  appear  to  have  been  represented  in 
1610  by  the  Right  Hon.  Stevensen  Van  Courland  or  Cortlandt,  then 
residing  at  Courland  or  Cortlandt,  in  South  Holland,  whose  son  Oloff 
Stephensen  or  Oloff  Stevens  Van  Kortlandt,  as  he  subsequently  signed 
his  name;  was  Burgomaster,  or,  chief  magistrate  of  Wyck  Duurstede* 
or  Wyck  by  Durstede  one  of  the  five  principal  towns  in  the  Province  or 
Lordship  of  Utrecht  in  the  Netherlands,  1635-6.  The  latter  was  bom 
at  Cortlandt  in  South  Holland  about  1600. 

Like  his  illustrious  ancestors,  Oloff  Stephensen  Van  Cortlandt  chose 
the  military  profession ;  as  early  as  1637  we  find  him  attached  to  the 
military  service  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company.  "  He  is  said  to 
have  been  also  a  privy  councillor  of  the  States  General  of  Holland  and 
acted  as  secretary  of  this  Government  to  the  Governor  of  New  Amster- 
dam." 

"He  comes  to  New  York  in  1637,"  "and  in  the  summer  of  that  year 
he  was  transferred  to  the  civil  service  as  commissary  of  cargoes."  On 


a  (Wyck  bie  Duurstede,)  prov.,  and  13  M.  E.  S,  Utrecht  a  town,  cap.  disL,  on  the  Rhine 
where  it  gives  off  the  Leek.  Pop.  2,  413. 


IOO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  26th  of  February,  1641-2,  he  married  Anneken  Lookermans  of 
Turnhout,"  now  in  Belgium,  daughter  of  Govert  Lookermans.  In 
1648  Oloff  Stephensen  Van  Cortlandt  left  the  Dutch  West  India  Com- 
pany's service  and  embarked  in  business  at  Brouwer  straat.  He  was  a 
politician  of  influence,  and  was  Colonel  of  the  Burghery  or  City  train 
bands  in  1649.  In  1650  he  was  president  of  a  body  called  the  "nine 
men,"  representing  the  citizens  at  large;  as  such,  he  opposed  the  policy 
of  Governor  Stuyvesant  with  considerable  effect,  Stuyvesant  retaliated 
by  turning  the  "nine  men"  out  of  their  pews  in  church,  and  tearing  up 
the  seats.  Mr.  Van  Cortlandt  became  one  of  the  most  considerable 
men  in  the  city  of  New  York,  or  New  Amsterdam,  as  it  was  then  called, 
and  acquired  a  large  property,  amongst  which  was  a  plot  on  the  west 
side  of  Broadway  238  ft.  front  extending  to  the  North  River  and  adja- 
cent to  the  present  Courtlandt  St."6    "In  1654  he  was  elected  schepen 


Autograph  and  Seals  of  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt. 


of  the  city,  and  in  1655  appointed  Burgomaster,  which  office  he  filled 
uninterruptedly  to  the  close  of  the  Dutch  government.  His  place  of 
residence  was  in  Brouwer  straat  (now  Stone  street).  He  had  the  char- 
acter of  being  a  worthy  citizen,  and  a  man  most  liberal  in  his  charitfes."c 
Among  the  wealthy  citizens  of  New  Amsterdam  in  1654,  occurs  the 
name  of  Oloff  Stevens  who  contributed  the  sum  of  150  guilders  towards 

a  The  record  of  the  marriage  of  Burgomaster  Van  Cortlandt  Is  February  26,  1642.  Oloff 
Stephensen  of  Wyck  te  Duurstede,  (Wvk  bie  Duurstede,  a  village  of  the  Netherlands,  13  miles 
south-east  of  Utrecht,)  to  Aimeken  Lookermans  of  Turubout  now  in  Belgium,  25  miles  east 
of  Antwerp.   See  atlas  pub.  by  Laurie  and  Whittle,  No.  53,  Fleet  St.,  Loudon,  12  May,  1794. 

b  Valentine's  Hist,  of  the  City  of  N.  Y.,  Putnam's. 

c  O'Callaghan's  Hist,  of  N.  N. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLAN'DT. 


IOI 


putting  the  city  in  a  state  of  defence."  In  a  tax  list  for  the  city  of 
NewYork,  A,D.,  1674,  the  estate  of  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt 
is  assessed  at  45,000  guilders;  his  eldest  son's,  Stephanus,  at  5,000 
guilders.6 

In  1664  the  name  of  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt,  occurs  as  one  of 
the  six  commissioners  appointed  to  meet  the  English  Deputies  at  Gover- 
nor Stuyvesant's  house  in  the  Bowery,  to  treat  concerning  the  surrender 
of  the  colony. 

Oloff  Stevens  Van  Cortlandt  died  sometime  subsequent  to  1683,  leaving 
issue  by  his  wife  Annetje  Lookermans,  two  sons  and  four  daughters, 
viz:  Stephanus,  Jacobus,  (ancestor  of  the  Van  Cortlandts  of  Yonkers, 
Maria,  who  marr.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselear,  Catharine,  who  marr.  first 
John  Dewal,  secondly,  Frederick  Philipse;  Cornelia,  who  marr.  Baronet 
Schuyler;  and  Sophia,  who  married  Andrew  Teller. 

The  Hon.  De  Heer  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  eldest  son  of  Oloff, 
was  born  at  the  family  mansion  on  Brouwer  straat,  New  Amsterdam, 
7th  of  May,  1643,  and  baptised  in  the  Ref.  Dutch  church  on  the  10th 
of  May,  1643.  This  distinguished  personage  was  the  first  Mayor  of  New 
York,  born  in  America.  Upon  the  death  of  his  brother-in-law,  Jeremias 
Van  Rensselaer  in  1675,  he  became  one  of  the  three  administrators  of 
his  estate,  during  the  minority  of  Killian  Van  Rensselaer,  (then  twelve 
years  old).  He .  engaged  in  the  mercantile  profession  on  the  present 
north-east  corner  of  Pearle  and  Broad  streets.  His  first  appointment  as 
Mayor  was  at  the  age  of  34  years,  and  was  a  high  compliment  to  his 
intelligence.  He  was  sworn  in  Chief  Justice  of  the  Province  5th  of 
October,  1700.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Governor's  Council,  and 
a  Colonel  in  the  Provencial  militia.  On  the  14th  of  January,  1696,  he 
was  elected  senior  warden  of  Trinity  church,  New  York.  As  a  compen- 
sation for  large  sums  of  money  advanced  to  the  government  he  obtained, 
as  we  have  seen  in  1697,  a  Royal  Charter  for  Lordship  and  Manor  of 
Cortlandt.  After  a  life  of  honesty,  fortitude,  and  charity,  he  died 
25th  of  November,  1700,  leaving  by  his  wife  Geertruy  or  Gertrude, 
eldest  child  (Guysbert  having  died  in  infancy)  of  Filyp  Pictersen  Van 
Schuyler,  and  Magritta  Von  Sleecktenhorst,  eleven  children,  who  inter- 
married with  the  DePysters,  DeLanceys,  Beeckmans,  Schuylers,  Skin- 
ners, Bayards,  Johnsons  and  Van  Rensselaers. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  1700,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  made  and  pub- 
lished his  last  will  and  testament  as  follows : — 

a  M.  S.  vol.  City  Rec.  X.  V. 

b  Moultou"s  sketch  of  New  Orange,  1669,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  In  behalf  of  Oloff  Ste- 
phanus Van  Cortlandt  his  father,  applied  for  Letters  Notary  011  Dan'l  Whitehead,  late  of 
Masbeth  Kills,  town  office,  N.  Y.,  vol.  1,  p.  74. 


102 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


WILL  OF  STEPHANES  VAN  CORTLANDT. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that,  I,  Stcphanus  Tan  Cortlandt,  of  the  city 
of  New  Yorke,  merchant,  being  distempered  in  body,  but  of  good,  sound  and 
perfect  memory,  praised  be  Almighty  God  therefore  do  make,  publish,  and  de- 
clare; this  my  last  will  and  testament,  (this  14th  day  of  Aprill,  in  the  j'ear  of 
our  Lord  God  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  one  thousand  seven  hundred,  in  the 
twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  William  Third,  King  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland  and  Ireland,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c.,)  in  manner  and  form  fol- 
lowing, that  is  to  say,  I  bequeath  my  soul  into  the  hands  of  the  Almighty  God 
my  Heavenly  Father,  from  whom  I  received  it,  and  by  whom  of  his  inker  grace 
I  trust  to  be  saved  and  received  into  His  eternall  rest,  through  the  merrittsof  my 
dear  Saviour  and  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ.  My  body,  in  hopes  of  a  joyful  resur- 
rection, I  committ  to  the  earth,  to  be  buried  in  such  decent  manner  and  form  as 
any  Executrix  hereafter  named,  shall  think  fit  and  convenient  and  touching  the 
Distribution  of  what  temporal  Estate  it  hath  pleased  God  to  endow  me  withal 
in  this  world,  I  dispose  of  the  same  as  folloeth  That  is  to  say  Imprimis  I  will 
that  all  such  Depths  as  I  shall  happen  to  owe  to  any  Person  or  Persons  at  my 
Decease  shall  be  truly  Paid  by  my  Execrutrix. 

Item  I  devise  and  bequeath  unto  my  eldest  son  Johnannes  Yan  Cortlandt 
(After  the  decease  of  my  beloved  wife)  all  that  Neck  and  Part  of  my  land  on 
the  East  Side  of  Hudson's  River  at  the  Entering  of  the  Highlands  just  over 
against  a  certain  place  called  Haverstroo  and  is  known  by  the  Indians  by  the 
name  of  Moanagh  being  to  be  Separated  and  Divided  from  my  other  lands  on 
that  side  of  the  river  called  Appamapagh  by  a  certain  Creeke  called  Moanagh 
and  bounded  on  the  other  side  by  the  other  side  of  the  Creeke  that  runs  between 
my  laud  and  the  land  of  Rich  Abrams  and  others  together  with  the  meadows 
that  lies  on  the  said  Neck  and  all  the  buildings  and  other  improvements  made 
or  to  be  made  on  the  said  land  according  to  the  agreement  by  mee  made 
to  the  several  persons  now  settled  therein  (which  agreement  my  will  is  that  my 
said  Executrix,  my  said  son  and  overseers  herein  aftcrnamed.  shall  take  care  and 
se  that  the  same  be  fully  observed,  performed  and  kept  according  to  the  true  in- 
tent and  meaning  thereof).  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  Neck  of  land  and  pre- 
mises with  the  appurtenances  to  the  said  Johannes  my  Son  and  his  heirs  forever. 

Item. — I  do  give  Devise  and  Bequeath  all  my  other  houses,  lands,  mills,  tene- 
ments, pastures,  meadows,  and  their  appurtenances  and  oilier  Real  Estate  what- 
soever— and  where  so  ever  it  be  (after  ye  Decease  of  my  s'  dear  wife)  unto  my 
Eleaven  children  by  name,  Johannes,  Margaret,  Ann,  Oliver,  Mary,  Philip, 
Stephannus,  Gertrude,  Elizabeth,  Katherine  aud  Cornelia  and  to  such  other  chil- 
dren as  it  shall  please  God  to  bless  me  with  (who  is  and  are  to  share  and  Iuherritt 
with  those  above  named)  to  have  and  to  hold  to  them  their  heirs  and  assignes 
respectively,  and  it  is  my  Desire  and  Appointment  that  the  same  houses,  lands, 
and  premises  be  Either  Equally  Divided  amongst  them  my  said  children,  or 
that  they  hold  or  enjoy  the  same  in  Common  Amongst  them  as  my  sd  children 
and  provisors  and  guardians  hereafter  named  shall  judge  and  think  most  effec- 
tuall  and  proper  for  ther  best  advantage,  use,  and  benefit. 

Item. — It  is  my  will  and  appointment  and  Direction  that  upon  a  Division  of 
my  s'1  houses  lands  and  mills  and  other  Real  Estate  my  Sons  accord8  to  their 
priority  of  Birth  shall  have  the  first  choyce  alwayes  allowing  to  the  value  of 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


those  parts  they  shall  choose  that  the  respective  party  and  persons  of  my  children 
may  be  made  Equal]  in  worth  one  to  another. 

Item.— I  will  and  Direct  that  in  case  after  the  Decease  of  my  s'1  Dear  wife  itt 
should  so  happen  (which  God  prevent)  that  if  any  of  my  sons  should  be  visited 
by  the  hand  of  God  by  any  Distemper,  sickness  or  accident  and  thereby  or  other- 
wise be  rendered  uncapable  or  unable  of  making  a  propper  choyse  for  themselves 
then  my  overseers  to  whose  prudence  and  Descretion  I  leave  the  full  manage- 
ment of  this  matter;  have  power  upon  such  division  of  my  read  Estate  afores1 
such  Lott  and  part  thereof  and  to  assign,  allow,  divide  and  lay  out  to  such  of  my 
sons  soe  visited  as  they  shall  judge  most  fitt  and  proper  for  his  or  their  shares, 
maintanance  and  support. 

Item. — I  give  and  devise  and  bequeath  to  every  one  of  my  said  children  and 
such  other  child  or  children  itt  shall  please  God  to  bless  me  with,  that  is  to  say 
to  those  who  are  not  already  provided  for,  in  this  maimer  by  me  and  what  in 
my  life  time  shall  not  by  me  be  thus  provided  for,  a  lott  of  ground  within  the 
city  of  New  York  for  the  building  a  convenient  dwelling  house  in  w*'1'  it  is  my 
Desire  my  Executrix  with  the  Advice  and  consent  of  my  said  overseers  shall  al- 
lott,  lave  out  and  possess  them  of  respectively  as  each  of  my  sons  attain  the  age 
of  one  and  twenty  years  and  my  Daughters  as  they  attaine  to  those  years  or  be 
married  to  have  and  to  hold  them  my  said  children  respectively  and  to  their 
heirs  and  assigues  for  ever.  _ 

Item. — I  give  and  bequeath  to  every  one  of  my  children  not  already  provided 
for  in  this  manner  by  nice,  or  that  in  my  lifetime  shall  not  by  me  be  thus  Pro- 
vided for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  apiece,  Lawful  money  of 
New  York,  to  be  paid  them  respectively  out  of  my  personal  Estate  by  my  Exe- 
cutrix to  my  sons  respectively,  when  they  shall  attaine  to  the  age  of  one  and 
twenty  years,  and  to  my  daughters  when  they  respectively  attaine  to  that  age, 
or  be  married,  together  with  such  household  stuff  to  each  of  my  said  children 
as  my  Executrix  shall  see  fit  and  convenient. 

Item. — It  is  my  Will  and  Desire  and  Appointment  that  if  any  of  my  said 
children  shall  happen  to  dye,  that  is  to  say,  any  sons  before  they  attaine  respec- 
tively to  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  years,  and  my  daughters  before  they  respec- 
tively attaine  that  age  or  be  married,  then  neither  the  said  Lott  of  ground  nor 
the  said  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  shall  be  given,  laid  out  or  allowed  them 
or  either  of  them. 

Item. — It  is  my  Will  and  Desire,  and  I  do  hereby  Declare  and  Ordain  that  if 
it  shall  so  happen  (which  God  forbid)  that  by  Warr,  Losses,  Bankrupts  or  other 
inevitable  misfortunes,  my  pcrsonall  Estate  shall  be  soe  lost  or  diminished  that 
my  Executrix  cannott  reasonably  pay  the  said  Several  legacies  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  to  each  of -my  said  children,  then  it  is  my  Will  and  Desire  that 
She  only  pay  soe  much  to  each  of  my  children  as  she  shall  find  herself  able  to 
pay  and  shall  judge  convenient,  leaving  the  same  wholly  in  such  case  to  her 
maternall  love  and  good  discretion.  And  I  do  hereby  Will,  order  and  Declare 
that  in  such  case,  what  each  child  or  children  shall  have  less  than  my  other 
children  in  this  manner  already  provided  for,  have  had  after  the  descase  of  my 
said  dear  wife,  shall  be  suplyed  and  made  good  to  them  out  of  my  Real  estate 
before  any  division  therein  to  be  made  as  aforesaid,  so  that  their  said  portions 
may  be  made  alike  and  Equall. 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Item. — I  give  and  Bequeath  to  my  well  beloved  wife,  Gucrtruydt  Van  Cort- 
land, if  she  continue  my  widow,  all  and  singular  my  personal  and  mixed  Estate 
and  Moveables  whatsoever  and  wheresoever  within  this  Province  of  New  York 
or  elsewhere,  be  the  same  in  Goods,  Whares,  cattle,  depts,  Linen,  wooling, 
plate,  Jewells,  or  of  any  other  nature  or  kind  whatsoever.  And  I  do  hereby 
make  my  said  Beloved  wife  Gurtruydt  Van  Cortlai.dt,  sole  Execurix  of  this 
my  last  Will  and  Testament  who  ( it  is  my  Desire  and  Will )  shall  out  of  my 
mixed  andpersonall  Estate,  pay,  satisfie  and  Discharge  all  my  Just  Depts,  and 
also  my  Funeral  Charges. 

Item. — I  will  ordainc  and  Devise  that  my  s1'  wife  my  Executrix  shall  have 
the  custody  and  care  of  the  Education  and  bringing  up  of  cay  said  Children  and 
During  her  widowhood  shall  have,  taRe  and  receive  to  her  own  use,  the  full  and 
whole  rents,  Issues  and  Profitts  of  all  aud  every  parte  of  my  said  houses,  lauds, 
mills  and  other  such  Estate  whatsoever,  without  giving  or  rendering  any  inven- 
tory or  account  thereof  to  any  person  whatsoever,  aud  it  is  my  Will  and  Desire 
and  Request  that  she,  my  said  Executrix,  do  out  of  the  same,  and  my  personal 
Estate  provide  for,  maintaine,  Educate  and  bring  up,  all  such  of  my  children  as 
at  the  time  of  my  Death  shall  be  under  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  and  unmar- 
ried, until  they  attain  the  said  age  of  one  and  twenty  yeera  or  be  married. 

Provided,  always,  that  in  case  my  said  wife  shall  think  fit  to  marry  again,  that 
is  my  Will,  Desire  and  Determination,  that  she  shall  give  aa  exact  aud  perfect 
Inventory  of  all  my  personall  Estate  then  in  being  to  my  Overseers,  the  Guar- 
dians of  my  children  herein  after  named  or  the  survivors  or  survivor  of  them 
and  in  such  case,  my  Debts  being  first  truly  paide,  I  give,  Will,  Devise  and  Be- 
queath the  one  Equall  third  parte  of  all  my  said  personall  Estate  to  my  said  wife 
for  her  and  also  an  equal  third  parte  of  the  rents,  Issues  and  Profits  of  all  and 
singular  my  said  houses,  lands,  mills  and  Real  estate  for  and  during  her  naturall 
Life,  and  further  it  is  my  Desire,  Will  and  Direction  that  in  case  of  my  wive's 
re-Marriage  she  shall  have  the  choice  or  election  of  my  houses  which  she  shall 
like  best  to  live  in,  she  allowing  the  rent  of  the  same  house  unto  her  third  part 
of  the  rents  and  profitts  of  my  Real  Estate  hereby  Bequeathed  her. 

Item. — If  it  should  so  happen  that  my  wife  afores1  should  re-marry  then  I 
give  and  Bequeath  two  thirds  of  my  personall  Estate  and  two  thirds  of  the 
rents,  Issues  and  Profitts,  of  my  houses,  Lands,  Mills  and  Real  Estate,  to  all  my 
children  as  aforesaid  during  the  naturall  life  of  my  said  Wife  Equally  to  be  divi- 
ded amongst  them.  In  case  it  should  so  happen  that  any  of  my  said  Children 
should  come  to  dye,  that  is  to  say,  any  of  my  sons  before  they  attaine  the  age  of 
one  and  twenty  years,  or  any  of  my  daughters  before  the}'  attaine  the  same  age 
unmarried,  then  it  is  my  Desire,  and  I  do  hereby  Order  aud  Direct  that  their 
share  of  my  Real  Estate  herein  before  Devised  shall  Devolve  and  Come  to  my 
surviving  children  and  the  heirs  of  the  Bodyes  of  such  of  my  sons  who  shall  dye 
after  their  attaining  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  years  and  the  heirs  of  the  bodye 
of  such  of  my  daughters  as  shall  be  marrried. 

Item. — In  case  it  should  so  happen  that  all  my  children  should  dye,  the  sons 
before  they  attaine  the  age  of  one  and  twenty,  and  my  daughters  before  they  at- 
taine that  age  or  before  marriage,  and  my  wife  happens  to  man  ic  at  all,  then  it  is 
my  will  and  desire,  and  I  do  hereby  order,  bequeath  and  devise  that  my  said 
wife  do  have  and  enjoy  all  my  estate  Real  and  Personal  or  mixt,  during  her 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


io5 


natural  life,  and  that  after  her  decease  the  one  full  and  equal  half  or  moyety 
thereof  shall  devolve,  come  and  be  enjoyed  by  my  rightful  heirs  and  the  other 
half  to  and  by  the  right  heirs  of  my  beloved  wife  aforesaid.  Item,  I  do  will, 
order  and  determine,  ancf  in  case  it  should  so  happen  that  my  said  beloved  wife 
shall  dye  before  my  sons  come  to  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  years  or  before  my 
daughters  attaine  to  that  age  or  be  married  then  it  is  my  desire  and  appointment 
that  all  such  of  my  sons  as  at  the  decease  of  my  said  wife,  shall  become  to  the 
age  of  one  and  twenty  years,  and  all  such  of  my  daughters  as  at  her  death  shall 
be  under  that  age  and  unmarried,  shall  be  maintained  and  educated  by  my  sons 
till  they  come  to  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  years  or  my  daughters  until  they 
come  to  that  age  or  are  married,  out  of  the  rents,  Profitts  and  ishues  of  my 
houses,  lands  and  real  Estate,  and  also  out  of  the  same  shall  be  provided  for  and 
advanced  and  equall  with  my  other  chilldren  which  accounting  the  lott  of 
Ground,  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds  and  household  stuff  before  mentioned 
Intended  for  each  of  my  children,  I  do  Estimate  to  amount  unto  the  Value  of 
£500  New  York  money,  to  each  child  besides  the  parte  and  share  of  my  reall 
Estate  herein  Before  Deposed  and  Devised.  Lastly,  I  do  hereby  Constitute,  De- 
clare and  appoint  my  said  Beloved  Wife  my  Executrix  together  with  my  Brother 
Jacobus  Van  Cortlaudt,  my  Brother  Brant  Schuyler  and  my  Cousin  William 
Nicholls  to  be  Guardians,  Tutors  and  Overseers  over  my  said  children  and  to  see 
that  this  my  "Will  relating  to  them  and  each  of  them  be  duly,  fully  and  truly 
Executed,  performed  and  accomplished  according  to  the  just,  true  and  Genuing 
Intent  and  Meaning  thereof.  In  Testimony  whereof,  I  the  said  Testator  have 
hereunto  sett  my  hand  and  scale  in  the  presence  of  the  Witnesses  whose  names 
are  under  written  the  day,  month  and  year  first  before  mentioned. 

Signed,  sealed  and  declared  to  be  The  last  Will  and  Testament  of  the  above 
named  Stephanus  Van  Cortland  in  the  presence  of 

Tno.  Wenham, 

Rip  Van'  Dam,  , 


The  will  of  Geertruy  or  Gertrude,  his  wife,  bears  date  Oct.,  1718,  and 
was  proved.  Upon  the  23d  of  December,  A.  D.,  1706,  Oliver  Van  Cort- 
laudt, one  of  the  devisees  of  Stephanus,  published  his  last  will  and  testa- 
ment, in  which  he  devised  all  his  right,  title  and  interest,  of  and  into  his 
portion,  to  his  ten  surviving  brothers  and  sisters,  by  which  they  became 
seized  in  fee  of  Cortlandt's  Manor  as  tenants  in  common. 

In  the  year  1730,  (November  13th,)  the  aforesaid  children  and  de- 
visees drew  up  articles  of  agreement  for  the  division  of  the  Manor.  Up- 
on the  29th  of  May,  1733,  a  division  was  made  of  that  part  of  the  Manor 
situated  north  of  the  River  Croton.    It  was  not,  however,  until  Novem- 


JoiIN  ABEEL, 

Richard  Stooks, 
Andrew  Teller,  Jur." 


The  above  will  was  proved  7th  of  Jan.  1701.'' 


a  Rec,  of  Wills,  Snrroeate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  No.  2,  1GS2-1692,  Pp.  TS,  79,  SO,  SI,  S2,  S3. 
b  Rec  of  Wilis,  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  No.  2, 1682-1692,  pp.  S4. 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ber  the  4th,  1734,  that  a  final  partition,  and  division,  of  the  Manor 
took  place  between  the  surviving  children  and  grandchildren  of  Col. 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  when  they  gave  to  each  other  releases  in  due 
form  of  law  in  severalty,  viz : 

Philip  Verplanck  and  Gertrude,  his  wife ;  Mary  Melin ;  Samuel 
Bayard  and  Margaret,  his  wife ;  Andrew  Johnson,  and  Catharine,  his 
wife ;  Stephen  de  Lancey,  and  Anne,  his  wife  ;  Philip  Van  Cortlandt ; 
John  Schuyler,  and  Cornelia,  his  wife" ,  and  William  Skinner,  and  Eliza- 
beth, his  wife. 

The  original  partition  deed  is  in  the  possession  of  Pierre  Van  Wyck, 
M.D.,  of  Sing  Sing. 

"  NUMBER  OF  ACRES  IN  THE  MANOR  OF  CORTLANDT. 

FRONT  LOTS. 


No.  1.  1255  Philip  Van  Cortlandt. 

2.  932  P.  V.  Planck, 

3.  1886   Skinner. 

4.  1447  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt. 

5.  1220  John  Miller. 

6.  1720  De  Lancey. 

7.  1027  Mary  Bayard, 

8.  808  Mr.  Schuyler. 

9-  1233  Andrew  Johnson. 

10.  2764  Mrs.  Beekniau. 


14,333  front  lots. 
32,887  north  lots. 
28,765  south  lots. 
7,128  south  of  Croton. 


83.113  acres  in  Manor  divided. 
3,000  acres  in  Pound  Ridge. 
100  acres  in  Parsons  Point. 


86,213  "6 

The  share  of  each  heir  amounted  nearly  to  8,000  acres. 

By  this  partition  of  the  Manor,  the  following  lots  were  laid  out  to  the 
devisees  in  Cortlandt  town,  viz. : 

River  lot  No.  1,  to  Philip  Van  Cortlandt ;  No.  2.  Philip  Verplanck, 
who  married  Gertrude,  only  daughter  and  sole  heiress  of  Johannes  Van 
Cortlandt,  one  of  the  original  devisees. 

<t  The  father  and  mother  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler. 

b  Copied  from  original  document  in  the  possession  of  Pierre  Van  Wyck.  M.  D.,  of  Sing 
Sin<r,  another  Partition  Deed  for  the  Manor  or  Cortlandt  dated  Dec.  14th,"lI53,  occurs  among 
the  Van  Wyck  JISS. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


JO7 


No.  3,  William  Skinner,  who  married  Elizabeth  Van  Cortlandt.  This 
individual  "  was  the  first  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church,  Perth  Amboy ; 
his  real  name  was  MacGregor,  and  he  was  among  those  of  that  clan, 
proscribed  after  the  rebellion  of  1 7 1 5  ;  he  had  received  a  superior  educa- 
tion, and  was  endued  with  a  strong  mind  ;  having  received  holy  orders, 
he  was  appointed  missionary  to  Amboy,  in  New  Jersey,  1721,  and  died 
rector,  A.  D  ,  1757."0 

No.  4,  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt ;  No.  5,  Mr.  Melin ;  No.  6,  Stephen 
de  Lancey;  No.  7,  Margaret  Bayard,  widow  of  Samuel  Bayard;  No.  8, 
Mr.  John  Schuyler  ;  this  lot  had  been  sold  prior  to  partition.  North  lot 
No.  1,  Andrew  Johnson.  We  have  previously  shown  that  Verplanck's 
Point,  (by  the  will  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt)  passed  to  his  son  Johan- 
nes or  John,  whose  daughter  Gertrude  married  Philip  Verplanck. 

In  the  year  1734  we  find  Philip  Verplanck,  of  Cortlandt's  Manor,  and 
Gertrude  his  wife  only  daughter  and  heiress  of  Johannes  Van  Cortlandt, 
the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Colonel  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  late  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  deceased,  and  John  Lent,  of  the  said  manor,  in  the 
other  part,  bargaining,  selling,  devising  and  leasing  unto  the  said  John 
Lent, 

"All  that  certain  neck  or  tract  of  land  and  meadow,  situate,  lying  and  being 
in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  being  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  land  commonly 
called  Appemaghpogh,  and  a  certain  creek,  Meanagh  on  the  north  by  the  land 
now  belonging  to  Hercules  Lent,  and  on  the  south  and  west  by  Hudson's  River, 
containing  1000  acres,  the  lessee  yielding  and  paying  therefor  the  yearly  rent 
of  one  pepper-corn  on  the  feast  day  of  St.  Michael,  the  Archangel."6 

Above  Verplanck's  Point  extended  the  patent  of  Hercules  Lent, 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Magregaries  Creek. 

Lot  No  9  was  the  property  of  Andrew  Johnson,  Esq.,  who  married 
Catharine,  eighth  daughter  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  De  Heer  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt.  This  individual  who  resided  at  Perth  Amboy  in  New 
Jersey,  was  descended  of  the  Johnson's  or  Johnston's  of  Armandale. 
County  of  Dumfries;  derived  fron  Sir  John  de  Johnston.  Knt,  one  of 
the  guardians  of  the  West  marches  in  1371." 

No.  10  was  the  portion  of  Gertrude  Beekman,  fifth  daughter  of  Rt. 
Hon.  De  Heer  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt.  who  married  Col.  Henry  Beek- 
man. This  lady  who  was  born  10th  October,  1688,  and  died  1777, 
possessed  the  highlands  north  of  Peekskill  creek.  Gilbert  Van  Cort- 
landt, by  his  will  bearing  date  17th  of  Sept.,  1784,  and  proved  8th  of 

a  Whitehead's  East  Jersey  under  the  Proprietors. 
6  County  Kec.  Lib.  G.  p.  681. 

c  The  arms,  crest  and  motto  of  this  family  show  plainly  that  they  were  defenders  of  the 
borders  in  olden  time  are  a  saltiere  sa.,  on  a  chief  gu.,  two  cushions  or  crest  a  spur  erect  betw. 
two  wings  or  straps  and  buckles  gu.,  mottoes— Nunquam  mon  paratus,  ai  d  1  make  sure. 


I08  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

June,  1798,  "bequeathed  to  his  loving  brother  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
and  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all  my  real  estate  which  was  devised  to  me  by 
my  aunt  Gertruyd  Beekman,  being  front  lot  No.  10,  called  Anthony's 
Noos  and  340  acres  being  the  land  bought  of  Andrew  Johnston,  Esq., 
deceased,  situated  on  the  south  side  of  Peekskill,  called  No.  6,  &c.a 

The  division  of  the  Manor,  east  of  the  river  lots  in  the  town,  consisted 
of  lot  No.  1,  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  south  lot,  the  property  of 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Esq.,  also,  a  north  lot  No.  1,  the  property  of  An- 
drew Johnson,  Esq. ;  No.  1,  south  of  the  Croton,  belonged  to  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt,  from  whom  it  passed  to  the  Hon.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 
The  following  advertisement  dated  March  the  18th,  1762,  relates  to  the 
sale  of  the  above  lot.  "  Conditions  of  sale  of  the  South  lot  No.  1,  978 
acres  of  land  situated  in  the  south-west  corner  of  Cortlandt  Manor,  and 
corner  of  north  lot  No.  6,  belonging  to  the  estate  of  Philip  Van  Cort- 
landt, Esq.,  deceased,  above  mentioned,  sometime  posted  in  the  New 
York  Gazette,  and  now  to  be  sold  at  public  vendue,  pursuant  to  an  act 
of  General  Assembly,  passed  for  the  purpose  and  agreeable  to,  to  a  map 
hereunto  annexed,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  surviving  executor  of  Philip, 
deceased,  will  give  a  title  agreeable  to  the  act  of  the  Assembly,  &c. 
The  lands  are  to  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  the  purchase  money 
to  be  immediately  paid  as  soon  as  the  deeds  are  given.  Date'd,  Manor 
of  Cortlandt,  at  the  ferry-house  near  the  mouth  of  Croton  River.6 

The  will  of  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt,  son  of  Philip,  and  grandson  of 
Stephanus,  bears  date  7th  of  June,  1754.  His  wife  was  Mary  Walton, 
daughter  of  William  Ricketts  of  Westmoreland*  Island  of  Jamaica,  and 
Mary  Walton  of  New  York.  His  sons  were  Philip  and  William  Rick- 
etts, and  a  daughter,  Catharine,  who  died  young. 

Item. — I  do  hereby  give,  devise  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  son  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt,  all  that  my  farm  and  plantation  lying  and  being  in  the  Manor  of  Cort- 
landt, now  in  the  tenure  and  occupancy  of  Jacob  Cornwall,  to  have  and  to  hold 
the  same  farm  and  plantation  to  him,  the  said  Philip,  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns 
forever.  Item. — I  do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  sou  Philip,  my 
large  silver  tankard  marked  with  the  family  coat  of  arms,  to  him,  the  said  Philip; 
and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  &c,  &c. 

This  will  was  proved  and  administered  24th  of  May,  1757,  Surrogate's 
Office,  N.  Y.,  Lib.  xx,  1273. 

Upon  the  30th  of  March,  1762,  John  de  Milt  and  Susannah  his  wife, 
conveyed  to  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  two  tracts  of  land,  the  first  being  a 
part  of  lot  No.  6,  and  the  second,  lot  No.  1,  south  of  the  Croton.  The 

a  Surrogate's  Office.  N.  Y.,  Lib.  xlii. :  410. 

b  Copied  from  original  document  iu  possession  of  tne  late  Pnilip  G.  Vau  Wyck,  Esq. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  109 


heirs  of  the  above  grantee  still  hold  lot  No.  i.  Lot  No.  2  belonged  to 
Oliver  de  Lancy,  and  lot  No.  3  to  John  Watts. 

Philip  Van  Cortlandt  the  eldest  surviving  son  of  Stephanus  was 
born  on  the  9th  of  August,  1683.  He  married  Catharine  de  Peyster, 
and  on  the  failure  of  heirs,  male,  to  his  elder  brother  John,  continued 
the  line  of  the  family.  Upon  the  death  of  Philip,0  (which  took  place 
21st  of  August,  1746,)  his  property  became  divided  among  his  six  chil- 
dren, viz.,  Stephen,  Abraham,  Philip,  John,  Pierre  and  Catharine.  Ste- 
phen, the  eldest,  married  Mary  Walton  Ricketts.  Their  descendants  at 
present  reside  in  England,  and  have  intermarried  with  many  members 
of  the  British  nobility. 

The  fifth  son,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  ultimately  became  the  oldest 
surviving  representative  of  the  Van  Cortlandt  family  in  America,  and 
the  heir  at  law  of  the  entail. 

Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 
was  appointed  president  of  the  committee  of  public  safety,  and  was  sub- 
sequently elected  Lieutenant  Governor  of  this  State.    Throughout  the 


a  The  will  of  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  bears  date  Aug.  1,  1746.  In  which  he  gives  and  devises 
"  all  that  my  three  farms  or  lotts  of  land  described  in  the  map  or  survey  of  the  Manor  of 
Cortlandt,  by  the  south  lot  No.  1,  to  wit,  the  farme  where  Johannes  Bachies  lives  on,  and  the 
farme  where  Johannes  Snock,  Blacksmith,  lives  on,  and  the  farme  where  Andrews  Miller  now 
lives  on,  each  farme  to  contain  2!iu  acres  adjoining  to  each  other,  with  all  rights,  privileges, 
Ac,  belonging,  Ac,  first  during  the  tenure  of  his  natural  life  ;remaiuder  to  James  De  Lancey, 
Esq.,  and  Peter  DeLancey,  gentlemen, both  of  New  York,and  the  survivors  of  them  and  the  heirs 
of  such  survivor  for  and  during  the  life  of  my  said  son  Stephen,  to  the  intent  to  support  the 
contingent  Remainders  in  this  my  will  after  limitted  so  that  the  same  may  not  be  destroyed 
but  in  trust  nevertheless  to  permit  and  sutler  him  my  said  son  Stephen  to  possess  the  said 
farms  and  premises  with  the  appurtenances  and  to  receive  and  lake  the  rents,  issues  and 
prollts  thereof  to  aid  for  his  own  use  during  his  natural  life  and  from  and  after  his  decease, 
then  I  devise  the  said  three  farms  to  the  first  son  of  the  Body  of  my  son  Stephen,  lawfully  Is- 
sued, (whether  then  born  or  unborn)  and  to  the  heirs,  male,  of  the 'body  of  such  first  son  law- 
fully issuing,  and  for  default  of  such  issue,  then  likewise  to  the  second,  third  and  any  other 
sou  of  my  said  son  Stephen  successively,  and  in  their  order  the  one  after  the  other  as  tin  y 
shall  be  in  seniority  of  age  and  priority  of  birth  and  the  several  aud  respective  heirs,  male,  of 
the  Body  and  bodys  of  every  such  second,  third  and  other  son  or  sons  (the  eldest  of  such  sous 
and  the  kius,  male,  of  his  Body  beiug  always  preferred  and  to  take  before  any  of  the  younger 
sons  and  heirs,  male  of  his  Body)  and  In  case  of  all  such  Issues,  male,  failing,  then  I  do  give 
and  devise  the  said  three  farms,  Ac,  unto  my  second  son  Abraham,  on  the  same  conditions." 
Then  to  his  third  son  Joh'i  and  from  him  to  his  fourth  son  Pierre.  "And  in  default  of  such 
Issue,  male,  of  all  my  said  sons,  then  I  devise  the  remainder  in  fee  of  the  three  said  fauns, 
Ac,  unto  my  own  right  heir,  male,  Ac."  "  To  his  second  son  Abraham,  he  bequeaths  his 
dwelling  house  and  joined  thereto  belonging  fronting  Stone  street,  New  York,  wherein  he 
now  lives,  Ac,  "also  all  that  last  part  of  the  fourteen  farms  called  or  known  by  the  name  of 
my  north  lott  (No.  G.)  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  as  the  same  as  described  in  the  map  or  sur- 
vey from  No.  1  to  7,  also  the  farm  where  John  Jurree  Seer  now  lives  on  to  contain  2!i0  acres 
adjoining  to  each  other,  Ac,  on  the  same  conditions  as  before  mentioned  from  Abraham  to 
Stephen,  from  Stephen  to  John  and  from  John  to  Pierre,  "all  failing  to  his  right  heir,  male.'' 
Three  farms  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  known  as  No'sS,  9  and  10.  "To  his  fourth  son  Pierre,  he 
devises  all  that  my  house  and  farm  or  lott  of  land  described  on  the  map  or  survey  of  the  Ma- 
nor of  Cortlandt,  known  by  the  name  of  south  lott  (No.  1,)  being  the  East  River  lott,  from 
Teller's  Point,  extending  all  along  Croton  River  together  with  the  Perry-house  and  Kerry 
thereunto  belonging,  including  the  farm  where  David  Brown  now  lives,  and  also  a  lott  of 
land  on  the  east  side  of  Croton  River  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  known  by  the  lott  (No.  1)  now 
In  possession  of  Peter  Williams  and  the  widow  of  Hendrick  David,  the  whole  as  it 
Is  conveyed  to  me  also  four  farms  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  in  north  lott  (no.  6)  No's  11,  12, 
13  and  14."  "And  that  all  and  every  of  my  said  four  sons  Stephen,  Abraham,  John  and  Pierre, 
and  th»  heirs,  male,  of  their  respective  Bodvs,  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time  ard  at  all 
times  hereafter  at  all  tlting  seasons  in  the  year  have  lull  and  free  liberty,  leave  and  lvseuco  to 
Hunt,  Fish  and  Fowl  near,  about,  in  and  upon  Croton  Piver,  when  and  as  often  as  they  shall 
think  fitting.  This  Will  was  proved  17th  of  Nov.,  174S.  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  l  ib.  xvl,  p. 
8TRi  The  flshingrtghts  of  the  Van  Cortlandt's  are  said  to  have  extended  two  miles,  i.e.,  from 
Deer  Island  iu  the  river  Croton  to  the  marked  rock  on  Crawbucky  Point  near  Siug-Sing. 


I  IO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


trying  period  of  the  revolution,  he  appears  to  have  been  the  principal 
administrator  of  the  State  government,  (George  Clinton  being  necessarily 
engaged  in  the  military  duties.)  His  patriotic  zeal  rendered  him  so  ob- 
noxious to  the  enemy,  that  the  British  Governor  set  a  bounty  on  his 
head. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  this  illustrious  individual  occurs  in 
the  Gazette  of  May  17,  1814: 

"Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  early  took  an  active  part  against  every  op- 
pression of  the  English  government  upon  the  colonies.  He  was  chosen 
into  the  first  Provincial  Congress,  was  a  member  of  the  committee 
which  formed  the  constitution  of  this  State,  and  was  honored  by  the 
suffrages  of  his  country  at  the  first  election  under  the  new  government 
the  station  of  lieutenant  governor,  and  continued  to  be  elected  to  that 
office  for  eighteen  years  successively.  He  was  the  friend  and  confi- 
dent of  that  great  patriot,  George  Clinton.  In  the  revolution  he 
shared  the  fate  of  the  friends  of  their  country;  his  family  we're  obliged 
to  abandon  their  homes  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  take  refuge  in 
the  interior.  Firm  and  undismayed  in  adversity;  the  ill  success  of  our 
arms  was  a  stimulous  to  greater  exertions.  He  was  one  of  those  who, 
relying  on  the  justice  of  their  cause,  put  their  trust  in  God  and  stood 
firm  at  the  post  of  danger.  In  prosperity  he  was  not  too  much  elated, 
but  held  a  temperate  and  uniform  course,  having  in  new  only  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  and  the  safety  of  his  country. 

"  In  the  Senate  of  this  State  he  presided  with  dignity  and  propriety,  nor 
ever  suffered  his  opinion  to  be  known  until  called  upon  constitutionally 
to  decide;  and  his  vote  wis  then  given  with  promptness,  uninfluenced 
by  party  feelings,  and  evidencing  the  convictions  of  a  sound  and  honest 
mind.  In  the  year  1795  he  declined  a  re-election  as  lieutenant  gov- 
ernor, and  retired  into  private  life." 

The  Hon.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  died  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day 
of  May  instant,  at  his  seat  at  Croton  River,  in  this  town,  in  the  94th 
year  of  his  age,  leaving  issue  by  his  wife  Joanna  Livingston,  Philip, 
Gilbert,  Stephen,  Pierre,  Catharine,  Cornelia,  Anne  and  Gertrude. 

Philip,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  on  the  first 
day  of  September,  1749.  This  individual  was  brought  up  at  the  Manor 
House  on  the  Croton,  and  subsequently  received  a  liberal  education  in 
the  vicinity  of  Coldingham,  N".  Y.  He  was  admitted  to  Kings  College 
(now  Columbia)  in  1754,  graduated  B.  D.  1758,  and  received  two  A'.  M. 
degrees  in  1761. 

At  the  early  age  of  nineteen  he  commenced  business  as  a  land  sur- 
veyor; he  had  also  the  management  of  an  extensive  flouring  mill  and 
■country  store.  Soon  after  the  destruction  of  Lexington  and  Concord 
(by  the  British  troops)  he  threw  up  business,  and  agreeing  with  his  pat- 
riotic father  in  sentiment,  determined  by  an  appeal  to  arms,  to  obtain 


THE  TOWN  OK  CORTLANDT. 


I  I  I 


either  liberty  or  death.  In  this  intention  he  was  strongly  opposed  by 
his  tor}'  relations,  who  used  every  effort  to  induce  him  to  join  their 
standard.  Governor  Tryon  at  the  same  time  forwarded  him  a  major's 
commission  in  the  Cortlandt  militia.  This  document  he  subsequently 
destroyed,  and  received  in  lieu  thereof  a  lieutenant  colonel's  commission 
in  the  Continental  service,  bearing  date  June,  1775,  signed  John  Han- 
cock, President  of  Congress.  He  continued  to  hold  the  above  com- 
mand in  the  4th  New  York  regiment  until  November  the  28th,  1776, 
when  he  received  from  General  Washington  a  colonel's  commission  in 
the  2d  New  York  regiment.  In  this  capacity  he  served  at  the  battles  of 
Stillwater  and  Saratoga.  In  both  of  these  actions  the  New  York  regi- 
ment suffered  severely.  In  the  winter  of  1778  he  was  ordered  to  pro- 
tect the  frontiers  against  the  depredations  of  Erant,  the  Indian  chief, 
who  had  destroyed  much  valuable  property  and  murdered  several  of  the 
defenseless  inhabitants.  In  pursuance  of  these  orders  Col.  Van  Cort- 
landt marched  to  Laghawack,  where  he  posted  his  command.  Soon 
afterwards  having  received  fresh  orders  from  the  commander-in-chief,  he 
was  on  the  eve  of  marching  when  Brant,  supposing  he  had  left  the 
neighborhood,  prematurely  set  fire  to  an  adjoining  village.  The  colo- 
nel immediately  started  his  whole  command  in  hot  pursuit.  Upon  the 
first  tidings,  however,  of  their  approach,  Brant  fled  to  the  neighboring 
hills.  In  his  diary  Gen.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  remarks,  "As  I  ap- 
proached him  (Brant)  he  being  on  the  hills,  and  seeing  me  leaning 
against  a  pine  tree  waiting  for  the  closing  up  of  my  men,  ordered  a 
rifle  Indian  to  kill  me,  but  fortunately  he  over-shot  me,  the  ball  passing 
three  inches  over  my  head.  I  then  pursued  him,  but  could  not  over- 
take him,  as  he  ran  through  a  large  swamp." 

In  the  year  1779-80,  Col.  Van  Cortlandt  was  a  member  of  the  court 
that  tried  Gen.  B.  Arnold  for  improper  conduct.  His  own  views  of  the  mat- 
ter are  thus  recorded  in  the  his  diary :  "  Gen.  Arnold  being  under  arrest 
for  improper  conduct  in  Philadelphia,  while  he  commanded  there,  I  was 
chosen  one  of  the  court-martial,  Maj.  Gen.  Howe,  President.  There 
were  also  in  that  court  four  officers  who  had  been  at  Ticonderoga  when 
Col.  Hazen  was  called  on  for  trial,  &c. ;  we  were  for  cashiering  Arnold, 
but  the  majority  overruled,  and  he  was  finally  sentenced  to  be  repri- 
manded by  the  commander-in-chief.  Had  all  the  court  known  Arnold's 
former  conduct  as  well  as  myself  he  would  have  been  dismissed  the 
service,"  &c. 

In  the  year  1780  Col.  Van  Cortlandt  was  selected  as  one  of  the  colonels 
to  command  a  regiment  of  infantry  under  Major  General  La  Fayette. 
A  letter  is  still  preserved  in  the  family  from  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

to  the  Colonel,  dated  Light  Camp,  16th  September,  1780,  and  the  fol- 
lowing from  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  Col.  Van  Cortlandt : 

Sir  : — You  will  take  charge  of  the  clothing,  the  boats,  entrenching  tools,  and 
such  other  stores  as  shall  lie  committed  to  3'our  care  by  the  quarter-master- 
genei  al ;  with  these  you  are  to  proceed  (Sir  in  the  order  they  are  mentioned)  to 
Springfield  by  the  way  of  Sufferan,  Pompton,  the  Two  Bridges,  and  Chatham. 
When  you  arrive  at  Springfield  you  will  put  yourself  under  the  order  of  Major 
Gen.  Lincoln,  or  any  other  your  superior  officers  commanding  at  that  place.  You 
will  also,  if  occasion  should  require  it,  alter  the  above  route  agreeably  to  orders 
from  either  Major  General  Lincoln  or  the  quarter-master-general. 

You  will  be  particularly  careful  to  collect  all  your  men  that  are  in  proper  con- 
dition to  march,  and  will  use  your  best  endeavors  to  prevent  desertion. 

Given  at  King's  Bridge  this  25th  day  of  August,  1781. 

Geo.  "Washington. 

At  the  battle  of  Yorktown,  in  Virginia,  CoL  Van  Cortlandt  appears  to 
have  served  on  picket  guard  :  for  his  conduct  on  this  occasion  he  was 
advanced  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General.  To  his  care  the  commander- 
in-chief  entrusted  700  British  and  Hessian  prisoners  of  war,  which 
he  conducted  in  safety  to  Fredericksburg.  During  the  spring  of 
1782  his  camp  on  the  Flat  Fields  was  visited  by  General  and  Lady 
Washington." 

Upon  the  suspension  of  hostilities  Gen.  Van  Cortlandt  retired  to  the 
Manor  House  at  Croton ;  he  was  afterwards  chosen  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  forfeitures,  and  represented  for  sixteen  years  this  district  in 
Congress,  declining  re-election  in  181 1.  Gen.  Van  Cortlandt  accom- 
panied the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  in  his  tour  of  the  United  States  in 
1824.  The  general  died  at  his  house  on  the  Croton  November  21st, 
1 83 1,  and  with  him  expired  the  entail.  By  his  will  he  bequeathed  to 
his  brother,  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  600  acres ;  to  his  three  sisters, 
Anne  Van  Rensselaer,  Cornelia  Beekman,  and  Catharine  Van  Wyck, 
200  acres  each  ;  and  his  western  lands  to  his  nephew,  the  late  Philip  G. 
Van  Wyck  of  Sing  Sing.  The  latter  gentleman  afterwards  inherited  his 
mother's  portion  consisting  of  200  acres  on  north  lot  No.  1,  south  of 
the  Croton,  together  with  112  acres  north  of  that  river. 

Peekskill,  the  principal  town  in  Cortlandt  town,  is  beautifully  situated 
at  one  of  the  most  picturesque  points  on  the  Hudson  and  east  shore  of 
the  Bay  of  the  same  name.  This  place  commands  every  advantage  of 
river  navigation,  besides  an  extensive  inland  trade,  of  which  it  forms  the 
depot. 

By  the  Mohegan  Indians  the  place  was  called  Sachoes,  a  term  de- 


a  Extracts  from  Gen.  Philip  van  Cortlandt's  diary  In  the  possession  o:  lU3  nephew,  the  late 
Philip  G.  van  Wyck,  Sing  Siug. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


"3 


rived  from  the  adjoining  lands.  The  small  stream  intersecting  the 
village  was  called  by  them  Magrigaries. 

The  Dutch  first  denominated  the  village  Peekskill  from  Jan  Peek,  one 
of  their  early  navigators,  who,  mistaking  the  present  Annsville  creek  for 
the  proper  passage  through  the  race,  ran  his  yacht  ashore  on  the  former. 
Here  he  subsequently  erected  a  habitation  and  spent  the  winter. 

The  earliest  settlement  in  this  neighborhood  commenced  one  mile 
north-east  of  Peekskill,  on  the  property  of  Capt.  John  McCoy.  The 
landing  place  was  then  at  Pemart's  dock,  near  the  head  of  the  tide  waters 
of  the  creek. 

On  the  8th  day  of  August,  1745,  occurs  a  sale  of  land  from  Andrew 
Johnson  and  Isabella  his  wife,  daughter  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  to 
Caleb  Hall  and  Palatiah  Haws,  consisting  of  a  part  of  lot  No.  2,  situated 
in  great  front  lot  No.  9,  beginning  on  south  side  of  Peck's  creek,  con- 
taining 351  acres,  excepting  16  acres  of  land  conveyed  by  said  Johnson 
to  Mrs.  Gertrude  Beeckman. a 

Fifteen  years  subsequent  to  the  above  sale,  Andrew  Johnson  conveys 
to  Caleb  Hall,  Joseph  Travis  and  Palatiah  Haws,  "lands  situated  at  a 
place  called  Peekskill."6 

In  the  year  1764,  Birdsall,  Nathaniel  Brown,  Joseph  Travis,  and  Capt. 
Isaac  Conklin,  commenced  the  settlement  of  the  present  village.  At 
diat  early  period  there  was  little  or  no  business  transacted  here.  The 
first  store  was  erected  by  Daniel  Birdsall  in  the  vicinity  of  middle  dock, 
near  the  mill  of  Andrew  Johnson,  Esq.  Captain  Swim  is  said  to  have 
sailed  the  first  sloop  from  Pemart's  dock,  A.  D.  1773. 

From  its  earliest  settlement,  the  growth  of  Peekskill  has  been  gradual, 
and  its  population  has  increased  according  to  the  development  of  its 
resources.  The  population  in  1870  was  6,560.  The  present  number 
will  probably  exceed  7,000.  The  village  was  incorporated  in  1839; 
but  prior  to  this,  in  1827,  the  fire  department  was  organized  and  an 
engine  purchased.  Nathaniel  Bedell  was  the  first  foreman  of  the  com- 
pany. The  fire  department  consists  now  of  five  independent  companies, 
constituting  two  hundred  men  under  Chief  Engineer  George  E.  Craft, 
Esq.  The  village  government  was  organized  in  1839  under  the  style  and 
title  of  the  "  Corporation  of  the  Village  of  Peekskill "  by  the  election  of 
Capt.  F.  W.  Riqua,  Frost  Horton,  Daniel  D.  Smith,  James  Taylor  and 
Morris  Depew,  as  Trustees.  Capt.  W.  Riqua  was  elected  by  the  Board  the 
first  President  of  the  village," 

a  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  G.,  p.  403. 
6  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  II.,  p  344. 

e 'I  lie  present  officers  are:  Stephen  D.  norton,  President,  Andrew  Fken,  William  D. 
S  rathard.  William  11.  Hunter,  E.  F.  Bedell,  J.  H.  Kingsbury  and  Jaa.  H.  Robertson,  Trustees; 
Stephen  Lent,  Clerk. 


H4 


HISTORY  OF  THN  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  streets,  which  are  macadamized  and  kept  in  good  repair,  were  first 
lighted  with  gas  on  the  ist  of  December,  1856.  The  pride  of  the  town 
is  her  water  works — the  Campfield — so-called  on  account  of  the  reser- 
voir, which  is  located  on  an  eminence  that  was  undoubtedly  the  camp- 
ing ground  of  the  soldiers  of  a  revolutionary  fort  stationed  near  by.  The 
water  furnished  by  these  works  is  of  a  pure  quality  and  in  unlimited 
quantities,  pumped  from  the  Peekskill  Creek,  which  takes  it  rise  in  Put- 
nam County  and  flows  over  a  clear  gravel  bottom  down  through  the 
mountains,  supplied  by  tributaries  from  innumerable  springs.  The  works 
are  situated  in  a  romantic  ravine  about  two  miles  north  of  the  village, 
from  whence,  by  ponderous  pumps,  worked  by  the  power  of  the  water  on 
turbine  wheels,  the  supply  is  forced  to  a  reservoir  of  26,000,000  galloons 
capacity,  at  an  elevation  of  376  feet  above  tide  water.  The  water  fur- 
nished by  these  works,  for  all  practical  purposes,  is  absolutely  pure,  the 
microscope  having  failed  to  detect  impurities  in  any  portions  submitted 
to  its  tests,  while  it  possesses  the  peculiar  property  of  cleansing  steam 
boilers  from  rust,  and  leaves  no  deposit  in  evaporation.  The  pressure 
varies  in  different  parts  of  the  town  from  100  to  175  lbs.  to  the  square 
inch,  and  forces  water  through  a  one  inch  nozzle  thirty  feet  higher  than 
the  tallest  steeple.  In  case  of  fire  the  danger  now  is  in  doing  more 
damage  with  the  water  than  will  be  accomplished  by  the  flames.  Fire 
protection  is  afforded  by  75  hydrants  so  placed  that,  with  few  exceptions, 
all  the  property  in  the  village  is  reached.  The  works  were  completed  in 
1875,  and  in  all  respects,  viz. :  economy  in  construction  ($141,000), 
quality  and  quantity  of  water  and  substantiability,  they  will  ever  remain 
as  an  enduring  monument  to  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners  under 
whose  supervision  they  were  constructed  from  plans  submitted  by  Chas. 
E.  Fowler,  Esq.,  the  engineer.  The  Board  consisted  of  Reuben  R.  Finch, 
George  W.  Robertson,  Chas.  F.  Southard,  Wm.  S.  Tompkins,  and  Gil- 
bert T.  Sutton.  The  following  named  gentlemen  constitute  the  present 
Board:  Geo.  W.  Robertson,  Ardenus  R.  Free,  Chas.  F.  Southard,  Wm. 
S.  Tompkins  and  John  Halstead. 

Superintendent — Chas.  R.  Swain. 

The  town  is  well  situated  for  purposes  of  education,  furnishing,  as  it 
does,  facilities  for  communicating  daily  and  almost  hourly  with  the  great 
city  of  New  York.  There  are  two  union  free  school  districts  in  the 
town.  The  amount  expended,  the  pupils  taught  and  the  number  of 
teachers  are  about  the  same  in  each  district,  and  the  schools  are  efficient- 
ly and  economically  managed,  the  annual  expense  in  each  school  being 
about  $5,000.  A  principal  and  seven  assistants  are  employed  in  each, 
and  the  average  daily  attendance  in  each  is  about  three  hundred. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


"5 


The  Peekskill  Military  Academy  is  delightfully  situated  upon  Oak 
Hill,  a  high  eminence  overlooking  the  surrounding  country  and  com- 
mands an  extended  view  of  the  ever  changing  scenery  of  the  Hudson. 

The  Academy  was  built  with  a  capital  stock  of  $7,000,  subscribed  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Peekskill,  and  is  under  a  Board  of  Trustees  and  the 
Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York.  The  building, 
originally  erected  in  1835,  and  enlarged  within  the  past  twenty  years  by 
various  important  additions,  is  surrounded  by  over  six  acres  of  ground 
and  many  fine  old  trees,  and  presents  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
prominent  objects  of  note  in  the  town.  It  is,  too,  to  no  little  extent,  as- 
sociated with  its  local  history,  for  during  its  forty  years  successful  career, 
many  prominent  citizens  have  been  educated  within  its  walls  and  many 
more  from  distant  parts;  and  we  find  among  its  1,800  of  either  teachers 
or  taught,  the  names  of  some  well  known  throughout  our  State,  viz: 
Gen.  J.  W.  Husted,  Hon.  C.  M.  Depew  and  others.  It  was  for  thirty 
years,  until  1873,  under  its  well  known  principal,  Albert  Wells,  Esq., 
and  has  since  that  date  been  conducted  by  Col.  Charles  J.  Wright,  A. 
M.,  and  Robert  Donald,  A.  M.,  associate  principals.  At  present  it  has 
one  hundred  students,  among  whom  even  Japan  has  a  representation. 
The  present  valuation  of  its  property  is  about  $75,000.  The  following 
is  its  Board  of  Trustees:  Hon.  Owen  T.  Coffin,  president;  S.  R.  Knapp, 
secretary ;  N.  Dain,  treasurer ;  Messrs.  Edward  Wells,  O.  V.  Crane, 
Coffin  S.  Brown,  William  P.  Raymond,  F.  W.  Requa,  D.  F.  Clapp,  J. 
B.  Brown  and  D.  S.  Herrick. 

Prof.  Unterreiner  and  Mr.  Glen,  having  leased  Searle's  Academy,  are 
making  arrangements  for  the  establishment  of  a  first-class  high  school, 
which  will  be  opened  in  September.  The  building,  which  is  large  and 
commodious,  occupies  an  elevated  position  and  commands  a  fine  view 
of  Hudson  River  scenery.  The  school  and  recitation  rooms  are  large 
and  pleasant,  with  high  ceilings,  well  ventilated,  and  built  with  a  proper 
regard  to  the  health  and  convenience  of  both  teachers  and  students. 

Besides  these  institutions,  there  are  the  St.  Gabriel's  school,  (Epis- 
copal), the  Seminary  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels,  (Roman  Catholic),  and 
Miss  Germond's  school  for  young  ladies. 

The  near  proximity  of  Peekskill  to  New  York  city  makes  it  easy 
of  access  by  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  all  the  year  around,  and  in  the 
summer  by  steam  boats.  Some  seventeen  trains  daily  leave  Peekskill 
going  north  and  south,  whilst  ten  leave  New  York  City  for  Peekskill. 

Here  is  the  market  centre  of  an  extensive  manufacturing  country,  but 
the  chief  business  is  the  manufacturing  and  working  of  iron.  The  history 
of  the  iron  business  in  Peekskill  may  be  said  to  have  begun  fifty  years 


1 16  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ago,  when  Stephen  Gregory  commenced  melting  iron  in  a  crucible  for 
the  purpose  of  making  plow  castings.  His  place  was  located  on  Main 
street,  on  property  now  occupied  by  Southard,  Robertson  &  Co.  (The 
People's  Stove  Works.)  He  was  succeeded  by  Wyley,  Conklin  &  Co., 
who,  in  1826,  commenced  the  erection  of  new  buildings,  put  in  ma- 
chinery, and  largely  increased  the  business. 

The  plow  works  of  Wyley  &  Conklin  having  been  sold  to  Henry 
Robinson,  the  manufacture  of  grates  and  mantles  for  dwelling  houses 
was  commenced.  Mr.  Robinson  was  succeeded  by  Thos.  Southard, 
dee'd,  in  1840,  who  commenced  the  manufacture  of  stoves.  Some  eight 
or  ten  years  afterwards,  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Southard,  the  present 
farm  of  Southard,  Robertson  &  Co.  came  into  possession,  and  the  im- 
print of  the  People's  Stove  Works  may  now  be  found  upon  work  of  their 
manufacture  all  over  the  land. 

In  the  winter  of  1826-27,  Seth  Hoyt  erected  part  of  the  buildings  now 
known  as  the  Peekskill  Plow  Works  and  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  plows  and  plow  castings  on  an  extensive  plan.  A  few  years  after- 
wards Mr.  Hoyt  died  and  the  property  was  purchased  by  Truman  Minor 
and  Frost  Horton,  who,  in  1835,  formed  a  co-partnership  under  the  firm 
name  of  Minor  &  Horton,  and  three  years  afterwards  the  firm  became 
Minor,  Horton  &  Co.,  who  commenced  the  erection  of  extensive  ad- 
ditions and  enlarged  their  business  to  such  an  extent  that  their  wares 
were  shipped  to  almost  every  part  of  the  world.  This  firm  continued  the 
business  for  thirty  years,  when  it  was  merged  into  a  joint  stock  com- 
pany, now  known  as  the  Peekskill  Plow  works. 

The  foundries  now  in  operation  are  The  People's  Stove  Works, 
(Southard,  Robertson  &  Co.),  the  Union  Stove  Works,  (Hill's), 
National  Stove  Works  (Stanford's),  the  foundry  of  Montross,  Lent  & 
Pollock,  the  American  Stove  Works,  and  the  Peekskill  Manufacturing 
Company,  (Seymour's).  In  brisk  seasons  these  shops  employ  from  400 
to  600  men. 

Besides  the  foundries  above  enumerated,  the  most  of  which  have  ex- 
tensive warerooms  in  New  York  city,  there  are  located  in  the  village 
and  its  immediate  vicinity,  the  Machine  works  of  Anderson  Brothers, 
the  Highland  Chemical  Works,  the  Force  Table  and  Oil  Cloth  Manu- 
facturing Co.,  Binney's  Lamp  Black  Factory,  the  Annsville  Wire  Mills, 
the  Oregon  Paper  Mills,  a  Manufactory  of  Drain  Tiles  and  Hageman's 
Soap  Factory. 

The  Peekskill  Blast  Furnace  is  located  on  Annsville  creek,  and  is 
connected  with  the  Croft  iron  mines  by  a  railway  built  for  the  purpose, 
by  which  the  furnace  is  supplied  with  a  superior  quality  of  iron  ore  at  a 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


'17 


comparatively  small  expense.  These  works  have  been  idle  during  the 
past  winter,  but  are  expected  to  resume  operations  in  a  short  time. 

Located  within  the  town  of  Cortlandt  and  drawing  a  large  portion  of 
their  supplies  from  Peekskill,  are  a  number  of  brick  yards,  employing 
a  large  force  of  men  and  making  the  best  brick  in  market.  The  one 
nearest  the  village  is  situated  on  Lent's  Flats.  This  is  owned  and  oc- 
cupied by  Charles  D.  Southard,  employing  about  thirty  men  and  pay- 
ing out  over  $10,000  per  season. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  village  stands  the  Westchester  Bank.  This 
institution  was  first  established  in  Peekskill  in  1833,  with  a  capital  of 
$200,000,  and  the  late  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  elected  its  first 
president.  It  is  at  present  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  like  the  old 
hills  of  Westchester,  has  so  far  stood  firm  and  unmoved  amid  trouble- 
some times.  The  stock  has  sold  at  almost  as  great  an  advance  as  ever 
the  United  States  Bank  stock  did.  The  bank  declared  its  first  dividend 
six  months  after  its  establishment.  The  bills  used  to  contain  a  beauti- 
sul  vignette  representing  the  capture  of  Andre  by  the  three  farmers  of 
Westchester  County;  besides  a  neat  engraving  of  the  Hon.  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt,  first  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  State.  There  is  also  a  bust 
of  this  individual  in  the  bank,  presented  by  his  son  the  late  Gen.  Pierre 
Van  Cortlandt. 

A  short  distance  below  the  town  is  situated  the  property  of  Captain 
Jas.  Requa,  a  lineal  descendant  of  Daniel,  who  emigrated  from  La  Ro. 
chelle  in  France,  to  New  Rochelle  in  this  county  and  afterwards  pur- 
chased a  farm  on  the  Hudson  a  little  south  of  Tarrytown. 

The  house  is  pleasantly  located  on  rising  ground  overlooking  the  Al- 
bany and  New  York  Post  Road  and  commands  beautiful  views  of  the 
surrounding  country.  In  one  of  the  upper  rooms  the  visitor  is  shown 
some  ancient  portraits  in  crayon,  of  the  Huggeford  or  Hugeford  family, 
viz: — Peter  Huggeford,  M.D.,  born  and  educated  in  England  and  one  of 
the  most  accomplished  physicians  of  his  day  in  this  country.  He  prac- 
tised in  Rye  as  early  as  1753;  and  is  last  mentioned  in  1772;  he  subse- 
quently removed  to  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  and  was  probably  (says  Dr. 
Fisher)  the  first  regular  physician  in  the  north-western  portion  of  West- 
chester county.  Being  a  royalist  he  retired  to  the  British  army  when 
war  was  declared.  His  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  was  confiscated, 
and  subsequently  given  by  the  government  to  John  Paulding  for  his  ser- 
vices as  one  of  the  three  distinguished  captors  of  Andre,  the  British  spy. 
The  property  is  now  owned  by  Jacob  Strang.  He  was  buried  in  St.  Peter's 
church-yard  at  Peekskill,  notwithstanding  that  his  gravestone  is  still  to 
be  seen  in  Trinity  church-yard,  New  York.    A  portrait  of  Elizabeth 


n8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Gedney,  his  wife,  aged  53  years,  was  painted  Feb.  27,  1783, -and  she  is 
interred  in  Trinity  church-yard,  New  York. 

Dr.  John  Huggeford  of  New  York,  son  of  the  above,  died  during  the 
prevalance  of  the  yellow  fever  there;  with  his  brother  Peter  Hug- 
geford, also  a  physician,  aged  56,  was  painted  by  William  Williams. 
Major  William  Lainey  Huggeford,  painted  Feb.  23,  1783.  He  is 
represented  in  a  red  coat  turned  up  with  blue,  black  cravat,  hair  pow- 
dered, tied  with  cue;  he  was  a  noted  partisan  officer  and  was  the  second 
man  to  scale  the  walls  of  Fort  Montgomery.  He  died  quite  young  in 
Nova  Scotia.  His  wife  Charity,  who  died  in  1807,  is  buried  at  Harrison. 
The  family  were  all  staunch  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  After 
the  close  of  the  Revolution  some  of  them  returned  to  this  country  and 
settled  at  Horseneck,  Greenwich,  Conn.  Mrs.  Betsey  Field,  aged  over 
eighty-six  years,  who  resides  with  her  brother  Capt.  Requa,  is  a  grand- 
daughter of  the  elder  Dr.  Peter  Huggeford.  A  grand-daughter  of  Dr. 
John  Huggeford  is  now  living  at  Northampton,  Mass. 

South-east  of  Peekskill  is  the  "  Mount  Florence  House,"  formerly  the 
residence  of  D.  H.  Craig,  at  one  time  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places 
in  the  county. 

The  Manor  of  Cortlandt  formerly  included  three  wards  or  precincts, 
viz: — "Cortlandt,  Gertrude's  boro'  or  Hanover  and  Salem,  commonly 
called  east,  middle  and  west  wards  of  Cortlandt  Manor.  While  under  the 
royal  charter  of  1697,  the  mesne  lands  were  possessed  of  t-,.e  impropria- 
tion and  the  patronage  of  all  and  every  the  church  and  churches  erected 
or  to  be  erected  in  the  manor." 

The  earliest  records  relating  to  the  history  of  this  parish,  now  accessi- 
ble, are  principally  to  be  found  in  the  MSS.  of  the  venerable  society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel.  From  these  documents  it  appears 
that  as  early  as  1744,  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  of  Rye,  performed  di- 
vine service  at  Peekskill.  Writing  to  the  society  on  the  3d  of  April, 
1746,  he  says: — "That  as  there  are  great  numbers  of  people  in  the  wil- 
derness northward  of  Bedford  and  Westchester,  who  have  very  little 
knowledge  or  sense  of  religion,  Mr.  Lamson's  labors  will  be  employed 
to  good  purpose  among  them."  In  176 1  Mr.  Dibble  of  Stamford,  Conn., 
officiated  here,  where  he  informs  us  "he  found  no  settled  teacher  of 
any  denomination,  but  met  several  heads  of  families,  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  many  others  well  disposed  towards  it."  Mr. 
St.  George  Talbot,  who  accompanied  Mr.  Dibble  on  this  occasion, 
writing  to  the  society,  says: — "The  state  of  religion  I  truly  found  de- 
plorable enough,  they  were  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  a  prey  to  va- 
rious sectaries,  and  enthusiastic  lay  teachers ;  there  are  many  well  wish- 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


II9 


ers  and  professors  of  the  Church  among  them,  who  doth  not  hear  the 
liturgy  in  several  years." 

It  appears  from  the  following  indenture  that  as  early  as  1750,  Andrew 
Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Perth  Amboy,  East  Jersey,  the  son-in-law  of  De  Heer 
Stephauus  Van  Cortlandt,  conveyed  in  trust  to  Caleb  Hall,  Joseph 
Travis  and  Palatiah  Hawes,  six  acres  of  land  to  promote  the  erection  of 
a  Church  edifice.  The  conveyance  bears  date  23d  of  March,  1750,  and 
is  as  follows: — 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT. 
(extract.) 

"Andrew  Johnson  of  Perth  Amboy,  East  Jersey,  party  of  the  first  part,  for 
the  value  of  five  pounds,  conveys  to  Caleb  Hall,  Joseph  Travis  and  Palatiah 
Haws,  parties  of  the  second  part,  a  parcel  of  land  lying  at  a  place  called  Peek- 
skill,  being  a  part  of  lot  No.  8,  beginning  at  the  north-east  corner  of  the  second  par- 
cel of  land  lately  purchased  by  Joseph  Taylor,  by  the  north  side  of  Crumpond 
road,  containing  six  acres,  &c,  to  have  and  to  hold  in  trust  for  a  school  and 
burying  place,  and  also  for  their  executors  and  successors  in  trust,  to  the  only 
proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof  and  exercise  of  the  public  worship  of  God ;  and 
that  it  be  for  that  purpose  in  the  erecting  and  building  of  a  meeting  house  or 
houses  for  the  religious,  (under  the  protection  of  our  most  gracious  Majesty,) 
either  the  Church  of  England,  Presbyterian,  Independents,  Baptists  or  Congre- 
gational, &c,  to  erect  and  build  a  house  for  the  religious  exercise  of  public  wor- 
ship of  God,  with  a  convenient  yard  thereto,  for  each  or  either  of  the  above 
written  denominations,  to  the  n  the  said  Caleb  Hall,  &c  ,  their  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, in  trust  for  the  neighbourhood  and  inhabitants  round  about  from  gener- 
ation to  generation  for  ever,  and  for  no  other  use,  purpose  or  intent  whatso- 
ever. "a 

Yet  no  building  appears  to  have  been  begun  until  1766,  when  Beverly 
Robinson,  Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  Isaac  Hatfield  and  Charles 
Moore  were  appointed  trustees  (by  certain  subscribers,  both  in  Cortlandt' s 
manor  and  the  lower  end  of  Philipse's  upper  patent,  towards  the  erect- 
ing of  a  church,)  for  directing  and  carrying  on  a  building,  and  for  secur- 
ing it  to  the  inhabitants  as  a  place  of  public  worship,  according  to  the 
establishment  of  the  Churcli  of  England.  This  edifice,  which  was  sub- 
sequently dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  by  the  Rev.  John 
Ogilvie,  D.D.,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1767,  is  the  present  perish  church 
of  St.  Peter's,  which  stands  upon  the  summit  of  a  high  knoll  directly  east 
of  the  late  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt's  residence. 

Upon  the  18th  of  August,  1770,  the  members  of  St.  Peter's  church, 
in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  the  lower  part  of  Philipse's  patent,  re- 
ceived (in  answer  to  their  petition  presented  on  the  21st  of  March,)  the 


a  County  Roc.  Lib.  n.  329.  The  original  document  was  In  the  possession  of  the  late  James 
Brown  of  PeekskUl. 


120 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


following  charter  from  Governor  Colden,  erecting  them  into  one  body 
corporate  and  politic,  and  confirming  them  in  possession  of  the  above 
mentioned  church,  "the  ground  whereon  the  same  was  built,  and  the 
cemetery  belonging  to  the  same." 

ROYAL  CHARTER  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH, 

"George  the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  to  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
greeting:  Whereas,  our  loving  subjects,  Beverly  Robinson,  Charles  Moore, 
Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  John  Johnson ,  Joshua  Kelson,  Thomas  Daven- 
port and  Henry  Purdy,  on  behalf  of  themselves  and  sundry  inhabitants  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  the  lower  part  of  Pbilipse's  patent, 
in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  by  their  humble 
petition,  presented  on  the  21st  day  of  March  now  last  past,  to  our  trusty  and  well 
beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  our  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander- 
in-chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in 
America,  in  Council,  did  set  forth  that  the  petitioners  have  at  a  great  expense 
and  trouble  erected  a  convenient  house  for  a  place  of  divine  worship  near  Peek- 
skill,  to  be  according  to  the  Church  of  England  as  by  hw  established,  and  being 
very  desirious  of  promoting  the  same,  and  settling  a  minister  among  them,  did 
humbly  conceive  that  if  our  said  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander-in-chief 
would  be  pleased  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  to  grant  them  a 
charter  with  such  priviliges,  immunities  and  conditions  as  our  said  Lieutenant- 
Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  should  see  fit,  and  that  the  said  Beverly  Rob- 
inson and  Charles  Moore  may  be  appointed  church-wardens,  and  the  said  Jere- 
miah Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  John  Johnson,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas  Davenport  and 
Henry  Purdy,  vestrymen,  in  the  charter,  by  the  name  of  the  church- wardens  and 
vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Pcekskill.  No 
one  being  willing  to  encourage  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  loving  subjects, 
and  to  grant  this  their  reasonable  request,  know  ye,  that  of  our  especial  grace, 
certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  we  have  ordained,  given,  granted  and  de- 
clared, and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  ordain,  give, 
grant  and  declare,  that  the  said  petitioners  and  such  other  person  and  persons, 
and  their  successors  for  ever,  as  now  are  or  shall  hereafter  from  time  to  time 
be,  as  well  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  as  members  of  the 
congregation  of  the  said  church  in  the  herein  above  recited  petition,  called  St. 
Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Pcekskill,  and  also  contributors 
to  the  support  and  maintenance  of  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by 
law  established,  to  officiate  in  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  shall,  with  the 
rector  of  the  said  Church  of  St.  Peter's  for  the  time  being,  forever  hereafter  be 
one  body  corporate  and  politic,  in  deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name,  style  and 
title  of  the  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
near  Peekskill.  And  them  and  their  successors  by  the  sa  ne  name,  we  do  by 
these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  really  and  fully  make,  erect, 
create  and  constitute  one  body  politic  and  corporate  in  deed,  fact  and  name,  for 
ever,  and  will  give,  grant  and  ordain  that  thejr  and  their  successors,  the  rector 
and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peek- 


*  THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  I  2  I 

skill,  by  the  same  name  shall  aud  may  have  perpetual  succession,  and  shall  and 
may  be  capable  in  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  impleade  and  be  impleaded,  answer 
aud  be  answered  unto,  defend  and  be  defended  in  all  courts  and  elsewhere  in  all 
manner  of  actions,  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,  matters  and  demands  'what- 
soever, as  fully  and  amply  as  any  our  liege  subjects  of  our  said  province  of  New 
York  may  or  can  sue  or  be  sued,  impleade  or  be  impleaded,  defend  or  be  de- 
fended, by  any  lawful  ways  or  means  whatsoever;  and  that  they  aud  their 
successors  by  the  same  name  shall  be  forever  hereafter  capable  and  able  in  the 
law  to  purchase,  take,  hold,  receive  and  enjoyany  messuages,  tenements,  houses 
and  real  estate  whatsoever  in  fee  sin  pie,  for  tirm  of  life  or  lives,  or  in  any 
other  maimer  howsoever  for  the  use  of  the  said  church;  and  also  any  goods, 
chattels,  or  personal  estate  whatsoever,  provided  always  that  the  clear  yearly 
value  of  the  said  real  estate  (exclusive  of  the  said  churc  h  and  the  ground  where- 
on the  same  is  built  aud  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  same)  doth  not  at  any 
time  exceed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  current  money  of  our  said  Province ; 
and  that  they  and  their  successors,  by  the  same  name,  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  to  give,  grant,  sell,  lease  and  dispose  of  the  same  real  estate  for  life  or 
lives,  or  years,  or  forever,  under  certain  yearly  rents,  and  all  goods,  chattels  and 
personal  estate  whatsoever  at  their  will  and  pleasure.  And  that  it  shall  and  may  be 
lawful  for  them  and  their  successors  to  have  and  use  a  common  seal.  And  our 
will  and  pleasure  further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain 
and  appoint  that  there  shall  be  forever  hereafter  belonging  to  the  said  church,  one 
rector  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  duly  qualified  for  the  cure 
of  souls,  two  churchwardens  and  six  vestrymen,  who  shall  conduct  and  man- 
age the  affairs  and  business  of  the  said  church  and  corporation  in  manner  as 
hereafter  is  declared  and  appointed ;  and  for  the  more  immediate  carrying  into 
execution  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  herein,  we  do  hereby  assign,  constitute  and 
appoint  Beverly  Robinson  and  Charles  Moore  to  be  the  present  church-wardens, 
and  Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  John  Johnson,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas 
Davenport  and  Henry  Purdy  to  be  the  present  vestrymen  of  the  said  church, 
who  shall  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  their  said  respective  offices  until  Tuesday  in 
Easter  week  now  next  ensuing ;  and  for  the  keeping  up  the  succession  in  the 
said  offices,  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  establish,  direct  and 
require,  that  on  the  said  Tuesday  in  Easter  week,  now  next  ensuing,  and  yearly 
and  every  year  thereafter  for  ever,  on  Tuesday,  in  Easter  week,  in  every  year, 
the  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manner  of  Cortlandt.  near 
Peekskill,  shall  meet  at  the  said  church,  and  there  by  the  majority  of  voices  of 
such  of  them  as  shall  so  meet,  elect  aud  choose  two  of  their  members  to  be 
church-wardens,  and  six  others  of  their  members  to  be  vestrymen  of  the  said 
church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  said  church-wardens  and  vestrymen  so  elect- 
ed and  chosen  shall  enter  upon  their  respective  offices  and  hold,  exercise  aud 
enjoy  the  same  respectively  from  the  time  of  such  elections,  for  and  during  the 
space  of  one  year,  and  until  other  fit  persons  shall  be  elected  and  chosen  in  their 
respective  places ;  and  in  case  the  church -wardens  or  vestrymen,  or  either  of 
them,  by  these  presents  named  aud  appointed,  or  who  shall  be  hereafter  elected 
or  chosen  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  shall  die  before  the  time  of  their  respec- 
tive appointed  services  shall  be  expired,  or  refuse  or  neglect  to  act  in  the  office 
for  which  he  or  they  is  or  are  herein  nominated  aud  appointed,  or  whereunto  he 


122  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

or  they  shall  or  may  be  so  elected  and  chosen,  then  our  royal  'will  and  pleasure 
is.  and  we  do  hereby  direct,  ordain  and  require  the  rector  and  members  of  St. 
Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  for  the  time  being  do 
meet  at  the  said  church,  and  choose  other  or  others  of  their  members,  in  the 
place  and  stead  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  or  neglecting  or  refusing  to  act  within 
thirty  days  next  after  such  contingency.  And  in  this  case  for  the  more  due  and 
orderly  conducting  the  said  elections,  and  to  prevent  any  undue  proceediugs 
therein,  we  do  hereby  give  full  power  and  authority  to  ordain  and  require  that 
the  rector  and  the  said  church-wardens  of  the  said  church,  for  the  time  being,  or 
any  two  of  them,  shall  appoint  the  time  for  such  election  and  elections,  and  that 
the  rector  of  said  church,  or  in  his  absence,  one  of  the  said  church-wardens  for 
the  time  being,  shall  give  public  notice  thereof  by  publishing  the  same  at  the 
said  church  immediately  after  divine  service,  on  the  Sunday  next  prcceeding  the 
day  appointed  for  such  elections :  hereby  giving  and  granting  that  such  person 
or  persons  as  shall  be  so  chosen  from  time  to  time  by  the  rector  and  members  of 
St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  C'ourtlandt,  near  Peekskill,  or  the  majority  of 
such  of  them  as  shall  in  such  case  meet  in  manner  hereby  directed,  shall  have, 
hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  such,  the  office  or  offices  to  which  he  or  they  shall  be 
elected  and  choosen,  from  the  time  of  such  elections  until  the  Tuesday  in  Easter 
week  thereon  next  ensuing,  and  until  other  or  others  be  lawfully  chosen  in  his  or 
their  place  and  stead,  as  fully  and  amply  as  the  person  or  persons  iu  whose  place 
he  or  they  shall  be  chosen,  might  or  could  have  done  by  virtue  of  these  presents. 
Aud.we  do  hereby  will  and  direct  that  this  method  shall  forever  hereafter  be 
used  for  the  rilling  up  all  vacancies  that  shall  happen  in  either  the  said  offices 
between  the  annual  elections  above  directed.  And  our  royal  will  and  pleasure 
further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant, 
that  as  well  the  church-wardens  and  vestrymen  to  these  presents  nominated  and 
appointed  as  such,  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  hereafter  elected  and  chosen 
as  is  herein  directed,  shall  have  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power 
and  authority  to  execute  their  several  and  respective  offices  in  as  full  and  ample 
manner  as  any  church-wardens  or  vestrymen  in  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  this  our  province  of  New  York  can  or  law- 
fully may  execute  tlxeir  said  respective  offices.  Ar.d  further  our  royal  will 
and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do,  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  success  aa, 
give,  grant,  ordain  and  appoint,  that  the  rector  and  the  said  churchwardens  of 
the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and  may  from  time 
to  time,  as  occasion  may  require,  summon  and  call  together  at  such  day  and 
place  as  they  shall  think  proper,  the  said  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen 
for  the  time  being,  to  meet  in  vestry,  giving  them  at  least  one  day's  notice 
thereof :  and  we  do  hereby  require  them  to  meet  accordingly.  And  we  do  here- 
by give,  grant,  and  ordain  that  the  said  rector  and  one  of  the  said  church-wardens, 
for  the  time  being  at  least,  together  with  the  majority  of  the  said  vestrymen  of 
the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  being  met  in  vestry  as  above  directed,  shall 
ferever  hereafter  have,  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority 
by  the  majority  of  their  voices,  to  do  and  execute  in  the  name  of  the  rector 
and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt.  near  Peekskill, 
all  and  singular  the  powers  and  authorities  herein  before  given  and  granted  to 
the  said  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  mauor  of  Cortlandt, 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


near  Peek  skill,  any  wise  touching  or  relating  to  such  lands,  messuages  and  tene- 
ments, real  and  personal  estate  whatsoever,  as  they  the  said  rector  and  members 
of  said  church  in  the  manor  of  Courtlandt,  near  Peekskill,  shall  or  may  acquire 
for  the  use  of  the  said  church,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  order,  direct,  ina  age 
and  transact  the  general  interest,  business  and  affairs  of  our  said  corporation, 
and  also  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  in  like  manner  to  make  and  ordain 
such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances  as  they  shall  judge  convenient  for  the  good 
government  and  discipline  of  the  members  of  the  said  church :  provided,  such 
rules,  orders  and  ordinances  be  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  that  part  of  our 
kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  of  this  our  province  of  New  York, 
but  as  or  may  be  agreeable  thereto,  and  that  the  same  be  fairly  entered  in  a  book 
or  books  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint  the  form 
of  the  common  seal  herein  before  granted,  and  the  same  to  alter,  break,  and  re- 
make at  their  discretion,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint  such  office  or  offi- 
cers as  they  shall  stand  in  need  of,  always  provided  that  the  rector  of  the  said 
church  for  the  time  being,  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  nominating  and  appoint- 
ing the  clcTk  to  assist  him  in  performing  divine  service,  as  also  the  sexton ;  any- 
thing herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  notwithstanding,  which 
clerk  and  sexton  shall  hold  and  enjoy  their  respective  offices  during  the  will  and 
pleasure  of  the  rector  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being.  And  whereas  there 
hath  not  yet  been  any  minister  presented  or  inducted  to  the  said  church,  our 
royal  will  and  pleasure  therefore  is,  that  until  the  said  church  shall  be  supplied 
with  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  as  is  herein 
after  mentioned,  and  also  in  case  of  every  avoidance  of  the  said  church  there- 
after, either  by  the  death  of  the  rector  thereof  or  otherwise,  that  the  powers  and 
authorities  vested  in  the  rector,  church-wardens  and  vestrymen  in  vestry  met  as 
above  mentioned,  shall,  until  the  said  church  be  legally  supplied  with  another 
incumbent,  vest  in  and  be  executed  by  the  church-wardens  of  the  said  church  for 
the  time  being,  together  with  the  vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor 
of  Cortlaudt,  near  Peekskill ;  provided  always,  the  coucurrance  and  consent  of 
the  major  number  of  the  whole  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being 
be  had  in  every  thing  that  shall  in  such  cases  be  done  by  virtue  hereof.  And  we 
do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant  that  the 
patronage  and  advowson  of  the  said  church,  and  the  right  of  presentation  there- 
to, shall  forever  thereafter  belong  to  and  appertain,  and  is  hereby  vested  in  the 
church-wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  the  ma- 
jority of  them  forever,  whereof  one  church- warden  shall  always  be  one.  And 
further  we  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant 
unto  the  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  iu  the  manor  of  Cortlaudt, 
near  Peekskill,  and  their  successors  forever,  that  this  our  preseut  grant  shall  be 
deemed,  adjudged  and  construed  in  all  cases  most  favorably,  and  for  the  best 
benefit  and  advantage  of  the  said  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in 
the  manor  of  Cortlaudt,  near  Peekskill,  and  that  this  our  present  grant  being 
entered  on  record,  as  is  hereinafter  particularly  expressed,  shall  be  good  and  ef- 
fectual in  the  law  to  all  intents,  constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  against 
us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  herein  be- 
fore declared,  notwithstanding  the  not  reciting,  or  mis-recital,  not  naming,  or 
mis-naming  of  any  the  aforesaid  franchises,  privileges,  immunities,  offices,  or 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


other  the  premises,  or  auy  of  them  ;  and  although  no  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum 
or  other  writs,  inquisitors  or  penalties  hath  or  have  been,  upon  this  account,  had, 
made,  issued,  or  prosecuted.  To  Lave  and  to  hold,  all  and  singular,  the  privil- 
eges, liberties,  advantages  and  immunities  hereby  granted  or  meant,  mentioned 
or  intended  so  to  be,  unto  them  the  said  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  and  to  their  successors  for- 
ever. In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent, 
and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and  the  same  to  be 
entered  on  record  iu  our  Secretary's  office  in  our  city  of  New  York,  in  one  of  the 
books  of  patents  there  remaining.  Witness  our  said  trusty  and  well  beloved 
Cadwallader  Coldeu,  Esq.,  our  said  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  our  said  province  of  New  York,  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in 
America,  at  our  fort  in  our  city  of  New  York,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  our  Council  for  our  said  province,  the  18th  day  of  August  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  1770,  and  of  our  reign  the  10th"<* 

The  following  minutes  relates  to  the  first  vestry  meeting  held  under  the 
charter: — September  ist,  1770,  at  a  meeting  of  the  church-wardens 
and  Vestry  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peek- 
skill  ;  present,  Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr.  Charles  Moore,  wardens ;  M.  J. 
Johnson,  Mr.  Caleb  Ward,  Mr.  J.  Nelson  and  Mr.  Jeremiah  Drake, 
vestrymen.  The  charter  being  read,  they  proceeded  to  choose  Mr. 
John  Johnson,  clerk  for  the  present  year.  Resolved,  to  sett  a  subscrip- 
tion on  foot  in  favor  of  Mr.  John  Doty,  and  endeavour  to  settle  him  as 
our  minister.  Also,  resolved,  that  although  the  subscription  mentions 
to  be  paid  yearly,  yet  all  those  who  shall  subscribe  to  ye  support  of  a 
minister,  upon  their  moving  out  of  a  place,  shall  be  discharged  from 
their  subscription,  &c."6 

At  a  meeting  held  15th  of  October,  1770,  it  was  "agreed  to  give  Mr. 
John  Doty  a  call  as  rector  of  this  church,  when  he  is  properly  ordained. 
The  vestry  also  preferred  a  petition  to  the  Society  for  the  propagation  of 
the  Gospel  in  Foreign  parts,  for  recommending  Mr.  Doty,  and  praying 
their  assistance  for  his  maintenance.  They  likewise  addressed  a  letter 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barton,  Secretary  of  that  body,  giving  an  account  of  the 
state  of  the  church,  and  on  the  same  day  entered  into  a  bond  to  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Auchmuty,  D.D.,  for  the  payment  of  ^40  New  York 
currency  towards  the  minister's  support."0  The  following  copies^of  the 
letter  and  petition  are  from  the  MSS.  of  the  Ven.  Society: — 

a  Book  of  Patents,  Secretary  of  State's  office,  Albany. 
6  Vestry  book  of  St.  Peter's  church,  Peekskill,  pp.  L  % 
c  Ditto,  pp.  2,  3. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


THE  CHURCH  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY  OF  ST.  PETER'S 
CHURCH  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  Peekskill,  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  in  America, 

Oct.  i$th,  1770. 

Rev.  Sir: 

Permit  us,  as  wardens  and  vestrymen  for  St.  Peter's  church,  to  ad- 
dress you,  and  acquaint  you  with  the  steps  we  have  taken  for  settling  a 
church,  according  to  the  established  Church  of  England,  and  to  solicit 
your  assistance  and  interest  with  the  Venerable  Society,  that  we  may  be 
so  happy  as  to  be  patronized  by  them,  and  obtain  their  charitable  assist- 
ance towards  maintaining  a  minister. 

It  is  about  four  years  since  a  few  of  us  first  attempted  to  begin  the 
building  of  a  church  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  in  the 
county  of  Westchester  ;  and  on  the  9th  day  of  August,  1767,  had  got  it 
so  far  finished,  as  to  get  the  favor  of  the  worthy  and  Rev.  Dr.  Ogilvie  of 
New  York,  to  open  and  consecrate  it,  which  he  did,  calling  it  St.  Peter's 
church;  and  have  since  (tho*  not  yet  completely  finished)  made  it  a 
decent  and  a  comfortable  building  for  performing  divine  worship  in. 
The  next  step  we  took,  to  enable  us  further  to  prosecute  our  design,  was 
to  apply  to  his  honor,  Lieut.  Governor  Colden  for  a  charter,  which  he 
was  pleased  to  grant  us.  Being  so  far  advanced  in  our  undertaking, 
Mr.  John  Doty,  a  gentleman  educated  at  King's  College  in  New  York, 
offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  our  church,  and  has  performed  divine 
service  for  us  most  part  of  last  summer;  and  has  given  such  general 
satisfaction,  that  we  have  unanimously  agreed  to  give  him  a  call  as  soon 
as  he  is  properly  ordained,  and  authorized  to  peiform  the  office  of  a 
minister.  And  as  we  are  well  acquainted  with  his  moral  life  and  con- 
versation, we  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  to  the  Venerable  Society  as  a 
person  worthy  of  that  sacred  function,  and  don't  doubt  but  he  will  have 
ample  testimonials  from  the  worthy  clergy  of  New  York,  of  his  educa- 
tion and  abilities.  We  send  by  Mr.  Doty,  our  petition  to  the  Venera- 
ble Society,  a  copy  of  our  charter  and  of  our  subscription  paper  for  his 
maintenance,  which  amounts  to  j£6i,  15s.  New  York  currency,  an- 
nually; but  as  many  of  the  subscribers  are  very  poor,  and  some  of  them 
we  apprehend  will  be  necessarily  obliged  to  leave  the  neighborhood,  we 
fear  it  will  be  difficult  to  collect  some  of  the  subscriptions;  but  that  Mr. 
Doty  may  be  certain  of  receiving  something,  we  have  given  our  bond  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Auchmuty  as  trustees  for  the  Society,  obliging  us  to  pay 
annually  to  Mr.  Doty  the  sum  of  ^40  currency  during  his  continuance 
amongst  us,  as  our  minister,  and  if  the  whole  subscriptions  are  received 
it  is  all  to  be  paid  to  him.  The  church  is  in  a  very  thickly  settled  coun- 
try, (tho'  no  kind  of  public  worship  is  established  in  the  neighborhood) 
yet  at  present  there  are  but  very  few  that  profess  to  be  of  the  Church  of 
England,  which  makes  it  fall  very  heavy  upon  those  few,  so  heavy,  that  we 
could  not  have  gone  thro'  with  our  undertaking  but  by  entering  into  an 
agreement  with  the  people  on  the  lower  end  of  Philipse's  upper  patent, 
in  the  county  of  Dutchess,  that  if  they  would  join  in  the  building  of  St. 
Peter's  church,  and  in  the  subscription  for  the  support  of  a  minister, 


1 26 


HISTORY  OF  THN  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


that  when  we  obtained  a  missionary  he  should  be  settled  for  both  places, 
so  as  to  make  but  one  congregation  of  the  whole  (we  wish  we  could  say 
parish  for  the  number)  to  preach  every  other  Sunday  at  the  house  of 
Jacob  Mandeville,  till  such  time  as  we  could  build  a  church  in  that 
neighborhood,- so  that  we  humbly  request,  if  we  are  so  happy  as  to  gain 
the  Venerable  Society's  assistance  and  protection,  that  Mr.  Doty  may  be 
settled  by  them  as  their  missionary  for  both  the  above  mentioned  places. 
The  churches  will  not  be  more  than  eight  miles  asunder.  It  would 
give  us  great  pleasure  if  we  could  inform  the  Venerable  Society  of  our 
having  a  glebe  and  parsonage  house  provided,  but  that  we  are  sorry  to 
say  is  not  yet  accomplished.  The  people  that  make  up  our  congrega- 
tion are  so  very  poor,  that  we  have  been  discouraged  from  attempting 
to  purchase  a  piece  of  land  for  that  use.  But  we  can  nevertheless  assure 
the  Venerable  Society,  that  from  the  gracious  offer  of  Mr.  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, we  have  not  the  least  doubt  of  having  a  very  good  glebe  provided 
within  the  year.  For  a  more  particular  account  of  the  manner  in  which 
we  expect  to  obtain  the  glebe,  we  must  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  Mr. 
Doty,  who  is  well  acquainted  with  every  circumstance  relating  thereto. 

We  are  with  the  greatest  esteem  and  respect,  Rev.  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servants,       Beverly  Robinson,  , 


For  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  church."a 

TO  THE  VENERABLE  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  PROPAGATION  OF  THE 
GOSPEL  IN  FOREIGN  PARTS.  THE  PETITION  OF  THE  WAR- 
DENS AND  VESTRY  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  IN  THE  MANOR 
OF  CORTLANDT,  NEAR  PEEKSKILL,  IN  THE  COUNTY  OF 
WESTCHESTER  AND  PROVINCE  OF  NEW  YORK  IN  AMERICA. 

Humbly  Sheweth, 

"  That  your  petitioners,  in  conjunction  with  the  rest  of  the  people 
who  from  the  congregations  of  the  churches  aforesaid,  having  for  some 
time  labored  under  the  lamentable  circumstance  of  not  enjoying  an  op- 
portunity of  publickly  worshiping  God  in  the  decent  and  solemn  order 
of  the  established  Church  of  England,  whose  evangelical  doctrine  and 
discipline  they  profess  and  admire;  and  being  convinced  of  how  great 
utility  such  a  sacred  establishment  would  be,  the  county  being  thickly 
inhabited  and  almost  entirely  destitute  of  every  kind  of  public  worship, 
towards  promoting  the  salvation  of  many  souls  and  the  prosperity  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  have  (tho'  at  present  but  few  in  number.)  been  at  the 
expense  of  building  a  neat  and  convenient  church,  for  which  they  have 
received  a  charter  from  his  Honour  Lieut.  Governor  Colden.  That  be- 
ing well  satisfied  of  the  character  and  abilities  of  Mr.  John  Doty,  a 
gentleman  educated  at  King's  College,  they  have  unanimously  given 
him  a  call  and  agreed,  when  he  shall  be  properly  ordained  by  his  Lord- 
ship the  Bishop  of  London,  or  any  other  English  Bishop  appointed  for 
that  purpose,  to  receive  him  as  their  minister  for  the  said  St.  Peter's 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  li,  pp.  524-6.  (nawfcs.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


127 


church,  and  also  for  the  neighborhood  of  Jacob  Mandeville,  in  the  lower 
end  of  Philipse's  patent,  in  Dutchess  county,  where  it  is  intended  to 
build  another  church  to  be  united  as  one  congregation,  and  that  they 
have  cheerfully  subscribed  to  the  amount  of  j£(n  15s.  New  York,  cur- 
rency, towards  supporting  him  as  such.  But  sensible  that"  such  a  sum 
is  not  sufficient  for  that  purpose,  and  being  well  assured  of  the  benevo- 
lence and  generosity  of  the  Venerable  Society,  whose  readiness  upon  all 
occasions,  as  far  as  possible  to  favor  attempts  of  this  nature  has  ever 
been  deservedly  admired,  they  take  the  liberty  humbly  to  pray  that  they 
will  appoint  Mr.  Doty  their  missionary  to  the  aforesaid  places,  and  to 
grant  him  such  part  of  their  bounty  as  they  shall  think  proper. 

Your  petitioners  humbly  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your  favorable 
notice  the  infant  state  of  St.  Peter's  church,  and  to  assure  you  that  we 
shall  ever  esteem  it  a  singular  honor  and  happiness  to  be  in  any  degree 
patronized  by  the  Society.  May  heaven  ever  smile  upon  and  bless  your 
laudible  endeavors  to  promote  the  glory  of  God;  and  at  the  great  day 
of  accounts  crown  all  your  faithful  labors  here  with  everlasting  happi- 
ness. 

Scaled  by  order  of  the  Vestry,  this  15th  day  of  Oct.,  1770. 

John  Johnson,  Clerk."" 

The  Rev.  John  Doty,  A.M.,  the  first  rector  of  this  parish,  was  the  son 
of  Joseph  Doty  of  New  York,  where  he  was  borncirc.  1750. 6  In  1768 
he  was  entered  at  Kings  College,  where  he  was  admitted  B.  A.  pro  forma 
in  1770.  During  the  Summer  of  that  year  he  officiated  in  this  parish 
as  a  lay  reader,  and  in  the  fall  went  to  England  for  holy  orders.  His 
license  from  the  Bishop  of  London,  to  officiate  in  this  Province,  bears 
date  Tuesday,  the  1st  of  January,  1771.  Soon  after  his  return  he  ac- 
cepted the  call  of  the  vestry,  and  was  thereupon  inducted,  as  appears 
from  the  following  documents: — "On  the  8th  of  June,  177 1,  it  was 
unanimously  agreed  by  the  wardens  and  vestry,  that  the  Rev.  John  Doty 
be  presented  to  the  rectory  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  Manor  of  Cort- 
landt,  near  PeekskilL,  and  ordered  that  the  wardens  do  deliver  him  the 
key  of  the  said  church  and  give  him  possession  according  to  law." 
Agreeable  to  the  above  resolution  the  church  wardens  did  on  the  same 
day  deliver  the  key  to  the  said  Rev.  John  Doty,  and  possession  of  the 
said  church. 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  11,  pp.  526-T.  (ITawKs.) 

6  Joseph  Doty  was  a  member  of  the  ancient  family  of  the  Doughty's  or  Donteys  of  Esher, 
Surrey  and  Boston,  Lincolnshire,  England.  There  was  a  Samuel  Doty  graduated  at  Vale  Col- 
lege in  1733.  The  arms  of  this  family  are :— ar,  two  bars,  between  three  mullets  of  six  points 
sa.  pierced  or.  "  The  Rev  Samuel  Doghty,  rector  of  Sibleston,  was  a  younger  brother  of  the 
polite  and  ]>olitic  Mr.  Thomas  Doughty  of  Midburn  who  conformed,  and  probably  the  son  of 
ilr.  Samuel  Doughty  rector  of  BringUurst."  Nonconformist  memorial,  voL  ll,  p.  401. 


128 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


GOVERNOR  TRYON'S  ADMISSION  OF  MR.  DOTY  TO  THE  RECTORY 
OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  PEEKSKILL.  . 

"I,  William  Tryon,  Esq.  Captain  General  and  Governor-in-Chief  in  and  over 
the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  thereon  depending  in  America, 
Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  do  admit  you,  John  Doty,  Clerk,  to 
be  Rector  of  this  parish,  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cort- 
landt,  near  Peekskill,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the  said  Province,  with 
all  their  rights,  members  and  appurtenances.  Given  under  my  hand  and  the 
prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  the  16th  day  of  July,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1771.  William  Tuyon." 

LETTERS  OF  INSTITUTION  BY  GOVERNOR  TRYON  TO  MR.  JOHN 

DOTY,  CLERK. 

"I,  William  Tryon,  Esq.  Captain  General  and  Governor-in-Chief  in  and  over 
the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  America, 
Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  Do  institute  you  John  Doty,  Clerk, 
to  be  Rector  of  the  parish  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peeks- 
kill,  in  ye  County  of  Westchester  in  the  said  Province,  to  the  care  of  the  souls 
of  the  parisliioners  of  ye  said  parish  and  take  your  cure  and  mine.  Given  under 
my  hand  and  the  Provincial  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  Yoik,  this  16th  day  of 
July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1771.  William  Tkyon." 

"  Upon  which  Mr.  John  Doty,  having  first  produced  a  certificate  to  this  board 
of  his  having,  in  the  presence  of  several  witnesses, declared  his  unfeigned  assent  and 
consent  to  the  XXXIX  Articles  of  Religion  agreed  upon  by  the  Archbishops  and 
Bishops  in  the  Convention,  holdeu  at  London,  A.  D.  1562,  a  d  having  prefixed 
thereto  His  Majesties  Royal  Declaration,  after  which  he  was  by  virtue  of  certain 
letters  mandatory,  under  the  Prerogative  seal,  in  due  manner  inducted  into  the 
real,  actual  and  corporeal  possession  of  the  Rectory  and  parish  church  of  St. 
Peter's  afforesaid,  which  letters  mandatory,  are  in  the  following  words,  viz  : 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOR  TRYON  TO  INDUCT  MR.  JOHN  DOTY 
INTO  THE  RECTORY  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 

"  His  Excellency  William  Tryon,  Esq.  Captain  General  ami  Governor-in-Chief 
in  and  over  the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon  in 
America,  Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  To  all  and  singular,  Rectors 
and  Parish  Ministers  whatsoever  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  or  to  the  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Peter's  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
near  Peekskill,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  said  Province,  and  to' each 
and  every  of  you,  greeting :  Whereas,  I  have  admitted  our  beloved  in  Christ, 
John  Doty,  Clerk,  to  the  Rectory  of  the  parish  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's 
in  the  manor  of  Courtlandt,  near  Peekskill,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  with- 
in this  Government,  to  which  the  said  John  Doty  was  presented  by  the  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  of  the  said  parish,  the  true  and  undoubted  patrons  of 
the  said  parish,  vacant,  as  never  having  before  been  supplied  by  any  incumbent  ; 
and  him  the  said  John  Doty,  I  have  instituted  into  the  Rectory  of  the  said  parish 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


129 


and  parish  church,  with  all  their  rights,  members  and  appurtenances,  (observing 
the  laws  and  caunous  of  right  iu  that  behalf  required,  and  to  be  observed :)  To 
you  therefore,  jointly  and  severally,  I  do  commit,  and  firmly  enjoining  do  com- 
mand,  each  and  every  of  you,  that  in  due  manner,  biin  the  said  John  Doty, 
Clerk,  or  his  lawful  proctor  in  his  name,  or  for  him,  into  the  real  actual  and 
corporeal  possession  of  the  said  Rectory,  parish  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's, 
and  of  all  the  right3  and  appurtenances  whatever  to  the  same  belonging,  you 
induct  or  cause  to  be  inducted;  and  him  so  inducted,  you  do  defend;  and  of 
what  you  shall  have  done  in  the  premises  thereof,  you  do  duly  certify  unto  me  or 
other  competent  judges  in  that  behalf,  when  thereunto  you  shall  be  duly  required. 
Given  under  my  hand  and  the  Prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
the  16th  day  of  July,  1771. a  William  Tyron." 

During  this  year  Governor  Tryon  also  granted  a  special  charter,  in 
virtue  whereof  the  vestry  held  a  certain  glebebof  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  given  by  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson,  senior  warden  of  this  parish, 
for  the  use  of  the  Rector  officiating  one  half  of  his  time  at  St.  Philipse's 
in  the  Highlands.  This  property  was  subsequently  sold,  as  we  shall 
have  occasion  to  show,  under  an  order  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  in  1S38, 
and  equally  divided  between  the  two  churches.  Out  of  these  funds 
(aided  by  a  liberal  donation  from  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  amounting 
to  $1,000,)  the  present  chapel  was  erected  in  the  village  of  Peekskill. 

Beverly  Robinson,  Esq.,  the  noble  benefactor  of  this  parish,  was  a 
son  of  the  Hon.  John  Robinson  of  Virginia,  who  was  president  of  that 
Colony  on  the  retirement  of  Governor  Gooch,  in  1734.  He  emigrated 
to  New  York,  and  married  Susannah,  daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse, 
Esq.,  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh.  By  this  connection,  Mr. 
Robinson  became  rich.  When  the  Revolutionary  controversy  com- 
menced, he  was  living  upon  that  portion  of  the  Philipse  estate  which 
had  been  given  to  his  wife,  and  there  he  desired  to  remain  in  the  quiet 
enjoyment  of  country  life,  and  in  the  management  of  this  large  domain 
That  such  was  his  inclination,  is  asserted  by  the  late  President  Dwight, 
and  is  fully  confirmed  by  circumstances  and  by  his  descendants.  He 
was  opposed  to  the  Measures  of  the  ministry,  gave  up  the  use  of  imported 
merchandise,  and  clothed  himself  and  his  family  in  fabrics  of  domestic 
manufacture.  But  he  was  also  opposed  to  the  separation  of  the  Colonies 
from  the  mother  country.  Still,  he  wished  to  take  no  part  in  the  conflict 
of  arms  ;  but  importunity  of  friends  overruled  his  own  judgement,  and 
he  entered  the  military  sendee  of  the  crown.  His  standing  entitled  him 
to  high  rank.  Of  the  loyal  American  regiment,  raised  principally  in  New 
York  by  himself,  he  was  accordingly  commissioned  the  colonel.  He  al- 
ii Vea  try  book. 

b  The  old  cbarch  glebe  U  now  tbe  property  of  Mr.  David  McCoy. 


I3° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


•so  commanded  the  corps  called  the  '  Guides '  and  '  Pioneers.'  Of  the 
former  or  the  loyal  Americans,  his  son  Beverly  was  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  Thomas  Barclay,  Major.  .  Besides  his  active  duty  in  the  field. 
Colonel  Robinson  was  employed  to  conduct  several  matters  of  con- 
sequence, and  he  figures  conspicuously  in  cases  of  defection  from  the 
Whig  cause. 


Colonel  Robinson  at  the  peace,  with  a  part  of  his  family,  went  to  Eng- 
land. The  name  appears  as  a  member  of  the  first  Council  of  New 
Brunswick,  but  he  never  took  his  seat  at  that  board.  His  wife  is  in- 
cluded in  the  confiscation  act  of  New  York,  and  the  whole  estate  de- 
rived from  her  father  passed  from  the  family.  The  value  of  her  interest 
may  be  estimated  from  the  fact,  that  the  British  Government  granted 
her  husband  the  sum  of  ^17,000  sterling,  which,  though  equal  to  eighty 
thousand  dollars,  was  considered  only  a  partial  compensation.  After 
going  to  England,  Colonel  Robinson  lived  in  retirement.  He  was  un- 
happy, and  did  not  conceal  the  sufferings  which  preyed  on  his  spirits. 
He  resided  at  Thornbury,  near  Bath,  and  there  closed  his  days  in  1792, 
at  the  age  of  69.  His  sons  were,  Col,  Beverly  Robinson  of  the  British 
army,  (who  died  in  i8t6,  at  New  York  while  on  a  visit  to  his  two  sons, 
Beverly  and  Morris,  who  still  continue  to  reside  in  that  city),  Col.  Moms 
Robinson  of  the  British  army,  and  Col.  John  Robinson,  speaker  of  the 
House  of  Assembly  in  New  Brunswick.* 

a  Sabere's  Hist,  of  the  Loyalist. 


Col.  Beverly  Roblnsou. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  131 

We  return  to  the  history  of  the  parish.  Upon  the  23d  of  March, 
1772,  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry: — "To  go  and  build  Mr.  Doty  a 
house — also  to  agree  with  Jercdiah  Frost  to  get  the  timber,  draw  the 
same,  (viz  :  the  boards  and  other  materials  which  he  may  want  for  the 
said  house)  to  do  all  the  carpenter's  and  joiner's  work,  and  paint  and 
glaze  the  same  for  seventy-five  pounds." 

Mr.  Doty's  incumbency  here  was  short,  not  continuing  over  two  years. 
From  this  place  he  removed  to  Schenectady,  as  appears  by  the  following 
extract  from  the  abstract  of  the  Ven.  Prop.  Society  for  1773  : — "  At  the 
request  of  the  church-wardens  and  vestry  of  Schenectady,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Doty,  a  gentleman  educated  at  King's  College,  New  York,  and  ordained 
sometime  since  for  St.  Peter's,  at  Peekskill,  is  appointed  to  succeed  the 
Rev.  Wm.  Andrews,  with  the  former  salary."  The  Society,  however, 
were  greatly  displeased  at  his  removal,  and  through  their  secretary  in- 
formed him,  "  That  the  circumstances  under  which  he  left  his  congrega- 
tion at  Peekskill  do  not  raise  him  in  the  opinion  of  the  Society,  to  whom 
his  conduct,  in  that  particular,  hath  been  reported  to  his  disadvantage,  and 
as  an  act  of  ingratitude."a  He  remained  at  Schenectady  until  1777, when 
he  removed  to  Canada,  being  obliged  to  sell  his  furniture  to  obtain  the 
means  of  transportation.6  "  In  1775,  (says  Dr.  O'Callaghan)  divine  ser- 
vice was  suspended  in  his  church,  on  account  of  the  troubles,  and  he 
himself  became  the  object  of  much  harsh  treatment.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  twice,  and  at  length  deemed  it  prudent,  in  the  fall  of  1777,  to 
apply  for  liberty  to  remove  to  Canada,  which  he  obtained.  He  there- 
upon proceeded  to  Montreal,  where  he  was  appointed  chaplain  to  his 
Majesty's  royal  regiment  of  New  York.  Here  he  continued  until  Octo- 
ber, 1 78 1,  when  he  repaired  to  England.  He  returned  to  Canada  12th 
of  June,  1784,  having  been  appointed  missionary  at  Sorel.  Here,  for 
the  first  four  weeks,  he  performed  divine  service  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  afterwards  in  the  barracks,  where  he  resided.  A  place  of 
worship  was,  however,  afterwards  erected,  and  Mr.  Doty  continued  mis- 
sionary at  this  place  until  1793."  "  It  is  with  concern,  (says  the  Society) 
that  it  has  received  information  that  they  are  deprived  of  the  useful 
services  of  this  worthy  missionary,  (Mr.  John  Doty)  by  his  removal  into 
his  native  country,  to  take  charge  of  St.  Anne's  church,  at  Brooklyn,  on 
Long  Island,  in  the  Province  of  New  York."  (abstracts  of  1794.)  His 
connection  with  this  church  must,  however,  have  been  brief;  for  his 
name  occurs  again  in  1796,  on  the^  Society's  list  as  missionary  at  Sorel, 

a  Copied  from  the  oripinal  letter  In  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Payne,  rector  oi  St. 
George's  church,  Schenectady. 

6  Fowler's  MSS.  Biographies  of  the  Clergy,  p.  411,  533. 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

whether  he  must  have  returned  the  previous  year.  He  finally  resigned 
his  mission  in  1803,  when  his  connection  with  the  Society  for  Propagat- 
ing the  Gospel  ceased  altogether." 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Doty,  the  vestry  must  have* adopted 
measures  for  obtaining  the  services  of  another  minister ;  for  on  the  1  Sth 
of  September,  1775,  it  was  resolved  by  that  body,  "to  set  on  foot  a  sub- 
scription towards  the  support  of  the  Rev.  Bennet  Page,  during  his  preach- 
ing at  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Peekskill."  This  individual  was  probably 
the  Rev.  Bernard  Page,  A.  M.,  who  was  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, August  24th,  1772,  appointed  to  Wyoming  parish,  Pennsylvania, 
from  whence  he  removed  to  this  Province.  Mr.  Page  does  not  appear 
to  have  officiated  here  very  long ;  and  no  doubt  left  in  consequence  of 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Several  persons  of  this  name 
were  graduates  of  Harvard  University,  and  staunch  loyalists.  After 
this,  religious  services  were  suspended  in  the  parish,  and  no  clergyman 
was  called  or  settled  for  nearly  seventeen  years.  Seated  near  the  Hud- 
son river,  the  village  of  Peekskill  suffered  a  great  deal  from  the  in- 
roads of  the  enemy;  who  frequently  came  out  from  New  York  in  con- 
siderable force.  In  September,  1777,  the  whole  place  was  sacked  and 
burnt,  and  the  neighboring  country  pillaged  by  them. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  (the  principal  members  of  the  church  having 
removed  from  the  parish)  the  Presbyterians  took  advantage  of  the  dis- 
sentions  then  existing,  by  attempting  to  seize  the  church  and  glebe,  and, 
under  the  act  of  17  84,"  choosing  trustees,  who  it  seems  were  all  of  one 
persuasion.  But  these  nefarious  schemes  were  happiTy  frustrated,  and 
the  church  finally  incorporated  under  the  old  title. 

According  to  a  notice  of  this  event  given  by  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler, 
in  the  year  1793,  we  learn: — "That  three  or  four  years  ago  the  Presby- 
terians made  an  attempt  to  take  -the  church  and  glebe  by  force;  they 
called  the  church  by  a  new  name  '  Union  Church'  and  in  order  to  carry 
their  schemes  they  chose  one  half  of  the  trustees  as  they  said,  out  of  the 
church.  The  truth  is  they  had  once  professed  themselves  Episcopalians; 
but  most  of  them  have  since  proved  themselves  to  be  rank  Dissenters, 
which  the  Presbyterians  no  doubt  knew."  These  facts  were  recorded  in 
consequence  of  Mr.  Silas  Constant  (a  Presbyterian  minister)  having  ap- 
plied to  the  vestry  for  liberty  to  preach  in  the  church.  The  latter,  how- 
ever, referred  the  matter  to  Mr.  Fowler,  who  very  improperly  granted  the 
request.  It  appears  that  only  a  short  time  previous  to  this  Mr.  Fowler 
had  obtained  the  use  of  Mr.  Constant's  pulpit  at  Yorktown.  Fourteen 


a  Entitled  an  act  to  enable  all  Religious  Denominations  in  the  State  to  appoint  trustees. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


r33 


years  afterwards,  however,  when  the  latter  again  applied  for  the  same 
object,  the  vestry  took  a  much  firmer  stand,  voting  as  follows: — "That 
leave  cannot  be  granted  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Constant  to  preach  in  the 
church  of  St.  Peter's  consistent,  with  the  canons  of  the  Church."0 

According  to  notice  given  on  Monday,  5th  of  April,  1790,  being  Mon- 
day in  Easter  week,  (the  day  appointed  by  charter  for  choosing  officers 
for  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  and  St.  Philip's  chapel 
in  the  Highlands,)  the  following  persons  were  elected  for  the  ensuing 
year,  viz:  Wm.  Dunning  and  Caleb  Ward,  church-wardens;  Joshua 
Nelson,  James  Spock,  Richard  A.  Arnold,  Caleb  Morgan,  Silvanus 
Haight  and  Jarvis  Dusenbury,  vestrymen.  Upon  the  24th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1791,  the  vestry  "agreed  to  pay  the  sum  of  £20  for  the  support  of 
David  Lamson,  to  read  service  in  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Peekskill  and 
St.  Philip's  chapel  in  the  Highlands,  until  the  first  of  April  next;  and  it 
is  further  agreed  that  Joshua  Nelson  and  Silvanus  Haight,  shall  furnish 
him  with  necessarys  agreeable  to  a  person  of  his  station,  during  said 
term." 

The  first  incorporation  of  this  church  subsequent  to  the  Revolution, 
took  place  26th  of  April,  1791,  under  the  style  and  title  of  the  corpora- 
tion of  St.  Peter's  church,  Peekskill,  and  St.  Philip's  chapel  in  the 
Highlands.  Joshua  Nelson,  Richard  Aran  dell,  Silvanus  Haight,  James 
Spock,  Jarvis  Dusenbury,  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  church,  Peekskill.  First 
trustees,  Wm.  Ward,  Caleb  Ward,  James  Spock,  Silvanus  Haight,  Caleb 
Morgan,  Joshua  Nelson,  Richard  Arundell,  Jarvis  Dusenbury.  Signed 
16th  December,  1791.** 

The  parish  remained  destitute  of  stated  services  until  1792,  when  the 
vestry  called  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler.  He  was  the  son  of  Andrew 
Fowler,  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Fowler  one  of  the  original  planters 
of  Guilford,  Conn.,  in  1639  or  1640,  by  his  wife  Martha  Stone,  and  was 
born  at  Guilford,  10th  of  June,  1760.  He  graduated  A.B.  at  Yale  in 
1783,  and  received  his  A.M.  degree  in  i793-c  In  1784,  he  had  charge 
of  a  school  at  New  Rochelle,  and  the  year  following  was  chosen  the  first 
delegate  from  the  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention.  To  his  exer- 
tions, under  God,  the  church  in  this  county  is  justly  indebted;  for  at  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  collected  the  dispersed  congregations 
at  Rye,  White  Plains,  New  Rochelle  and  Yonkers,  in  the  capacity  of  a 
lay  reader.    In  1788,  he  was  recommended  to  the  Bishop  for  holy 

a  Vestry  minutes,  April  25,  1807. 
b  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  26 

c  "Andrew  Fowler  born  in  Guilford  Aug.,  1T2S,  and  died  Oct.,  1S15.  Martha  Stone,  born 
Aug.,  1737,  died  1794.  Child,  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  born  in  Guilford,  June  10,  1760,  died 
Dec  2!),  1S50,  iu  Charleston,  S.  C.  The  eldest  of  twelve  children.  Rec.  of  Guilford,  Conn. 


134  /HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


orders,  and  was  ordained  Deacon  by  Bishop  Provoost.  in  the  month  of 
June,  1789,  and  Priest  on  the  iSthday  of  the  same  month,  1790.  He 
commenced  his  labors  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  over  the  united  par- 
ishes of  Brookhaven,  Huntington  and  Oyster  Bay,  L.  I.  He  remained 
there  but  two  years,  when  he  was  called,  as  we  have  seen,  to  the  rector- 
ship of  this  parish.  Upon  the  7th  of  August,  1792,  the  vestry  agreed 
with  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  to  officiate  as  rector,  and  to  pay  him  for 
his  services  the  sum  of  ^70."  They  also  agreed  "to  put  him  in  pos- 
session of  the  glebe  farm,  from  the  first  day  of  May  next." 

The  same  year  Mr.  Dunning,  senior  warden  of  the  parish,  certified  to 
the  Diocesan  Convention,  "that  possession  had  been  procured  of  the 
parsonage  house  and  glebe,  belonging  to  the  churches  of  St.  Philip's  at 
the  Highlands,  and  St.  Peter's,  near  Peekskill.  That  they  had  given  a 
call  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler,  and  had  provided  for  his  support ;  and  that 
the  people  seemed  much  pleased  with  having  the  gospel  once  more 
preached,  and  divine  service  performed  according  to  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church."  At  a  vestry  meeting  held  January  3d,  1793,  it  was 
resolved: — "That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  shall  be  inducted  according  to 
the  mode  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  State,  now  in  use, 
into  the  rectory  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and 
St.  Philip's  chapel,  in  Phillipstown,  now  in  connection  together,  and  that 
the  induction  into  St.  Peter's  shall  be  made  on  Sunday,  the  6th  of  next 
January;  and  the  induction  of  St.  Philip's  chapel,  whenever  conven- 
ience will  permit."  Upon  the  4th  of  January,  1794,  the  thanks  of  the 
vestry  were  given  to  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  for  the  great  pains  he  had 
taken  at  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  to  obtain  a  title  for  the  glebe  be- 
longing to  the  united  churches.  Mr.  Fowler  resigned  the  charge  of  this 
parish  in  1794,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
lina, where  he  died  December  29th,  1850,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety. 
The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Calendar  for  March 
1st,  1 85 1 : — 

"The  Charleston  Gospel  Messenger  for  February,  contains  an 
obituary  notice  from  which  we  extract  the  following  particulars: — 
'It  may  be  truly  said  of  the  departed  he  was  a  great  missionary*  In 
five  or  more  of  our  Dioceses  he  officiated  for  more  or  less  time;  but  the 
greater  part  of  his  ministerial  life,  that  is  about  forty  years,  was  passed  in 
South  Carolina.  He  was  the  first  missionary  of  our  'Advancement  Socie- 
ty,' and  first  missionary  of  the  'Society  for  Missions  of  young  men  and 
others,'  instituted  in  Charleston ;  which  was  intended  to  act  out  of  the 
Diocese,  the  elder  Society  being  trusted  within  the  Diocese,  and  which 
continued  until  the  'General  Missionary  Society'  superceded  the  occa- 
sion of  it.    The  churches  now  flourishing  in  Columbia,  Choran,  St 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


*35 


Augustin,  (Florida.)  and  Wadesborough,  at  Charleston,  were  planted  by 
him.  The  old  parishes  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Edisto  Island,  and  Christ 
church,  each  of  them  for  several  years  found  the  benefit  of  his  ministra- 
tions.' 

"Few  more  industrious  men,  physically,  mentally  and  socially,  have 
ever  lived.  'These  hands' he  could  truly  say,  'have  ministered  to  my 
necessities,  and  those  who  were  with  me.'  Into  the  garden,  the  field, 
the  orchard,  the  vineyard  and  the  forest,  he  went — not  for  recreation,  or 
to  gain  wealth,  but  to  supply  the  deficiency  of  an  inadequate  salary;  for 
he  coveted  no  man's  silver  or  gold,  or  apparel. 

"  More  contentment,  with  the  allotments  of  Divine  Providence  ;  more 
cheerfulness  in  narrow  circumstances ;  more  confidence  in  God,  as  re- 
spected himself  and  family;  more  meekness  in  his  intercourse  with  men; 
more  resignation  in  sickness,  sightlessness,  adversity,  bereavement  and 
the  last  conflict,  I  have  not  witnessed.  I  might  specify  incidents  known 
to  several  present.  To  one  only  I  will  advert: — "He  had  a  son  in- 
tended for  Holy  Orders,  much  care  was  bestowed  and  expense  (in- 
volving serious  self-denial)  incurred  on  his  education.  It  was  finished 
with  credit  at  one  of  our  chief  colleges.  The  youth  was  now  com- 
petent to  provide  for  himself,  and  was  just  about  to  become  a  can- 
didate for  the  ministry;  but  he  (at  that  time  the  only  son)  died.  It 
was  a  trial,  met  by  his  aged  father  in  the  temper  of  faithful  Abra- 
ham, and  with  the  resignation  of  holy  Job.  On  the  Feast  of  St. 
Thomas  the  Holy  Communion  was  administered  to  our  friend,  and 
on  the  Sunday  after  Christmas  he  departed,  as  we  trust,  to  be  ever 
with  the  Lord,  aged  ninety  years  and  seven  months." 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell  succeeded  Mr.  Fowler,  and  continued  minis- 
ter of  the  parish  until  1 798.  For  two  or  three  years  the  parish  was  again 
vacant.  During  this  period  another  attempt  appears  to  have  been  made  to 
Obtain  possession  of  the  church  by  a  Mr.  Palmer  and  others;  for  at 
a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  6th  of  November,  1801,  it  was  ordered: 
— "That  the  doors  of  the  churches  (St.  Peter's  and  St.  Philip's)  be  shut 
against  Mr.  Palmer  for  the  future."  In  the  year  1803,  Mr.  James 
Mandeville  paid  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  for  "  one  year's  rent  of 
the  parsonage  farm,  ending  15th  of  April,  ^35;  and  to  one  year's 
rent  of  the  church  land,  situated  round  the  church  at  Peekskill  £i."a 
The  latter  must  refer  to  the  cemetery  which  was  confirmed  to  the  church 
by  the  royal  charter  of  1770.  Occasional  services  were  performed  at 
this  time  by  the  New  York  clergy;  for  on  the  20th  of  May,  1804, 
Mr.  James  Mandeville  charges  the  vestry  with  the  expenses,  "  paid 
by  him,  for  keeping  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Cooper  and  Wilkins,  jQd  12.'' 

In  1806,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Warren  was  called  to  be  rector  of  the 


a  Vestry  minutes.  The  Baptist  meeting  honse  must  have  stood  near  St.  Peter's  church,  for 
on  the  *■  201  )■  of  March,  1305.  Joseph  Ferris  was  appointed  to  put  up  the  division  fence  be- 
tween the  church  yards  of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  Churches." 


l36 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


united  parishes  of  St.  Peter's,  Cortlandt,  and  St.  Philip's,  Philipstown. 
The  next  year  he  makes  report  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  for  the 
two  churches,  of  ten  communicants.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
John  Urquhart,  who  entered  upon  his  duties  as  minister  of  the  united 
parishes  in  i8o9,a  and  resigned  in  December,  1814,  whereupon  the 
"  Rev.  Adam  Empie  and  the  Rev.  John  Brown  were  selected  to  supply 
the  vacant  congregations  at  Peekskill  and  Philipstown."  The  following 
year  the  Rev.  Adam  Empie  (chaplain  and  professor  in  the  military 
Academy  at  West  Point)  reported : — "  That  in  compliance  with  the 
appointments  made  at  the  last  Convention  he  has  performed  divine  ser- 
vices, and  preached  two  Sundays  at  Philipstown  and  two  Sundays  at 
Peekskill;  in  each  of  which  place  he  administered  the  Holy  Com- 
munion, of  the  advantages  of  which  they  had  for  more  than  two 
years  been  deprived."  The  Rev.  Petrus  S.  Ten  Broeck,  Deacon,  re- 
siding in  New  York,  succeeded  Mr.  Urquhart  in  1817.  In  the  fall  of 
18 1 6  he  reported  to  the  Convention,  "That  the  congregations  at  Fish 
skill,  Philipstown  and  Peekskill,  have  been  in  a  depressed  state  in  con- 
sequence of  having  been  destitute  of  the  regular  services  of  a  clergy- 
man for  some  time  past ;  the  two  last  particularly,  which  have  been 
longest  destitute.6  They  now  appear  to  be  rising  from  their  depres- 
sion."''   For  the  successors  of  Mr.  Ten  Broeck  see  list  of  rectors. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  January  4th,  1828,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
James  Wiley  and  John  Oppie  were  appointed  a  committee  to  rent  the 
glebe  farm,  and  also  to  petition  the  Chancellor  for  leave  to  sell  the 
same,  &c.  Permission  was  accordingly  granted  on  the  1  oth  of  Novem- 
ber, 1828,  and  on  the  20th  of  October,  1838,  the  glebe  was  sold  for  the 
sum  of  five  thousand  dollars.  On  the  18th  of  April,  1840,  (in  answer  to 
an  application  of  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  church  and 
St.  Philip's  chapel,)  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  this  State, 
authorizing  a  separation  of  said  church  and  chapel. 

In  1829  an  organization  was  formed  in  the  village  of  Peekskill  by  the 
name  of  St.  Paul's  church,d  which  continued  until  1840,  when  the  above 
mentioned  act  of  the  Legislature  took  effect,  and  the  present  corpora- 
tion was  formed  under  the  title  of  "  St.  Peter's  church,  Cortlandt,,in  the 
village  of  Peekskill." 

a  Jacob  Lent  was  allowed  $23  In  1S0S-9,  for  reading  services  In  both  churches. 

h  The  vestery  on  February  22d,  1817,  "refused  to  allow  the  Independent  Congregation  to 
occupy  a  part  of  the  church  and  further  consideration." 

c  This  application  appears  to  have  been  made  without  a  formal  meeting  of  the  vestry. 

d  The  Rev.  Edward  J.  Ives  in  his  report  to  tho  Diocesan  Convention  of  1S29,  says :  "  A  new 
congregation  has  also  been  organized  in  the  village  of  Peekskill,  who  contemplate  the  erection 
Of  a  new  church  as  soon  as  their  pecuniary  resources  shall  be  enlarged,  being  now  insufficient 
to  carry  their  good  object  into  effect." 


THE  TOWJI  OF  CORTLANDT. 


St.  Puter'd  Church  aud  the  Tomb  of  Paulding. 


The  old  parochial  church  of  St.  Peter's  (a  venerable  relic  of  the  piety 
of  its  founders,  worthy  of  preservation,  and  which,  connected  as  it  is 
with  the  early  Provincial  history  of  the  church  in  this  country,  we  hope 
to  see  ere  long  put  in  creditable  repair0 )  stands  upon  the  summit  of  a 
high  knoll,  a  short  distance  from  the  village  of  Peekskill.  This  humble 
structure  was  erected,  as  we  have  seen  in  the  year  1766.  The  site  and 
adjoining  grave-yard  were  the  gift  of  Catherine  Van  Cortlandt,  wife  of 
Andrew  Johnson,  and  daughter  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Stephanus  Van  Cort- 
landt, first  Lord  of  the  manor  cf  Cortlandt.  The  following  entry  occurs 
in  the  old  quarto  Bible  belonging  to  this  church,  printed  A.  D.  1728: — 

"The  gift  of  Mrs.  Susannah  Robinson,  to  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Peek- 
skill,  which  church  was  by  the  desire  of  Beverly  Robinson,  Esq.,  Messrs. 
Jeremiah  Blake,  Caleb  Ward,  Isaac  Hatfield  and  Charles  Moore,  trus- 
tees, appointed  by  the  subscribers  to  said  church  for  directing  and  carry- 
ing on  said  building,  and  for  securing  it  to  the  inhabitants  as  a  place  of 
public  worship,  according  to  the  establishment  of  the  Church  of  England, 
on  Sunday  the  9th  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  being  the  eighth  Sunday  after  Trinity, 
consecrated  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ogilvie  of  New  York,  for  the  service 
of  the  Holy  Trinity,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  cf  the  Church 
of  England,  as  by  law  established,  by  the  name  of  St.  Peter's  church." 

Mrs.  Robinson,  (the  wife  of  Col.  Beverly  Robinson,)  was  the  eldest 
daughter  cf  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse,  second  Lord  of  the  manor  cf 


a  In  1S2S  it  was  voted,  "  that  the  sum  of  $40  be  appropriated  for  the  repairs  of  St.  Peter's 
cluiren  and  yard,  under  the  direction  of  James  Maudevilic,  John  Oppie  and  Daniel  W.  Bird- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Phillipsburgh,  by  his  wife  Joanna  Brockholes,  and  devisee  with  her 
brother  Philip  Philipse,  of  Philipse's  patent  in  the  Highlands.  Mrs. 
Robinson,  as  we  have  seen,  was  included  with  her  husband  in  the  con- 
fiscation act  of  New  York,  and  at  the  peace  accompanied  him  to  Eng- 
land. She  died  at  Thornbury,  near  Bath,  in  1822,  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
four. 

The  chapel  of  St.  Peter's,  which  was  erected  in  i838,rt  as  auxiliary  to 
the  mother  church,  is  a  handsome  gothic  structure  of  wood,  situated 
near  the  centre  of  the  village  of  Peekskill.  The  interior,  which  is  hand- 
somely fitted  up,  contains  a  neat  chancel  and  gallery.  Against  the 
north  wall  is  placed  a  marble  tablet  inscribed  as  follows: — 

M.  S. 

Ann  Stephenson, 
The  affectionate  and  beloved  'wife  of 
GEN.  PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 
of  this  township  and  county, 
■who  departed  this  life  at  Albany,  March  20th,  1821, 
translated  by  God  to  a  kingdom  of  happiness  and  glory, 
aged4G  years,  6  months  and  16  days. 

Early  instructed  by  her  pious  mother  in  the  doctrines  and  principles  of  the 
Gospel,  this  excellent  woman  became  exemplary  as  a  communicant  of  the  Church 
■when  only  thirteen  years  old,  and  continuing  to  be  a  sincere  and  humble  follower 
of  her  Saviour,  even  unto  her  life's  end,  was  endeared  to  all  who  knew  her  by 
her  Christian  virtues,  and  for  a  pure  and  devoted  attachment  to  Christ's  Holy 
and  Apostolic  Church,  and  to  the  members  of  this  congregation,  who  as  a 
memorial  of  her  worth  and  mark  of  respect  for  her  venerable  consort  and  her 
onl}'  son,  benefactors  of  this  parish,  have  erected  this  tablet. 

Requiescat  in  Pace. 

There  is  a  noble  and  deep  toned  bell  in  the  tower,  which  summons 
the  parishioners  every  Lord's  day  to  the  house  of  prayer  by  its  rich  and 
solemn  sounds.  "This  was  a  gift  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  venerable 
individual  whose  name  is  graven  upon  it,  the  late  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cort- 
landt,  for  many  years  senior  warden,  to  whose  family  the  parish  is  not 
only  indebted  for  the  original  grant  of  land  upon  which  the  mother 
church  stands,  but  for  other  and  more  recent  favors."  It  weighs  one 
thousand  and  eighty-five  pounds,  and  bears  the  following  inscription: — 
"Cast  by  G.  W.  Holbrook,  East  Medway,  Mass.,  1841.  Presented  to 
St.  Peter's  church,  Peekskill,  Westchester  County,  New  York,  by  Gen- 
eral Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  August  29th,  1841."    The  marble  font  was 

a  The  deed  for  the  church  lot,  from  Ward  B.  Howard  and  Lucia  his  wife,  bcara  date  23d  of 
December,  1S29. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  1 39 

the  gift  of  his  son  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  The  organ  pre- 
sented by  the  ladies  of  the  parish  in  1849,  was  also  built  by  the 
Messrs.  Holbrook  &  Co.,  and  cost  twelve  hundred  dollars.  The  corner 
stone  of  this  edifice,  which  was  organized  under  the  title  of  St.  Paul's 
church,  in  1829,  was  laid  by  Bishop  Onderdonk  in  1838;  and  upon  Sat- 
urday, June  1 6th,  of  that  year,  it  was  consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the 
worship  and  service  of  Almighty  God,  under  the  title  of  "St,  Peter's 
chapel,  &c,"  by  the  same  Prelate. 

The  site  of  this  church  was  formerly  occupied  by  the  military  maga- 
zine, destroyed  by  the  British  army  in  1777.  Large  quantities  of  grape 
shot  have  been  found  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  Adjoining  the  building 
on  the  south,  is  situated  the  family  vault  of  the  late  Ward  B.  Howard, 
Esq.,  at  one  time  president  of  the  village  corporation,  in  which  repose 
the  mortal  remains  of  himself  and  wife  Lucia,  daughter  of  the  late  Hon. 
Robert  Johnston,  who  died  Mar.  8th,  1834.  Also  the  remains  of  their 
nephew,  William  J.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  who  was  unfortunately  killed  by  the 
explosion  of  the  steamer  General  Jackson,  off  Verplanck's  Point,  June 
7th,  183  r. 

The  church  was  first  incorporated  19th  July,  1838,  under  the  title  of 
the  "Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  chapel,  in  the  village  of 
Peekskill,"  on  which  occasion  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and  Samuel  Marks, 
were  elected  wardens,  and  Daniel  D.  Smith,  Samuel  T.  Wood,  John 
Collett,  Elihu  E.  Baker,  Alex  Fairly,  Wm.  B.  Birdsall,  Nicholas  Cruger 
and  Isaac  Seymour,  vestrymen.0 

A  third  incorporation  occurs  under  the  title  of  St.  Peter's  church  of 
Cortlandt,"  28th  August,  1840. b 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS. 

Catherine  Van  Cortlandt,  Col.  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah 
Phiiipse,  his  wife,  the  Ven  Propagation  Society,  Andrew  Johnson,  Gen. 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Col.  Pierre  Van.  Cortlandt,  Nicholas  Cruger,  Esq., 
Isaac  Seymour,  Esq  ,  Col.  John  Williams  and  the  Corporation  of  Trinity 
church,  New  Vork." 

William  Dunning  and  Jarvis  Dusenbury  were  the  first  delegates  from 
this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  in  1791. 


a  Religious  Societies  Lib.  B.  p.  5C 
b  Ditto  lib.  B.  p.  60. 

c  Trinity  Church  in  1T9T  presented  the  sum  of  $750  to  St.  Peter's  church.  In  1S07,  £1,250  for 
St.  Peter's  and  St.  Philip's.  In  1S26,  $750.   In  1S37,  $250,  and  in  1S39,  $1,000.  Total  $4,000. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


RECTORES  DE  CORTLANTjT. 


Vacated.  Patrons. 


Per 
Resignation, 


Wardens 
and  Vestry, 


Inst.  Rectors. 

16  July,  1771,  Rev.  John  Doty,  CI.,  A.  M., 
18  Sept.  1775,  Rev.  Bernard  Page,  CI.,  A.  M., 

7  Aug.  1793,  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  Presb., 

15  Dec.   1794,  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell,  B.  A.,  Presb., 
7  Apr.  1806,  Rev.  Joseph  Warren,  Presb., 

17  Apr.  1811,  Rev.  John  Urquhart,  Presb., 

11  June,  1817,  Rev.  Petrus  S.  Ten  Broeck,"  Presb., 
29  May,  1826,  Rev.  Edward  J.  Ives,  Presb.. 

Dec,  1832,  Rev.  James  Sunderland,  Presb. 

Apr.,  1838,  Rev.  William C.  Cooley,  A.M.,  Presb., 

3  Mar.,  1841,  Rev.  Moses  Marcus, &B.  A.,  Presb. 

7  June,  1843,  Rev.  William  Barlow, <=  Presb., 

25  Apr.,  1848,  Rev.  George  S.  Gordon,  Presb., 

12  Oct.,  1854,  Rev.  Edmund  Roberts,  Presb., 
5  Dec  ,  1863,  Rev.  John  Rutherford  Mathews,  Presb. 
1  Oct.,  1865,  Rev.  Erskine  M.  Rodman,  Presb., 

10  Feb.,  1869,  Rev.  Francis  Hanson,  Presb. 

16  Sept.  1873,  Rev.  William  Fisher  Lewis,  Presb.,  present  rector. 

The  assistant  minister  of  the  parish  is  the  Rev.  H.  M.  Torbert,  who 

is  also  chaplain  at  St.  Gabriel's  School.  This  school  is  under  the  charge 


a  Dierl  at  North  Andovor,  Mass.,  Jan.  24, 1S49.  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,  Portland,  Mo.,  from 
ISIS  to  1831.  From  1SS1  to  1837,  rector  of  Saccacappa,  when  he  removed  to  Concord,  N.  H., 
where  he  officiated  until  about  1S41. 

b  Died  id  Egrcmont  Place,  New  Uoad,  London,  England,  Nov.  26,  1S52.  Tlis  last  parochial 
connection,  in"  this  country,  was  with  the  church  of  St.  George  the  Martvr,  in  New  York  City. 

c  Died  at  Chicago.  111..  Feb.  24, 1S50.  He  had  been  rector  of  St.  Paul's  in  Syracuse  arid 
subsequently  of  Ogdensburgh. 


*  THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  141 

of  the  sisters  of  St.  Mary  who  have  admirably  succeeded  by  great  per- 
sonal exertion  in  making  practical  the  idea,  of  a  female  boarding 
school,  where  solid  attainments,  correct  notions  of  woman's  exact  position 
in  society,  and  a  healthy  growth  of  mind,  heart  and  body  can  be  attained 
to  the  exclusion  of  more  pretentious  accomplishments;  finery  in  dress 
and  that  abominable  theory  that  woman  is  a  mere  ornament  of  society." 
The  sisters  have  two  other  schools  in  the  United  States,  one  in  New  York 
and  one  in  Memphis,  Tenn."  "  The  designs  of  these  schools  is  to  offer 
to  Church  people,  and  all  who  wish  to  have  their  daughters  grow  up  in 
the  doctrines  of  a  true  religious  faith,  an  opportunity  at  the  smallest 
cost,  to  obtain  a  thorough  education."  Surrounded  by  the  old  parochial 
Church  of  St.  Peter's  is  an  extensive  grave  yard  containing  memorials  to 
the  Penoyers,  Wards,  Drakes,  Ferris's,  &c,  &c.  The  oldest  interment 
appears  to  have  been  Mary,  wife  of  John  Ward,  who  died  on  the  15th  of 
September,  1765,  in  the  69th  year  of  age. 

One  of  the  tomb  stones  is  inscribed  with  the  following  expressive 
sentence : 

" Eternity  h<nv  long!" 

There  is  also  a  small  enclosure  belonging  to  the  Birdsall  family. 

Among  the  illustrious  dead  interred  here,  may  be  mentioned  Major- 
General  Seth  Pomeroy,  one  of  the  heroes  of  Bunker  Hill. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  grave  yard  is  situated  the  monument  of  John 
Paulding. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  select  committee,  appointed  in  pur- 
suance of  a  resolution  of  the  board  of  common  council,  passed  the  4th 
day  of  December,  1826,  during  the  mayoralty  of  the  Honorable  Philip 
Hone  directing  a  monument  to  be  erected  to  the  memory  of  John  Pauld- 
ing, one  of  the  captors  of  the  British  spy,  Andre. 

Your  committee  engaged  Messrs.  Francis  and  James  Kain,  to  erect  a 
monument  of  white  marble,  the  materials  of  which  were  procured  from 
their  quarry,  in  the  county  of  Westchester.  It  is  of  the  most  simple 
form,  consisting  of  a  pedestal,  surmounted  by  a  cone,  showing  an  eleva- 
tion of  thirteen  feet ;  the  whole  composed  of  the  most  massive  materials, 
and  fastened  with  iron  cramps  in  such  a  manner  as  to  resist  the  severity 
of  the  climate  for  ages  to  come. 

The  base  of  the  monument  covers  a  square  of  seven  feet,  surrounded 
by  an  iron  railing,  four  feet  in  height,  and  two  feet  seven  inches  distant, 
inserted  in  a  marble  coping  fourteen  inches  broad,  comprehending  a 
square  of  twelve  feet  two  inches. 

One  side  of  the  monument  exhibits  a  facsimile  of  the  face  of  the 
medal,  voted  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  each  of  the  captors 


142 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  Andre,  on  the  third  day  of  November,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty; 
the  other  of  its  reverse,  both  carved  in  bas  relief. 

On  the  front  of  the  pedestal  is  the  following  inscription : 

Here  repose  the  mortal  remains  of 
JOHN  PAULDING, 
who  died  on  the  18th  day  of  February,  1818, 
in  the  60th  year  of  his  age. 


On  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  September,  1780, 
Accompanied  by  two  young  Farmers  of  the  Co.  of  Westchester, 
(Whose  names  will  one  day  be  recorded 

On  their  own  deserved  monuments,) 
He  intercepted  the  British  spy,  Andre : 
Poor  Himself 
He  disdained  to  acquire  wealth  by  the  sacrifice  of 

HIS  COUNTRY. 

Rejecting  the  temptation  of  great  rewards 
He  conveyed  his  prisoner  to  the  American  camp ; 
And 

By  this  act  of  noble  self-denial. 
The  treason  of  Arnold  was  detected, 
The  designs  of  the  enemy  baffled ; 
West  Point  and  the  American  Armj*  saved; 
And  these  United  States, 
Now  by  the  grace  of  God.  Free  and  Independent, 
Rescued  from  most  imminent  peril. 


The  fourth  side  of  the  pedestal  bears  the  following  inscription : 

TUB  COKPOKATION 

Of  the  City  of  New  York, 
Erected  this  Tomb, 
As  memorial  Sacred  to 
PUBLIC  GRATITUDE. 

The  whole  being  completed  with  the  exception  of  placing  the  cone'  on 
the  pedestal,  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty -second  of  November,  eight- 
een hundred  and  twenty-seven,  the  corporation  proceeded  in  the  steam- 
boat Sandusky,  to  Peekskill,  where  they  arrived  at  one  o'clock,  and 
were  met  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,0  and  a  large  concourse  of 

a  Generals  Pierre  van  Cortlandt  and  Philip  van  Cortlandt,  Daniel  W.  Birdsall.  St.  John  Con- 
stant, Ward  B.  Howard,  Beujaniia  Dyckiuan,  Doctor  Peter  Goetchius,  James  Jiaudeville,  and 
Doctor  Samuel  Strang. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  County,  who  had  come  to  assist  in  the 
last  honors,  to  the  memory  of  their  fellow  citizen.  Among  them  were 
many  aged  and  venerable  men,  who  passed  through  the  perils  of  the 
revolution  and  shared  its  dangers  with  the  deceased. 

A  procession  was  formed  to  the  church  yard,  where  the  monument 
stands,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  village  of  Peekskill;  ami  the 
column  being  lowered  to  its  place  on  the  pedestal,  William  Paulding, 
mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York,  addressed  the  assembled  citizens  as  fol- 
lows : 

My  Fhiends:— History  bears  testimony  to  the  importance  of  the  act  we  are 
here  assembled  to  commemorate.  The  capture  of  Andre,  while  it  prevented  the 
most  fatal  disasters,  and  led  to  the  most  signal  results,  afforded  at  the  same  time 
a  memorable  example  of  the  fidelity  and  patriotism  of  the  yeomanry  of  these 
United  States.  As  such  it  has  always  been  viewed,  and  will  appear  in  the  eyes 
of  posterity  one  of  the  most  honorable  achievements  of  our  great  revolutionary 
struggle. 

It  was  in  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty. 

There  is  not  an  aged  man  here  present,  but  must  remember  that  gloo::.y  and 
disastrous  period,  when,  if  ever,  the  freedom  of  our  country  was  almost  a  des- 
perate hope.  The  money,  the  credit,  the  men,  the  means,  and  I  may  almost 
say,  the  sentiment  necessary  for  continuing  the  great  contest,  were  either  quite 
exhausted,  or  fast  melting  away. 

Flardship,  ill  success,  and  a  miserable  scarcity  of  every  necessary  of  life,  had 
checked  present  exertion,  and  produced  almost  a  hopelessness  of  the  future.  Our 
little  army,  the  last  reliance  of  the  country,  was  cooped  up  at  West  Point,  almost 
the  last  refuge  of  liberty  remaining.  Had  that  army,  with  its  illustrious  com- 
mander, been  treacherously  surrendered,  and  that  strong-hold  given  up  to  the 
enemy,  the  communication  between  Canada  and  New  York,  then  in  his  posses- 
sion, would  have  been  open — the  North  and  the  South  could  no  longer  have  co- 
operated with  each  other — the  spirit  of  our  people  had  been  broken — the  last 
stay  of  freedom  destroyed,  and  the  last  ray  of  hope  perhaps  extinguished.  What 
the  final  issue  might  have  been,  God  only  knows  ;  but  we  all  know,  the  con- 
sequences would  have  shaken  our  good  cause  to  its  foundation.  A  plan  for 
this  purpose  was  agitated— matured — almost  consummated  by  the  treason  of 
Arnold.  To  you  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail  the  particulars  of  this  infamous  and 
dangerous  project,  so  familiar  to  the  memory  and  hearts  of  our  people.  I  see 
among  you  many  venerable  and  aged  men  who  bore  a  part  in  the  struggle,  and 
shared  in  the  hardships,  anxieties,  dangers  and  sufferings  of  those  dismal  times. 
I  see  at  the  head  of  these,  a  faithful  and  gallant  officer,  still  happily  and  honor- 
ably surviving  to  enjoy  that  invaluable  freedom  which  his  own  efforts  con- 
tributed to  secure.*1  I  see,  too,  among  them  one  who  was  himself  a  companion 
and  sharer  in  the  virtuous  act  by  which  these  imminent  dangers  were  averted.6 

If  you  wish  for  the  story  of  this  high  achievement  of  honest,  unpretending 


a  General  Philip  van  Cortland!. 
b  Isaac  van  Wart. 


144 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


patriotism,  ask  it  of  him.  He  will  tell  it  in  such  a  way,  as  shall  neither  wrong 
the  living  or  the  dead.  He  will  tell  you  of  the  capture  of  Andre,  who  from  a 
spy,  was  elevated  by  a  false  estimate  and  a  mistaken  sympathy,  into  a  hero  and 
a  martyr — of  the  temptations  which  had  corrupted  the  second  man  in  the  nation's 
estimation,  being  rejected  by  the  sons  of  the  farmers  of  Westchester — of  the  de- 
livery of  the  spy  into  the  hands  of  the  great  good  man  of  the  age — of  modern 
times  -  of  all  times  whatever,  and  of  their  receiving  his  glorious  approbation— of 
the  applauses  of  the  nation — and  the  thanks  of  that  most  illustrious  body,  the  old 
Congress  of  the  United  States — the  noblest  reward  which  was  ever  bestowed  on 
a  private  citizen.  Lastly,  my  friends,  he  will  tell  you  what  a  source  of  honest 
pride — of  heart-felt  pleasure — of  unutterable  happiness  has  been  to  him,  and  will 
be  to  the  last  hour  of  his  life,  the  reflection  that  he  did  his  duty  to  his  country  in 
her  hour  of  peril. 

My  Friends : — The  man  to  whose  mouldering  remains  and  imperishable 
memory  we  are  now  paying  the  last  honors,  was  born  and  brought  up  among  us. 
Like  many  now  present,  he  was  the  son  of  a  plain  country  farmer,  who  culti- 
vated his  own  fields  with  his  own  hands  :  and  he  received  such  an  education 
only,  as  is  now  within  the  reach  of  every  honest  man's  son  in  these  United  States. 
He  had  nothing  to  boast  of  but  a  vigorous,  active,  well-proportioned  frame,  a 
daring  spirit,  and  an  honest  heart.  His  means  and  opportunities  were  only  such 
as  you  all  enjoy;  and  his  example  furnishes  a  lesson  to  you  all,  of  what  every 
one  of  you  is  capable  of  becoming,  when  the  hour  of  danger  arrives,  and  our 
country  requires  the  aid  of  a  virtuous  patriotism.  He  is  most  peculiarly  an  ex- 
ample to  you  and  yours.  He  belongs  forever  to  the  yeomanry  of  the  United 
States,  a  class  of  men  always  honest  and  patriotic — always  read}'  to  defend  that 
soil  in  whose  products  they  share  so  liberally,  and  those  rights  in  which  they  so 
amply  participate. 

Bear  then  in  mind,  my  friends,  and  impress  it  on  the  hearts  of  your  children, 
and  upon  all  that  shall  nestle  in  old  age  under  your  withered  branches,  that  as  all 
are  equally  called  upon  to  protect  and  defend  their  country,  so  there  is  not  one 
of  them  all  but  may  one  day  be  placed  in  a  situation  like  John  Paulding,  to  con- 
fer a  lasting  benefit  on  his  country,  and  like  lum,  to  merit  and  receive  the  highest 
and  noblest  of  all  earthly  .recompenses — the  thanks  and  gratitude  of  his  country- 
men. 

The  assembly  then  separated,  deeply  impressed  with  the  ceremony  and  the 
occasion.    All  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

Abrm.  M.  Valentine, 
John  Agnew, 
John  Lozier, 
Gideon  Ostkander,  , 
Jameson  Cox. 

The  Dutch  Reformed  Church  which  stands  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Tames  streets,  is  a  neat  wooden  edifice,  surmounted  with  a  spire  of  the 
same  material.    Above  the  entrance  is  a  tablet  inscribed : — 

TnE  VaH  Nest 
Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
Founded  A.  D.  1S39. 


THE  TOWN  OK  CORTLANDT. 


A  union  between  this  church  and  the  old  society  at  Cortlandt-town 
was  effected  August  2  2d,  1833.  Abraham  Van  Nest  and  George  Doug- 
lass, Esquires,  appear  to  have  been  liberal  benefactors  towards  the  erec- 
tion of  this  church.  A  silver  communion  service  was  also  presented  by 
the  former  individual.  The  first  Reformed  Dutch  church  located  in  this 
village,  stood  on  the  hill  west  of  the  Episcopal  church,  adjoining  the 
Diven  property.  Nothing  remains  at  present  to  mark  its  site,  save  a 
small  enclosure  containing  a  few  interments.  In  this  cemetery  is  a  plain 
marble  monument  to  the  memory  of  Lieut.  George  McChain,  which 
bears  the  following  truly  clasical  inscription,  composed  by  the  Hon.  R. 
R.  Pray,  Chancellor  of  the  State  of  Mississippi : — 

Interred 

Near  this  stone  lie  the  remains  of 
George  McChain' 
Lieutenant  i:i  the  sixth  regiment  of  the 
United  States  Infantry,  and  distinguished  . 
for  his  valor  iu  the  battles  of  Chippeway  and 
Bridgewater.    In  him  were  united  the  energy 
of  the  BOldier,  with  the  easy  politeness  of  the 
gentleman.    Impressed  with  the  great  truths 
of  religion,  he  was  hospitable,  gentle,  sober,  just, 

and  contemplative.    From  the  ardour  of  his 
love  of  country,  he  early  devoted  himself  to  her 
service,  where  he  was  brave  without  vanity,  and 

magnanimous  without  ostentation.  To 
perpetuate  the  memory  of  so  beloved  a  character, 
his  mourning  friends  have  erected  this  humble  stone, 

a  frail  memorial  of  their  veneration  for  his  virtues, 
and  a  faint  testimony  of  their  grief  for.  a  misfortune, 
alas!   indelibly  engraven  on  their  hearts. 
He  died  on  the  19th  day  of  October,  1818, 
Aged  32  years. 

Also  monuments  to  the  memory  of  his  father  John  McChain,  one  of 
the  Westchester  guides  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  Rev.  Allen 
Blair,  who  departed  this  life  June  14,  aged  72  years;  also,  Jane,  wife 
of  St.  John  Constant,  who  died  April  2,  181 7. 

The  Van  Nest  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  Peekskill,  was  incorpora- 
ted on  the  3d  of  January,  1S43,  aa(l  called  by  the  above  name,  ''in  con- 
sideration of  the  private  virtues  and  public  liberality  of  Abraham  Van 
Nest  of  New  York."  The  consistory  also  resolved  to  confide  the  man- 
agement to  a  board  of  nine  trustees.  The  following  gentlemen  were 
elected  to  this  office,  on  the  16th  of  January,  1843: — James  Goetchius, 
William  Leavins,  John  P.  Cruger,  Washington  S.  Whitney,  J.  Henry 
Ferris,  Thomas  Nelson,  Hercules  Lent,  Charles  A.  G.  Depew  and  N. 


146 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


S.  Jacobs.a  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  John  B.  Thompson,  was  installed 
23d  of  July,  1873. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  is  situated  on  South  street  near  the 
south  side  of  Magregaries  brook.  It  is  a  neat  wooden  structure,  surmount- 
ed with  a  tower  and  spire ;  the  former  contains  a  large  bell  and 
clock.  As  early  as  1799  a  church  edifice  was  erected  upon  this  spot, 
upon  lands  devoted  by  Nathaniel  Brown,  a  Friend.  "  To  the  Presbyterians 
of  the  belief  of  Dr.  Rodgers  of  New  York,"  with  James  Diver,  John 
Oppie  and  Stephen  Brown,  trustees.  The  principal  benefactors  of  the 
church  were  Stephen  Brown  and  his  mother-in-law,  Mrs.  Hannah  Brewer. 
Dr.  James  Brewer,  of  this  place,  during  his  life  time,  had  in  his  posses- 
sion an  account  of  monies  expended  by  Messrs.  Samuel  Haight  and 
Stephen  Brown,  in  building  the  meeting-house  in  Peekskill.  Total  ex- 
penditure jQt>11  ^s,  id,  Dated  Peekskill,  13th  Sept.,  1799. 


About  the  year  1 8 1 3  a  division  in  the  church  at  Yorktown,  then  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Silas  Constant,  gave  rise  to  the  organiza- 
tion known  as  the  Independent  church.  The  Independent  Presbyterian 
congregation  of  Peekskill  was  incorporated  on  September  29th,  1813,6 
with  John  Lent,  John  Constant  and  Samuel  Strang,  as  trustees.  The 
building  in  which  they  worshipped,  was  familiarly  known  as  the  church 
on  the  hill,"  and  situated  near  the  residence  of  the  late  Charles  A  Lee, 
M.  D.,  on  Diven  street,  was  taken  down  about  1844." 

The  first  Presbyterian  ministry  of  which  we  have  any  authentic  record 
was  that  of  the  celebrated  William  Tennent,  who  labored  in  Fast  Ches- 
ter and  Bedford  for  some  months  between  the  years  17 18  and  1721,"  but 
there  is  no  proof  that  he  ever  officiated  here.  Some  years  later,  Rev. 
Samuel  Sackett  was  sent  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  to  preach 
in  West  Chester  County.  The  special  field  of  labor  assigned  him  was 
Cortlandt  Manor,  embracing  Yorktown,  Cortlandtown,  North  Salem  and 
Somers.  There  is  little  doubt  that  he  preached  occasionally  in  this  vil- 
lage. His  ministry  of  forty-two  years  (i742-'84)  was  chiefly  confined  to 
Yorktown  and  Bedford."  "  He  died  on  the  fifth  day  of  July,  1784;  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  years,"  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  Crom- 
pond  or  Yorktown. 

"The  Rev.  Abner  Brundage,  who  came  to  Peekskill  in  May,  181 5, 
ssys  that  there  were  at  that  time  in  the  village,  from  Mr.  John  Oppie's, 

a  Relic.  Soc.  Lib.  B.  SO,  82. 

b  Co.  Ree.  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  a.  pp.  102,  1SS. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


147 


where  Mr.  John  W.  Hait  now  lives,  to  Captain  Requa's,  just  one 
hundred  buildings  of  all  kinds.  At  that  time  the  Presbyterians  had  two 
places  of  worship,  one  on  South  street,  where  the  first  Presbyterian 
church  now  stands,  the  other  on  the  hill  north  of  Main  street,  to  which 
we  have  already  alluded,  but  no  organization.  In  May,  181 6,  a  church 
of  seventy-five  members  was  formed,  with  Mr.  Brundage  as  pastor,  and 
John  Lent,  deacon,  and  Ezra  Lockwood,  as  officers;  when  Mr.  Brundage 
resigned  his  charge  in  181 9,  the  church  numbered  over  a  hundred  mem- 
bers. Some  years  later  the  influence  of  a  large  congregational  element 
from  Connecticut  gave  great  dissatisfaction  to  some  who  preferred  the 
faith  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  1826  a  division 
took  place.  Those  who  remained  were  finally  merged  into  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church.  Those  who  withdrew  founded  the  present  Presby- 
terian Society."  We  give  the  details  of  the  organization  in  the  words 
of  the  first  entry  that  appears  upon  the  record  of  the  session  : 

"  The  Presbyterian  church  in  the  town  of  Peekskill  was  organized 
June  25th,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1826,  by  the  Rev.  ElihuW.  Baldwin, 
of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  according  to  the  book  of  discipline  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America."  It  consisted 
at  the  time  of  its  organization  of  sixteen  members,  viz  :  Benjamin 
Illingworth,  an  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Yorktown,  with  a 
letter  of  dismission  from  the  same;  Daniel  Merritt,  Nancy  Conklin, 
Elizabeth  Oakley,  Elizabeth  Campbell,  Ann  Conklin,  Caroline  Strang, 
Mahala  Gilbert,  Rebecca  Hawes,  Maria  Jones,  Jemima  Brown,  Sarah 
Dusenberry,  Mary  Oakley,  Rachel  Buskirk,  Ann  Budd  and  Susan  Shaw, 
being  a  succession  of  members  from  the  Independent  Congregational 
church  in  Peekskill.  Benjamin  Illingworth  and  Daniel  Merritt  were  elect- 
ed elders."  "  In  October  of  the  same  year,  the  church  became  connected 
with  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  and  at  the  same  time  extended  a  call 
to  the  Rev.  John  H.  Leggett,  then  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbytery 
of  New  York.  The  call  was  accepted  and  Mr.  Leggett  was  installed 
first  pastor  of  this  church  on  December  14th,  1826.  This  pastorate 
continued  three  years,  and  was  marked  by  a  gradual  increase  in  the 
number  of  communicants.  Ten  were  added  to  the  church  under  his 
ministry,  seven  on  profession  of  faith  and  three  by  certificate,  making  a 
total  of  twenty-six;  which  was  reduced  to  twenty-four  by  the  death  of  one 
member,  and  the  dismissal  of  another.  Mr.  Leggett  died  on  the  31st 
day  of  May,  1873. 

In  1S29  the  Presbyter}'  of  Bedford  was  organized  and  the  church  at 
Peekskill  fell  under  its  care,  but  soon  obtained  permission  to  return  to 
the  Presbytery  of  New  York. 


148 


HISTORY  OF  TUN  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  William  Marshall,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
who  entered  upon  his  duties  in  the  spring  of  1831.  His  pastorate 
ceased  in  the  fall  of  1843.  During  his  ministry  the  church  was  trans- 
ferred by  Synod  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  to  the  second  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York.  The  total  membership  at  the  close  of  his  ministry 
was  thirty-four.  Mr.  Marshall  died  in  October,  1865.  To  his  ability 
and  faithfulness,  Dr.  Halliday,  his  successor,  bears  this  testimony: — 
"  Few  men  have  led  a  more  blameless  life,  a  life  of  more  exemplary  pie- 
ty. He  had  the  respect  and  the  affectionate  regard  of  all  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry.  They  looked  upon  him  as  one  of  the  best,  and  in  some 
respects,  as  one  of  the  most  gifted  among  them.  While  he  was  not 
popular  as  a  preacher,  he  was  yet  an  able  and  excellent  sermonizer. 
He  had  great  strength  and  fertility  of  mind,  and  many  of  his  written  dis- 
courses are  marked  by  decided  intellectual  superiority.  He  was  an 
evangelical  preacher.  He  preached  plain  truth.  He  dwelt  much  on 
the  great  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  apportioning  them  and  apply- 
ing them  with  wisdom  and  with  unction.  He  was  not  left  without  wit- 
ness. The  leaven  of  his  influence  was  felt,  and  is  still  felt  for  good  in 
this  church.  Its  growth  and  prosperity  are  (under  God),  due  in  some 
considerable  measure  to  his  labors." 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Marshall,  unfortunate  dissensions  sprung 
up  in  the  church,  which  resulted,  in  1841,  in  the  withdrawal  of  nine 
members,  who,  together  with  two  members  from  the  second  Congrega- 
tional church  of  New  London,  Conn.,  were  organized  into  a  church  on 
Nov.  17th,  1 841,  by  the  Presbytery  of  North  River,  and  became  the  sec- 
ond Presbyterian  church  of  Peekskill,  in  connection  with  the  New  School 
assembly.  They  began  public  worship  on  Sunday,  Nov.  21st,  1841,  in 
the  old  Methodist  church  on  South  street.  Services  were  conducted  by 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Brown.  Within  a  few  years  a  church  edifice  was  erec- 
ted and  was  dedicated  on  April  9th,  1845.  In  1870,  the  building  was 
enlarged  and  rebuilt. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Marshall  a  call  was  extended  by  the 
First  church  to  Rev.  D.  M.  Halliday,  then  pastor  of  a  large  and  flourish- 
ing church  at  Danville,  Pa.  The  call  was  accepted  by  him,  and  on 
Nov.  1  st,  1843,  he  was  installed  by  a  committee  of  the  Second  Presby- 
tery of  New  York."  "In  1846  the  original  church  edifice,  then  nearly 
half  a  century  old,  was  removed  to  make  way  for  another  of  twice  its 
size.  Twelve  years  later,  in  1S58,  an  extension  of  thirty  feet,  including 
the  present  lecture  room,  was  added — making  the  present  dimensions 
forty  feet  by  ninety,  instead  of  forty  by  sixty.  The  dimensions  of  the 
original  edifice,  were  thirty  by  forty." 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


149 


Dr.  Halliday's  pastorate  was  of  unusual  length,  extending  over  a 
period  of  twenty-four  years.  The  membership  had  increased  five  fold 
to  what  it  had  been.  Mr.  Halliday  was  compelled  by  the  impaired 
state  of  his  health  to  resign  Oct  20th,  1S67,  and  is  now  residing  at 
Princeton,  N.  J. 

For  some  time  after  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Halliday,  the  pulpit  re- 
mained vacant;  finally,  in  April,  186S,  Rev.  John  N.  Freeman,  then  a 
student  in  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  was  tendered  a  unanimous 
call,  which  he  accepted — and  on  the .14th  day  of  May,  following,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  of  New  York. 

After  a  pastorate  of  nearly  eight  years,  Mr.  Freeman  resigned  Jan. 
5th,  1S76,  and  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Niagara,  and  not  long 
after  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Lockport,  New  York. 

On  the  10th  day  of  April,  1876,  a  call  was  presented  to  the  present 
pastor,  the  Rev.  J.  Ritchie  Smith,  who  was  installed  on  the  26th  day  of 
June,  1876. 

This  church,  since  21st  day  of  June,  1870,  has  remained  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Westchester. 

Toward  the  close  of  Mr.  Haliday's  ministry,  a  lot  had  been  secured 
immediately  opposite  the  church,  at  a  cost  of  $3,750,  for  the  erection 
of  a  parsonage.  In  the  spring  of  1870,  the  building  was  completed,  at 
an  additional  cost  of  $9,800,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  handsomest 
and  most  convenient  mansions  along  the  line  of  the  river. 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  this  church  was  cele- 
brated on  Sunday,  June  25th,  1876,  on  which  occasion  an  historical  dis- 
course was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  J.  Ritchie  Smith,  pastor  elect. a 

In  the  cemetery  adjoining  the  church,  are  monuments  to  Capt.  Isaac 
Conklin,  who  departed  this  life,  January  13th,  1815,  aged  68  years; 
Zebulon  Philips  and  Samuel  Strang,  M.  D.,  and  others.  There  are  also 
inclosures  belonging  to  the  Brown,  Bedle  and  Rundle  families,  in  which 
numerous  interments  have  been  made. 

The  second  Presbyterian  church  of  Peekskill,  is  located  on  the  cor- 
ner of  South  and  Union  streets.  This  society  was  organized  Nov.  17th, 
1841,  and  the  first  structure  was  erected  A.  D.  1845,  and  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  God,  9th  of  April,  1S45 ;  the  society  was  incorporated  by 
its  present  name,  July  29th,  1846.  In  1870  the  church  edifice  was  en- 
larged and  rebuilt.  The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Brown,  who 
was  installed  May  4th,  1842,  and  who  died  November  8th,  1S46,  and 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Livingston  Willard,  April  15th,  1847. 

o  For  mnch  of  the  foregoinclustory  of  this  chnrch,  we  are  greatly  indebted  to  the  semi- 
centennial anniversary  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Peekskill,  N.  "Y..  bv  Rev.  J.  Ritchie 
Smith.  Printed  at  Peekskill,  N.  Y.  The  Highland  Democratic  St  tarn  Print,  1SI& 


150     .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

The  Baptist  society  must  have  been  established  here  at  an  early  date; 
this  appears  from  the  following  document,  entitled  an  agreement  made 
the  17th  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1772,  by  and  between  the  subscribers, 
as  follows,  to  wit: — 

Whereas  the  society  of  people  called  Baptists,  by  way  of  voluntary  subscrip- 
tion, have  lately  erected  and  built  a  house  of  public  worship  at  or  near  a  place 
called  Peekskill,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  as  there  is  not  as  yet  a  sufficient 
sum  of  money  raised  to  pay  for  the  building  said  house,  we  the  subscribers  do 
agree  upon  and  appoint  Caleb  Hall,  of  the  said  manor  of  Cortlandt,  to  hire  a  sum 
of  money  sufficient  to  pay  the  deficiency;  and  we  jointly  and  severally  promise 
and  oblige  ourselves,  our  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  to  nay  to  the  said 
Caleb  Hall,  his  executors  or  administrators,  one  equal  part  of  the  sum  that  he 
shall  so  hire,  according  to  the  proportion  of  our  first  subscription  :  Provided 
that  if  there  shall  be  money  raised  by  way  of  subscription,  sufficient  to  pay  the 
cost  laid  out  in  building  said  house,  that  the  money  so  hired  shall  be  paid  out  of 
the  same.    In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands. 

Caleb  Hall,  Sen.,  John  Poun, 

Isaac  Horton,  Sen.,  Joshua  Ilorton, 

Daniel  Hall,  Caleb  Hall,  Jr., 

Richard  Williams,  Xathan  Brown, 

Xathau  Elliott,  Oliver  Yeomans. 

The  first  Baptist  church  stood  near  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt's, 
directly  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  district  school-house. 

The  present  society  was  organized  La  1843,  under  the  style  and  title 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Peekskill.  The  meeting-house,  which  is 
valued  at  $3,400,  was  erected  August,  1847,  and  dedicated  the  8th  of 
April,  1847,  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God.  On  this  occasion  the 
Rev.  W.  R.  Williams,  D.D.,  delivered  the  dedicatory  sermon.  This 
church  belongs  to  the  senior  Baptist  association.  U'>cn  the  31st  of 
October,  1843,  the  Rev.  Edward  Conover,  was  duly  elected  pastor;  this 
individual  was  succeeded,  November  25,  1844,  by  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Wil- 
liams. The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  P.  Buel,  who  commenced  his 
ministrations  23d  August,  1846.  The  communicants  belonging  to  this 
church  average  forty. 

The  Baptist  burying-ground  is  situated  north  of  the  Episcopal  yard. 
Here  is  a  memorial  to  Caleb  Hall,  who  died  October  1st,  1791,  aged  91 
years,  beside  other  monuments. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Peekskill,  was  first  incorporated 
2d  August,  180S;  Bethune  Washburne,  Gilbert  Weeks  and  John  Spock, 
trustees.™  The  Methodist  society  must  have  been  in  existence,  how- 
ever, sometime  previous  to  the  above  incorporation;  for  on  the  26th  of 


o  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  p,  102 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


February,  1795,  we  find  John  Drake  and  Catharine,  his  wife,  conveying 
three-quarters  of  an  acre  of  land  in  this  place  to  William  Hallock, 
Thomas  Clark,  William  Weeks,  Abraham  Travis  and  Stephen  Newby, 
managers  of  the  Methodist  society.  The  present  church  edifice,  erected 
A.D.,  1837,  occupies  the  site  of  a  still  older  building,  erected  in  181 1 : 
to  it  is  attached  a  small  grave-yard.  The  communicants  of  this  church 
number  two  hundred. 

The  Protestant  Methodist  society  was  first  established  here  in  1827, 
and  incorporated  23d  November,  1836;  John  Spock,  William  R.  Steel 
and  Thomas  Blackney,  trustees.0 

The  Wesleyan  or  Primitive  Methodists  originally  belonged  to  the  old 
Methodist  society,  from  which  body  they  seceded  in  1839.  Their  first 
pastor  was  the  Rev.  John  Miles.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in 
1839,  and  incorporated  A.D.  1842. 

The  society  of  Friends  was  first  organized  here  in  1804,  and  the  old- 
est house  erected  in  181 1,  upon  land  given  for  that  purpose  by  Nathan- 
iel Brown,  Esq. 

The  Roman  Catholic  church  of  the  assumption  stands  at  the  corner 
of  Union  and  First  streets,  the  pastor  of  which  is  the  Rev.  Father 
William  P.  Flannelly.  The  Roman  Catholic  Institutions  are  the  Fran- 
ciscan Convent,  which  was  established  about  nine  years  ago,  and  is  sit- 
uated on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  near  the  Rail  Road  Depot.  At  pres- 
ent there  are  about  thirty  sisters  connected  with  the  institution,  who  con- 
duct a  school  known  at  the  Academy  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels.  The  object 
of  the  community  is  teaching  the  children  of  the  poor  and  caring  for 
he  sick.  The  grounds  are  tastefully  laid  out  and  the  improvements  con- 
sist of  a  chapel  and  new  convent,  the  cost  of  which  was  about  $30,000. 

The  Boland  farm  was  purchased  by  the  directors  of  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Orphan  Asylum  with  money  devised  by  Captain  Boland  for  the 
purpose  of  providing  a  country  home  for  orphan  children,  and  to  remain 
under  the  same  management  as  the  asylum  in  New  York  city.  The 
object  of  the  institution  is  to  maintain  and  instruct  the  children  until 
suitable  homes  are  found  for  them.  The  farm  is  located  on  the 
Cortlandtville  road,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  and  the  improve- 
ments consist  of  a  large  brick  building  for  class-room,  domitorics,  work- 
room, etc.    The  amount  of  the  bequest  was  $50,000. 

Mount  Florence  was  purchased  by  the  Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  novitiate  for  their  order.  The  number 
of  sisters  is  at  present  seven.    This  novitiate  is  intended  for  the  training 


a  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  B.  p.  4T. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  sisters  for  their  future  labor  in  caring  for  and  reforming  those  of  their 
own  sex  who  have  fallen  from  virtue. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  objects  in  the  village  of  Peekskill,  is  the 
old  Birdsall  residence,  situated  directly  opposite  the  Bank.  This  house, 
during  the  American  Revolution,  was  occupied  occasionally  by  General 
Washington  as  head-quarters  when  the  army  happened  to  be  stationed 
here.  In  this  time  honored  mansion  the  visitor  is  still  shown  the  sleep- 
ing apartments  of  Washington,  and  his  noble  companion  in  arms — La 
Fayette.  The  furniture  occupies  nearly  the  same  position  as  at  that 
day,  and  the  old  clock  still  marks  the  passing  hour  as  it  did  seventy- 
seven  years  ago.  The  colored  woman  who  waited  upon  the  illustrious 
visitors,  died  in  1844.  The  Rev.  George  Whitfield  also  preached  in  one 
of  the  parlors. 

The  Village  landing  is  pleasantly  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  high  bank, 
commanding  a  fine  view  of  Peekskill  Bay,  the  Dunderbarrach,  Rahway 
Hook,  and  the  entrance  to  the  Highlands;  directly  opposite  is  Cald- 
well's Landing,  in  Rockland  county,  with  which  the  Westchester  shore 
is  connected  by  a  ferry.  Across  this  ferry  the  American  troops  were 
frequently  transported  during  the  Revolution.  In  the  vicinity  of  the 
landing  there  was  formerly  a  silver  mine  in  operation;  the  following 
register  of  its  discovery  occurs  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office : 

No  8  Name  of  Discoverer.     In  which  County.       Recorded.       Book.  Page. 
Gilbert  Weeks.  W.  C.  Co.,  town  of    March  16,        26.  190. 

Cortlandt,  within  a  1796. 
quarter  of  a  mile  of 
Peekskill  Landing, 
on  the  north  side  of 
McGregory's  brook 
6ilver  ore. 

Numerous  minerals  are  also  found  in  this  neighborhood,  such  as 
Epidote,  Garnet,  &c.  Sphene  is  said  to  have  been  discovered  near 
Peekskill  in  an  aggregate  of  quartz.  Sulphate  of  barytes  exists  in  the 
region  of  Anthony's  Nose. 

Gregory's  brook  (sometimes  called  Magrigarie's  creek,)  rises  in  Mag- 
rigarie's  pond,  a  few  miles  east  of  the  village.  This  rapid  stream,  after 
flowing  through  a  deep  and  wooded  glen,  empties  into  the  Hudson  near 
the  landing  place. 

The  romantic  hills  which  abound  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Peek- 
skill  are  many  of  them  connected  with  stirring  events  during  the  revolu- 
tionary war.  Among  the  most  prominent  is  Gallows  Hill,  famous  as  the 
spot  where  the  spy  Palmer  was  executed  by  order  .of  General  Putnam, 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


whose  laconic  reply  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  the  British  commander, 
deserves  an  enduring  record.  It  appears  that  Clinton  had  sent  up  a  flag 
of  truce  from  New  York,  demanding  the  release  of  Edmund  Palmer,  his 
lieutenant,  who  had  been  detected  as  a  spy  in  the  American  camp.  The 
brief  and  emphatic  answer  of  Putnam  runs  thus  : 

"Head  Quarters,  7th  August,  1777. 

"  Sir :  Edmund  Palmer,  an  officer  in  the  enemy's  service,  was  taken 
as  a  spy  lurking  within  the  American  lines.  He  has  been  tried  as  a 
spy,  condemned  as  a  spy,  and  shall  be  executed  as  a  spy  ;  and  the  flag 
is  ordered  to  depart  immediately.  Israel  Putnam." 

"  P.  S. — He  has  been  accordingly  executed." 

From  this  circumstance  the  hill  derived  its  present  appellation.  The 
story  of  Palmer's  sad  fate  is  thus  graphically  described  in  the  republican 
paper  of  Peekskill : — 

"  Iu  the  summer  of  the  year  1780,  and  for  some  time  preceding  and  following, 
on  the  southern  and  eastern  sides  of  the  hill,  and  along  the  rich  valley  which  lies 
at  its  base,  was  quartered  a  division  of  the  American  army  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Putnam.  Disaffection  and  treachery  prevailed  on  every  side  ;  men  there 
were  who  from  fear  or  from  other  base  causes,  refused  to  take  part  on  the  side  of 
virtue  and  patriotism,  and  remaiued  as  neutrals,  wavering  between  each  part)', 
and  acting  as  their  personal  safety  seemed  most  to  require.  Many,  calling  them- 
selves Whigs,  were  constantly  endeavoring  by  covert  means  to  blast  the  hopes 
and  discourage  the  gallant  few  who  were  struggling  at  the  side  of  liberty,  by 
giving  to  their  enemies  that  information  of  their  situation  and  prospects  which 
they  had  obtained  by  the  most  abject  treachery.  To  destroy  these  evils  required 
the  greatest  vigilance  and  severity  on  the  part  of  the  American  commander. 
Early  one  mornimg,  in  the  month  of  August,  a  party  of  the  militia,  three  in 
number,  brought  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Palmer,  whom  they  had  taken  on 
suspicion  of  his  being  a  spy  and  having  enlisting  orders  from  Tryon,  the  British 
general  then  commanding  iu  New  York.  The  enormity  of  his  offence  was  such 
that  if  proved,  it  demanded  the  most  vigorous  punishment.  A  court  martial  was 
therefore  immediately  convened,  and  from  the  circumstances  given  to  the  court 
by  those  who  arrested  him,  and  the  evidence  of  many  of  the  country  people,  who 
gave  an  unfavorable  account  of  his  conduct,  he  was  convicted  and  sentenced  to 
be  executed  as  a  spy. 

"  The  prisoner  was  a  young  man  of  athletic  form,  and  possessed  elegant  attain- 
ments, had  a  wife  and  children  then  residing  in  Yorktown,  the  place  of  his  nativity, 
and  was  connected  with  some  of  the  most  respectable  families  of  West  Chester. 
The  most  urgent  intercessions  were  immediately  made  to  obtain  his  release,  but 
in  vain ;  the  stern  justice  of  Putnam  was  not  to  be  overcome  by  any  feelings  of 
pity.  The  British  general  wrote  a  letter  to  the  American  commander,  demand- 
ing his  prisoner,  and  threatening  him  with  vengeance  if  a  compliance  with  his 
demand  was  not  immediately  acceded  to  ;  but  he  received  for  answer  that  the 
prisoner  was  "  taken  as  a  spy,  tried  as  a  spy,  convicted  as  a  spy,  and  that  he 
should  be  hung  as  a  spy."    Here  the  matter  rested  until  the  morning  previous  to 


154 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


his  execution  -when  the  wife  of  Palmer  presented  herself  before  the  command- 
ing office  r  in  his  tent.  She  had  come  there  with  her  child  in  her  arms,  to  throw 
herself  with  humble  submission  at  the  foot  of  the  man  who  by  word,  she  thought, 
could  relieve  her  aching  heart  of  its  load  of  misery.  In  the  artless  aud  winning 
eloquence  of  a  bursting  heart,  she  represented  to  him  the  awful  situation  in 
which  she  would  be  placed  should  the  fearful  sentence  that  had  been  passed  up- 
on  her  husband  be  carried  into  effect.  She  implored  him,  by  every  tie  of  affec- 
tion that  bound  two  young  hearts  together— for  the  sake  of  the  infant  she  pressed 
to  her  bosom,  who,  if  left  fatherless,  would  wander  through  the  world  disgraced 
and  au  orphan — by  his  own  feelings  as  a  father  and  a  husband,  to  have  mercy 
on  him  who  was  all  to  her  the  world  could  bestow.  Her  tears,  her  deep  dis- 
tress and  hei- passionate  exclamations  fell  deep  into  the  heart  of  the  war-worn 
soldier ;  but  they  did  not  alter  his  stern  resolve.  With  a  dignity  of  purpose  and 
a  countenance  that  told  how  intense  were  the  feelings  then  glowing  within  him, 
he  told  her  he  must  die.  Insensible  she  was  carried  from  his  presence  and  con- 
veyed back  to  her  friends.  The  following  morning,  at  the  hour  appointed  for 
his  execution,  on  an  enclosed  spot  of  ground  near  the  summit,  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  hill,  was  seen  a  gallows  rudely  constructed  of  logs  with  a  rope  appended 
hereto.  The  trees  and  fences  were  rilled  with  men,  women  and  children  who 
had  come  far  and  near  to  witness  the  awful  scene ;  and  the  prisoner  was  led  out 
to  the  appointed  spot  where  his  last  view  of  the  world  was  taken,  and  prepare 
his  mind  for  its  sudden  transit  into  eternity.  It  is  but  just  to  say.  that  whether 
hung  guilty  or  innocent,  he  met  his  fate  with  the  fortitude  of  a  man.  The  body, 
after  being  suspended  a  suitable  time,  was  taken  down  and  given  to  Lis  trieuds 
for  interment." 

Such  is  the  story  of  Gallows  Hill.  The  sad  fabric  of  logs  which  had 
been  raised  for  his  execution  remained  standing  for  several  years  after 
the  war,  an  object  of  dread  and  superstition  to  the  more  ignorant  of  the 
country  people  whose  daily  avocations  compelled  them  to  pass  it." 

The  summit  of  Gallows  Hill  embraces  a  fine  view  of  the  river,  the 
scenery  of  the  race  and  surrounding  country.  The  remains  of  Fort  Look 
Out  are  situated  on  the  adjoining  hill.  During  the  revolutionary  con- 
test, the  village  of  Peekskill  appears  to  have  suffered  severely  from  the 
enemy's  incursions.  "  Before  the  British  army  took  the  field,  for  the 
third  campaign  of  1777,  (says  Mr.  Smith)  two  enterprizes  for  the  de- 
struction of  American  stores  were  undertaken.  Col.  Bird  landed  with 
about  500  men  at  Peekskill,  March  23,  fifty  miles  from  New  York.  The 
few  Americans  who  were  stationed  as  a  guard  at  this  place,  on  the  ap- 
proach of  the  British,  fired  the  principal  store-houses  and  retired.  The 
loss  of  the  provisions  was  considerable."6  "  September,  1777,  the  enemy 
came  out  on  both  sides  of  the  Hudson  simultaneously  in  considerable 
force,  consisting  from  two  to  three  thousand  men,  on  which  occasion 


a  Westchester  and  Putnam  Republican,  vasty  14th,  1S33. 
b  Military  Repository,  by  Charles  Smith. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


155 


the  American  barracks  and  store-houses,  and  the  whole  village  of  Peek- 
skill  'was  sacked  and  burnt  and  the  country  pillaged.""  The  Weekly 
Mercury  of  Feb.  16th,  1778,  (published  by  Hugh  Gaines,)  contains  a 
letter  from  Commodore  Hotham  to  Vice  Admiral  Lord  Viscount  Howe 
which  by  his  lordship  was  transmitted  to  all  ships  in  service,  &c,  dated 
on  board  his  Majesty's  ship  the  Preston,  lying  off  Peekskill  creek. . 
Major  Burr  was  stationed  at  Peekskill  on  the  21st  July,  1777,  when  he 
received  a  lieutenant  colonel's  commission  in  the  continental  army,  and 
from  this  place  the  traitor  Arnold  likewise  received  his  appointment  to 
West  Point,  dated  August  the  3d,  1780. 

In  the  village  of  Peekskill  was  born  John  Paulding,  one  of  the  Ameri- 
can farmers  who  intercepted  Andre  the  British  spy,  at  Tarrytown,  some 
fifteen  miles  below  this  place.  For  his  services  on  this  occasion  the 
State  presented  him  with  a  farm  situated  within  the  town  of  Cortlandt. 
The  property  now  belongs  to  Jacob  Strang. 

The  following  abstract  is  taken  from  a  deed  given  by  Samuel 
Dodge,  Daniel  Graham,  and  John  Hotham,  commissioners  of  foreitures 
for  the  middle  district  of  New  York,  to  John  Paulding,  of  Cortlandt 
Manor : 

"  For  and  in  consideration  of  the  services  John  Paulding,  of  Cortlandt  Manor, 
in  the  County  of  Westchester,  hath  rendered  his  country,  in  apprehending  and 
securing  the  British  deputy  adjutant  Gen.  Major  Andre,  who  was  returning  to 
New  York  after  having  in  the  character  of  a  spy  concerted  measures  with  the 
infamous  Benedict  Arnold,  then  commanding  at  the  posts  in  the  Highlands,  for 
betraying  the  said  posts  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  for  his  virtue  in  re- 
fusing a  large  sum  of  money  offered  by  the  said  Major  Andre  as  a  bribe  to  per- 
mit, him  to  escape ;  and  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  five  shillings 
lawful  money  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  for  the  further  sum  of  twenty-five 
pounds  ten  shillings  like  lawful  money  of  the  said  State,  by  the  said  John  Pauld- 
ing paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  said  State,  the  said  commissioners  by  virtue  of 
the  powers  and  authorities  in  and  by  the  several  acts  to  them  given,  hath  by 
their  deed  bearing  date  on  the  16th  day  of  June,  1783,  granted  and  sold  unto  the 
said  John  Paulding  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situated  in  the  manor 
of  Cortlandt,  in  said  county  of  Westchester,  and  State  aforesaid,  now  in  pos- 
session of  said  John  Paulding,  and  is  commonly  known  by  lot  No.  14  in  great 
lot  No.  1,  containing  100  acres. 

"Also,  another  tract,  part  of  farm  No.  13.  in  great  north  lot  No.  1.  containing 
21  acres.  Also,  another  part  of  farm  No.  13,  in  great  lot  No.  1,  and  is  part  of 
the  land  which  Palatiah  Haws  purchased  for  Thomas  Lee  in  Magragaria  swamp, 
10  acres.  Also,  another  part  of  farm  No.  15,  a  part  of  great  north  lot  No.  1,  37 
acres."& 


a  Burr's  Mem.,  Vol  1. 180. 

b  County  Rec.  RegUter's  Office,  abstract  of  gales,  p.  137. 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


16S  acres,  16  rods  of  lands,  appraised  for 
Gratuity  allowed  by  law 


£529  10  0 
500   0  0 


Excess  from  liini  received, 


£29  10  0 


John  Paulding  died  on  the  18th  of  February,  1818.  A  few  minutes 
before  the  Patriot  expired,  he  called  Dr.  Fountain,  (his  medical  attend- 
ant,) to  the  bedside,  and  thus  addressed  him: — "Doctor,  please  tell 
all  those  who  ask  after  me,  that  I  die  a  true  republican."  Paulding's 
remains  repose  beneath  a  handsome  monument  in  the  Episcopal  grave- 
yard, two  miles  north  of  the  village. 

Upon  the  north  side  of  Gallows  Hill,  by  the  road  side  leading  from 
Peekskill  to  Albany,  is  situated  the  "Soldier's  Spring,"  which  derived 
its  name  from  the  following  tragical  incident: — 

"The  British  who  were  iu  possession  of  Stony  Point,  and  whose  shipping  lay 
m  the  bay  of  Haverstraw,  resolved  upon  landing  a  portion  of  their  men  on  Yer- 
planck's  Point,  a ad  from  thence  make  a  descent  upon  Peekskill.  Their  object 
in  this  expedition  was  to  procure  fresh  provisions  and  to  awake  the  energies  of 
the  Americans  who  were  encamped  in  the  village  and  in  various  places  among 
the  hills  in  the  vicinity.  In  accordance  with  this  resolve  they  effected  a  land- 
ing and  proceeded  without  opposition  to  Drum  Hill,  an  eminence  that  overlooks 
the  village  near  its  southern  boundry.  Here  they  commenced  cannonading  with 
two  small  field  pieces  which  they  had  brought  with  them,  while  their  light 
troops  entered  the  village  by  another  road  higher  Up  the  river.  The  Americans 
unprepared,  and  withal  too  weak  to  resist  so  formidable  a  foe,  were  obliged  after 
a  short  resistance  to  fly  to  the  interrior.  Their  enemies  from  the  commanding 
points  which  they  occupied,  kept  up  a  constant  firing  upon  them  as  they  sought 
the  various  avenues  of  retreat.  It  was  at  this  period  that  a  soldier  in  his  flight 
stopped  for  a  monent  to  refresh  himself  at  the  spring.  While  on  his  hands  and 
knees  in  the  act  of  drinking,  a  ball  which  struck  ou  au  eminence  above  him, 
glanced  obliquely,  and  descending  the  road  with  rapid  bounds,  finished  its  course 
by  shattering  the  thigh  of  the  exhausted  soldier,  and  burying  itself  iu  the  ground 
beyond.  Unable  to  move,  he  lay  bleeding  and  in  agony,  until  a  wagon  filled 
with  provisions  hastily  collected  by  a  bold  and  resolute  man  ere  they  left  the 
scene  of  commotion,  passing  by,  he  was  perceived  by  those  who  followed  after, 
who  immediately  picked  him  up  and  placed  him  thereon.  They  conveyed  him 
as  far  as  Fishkill  village,  nineteen  miles  distant ;  but  loss  of  blood  and  the  fatigue 
of  his  journey,  prostrated  the  powers  of  nature,  and  though  he  received  surgical 
aid,  survived  but  a  few  hours."0 

A  short  distance  north  of  Peekskill  is  Cortlandtville ;  here  is  located  the 
property  and  residence  formerly  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  James  Robertson.  The  former  occupant  de- 
rived his  title  to  this  portion  of  the  manor  from  his  brother  Gilbert,  heir 
of  his  grand-aunt  Mrs.  Gertmde  Beekman.    The  old  brick  mansion, 


o  Westchester  and  Putuain  Republican,  August,  1S3S. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


157 


erected  A.D.  1773,  occupies  a  very  sequestered  arid  romantic  spot  on 
the  north  side  of  the  post  road,  immediately  above  Peekskill  Hollow. 
At  one  period  of  the  Revolution  it  was  occupied  by  the  American  com- 
mander-in-chief, as  head-quarters.  Here,  too,  the  Van  Cortlandt  family 
for  some  time  found  a  safe  asylum  amid  surrounding  desolation. 

In  this  house  General  McDougal  posted  his  advanced  guard,  when  the 
British  took  possession  of  Peekskill,  March,  1777.  The  following  ac- 
count of  the  subsequent  engagement  with  the  enemy,  is  extracted  from 
the  Connecticut  Journal  of  April  2d,  1777: 

"Fishkill,  March  27- — Our  post  at  Peck's-kill,  since  the  removal  of  the  militia 
of  the  eastern  States  has  been,  in  a  maimer,  iu  a  defenceless  situation  ;  there  be- 
ing o.  ly  part  of  two  regiments  stationed  there,  under  the  care  of  Gen  McDougal, 
amounting  to  about  250  men.  The  enemy  having  received  intelligence  of  tins 
formed  an  expedition  thither,  with  a  view  to  take  or  destroy  the  stores  belonging 
to  the  continentals,  that  were  deposited  there.  Accordingly,  on  Sunday  last  they 
appeared  with  a  frigate,  four  transports  and  several  other  small  vessels  in  the 
bay,  and  landed  about  1000  men,  with  several  pieces  of  cannon. 

"General  McDougal  not  thinking  it  prudent  to  hazard  a  battle  with  such  an 
unequal  force,  and  not  having  reasonable  advice  of  the  enemy's  movement,  was 
under  the  necessity  of  destroying  their  stores  in  order  to  prevent  their  falling  in- 
to their  hands,  and  retired  about  two  miles  into  the  pass  in  the  highlands,  carry- 
ing with  hkn  his  baggage  and  military  stores,  his  advanced  guards  being  stationed 
at  Cortlandt's  house  in  the  valley.  The  enemy,  the  same  da}-,  took  possession 
of  the  village,  and  remained  close  in  their  quarters  until  the  next  day  in  the 
afternoon,  when  a  party  of  them,  consisting  of  about  200  men,  possessed  them- 
selves of  a  height  a  little  south  of  Cortlandt's.  The  general  having  received  a 
reinforcement  from % Col.  Gansevoort's  regiment,  of  about  80  men,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Colonel  Willet,  permitted  them  to  attempt  to  dispossess  the 
enemy  from  that  eminence.  Col.  Willet  having  accordingly  made  the  necessary 
disposition,  advanced  withliis  small  party  with  the  greatest  firmness  and  resolu- 
tion, and  made  the  attack.  The  enemy  instantly  fled,  with  the  greatest  pre- 
cipitation, leaving  three  men  dead  on  the  field;  and  the  whole  body,  panic  struck, 
betook  themselves  to  their  shipping,  embarking  under  cover  of  the  night — and 
by  the  last  accounts,  they  had  sailed  down  the  river.  .Before  they  embarked, 
they  gave  out  they  intended  to  Stop  at  Tarrytown  on  their  way  down,  and  at- 
tempt to  destroy  our  magazine  of  forage  at  Wright's  mills.  Upon  their  evacuat- 
ing the  place,  Gen.  McDougal  took  possession  of  his  former  quarters,  and  de- 
tached a  party  of  men  to  watch  their  motions.  The  enemy  on  this  occasion 
have  been  exceedingly  disappointed,  as  they  have  not  been  able  to  carry  off  any 
stores  left  behind  by  our  men,  and  no  other  flock  than  about  forty  sheep  and 
eight  or  ten  head  of  cattle,  with  which  they  were  supplied  by  our  good  friends 
the  tories.  Never  did  troops  exhibit  more  firmness  and  resolution  than  did 
our  army  on  this  occasion.  Notwithstanding  the  disparity  of  numbers  was 
great,  and  the  measure  absolutely  necessary,  it  was  with  the  utmost  reluctance 
they  retired  to  the  pass.  As  usual,  these  heroes  of  Britain  have  burnt  so.:.e 
houses,  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  what  they  could  conveniently  take  with 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

them,  frightened  the  women  and  children,  and  raised  the  spirits  of  their  tory 
hrethren  in  that  quarter;  but  which,  alas,  as  is  always  the  case  when  unnaturally 
elevated,  are  now  again  proportionally  depressed." 

The  old  oak  tree  east  of  the  Van  Cortlandt  residence,  served  the  pur- 
pose of  a  military  whipping  post. 

Upon  the  summit  of  a  high  knoll,  south-east  of  the  late  residences  of 
Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  stands  the  old  parochial  church  of  St.  Peter 
in  which  occasional  services  are  held.  Adjoining  it  on  the  north-east  is 
the  Cortlandt  cemetery,  facing  the  Westchester  and  Dutchess  county 
Turnpike. 

A  short  distance  from  Cortlandtville,  near  Locust  avenue  is  "Rest 
Hill,"  upon  the  summit  of  which  the  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  is  now 
erecting  a  splendid  stone  residence.  From  this  point  a  most  magnifi- 
cent view  is  obtained  of  the  village  of  Peekskill  in  the  gorge  below,  the 
.  mountains  bounding  the  horizon  on  three  sides  and  the  Hudson  wind- 
ing like  a  tangled  belt  of  silver  at  their  bases.  Northward  the  hill  falls 
precipitously  into  the  valley,  and  through  that  valley  winds  the  Annsville 
creek  and  Canopus  or  Sprout  brook.  On  a  green  slope,  really  about 
three  miles  distant,  but  apparently  almost  at  the  foot  of  "  Rest  Hill,"  is 
the  old  church  of  St.  Peter's,  just  alluded  to  and  the  cemetery. 

The  village  of  Annsville,  in  this  town,  is  delightfully  situated  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Peekskill  creek,  one  mile  north  of  the  village  of  Peekskill. 
This  place  formed  a  part  of  the  Indian  territory  Wishqua,  where  was 
anciently  an  Indian  fort  and  village.  Upon  the  survey  of  the  manor  of 
Cortlandt.  Annsville  and  lands  adjoining,  constituted  a  section  of  lot 
No.  10,  the  river  portion  of  Gertrude,  wife  of  CoL  Henry  Beekman 
and  fifth  daughter  and  devisee  of  De  Heer  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt. 
This  portion  of  her  estate  she  subsequently  devised  to  her  nephew  Gil- 
bert Van  Cortlandt,  who  in  1784,  bequeathed  it  to  his  loving  brother 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 

Here  are  situated' an  extensive  snuff  and  wire  factory,  both  propelled 
by  water  power,  and  the  chemical  works ;  also  some  thirty  dwellings. 
The  Peekskill  Blast  Furnace  is  located  on  the  Annsville  creek  and  is 
connected  with  the  Croft  iron  mines  by  a  railway  built  for  the  purpose 
by  which  the  furnace  is  supplied  with  a  superior  quality  of  iron  ore' at  a 
small  cost  of  transportation. 

The  scenery  "of  the  Peekskill  creek  is  remarkably  rich  and  diversified. 
This  picturesque  stream  rises  14  miles  north  of  Annsville,  in  the  town 
of  Kent,  Putnam  county,  south-west  of  Annsville  ;  it  receives  the  waters 
of  the  Canopus,  (sprout  creek,)  a  current  of  water  which  derives  its 
source  from  Horton's  lake,  called  by  the  Indians  the  "Fire- Fly  Lake," 


THE  TOWN  OK  CORTLANDT. 


1 59 


a  name  derived  from  that  beautiful  insect  whose  bright  phosphoresence 
illumines  the  humid  valleys  and  dark  woods  of  a  summer's  evening.  The 
Indian  children  of  the  west  have  the  following  exquisite  chant  to  this  flit- 
ting white-fire  insect  as  they  denominate  it : — 

"Fire-fly,  fire-fly,  bright  little  thing, 
Bright  little  fire  bug,  night's  liltle  king." 

— SchoolcrofV a  Oneota. 

Near  the  banks  of  the  Canopus,  or  Peekskill  hollow,  is  situated  the 
site  of  the  old  Continental  village,  which  once  contained  barracks  for 
2,000  men.  The  following  account  of  its  destruction  is  given  in  the 
dispatches  of  Gen.  Sir  William  Howe  to  Sir  Henry  .  Clinton,  dated  Fort 
Montgomery,  October  9,  1777. 

"The  little  army  consisting  of  about  3,000  men  arrived  off  Ver- 
planck's  Point,  preceded  by  the  gallies  under  the  command  of  Sir  James 
Wallace.  On  our  appearance  the  enemy  retired  without  firing  a  shot, 
leaving  a  12-pounder  behind  them;  and  Sir  James  moved  up  to  Peek- 
skill  creek  to  mark  the  only  communication  they  had  across  the  river  on 
this  side  the  Highlands." 

"  P.S. — Major  Gen.  Tryon  was  detached  this  morning  with  Emmerich's  chas- 
seurs, SO  yagers,  and  royal  fusiliers  and  regiment  of  Trumback,  with  a  thrce- 
poundcr  to  destroy  the  rebel  settlement  called  the  Continental  village,  has  just  re- 
turned and  reported  to  me,  that  he  has  burned  the  barrack  for  1,500  men,  several 
store-houses  and  loaded  wagons.  I  need  not  point  out  to  your  excellency  the 
consequence  of  destroying  this  post,  as  it  was  the  only  establishment  of  the 
rebels  on  that  part  of  the  Highlands,  and  the  place  from  whence  any  body  of 
troops  drew  their  supplies."" 

The  Hudson  River  Rail  Road  Bridge  now  crosses  the  mouth  of  the 
Peekskill  creek  near  Annsville,  where  the  old  bridge  formerly  stood, 
leading  to  Roa  or  Rah  way  Hook.  The  total  length  of  the  latter, 
which  was  built  of  wood,  was  fourteen  hundred  and  ninety-six 
feet.  Upon  the  highest  ground  of  Rahway  Hook  stood  "Fort 
Independence  Hotel,"  erected  by  Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  some 
years  ago.  From  its  elevated  position  this  spot  commands  a  most 
extensive  prospect  of  the  Hudson  River  and  the  adjacent  country.  To 
the  north,  rise  the  majestic  Highlands,  on  the  west  the  race  and  the 
towering  Dunderbarrack.  To  the  south  the  waters  of  the  Peekskill 
bay  resemble  a  vast  lake  bounded  by  the  Mountains  of  Rockland  and 
Stony  and  Verplanck's  Points,  while  on  the  east  appears  the  village  of 
Peekskill  and  the  Cortlandt  hills.  In  the  rear  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt's 
are  situated  the  remains  of  Fort  Independence,  whose  history  is  so  in- 


a  Supplement  to  n.  Gaines'  Military  Gazette,  Feb.  9,  1778,  No.  1372. 


l6o  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

separably  interwoven  with  the  stirring  events  of  the  Revolution.  A 
small  portion  of  its  embankments  and  trenches  are  yet  to  be  discerned 
The  whole  is  shaded  by  a  luxuriant  grove  of  native  pines.  The  solitude 
of  this  delightful  spot  is  occasionally  disturbed  by  the  moaning  of  the 
wind  among  the  trees, 

And  hark!  as  it  comes  sighing  through  the  grove, 
The  exhausted  gale,  a  spirit  there  awakes, 
That  wild  and  melancholy  music  makes. 

Circuituous  paths  lead  to  the  landing,  while  the  table  land  to  the  east  is 
heavily  bordered  with  the  ash,  maple,  cedar  and  towering  oak. 

Hudson,  the  discoverer  of  the  North  River,  appears  to  have  been 
much  struck  with  the  first  sight  of  this  high  and  mountainous  region. 

"It  appears  from  his  journal,"  says  Moulton,  "  that  he  was  not  inattentive  to 
the  rapid  and  astonishing  elevation  of  a  district  of  country  which,  in  the  course 
of  less  than  sixty  miles,  increase  from  a  few  feet  ahove  the  water  level<*  to  the 
lofty  height  of  fifteen  hundred  feet.6  Sailing  leisurely,  he  had  full  opportunity 
to  contrast  the  appearances  of  the  opposite  shores.  On  the  left  he  had  the  sub- 
lime prospect  of  the  pallisade  rocks,  whose  dark  columnar  front,  like  a  towering 
battlement,  with  here  and  there  a  projection  like  tne  salient  angle  of  a  bastion, 
presented  perpendicular  elevations  from  three  to  five  hundred  feet,  and,  ranging 
more  than  thirty  miles  uninterrupted,  (except  by  the  valley  of  the  Nyack.)  it  at 
last  exhibited  an  altitude  of  nearly  seven  hundred  feet."  and  then  vanished  from 
his  sight  on  the  remote,  but  still  more  elevated  range  of  the  High  Tourn  and 
Tourn  mountains.  On  the  right  he  beheld  a  comparatively  low  but  undulating 
border,  which,  in  the  luxuriance  of  autumnal  foliage,  afforded  a  striking  con- 
trast and  a  pleasing  relief  as  he  turned  from  the  sublimity  and  barrenness  of  the 
opposite  cliffs.  Onward  he  perceived  the  river  in  its  first  course  of  thirty  miles, 
very  gradually  widening  until  it  suddenly  presented  the  broad  expanse  of  a  bay 
(' Tappaanse  Zee.')  Then  as  he  passed  into  another,  (Haverstraw,)  and  viewed 
the  insuperable  barriers  of  mountains  that  lay  before  him,  he  considered  his  dis- 
covery terminated ;  until,  in  searching  for  a  passage,  he  found  one  which  proved 
to  be  the  continuation  of  a  river,  now  serpentining  in  its  course,  deepening  and 
narrowing,  until  it  brought  him  to  '  where  the  land  grew  very  high  and  moun- 
tainous.' Here  he  anchored  for  the  ensuing  night.  This  was  directly  opposite 
West  Point.  "<* 

"The  Dundcr  Berg  (Thunder  Mountain),  that  rises  so  grandly  at  the  turn  of 
the  river  opposite  Pcekskill  village,  was  so  named  because  of  the  frequent 
thunder-storms  that  gather  around  its  summit  in  summer.  '  The  captains  of  the 
river-craft,'  says  Irving,  in  his  legend  of  the  Storm-ship,  "talk  of  a  little  bul- 
bous-bottomed Dutch  goblin,  in  trunkhose  and  sugar-loaf  hat.  with  a  speaking 
trumpet  in  his  hand,  which,  they  say,  keeps  the  Dunder  Berg.  They  declare 
that  they  have  heard  him  in  stormy  whether,  in  the  midst  of  the  turmoil,  giving 

a  At  Bergen  Point  . 

b  At  the  head  of  the  Highlands. 

c  South  peak  of  Vredideka  Hook. 

d  Moulton's  Hist,  of  New  York,  pp.  239-239. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


161 


orders  in  low  Dutch  for  the  piping  up  of  a  fresh  gust  of  wind,  or  the  rattling  off 
of  another  thuuder-clap.  Sometimes  he  has  been  seen  surrounded  by  a  crew  of 
little  imps  in  broad  breeches  and  short  doubtlets,  tumbling  head  over  heels  in 
the  rock  and  mist,  and  playing  a  thousand  gambols  in  the  air,  or  buzzing,  like  a 
swarm  of  flies  about  Anthony's  nose  ;  and  that  at  such  times  the  hurry-scurry 
of  the  storm  was  always  greatest.'  The  romancer  tells  us  that  at  one  time 
a  terrible  thunder-gust  burst  upon  a  sloop  when  passing  the  Dunder  Berg,  and 
■he  was  in  the  greatest  peril.  Iler  crew  saw  at  the  mast  head  a  white  sugar-loaf 
hat,  and  knowing  that  it  belonged  to  the  goblin  of  the  Dunder  Berg,  dared  not 
climb  to  get  rid  of  it.  The  vessel  sped  swiftly  through  the  Highlands  into  New- 
burg  Bay,  when  the  little  hat  suddenly  sprung  up,  whirled  the  clouds  into  a 
vortex,  and  hurried  them  back  to  the  Dunder  Berg.  "  There  is  another  story  told 
of  this'foul-weather  urchin,"  says  the  romancer,  "by  Skipper  Daniel  Ousele- 
sticker,  of  Fishkill,  who  was  never  known  to  tell  a  lie.  He  declared  that,  in  a 
severe  squall,  he  saw  him  seated  astride  of  his  bowsprit  riding  the  sloop  ashore, 
full  butt  against  Anthony's  Nose,  and  that  he  was  exorcised  by  Dominie  Van 
Giesen,  of  Esopus,  who  happened  to  be  on  board,  and  who  sang  the  hymn  of 
St.  Nicholas,  whereupon  the  goblin  threw  himself  up  into  the  air  like  a  ball, 
and  went  off  in  a  whirlwind,  carrying  away  with  him  the  night-cap  of  the 
Dominie's  wife,  which  was  discovered  the  next  Sunday  morning  hanging  on  the 
weather-cock  of  Esopus  church  steeple,  at  least  forty  miles  off."  Not  many 
years  ago  the  engine  of  an  immense  pumping  apparatus  of  a  coffer-dam  was  in 
operation  at  the  foot  of  the  great  hill  at  a  place  called  Caldwell's  Landing.  The 
story  of  that  coffer-dam,  in  all  its  details,  forms  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of 
the  romances  of  the  Hudson.    It  may  only  be  given  here  in  faint  outline. 

Many  years  ago  an  iron  cannon  was  by  accident  brought  up  by  an  anchor 
from  the  bottom  of  the  river  at  that  point.  It  was  suggested  that  it  belonged  to 
the  pirate  ship  of  Captain  Kidd.  A  speculator  caught  the  idea,  and  boldly  pro- 
claimed, in  the  face  of  recorded  history  to  the  contrary,  that  Kidd's  ship  had 
been  sunken  at  that  point  with  untold  treasures  on  board.  The  story  went 
abroad  that  the  deck  had  been  penetrated  by  a  very  long  auger,  which  en- 
countered hard  substances,  and  its  thread  was  shown  with  silver  attached  wliich, 
it  was  declared,  had  been  brought  up  from  the  vessel.  The  story  was  believed, 
a  stock  company  was  formed  to  procure  the  treasures  by  means  of  a  coffer- 
dam around  the  sunken  vessel.  For  days,  week3  and  months,  the  engine  worked 
on  the  coffer-dam.  One  New  York  merchant  put  §20,000  into  the  enterprise. 
The  speculator  took  large  commissions,  until  the  hopes  of  the  stockholders  failed 
and  the  work  ceased.  Nothing  may  be  seen  there  now  but  the  ruins  of-  the 
works  so  begun,  close  at  the  water's  edge.  At  that  point  a  bateau  was  sunk  by 
a  shot  from  the  Vulture  while  conveying  the  captured  iron  cannon  from  Stony 
Point  to  West  Point  after  the  victory  by  Wayne.  The  cannon  brought  up  by 
the  anchor  was  doubtless  one  of  these. 

Anthony's  Nose,  opposite,  has  a  bit  of  romance  in  the  legendary  story  of  its 
origin.  We  are  told  by  the  veracious  historian,  Knickerbocker,  that  on  one 
occasian  Anthony  the  Trumpeter,  who  afterward  disappeared  in  the  turbulent 
waters  of  Spuytden  Duyvel-Kill,  was  with  Stuyvesant  on  a  Dutch  galley  pass- 
ing up  the  river.  Early  in  the  morning  Anthony,  having  washed  his  face,  and 
thereby  polished  his  huge  fiery  nose,  whose  flames  came  out  of  flagons,  was  lean- 


i6a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ing  over  the  quarter  railing,  when  the  sun  burst  forth  in  splendor  over  that  pro- 
montory. One  of  its  brightest  rays  fell  on  the  glowing  nose  of  the  trumpeter, 
and  reflecting,  hissing  hot,  into  the  water,  killed  a  sturgeon.  The  sailors  got  the 
dead  monster  of  the  deep  on  board.  It  was  cooked.  When  Stuyvesant  ate  of  the 
flesh  and  heard  the  strange  story  of  its  death,  he  "  marvelled  exceedingly ; "  and 
in  commemoration  of  the  event  he  named  the  lofty  lull,  which  rises  more  than 
twelve  hundred  feet  above  the  bosom  of  the  river  "Anthony's  Nose."  As  the 
steamboat  sweeps  round  the  Donder  Berg,  with  Anthony's  Nose  on  the  right,  the 
theatre  of  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  romances  of  the  Hudson  is  presented 
in  lofty  Bear  Mountain  in  front,  Lake  Sinnipink,  or  Bloody  Pond,  on  a  broad 
terrace  at  its  base,  and  Poplopens  Creek  flowing  into  the  river  on  the  western 
shore  between  high  rocky  banks.  Upon  these  banks  lay  Forts  Clinton  and 
Montgomery,  the  former  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  and  the  latter  on  the  north 
side. 

These  forts  were  built  by  the  Americans  for  the  defence  of  the  lower  entrance 
to  the  Highlands,  against  fleets  of  the  enemy  that  might  ascend  the  river;  for  it 
was  known  from  the  beginning  that  it  was  a  capital  plan  of  the  British  Ministry 
to  get  possession  of  the  valley  of  the  Hudson,  ar.d  so  separate  New  England  from 
the  other  colonies.  In  addition  to  these  forts,  a  boom  and  chain  were  stretched 
across  the  river  from  Fort  Montgomery  to  Anthony's  Nose  to  obstruct  the  navi- 
gation. 

We  have  observed  that  Clinton  swept  around  the  Donder  Berg  with  a  part  of 
his  army,  and  fell  upon  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery.  That  was  on  the  7th 
of  October,  1777.  Tiie  brothers,  Qenerals  George  (Governor)  and  James  Clin- 
ton commanded  the  little  garrison.  They  were  brave  and  vigilant.  It  was  not 
an  easy  task  for  the  enemy  to  approach  the  fort  through  the  rugged  mountain 
passes,  watched  and  attacked  by  scouting  parties.  They  had  divided,  one  party 
accompanied  by  the  baronet,  making  their  way  toward  evening,  between  Lake 
Sennipinkand  the  river,  there  they  encountered  abattis  covering  a  detatchment  of 
Americans.  A  severe  fight  ensued.  The  dead  were  thrown  into  the  lake  and  it 
was  called  "  Bloody  Pond." 

Botli  divisions  now  pressed  toward  the  forts,  closely  infested  them,  and  were 
supported  by  a  heavy  cannonade  from  the  British  flotilla.  The  battle  raged  un- 
til twilight;  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  assailants  caused  the  Americans  to 
abandon  their  works  under  cover  of  darkness  and  to  flee  to  the  mountains.  Be- 
fore leaving,  they  set  fire  to  t  vo  frigates,  two  armed  galleys  and  a  sloop,  which 
had  been  placed  above  the  boom. 

That  conflagration  was  magnificent ;  the  sales  of  the  vessels  all  set,  and  they 
soon  became  splendid  pyramids  of  flame.  Over  the  bosom  of  the  river  was  spread 
a  broad  sheet  of  ruddy  light  for  a  great  distance,  and  the  surrounding  mountains 
were  brilliantly  illuminated  by  the  fire,  which  gave  aid  to  the  fugitives  among 
the  dreary  hills.  These  features  oftheevent,  with  the  booming  of  the  cannon  on  the 
loaded  vessels  when  the  fire  reached  the  .1,  answered  by  echoes  from  a  hundred 
hills,  produced  a  scene  of  awful  grandeur  never  witnessed  before  or  since  on  the 
borders  of  the  Hudson.  It  was  a  wild  and  fearful  romance,  that  ended  in  the 
breaking  of  the  boom  and  chain,  and  passage  up  the  river  of  the  British  squadron 
with  marauding  troops.    These  laid  in  ashes,  many  a  fair  mansion  belonging  to 


1, 1«'>. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT.  1 63 

republicans  as  far  north  as  Livingston's  Manor,  on  tho  lower  verge  of  Columbia 
county."* 

The  late  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  the  proprietor  of  "Antonie's 
Nose,"  or  St.  Anthony's  Nose,  which  lies  in  the  north-west  corner  of 
Cortlandt-town,  used  to  give  another  version  for  the  origin  of  that 
name,  which  deserves  to  be  recorded  here: — 

"Before  the  Revolution  a  vessel  was  passing  up  the  river  under  the 
command  of  a  Captain  Hogans,  when  immediately  opposite  this  moun- 
tain, the  mate  looked  rather  quizzically  first  at  the  mountain  and  then 
at  the  captain's  nose.  The  captain,  by  the  way,  had  an  enormous  nose, 
which  was  not  unfrequently  the  subject  of  good-natured  remark,  and  he 
at  once  understood  the  mate's  allusion.  'What,'  says  the  captain,  'does 
that  look  like  my  nose  ?  call  it  then,  if  you  please  Antony's  Nose.' 
The  story  was  repeated  on  shore,  and  the  mountain  thenceforward  as- 
sumed the  name ;  and  has  thus  become  an  everlasting  monument  to  the 
memory  of  the  redoubtable  captain,  Antony  Hogans  and  his  nose." 

The  elevation  of  Anthony's  Nose  is  one  thousand  two  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  feet  from  the  level  of  the  river,  and  directly  opposite  Fort 
Montgomery  creek.  From  here  to  Fort  Montgomery,  which  is  now  in 
ruins  on  the  opposite  side,  the  large  boom  and  chain  was  extended  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  war,  which  cost  about  seventy  thousand  pounds 
.sterling.  It  was  partly  destroyed  as  we  have  seen  by  Gen.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  on  the  memorable  7th  of  October,  177 7. 6 

"In  the  year  1672,  orders  arrived  to  Governor  Lord  Lovelace  to  put 
the  Province  in  a  state  of  defence.  Upon  this  occasion  a  small  fort  was 
to  be  erected  at  Anthony's  Nose,  or  near  it  on  the  North  River."" 

An  enormous  suspension  bridge  across  the  Hudson  River  is  now  be- 
ing commenced  at  St.  Anthony's  Nose.  The  following  statement  is  fur- 
nished by  the  engineer  who  is  to  superintend  its  construction: — "Clear 
span,  1,600  feet;  length  of  bridge  between  the  towers,  1,665;  total 
length  of  bridge,  including  approaches,  2,499;  height  of  bridge  above 
high  water,  155  feet;  working  safe  load  for  the  rail  road  lines,  2,400 
ton?;  working  safe  load  for  highways,  2,880;  total  safe  load  for  the 
bridge,  5,280  ;  load  that  will  break  the  bridge,  25,161.  The 
bridge  will  carry  at  one  time  32  passenger  cars;  the  bridge  would 
carry  safely  38.569  people,  and  a  train  of  60  locomotives,  if 
they  could  be  all  on  it  at  once;  53  locomotives  and  18,000  would 

o  The  Romance  of  the  Hudson.  Harpers  Mo.  Man,  No.  cccxL,  April,  1876,  vols.  L,  II,  647,  8,  9. 
About  30  years  since,  several  cannon  were  raised  from  the  sunken  British  vessels  in  the  river, 
directly  opposite  Fort  independence,  by  the  aid  of  diving-bells.  A  portion  of  the  large  chain 
which  Btretched  across  the  Hudson,  is  still  preserved  at  the  Manor-house  ou  the  Crown. 

6  Letters  on  the  Hudson. 

o  Dunlap's  Hist,  ol  New  York,  vol.  i,  p.  127. 


164 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


fill  it.  There  are  to  be  20  cables  in  4  systems;  each  cable  will 
be  about  14  inches  diameter;  the  cables  contain  371,195,750  feet  of 
steel  wire,  or  about  70,302  miles  of  steel  wire;  total  weight  of  iron  and 
steel  in  the  bridge,  17,005  tons;  total  amount  of  masonry,  58,084  cubic 
yards;  total  suspended  weight,  9,651  tons;  height  of  towers  above 
water,  280  feet.  The  bridge  will  leave  the  water-way  of  the  river  un- 
touched." 

In  early  provincial  times  a  tribe  of  Indians  named  the  Wabingi,  oc- 
cupied the  Highland,  called  by  them  Kettatenny  Mountains.  Then- 
principal  settlement,  designated  Wickapy,  was  situated  in  the  vicinity  of 
Anthony's  Nose.° 

Four  miles  south  of  Peekskill  lies  Verplanck's  Point.  This  territory 
called  by  the  Indians  Meahagh,  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  lands  of 
Appamagpogh  and  the  creek  Meanagh,  on  the  south  by  the  same  creek, 
on  the  west  by  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  north  by  the  creek  Tammoesis. 

Prior  to  1683  the  territory  of  Meahagh  belonged  to  Siecham  the  great 
sachem  of  Sachus  and  other  Indians,  a  clan  of  the  Mohegans  or  "  En- 
chanted Wolf  Tribe,"  who  sold  the  same  to  De  Heer  Stephanus  van 
Cortlandt.  At  the  death  of  Stephanus  it  passed  by  will  to  his  oldest  son 
Johannes  second  lord  of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  afterwards  des- 
cended by  marriage  to  Philip  Verplanck,  from  whom  the  neck  acquired 
its  present  appellation.  This  individual  married  Gertrude,  only  daugh- 
ter and  heiress  of  the  above  Johannes. 

In  1734,  Verplanck's  Point  (consisting  of  one  thousand  acres)  was 
held  by  John  Lent,  who  paid  therefor  the  yearly  rent  of  one  pepper-corn 
on  the  feast  day  of  St.  Michael  the  archangel. 

The  Verplanck's  subsequently  sold  the  Point  to  John  Henry  and 
others,  for  the  sum  of  nearly  $300,000. 

The  Verplanck  family  descend  from  Abraham  Jacobsen  Verplanck, 
of  New  Amsterdam,  whose  son,  Gulian,  was  a  wealthy  merchant  of 
the  same  place  in  1683.  The  son  of  Gulian  was  Philip  Verplanck,  of 
Verplanck's  Point. 

This  branch  of  the  family  is  now  represented  by  Philip  Verplanck, 
Esq.,  of  New  Windsor,  grandson  of  the  last  mentioned  Philip. 

John  Henry,  Esq.,  held  five  hundred  acres  upon  which  is  situated 
the  old  Verplanck  residence.    The  mansion  of  the  late  William  LyelL 


a  Monlton's  Hist,  of  N'ew  York,  p.  271,  see  note. 

o  Abrani  Planck  or  Verplanck,  was  a  farmer  at  Paulus  noeck  and  one  of  the  "Twelve 
Men"  under  Oeritom  Kieft.  in  1641.  The  "Twelve  men  "were  all  Hollanders  or  emigrants 
from  Holland."  lirodhead's  Hist,  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  i.  p.  317.  The  late  venerable 
Gulian  C.  Verplanck  of  N'ew  York  who  was  born  Aug.  6,  17SC,  and  died  March  IS,  1S70,  was  of 
this  family. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


Esq.,  who  married  the  widow  of  the  late  Buckman  Verplanck,  Esq.,  is 
delightfully  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  beautiful  woodland  scenery. 

Verplank's  Point  has  ever  been  admired  for  the  variety  and  exquisite 
beautyof  its  scenery,  and  in  someplaces  it  is  thickly  covered  with  luxuriant 
woods.  The  line  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  passes  through  the 
"  Deep-Gut,"  a  singular  phenomena,  which  traverses  the  neck  for  some 
distance. 

The  village  of  Verplanck  is  now  laid  out  in  avenues  and  streets,  from 
Lent's  cove  on  the  north  to  Green's  cove  on  the  south,  and  bounded  on 
the  west  by  the  Hudson.  Here  is  a  station  of  the  Hudson  River  Rail- 
road, a  convenient  steam-boat  landing,  post-office,  taverns,  stores  and 
numerous  dwelling  houses,  one  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  one 
Roman  Catholic  church,  besides  nine  brick  yards,  three  of  which  are 
owned  by  Mr.  Rosalie  Blakely,  and  the  others  by  the  Hudson  River 
Brick  Manufacturing  Company,  viz :  Daniel  J.  Haight,  John  Morton, 
John  Candee  and  Charles  Shultz.  These  nine  yards  employ  about  400 
men  and  manufacture  about  375,000  bricks  per  day,  involving  an  ex- 
penditure for  labor  of  about  $78,000  for  the  brick  making  season  of  130 
days.  A  beautiful  lake  has  been  erected  within  the  village  through  the 
indefatigable  exertions  of  James  A.  Whitbeck,  Esq.  The  spot  occupied 
by  the  lake  was  formerly  an  unsightly  morass,  97  acres  in  extent,  and  was 
overflowed  for  the  purpose  not  only  of  beautifying  the  surrounding 
country,  but  also  in  order  to  prevent  malaria.  It  is  now  owned  by  the 
Knickbocker  Ice  Company  of  New  York,  which  cuts  about  75,000  tons 
of  ice  during  the  season. 

Near  the  western  extremity  of  the  Point  is  the  site  of  Fort  Fayette, 
which,  July  2 2d,  1779,  was^garrisoned  by  one  thousand  British  troops, 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Vaughan.  "Twenty-third  of  June,  1779," 
remarks  Gen.  Heath,  "  the  British  were  now  in  possession  of  both  the 
points  at  King's  Ferry,  and  a  number  of  transports  had  lain  in  the 
river  for  some  time.  The  advanced  posts  of  the  Americans  at  this  time, 
on  this  side,  did  not  extend  lower  than  Peekskill,"  &c  a  "On  the  27th," 
continues  the  same  authority,  "a  deserter  came  in  from  Verplanck's 
Point,  who  reported  that  the  British  Army,  except  five  or  six  regiments, 
were  to  leave  the  points,  and  were  then  embTrking.  Soon  after  upwards 
of  thirty  sail  of  transports  were  seen  standing  down  the  river.  The 
British  had  a  sloop  at  anchor  off  Peekskill  Landing  and  a  ship  off  the 
Dunderberg.  Lest  the  enemy  meant  a  deception,  the  Americans  were 
ordered  to  lie  on  their  arms,  and  a  regiment  extra  was  ordered  to  ad- 
vanced on  the  heights, 
a  Heath's  Mem.  205. 


i66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"On  the  28th,  three  deserters,  one  a  Hessian  musician  with  his  horn, 
came  in  from  the  enemy.  They  confirmed  the  testimony  of  the  former 
deserter,  that  the  body  of  the  British  army  had  left  the  points."0  On 
the  2d  or  July,  Col.  Rufus  Putnam  reconnoitered  the  enemy's  positions 
at  Verplanck's  and  Stoney  Points."6 

Subsequent  to  the  brilliant  attack  and  capture  of  Stony  Point  under 
General  Wayne,  13th  of  July,  1779,  it  was  resolved  to  attack  this  post, 
"Stony  Point,  (says  Gen.  Heath,)  having  been  taken  with  so  much  eclat 
to  the  American  arms,  Gen.  Washington  determined  an  attempt  on 
Verplank's  Point,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  and  opposite  to  Stony 
Point.  For  this  purpose  Major  Gen.  Howe  with  two  brigades  and  some 
1 2-pounders  on  travelling,  was  ordered  to  proceed  by  the  way  of  Peek- 
skill,  throw  a  bridge  over  the  creek,  move  on  the  point,  and  open  bat- 
teries on  the  enemy's  works,  while  a  cannonading  and  bombardment  was 
kept  up  across  the  river  from  Stony  Point." 

July  17,  1779,  at  about  10  o'clock,  a.m.,  General  Heath  while  out 
reconnoitreing,  received  by  express  from  Gen.  Washington,  orders  to 
move  as  expeditiously  as  possible  to  Peekskill,  where  he  would  find 
Gen.  Howe  with  two  brigades.  Gen.  Heath  was  to  take  command  of 
the  whole,  and  carry  into  effect  the  orders  which  had  been  given  to  Gen. 
Howe.  Gen.  Heath  returned  immediately  to  the  troops,  and  at  12 
o'clock  began  to  march  towards  Peekskill — marched  until  dusk,  15 
miles,  when  the  troops  halted  and  laid  down  to  rest  on  the  side  of  the 
road,  the  dragoons  not  unsaddling  their  horses. 

At  3  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  troops  resumed  their  march,  and 
in  the  afternoon  Gen.  Heath  received  information  from  Gen.  Howe,  by 
express,  that  Gen.  Clinton  was  in  full  march  with  his  whole  army  to- 
wards Verplank's  Point.  An  answer  was  returned,  at  what  point  the  troops 
then  were,  and  that  they  were  marching  as  fast  as  the  men  could  endure, 
and  would  continue  so  until  they  reached  him.  When  the  troops  had 
advanced  a  little  to. the  westward  of  Drake's  farm,  Col.  Mayland  came 
up  from  Gen.  Howe  with  information  that  a  part  of  Clinton's  army  were 
then  above  the  new  bridge  on  Croton  river,  pushing  for  the  Point ;  and 
that  he  was  retreating  from  the  Point  as  fast  as  possible.  On  tins'  Gen. 
Heath  ordered  Gen.  Huntington  with  his  brigade  and  two  held  pieces 
to  push  forward  as  fast  as  the  troops  could  march  and  keep  in  breath, 
and  take  a  position  on  the  high  ground  to  the  south  of  Peekskill,  which 
commands  the  road  to  the  Point,  and  also  that  to  the  new  bridge  on 
Croton  river;  and  ordered  a  regiment  to  file  off  to  the  right  and  secure 

a  Heath's  Memories,  206. 
6  Heath's  Memoirs,  307. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


167 


the  pass  over  the  hills  between  Drake's  and  Peekskill,  and  also  ordered 
the  flank  guard  on  the  left  to  be  reinforced,  and  to  send  out  small  flank 
guards  still  further  from  its  flank.  The  troops  moved  on  with  the  ut- 
most expedition  to  the  ground  which  Gen.  Huntington  had  been  ordered 
forward  to  secure.  Every  moment  that  passed,  was  expected  to  an- 
nounce the  commencement  of  an  action  between  the  advanced  or  flank- 
ing parties  of  the  two  armies ;  but  it  did  not  take  place.  At  this  mo- 
ment Gen.  Washington,  having  learnt  how  matters  stood,  and  that  pos- 
sibly Gen.  Clinton  might  attempt  to  push  into  the  Highlands,  sent  an 
express  to  Gen.  Heath,  to  mcwe  into  the  Highlands  immediately,  which 
was  do/ie,  just  after  dark,  the  troops  passing  the  night  on  Bald  Hill.  It 
was  generally  of  the  opinion  that  if  Gen.  Heath  had  not  been  at  hand 
to  advance  in  the  manner  he  did,  that  Gen.  Clinton  by  a  forced  march 
of  his  light  troops,  backed  by  his  army,  would  have  got  in  the  rear  of 
Gen.  Howe,  before  he  could  have  possibly  gained  the  road  at  Peekskill, 
and  between  his  army  and' a  sally  from  the  garrison  of  Verplanck's  Point, 
inevitably  cut  off  the  whole.  Our  troops  at  Stoney  Point  cannonaded 
and  bombarded  the  enemy's  works  at  Verplanck's  during  the  whole  day, 
and  until  near  midnight.  The  post  was  then  evacuated,  and  the  Wash- 
ington galley  was  blown  up.° 

On  the  2d  of  October,  1779,  the  enemy  at  Verplanck's  Point,  opened 
a  number  of  pits  about  five  feet  deep,  and  from  four  feet  over,  with  a 
sharp  stake  in  the  middle,  around  the  outside  of  the  abattis.b 

October  21st,  1779,  three  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's  Point, 
and  reported  that  the  enemy  were  on  the  point  of  evacuating  their  works. 
The  officer  commanding  the  advanced  picket,  soon  after  sent  informa- 
tion that  the  works  appeared  to  be  on  fire,  and  the  shipping  standing 
down  the  river.  Major  Waldbridge,  who  commanded  the  advanced 
picket,  immediately  sent  a  detachment  to  take  possession  of  the  works. 
Several  loaded  shells,  left  by  the  enemy  in  places  where  the  fire  would 
come  to  them,  burst,  but  did  no  harm.  The  enemy  left  one  horse,  a 
few  old  entrenching  tools,  and  some  other  trifles  at  the  Point.0 

Colonel  Livingston  held  command  of  this  post  in  1780,  when  Arnold 
came  there  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  his  treasonable  correspond- 
ence with  Andre. 


a  Heath's  Mem.  21 1.  Mrs.  nannah  noajih,  aged  SG,  Oct.  31, 1845,  Rays  — "  My  father  In  the 
beginning  of  the  war  lived  at  Verplanck's  Point,  and  afterwards  at  Tarrytown,  and  we  were 
repeatedly  plundered  tiotli  by  Cow-boys  and  Skinner's.  Isawye  British  army,  win  n  they  laud- 
ea  at  Teller's  Point  and  marched  tip  (in  1770  probably).  They  were  encamped  one  night  on 
t'ollabergh  UU1,  a  short  distance  east  of  ye  post  road,  and  marched  ye  next  day  to  Verplanck's 
Point.  The  liritish  cavalry  encamped  one  night  or  (so  on  ye  hills  'near  New'  Castle  Corner. 
McDonald  MSS.,  in  possession  of  George  U.  Moore,  Esq..  of  N.  Y.  Hist.  Society. 

6  Heath's  Mem.  218. 

c  Heath's  Mem.  221. 


i68 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Upon  the  south-west  side  of  Verplanck's  Point,  was  situated  King's 
Ferry,  the  ancient  pass  to  Roc  kland.  The  old  sign-post  placed  at  the 
head  of  the  lane,  leading  to  this  ferry,  bore  the  following  direction: — 

"  DlSHE  HIS  DI  RoODE  TOE  DE  KSHING'S  FaRRY." 

Upon  the  30th  of  August,  1779,  fifteen  sail  of  the  enemy  lay  at  an- 
chor near  the  King's  Ferry.0 

On  the  evening  of  September  22d,  1780,  Major  John  Andre,  the 
British  spy,  crossed  the  King's  Ferry  in  company  with  Smith  and  the 
negro  boy.  William  Van  Wert,  the  ferry-master  on  this  occasion,  after- 
wards testified  at  Andre's  trial,  "that  Mr.  Smith  crossed  King's  ferry 
from  Stoney  Point  to  Verplanck's  Point,  on  the  evening  of  a  day  in  the 
week  before  last,  in  company  with  another  man,  and  a  negro  boy  was 
with  him ; — each  of  them  had  a  horse.  The  day  of  the  month  I  do  not 
recollect.  I  have  not  seen  the  person  since  to  know  him.  He  had  a 
black,  blue  or  brown,  great-coat  on,  a  round  hat,  and  a  pair  of  boots. 
I  did  not  hear  any  conversation  pass  between  Mr.  Smith  and  the  person 
in  the  boat,  neither  did  I  hear  Mr.  Smith  say  which  way  he  was  going. 
Mr.  Smith  seemed  to  hurry  us  a  good  deal.  Cornelius  Lambert,  Henry 
Lambert  and  Lambert  Lambert,  were  boat-men  along  with  me." 

Four  or  five  miles  below  Verplanck's  Point  can  be  distinctly  seen 
Smith's  house,  where  the  interview  took  place  between  Andre  and 
Arnold,  and  where  the  latter  gave  the  spy  the  fatal  papers  that  proved 
his  ruin. 

It  was  at  King's  Ferry,  about  the  middle  of  September,  1781,  that  the 
junction  of  the  French  and  American  armies  took  place.  The  French 
army  crossed  the  Hudson  River  from  Stoney  Point  to  Verplanck's  Point, 
where  the  American  forces  were  paraded  under  arms  to  receive  them. 

In  describing  the  scenery  of  this  beautiful  spot,  Mr.  N.  P.  Willis  re- 
marks: "It  is  not  easy  to  pass  and  repass  the  now  peaceful  and  beauti- 
ful waters  of  this  part  of  the  Hudson,  without  calling  to  mind  the  scenes 
and  actors  in  the  great  drama  of  the  Revolution,  which  they  not  long 
ago  bore  on  their  bosom.  The  busy  mind  fancies  the  armed  gun-boats 
slowly  pulling  along  the  shore,  and  the  light  pinnace  of  the  Vulture  fly- 
ing to  and  fro  on  its  errands  of  conspiracy,  and  not  the  least  vivid  pic- 
ture to  the  imagination  is  the  boat  containing  the  accomplished,  the  gal- 
lant Andre  and  his  guard,  on  his  way  to  death.  It  is  probable  that  he 
first  admitted  to  his  own  mind  the  possibility  of  a  fatal  result  while  pass- 
ing this  very  spot.  A  late  biographer  of  Arnold,  gives  the  particulars  of 
a  conversation  between  Andrd  and  Major  Tallmadge,  the  officer  who 


a  Heath's  Mem.  216. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


169 


had  him  in  custody,  and  who  brought  him  from  West  Point  down  the 
river  to  Tappan,  the  place  of  his  subsequent  execution :  '  Before  we 
reached  the  Clove,  (a  landing  just  below  Verplank's  Point,)  Major  An- 
dre" became  very  inquisitive  to  know  my  opinion  as  to  the  result  of  his 
capture.  When  I  could  no  longer  evade  his  importunity,  I  remarked  to 
him  as  follows :  "I  had  a  much  loved  class-mate  in  Yale  College  by  the 
name  of  Hale,  who  entered  the  army  in  1775.  Immediately  after  the 
battle  of  Long  Island,  Washington  wanted  information  respecting  the 
strength  of  the  army;  he  went  over  to  Brooklyn,  and  was  taken  just  as 
he  was  passing  the  out-posts  of  the  enemy,  on  his  return.  Said  I,  with 
emphasis,  do  you  remember  the  sequel  of  his  story?  Yes,  said  Andr£, 
he  was  hanged  as  a  spy ;  but  you,  surely,  do  not  consider  his  case  and  mine 
alike?  I  replied — yes,  precisely  similar;  and  similar  will  be  your  fate. 
He  endeavored  to  answer  my  remarks,  but  it  was  manifest  he  was  more 
troubled  in  spirit  than  I  had  ever  seen  him  before.'  "a 

What  a  contrast  does  this  scene  present  to  the  passage  of  the  traitor 
himself,  who,  as  soon  as  his  villainy  was  ascertained,  "mounted  a  horse 
belonging  to  one  of  his  aids  that  stood  saddled  at  the  door,  and  rode  alone, 
with  all  speed,  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  He  there  entered  a  boat,  and 
directed  the  oarsmen  to  push  out  to  the  the  middle  of  the  stream.  The 
boat  was  rowed  by  six  men,  who,  having  no  knowledge  of  Arnold's  in- 
tentions, promptly  obeyed  his  orders.  He  quickened  their  activity  by 
saying,  thas  he  was  going  down  the  river  and  on  board  the  Vulture  with 
a  flag,  and  that  he  was  in  great  haste,  as  he  expected  Gen.  Washington 
at  his  house,  and  washed  to  return  as  expeditiously  as  possible  to  meet 
him  there.  He  also  added  another  stimulating  motive,  by  promising 
them  two  gallons  of  rum,  if  they  would  exert  themselves  with  all  their 
strength.  As  they  approached  King's  Ferry,  Arnold  exposed  to  view  a 
white  handkerchief,  and  ordered  the  men  to  row  directly  to  the  Vulture, 
which  was  now  in  sight  a  little  below  the  place  it  had  occupied  when  Andre" 
left  it.  The  signal  held  out  by  Arnold,  while  the  boat  was  passing  Ver- 
planck's  Point,  caused  Col.  Livingston  to  regard  it  as  a  flag-boat,  and 
prevented  him  from  ordering  it  to  be  stopped  and  examined.  The  boat 
reached  the  Vulture  unobstructed  in  its  passage ;  and  after  Arnold  had 
gone  on  board  and  introduced  himself  to  Capt  Sutherland,  he  called  the 
leader  of  the  boatman  into  the  cabin,  and  informed  him  that  he  and  his 
companions  were  prisoners.  The  boatmen,  who  had  capacity  and 
spirit,  said  they  were  not  prisoners ;  that  they  came  on  board  with  a  flag 
of  truce,  and  under  the  same  sanction  they  would  return.  He  then  ap- 
pealed to  the  captain,  demanding  justice  and  a  proper  respect  for  the 

a  American  scenery  by  Bartlett  and  Willis. 


170 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


rules  of  honor.  Arnold  replied,  that  all  this  was  nothing  to  the  purpose ; 
that  they  were  prisoners  and  must  remain  on  board.  Capt.  Sutherland, 
disdaining  so  pitiful  an  action — though  he  did  not  interefere  with  the  posi- 
tive command  of  Arnold — told  the  man  that  he  would  take  his  parole  and 
he  might  go  on  shore  and  procure  clothes  and  whatever  else  was  wanted 
for  himself  and  his  companions.  This  was  accordingly  done  the  same 
day.  When  these  men  arrived  in  New  York,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  hold- 
ing in  just  contempt  such  a  wanton  act  of  meanness,  set  them  all  at 
liberty."" 

As  soon  as  Washington  had  'solved  the  mystery,  "  and  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  the  plot  was  made  manifest,  Hamilton  was  immediately  ordered 
to  mount  a  horse  and  ride  to  Verplanck's  Point,  that  preparations  might 
be  made  for  stopping  Arnold,  should  he  not  already  have  passed  that 
post."  "  But  Col.  Hamilton's  mission  proved  too  late.  It  could  hardly 
have  been  otherwise,  for  Arnold  had  got  the  start  by  six  hours.  He  left 
his  house  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  his  treachery  was  not 
known  to  Washington  till  nearly  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  When 
Hamilton  arrived  at  Verplanck's  Point,  a  flag  of  truce  was  coming,  or 
had  come  from  the  Vulture  to  that  post  with  a  letter  from  Arnold  to 
Washington."6 

"  The  case  of  Col.  Livingston  is  worthy  of  notice.  He  commanded 
at  Verplanck's  Point,  and  from  the  proximity  of  his  post  to  the  enemy, 
and  several  concurring  circumstances,  might  be  very  fairly  presumed  to 
have  been  either  directly  or  indirectly  concerned  in  Arnold's  m;mceuvres. 
By  a  very  laconic  letter,  Washington  ordered  that  officer  to  come  to  him 
immediately.  Livingston  expected,  at  least,  a  severe  scrutiny  into  his 
conduct ;  being  fully  aware,  though  conscious  of  his  innocence,  that 
circumstances  were  unfavorable.  But  Washington  made  no  inquiries 
into  the  past,  nor  uttered  a  syllable  that  implied  distrust.  He  told 
Col.  Livingston  that  he  had  sent  for  him  to  give  him  very  special  orders, 
to  impress  upon  him  the  danger  of  his  post  and  the  necessity  of  vigilance, 
and  to  communicate  other  particulars,  which  could  only  be  done  in  a 
personal  interview.  In  conclusion  he  said  it  was  a  source  of  gratification 
to  him,  that  the  post  was  in  the  hands  of  an  officer,  whose  courage  and 
devotedness  to  the  cause  of  his  country  afforded  a  pledge  of  a  Taithful 
and  honorable  discharge  of  duty.  Let  the  reader  imagine  the  grateful 
emotions  of  Col.  Livingston,  his  increased  esteem  for  his  commander, 
and  the  alacrity  with  which,  under  such  an  impulse,  he  went  back  to 
his  station  of  high  trust  and  danger."" 

a  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  241,  2-3. 
b  Sparks' Life  of  Arnold,  249. 
c  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  253. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


One  of  the  most  interesting  associations  connected  with  this  spot,  is 
the  recollection,  that  here  were  located  the  head-quarters  of  General 
Washington. 

"  On  my  return  from  the  southward  in  1782,"  says  the  translator  of 
Chastellux,  (who  has  thought  proper  to  withhold  his  name,)  "I  spent  a 
day  or  two  at  the  American  camp  at  Verplanck's  Point,  where  I  had 
the  honor  of  dining  with  General  Washington.  I  had  suffered  severely 
from  an  ague  which  I  could  not  get  quit  of,  though  I  had  taken  the 
exercise  of  a  hard  trotting  horse,  and  got  thus  far  to  the  northward 
in  the  month  of  October.  The  General  observing  it,  told  me  he  was 
sure  I  had  not  met  with  a  good  glass  of  wine  for  some  time — an  article 
then  very  rare — but  that  my  disorder  must  be  frightened  away.  He 
made  me  drink  three  or  four  of  his  silver  camp  cups  of  excellent  Maderia 
at  noon,  and  recommended  to  me  to  take  a  generous  glass  of  claret 
after  dinner;  a  prescription  by  no  means  repugnant  to  my  feelings,  and 
which  I  most  religiously  followed.  I  mounted  my  horse  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  continued  my  journey  to  Massachusetts,  without  ever  experienc- 
ing the  slightest  return  of  my  disorder. 

"The  American  camp  here  presented  the  most  beautiful  and  picturesque 
appearance.  It  extended  along  the  plain,  on  the  neck  of  land  formed 
by  the  winding  of  the  Hudson,  and  had  a  view  of  this  river  to  the  south. 
Behind  it  the  lofty  mountains,  covered  with  woods,  formed  the  most  sub- 
lime back-ground  that  painting  could  express.  In  the  front  of  the  tents 
was  a  regular  continued  portico,  formed  by  the  boughs  of  the  trees  in 
full  verdure,  decorated  with  much  taste  and  fancy.  Opposite  the  camp, 
and  on  distinct  eminences,  stood  the  tents  of  some  of  the  general  officers 
over  which  towered  predominant  that  of  Washington.  I  had  seen  all 
the  camps  in  England,  from  many  of  which  drawings  and  engravings 
have  been  taken ;  but  this  was,  truly,  a  subject  worthy  of  the  pencil  of 
the  first  artist.  The  French  camp,  during  their  stay  in  Baltimore,  was 
decorated  in  the  same  manner.  At  the  camp  at  Verplanck's  Point  we 
distinctly  heard  the  morning  and  evening  gun  of  the  British  at  Kings- 
bridge." 

Curiosity  seizes  with  avidity  upon  any  incidental  information  which 
fills  up  the  bare  outline  of  history.  The  personal  history  of  Washing- 
ton more  particularly,  wherever  it  has  been  traced  by  those  who  were  in 
contact  with  him,  is  full  of  interest.  Some  of  the  sketches  given  by  the 
Marquis  of  Chastellux,  who  passed  this  point  of  the  Hudson  on  his  way 
to  Washington's  head-quarters  below,  are  very  graphic : 

"  The  weather  being  fair  on  the  26th,"  he  says,  "I  got  on  horseback, 
after  breakfast,  with  the  General.  He  was  so  attentive  as  to  give  me 
the  horse  I  rode  on  the  day  of  my  arrival.  I  found  him  as  good  as  he 
is  handsome ;  but,  above  all,  perfectly  well  broke  and  well  trained,  hav- 
ing a  good  mouth,  easy  in  hand,  and  stopping  short  in  a  gallop  without 
bearing  the  bit.    I  mention  these  minute  particulars,  because  it  is  the 


172 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


General  himself  who  breaks  all  his  own  horses.  He  is  an  excellent  and 
bold  horseman,  leaping  the  highest  fences,  and  going  extremely  quick, 
without  standing  upon  his  stirrups,  bearing  on  the  bridle,  or  letting  his 
horse  run  wild ;  circumstances  which  our  young  men  look  upon  as  so 
essential  a  part  of  English  horsemanship,  that  they  would  rather  break  a 
leg  or  an  arm  than  renounce  them. 

"It  was  off  Verplanck's  Point  that  Hudson's  vessel,  the  'Half  Moon,' 
came  to  an  anchor  on  the  1st  of  October,  1609,° 

"Here  he  was  visited  by  the  native  Highlander's,6  who  came  flocking 
to  the  ship,  expressing  their  wonder  and  astonishment  to  behold  a  ves- 
sel so  superior  to  their  canoes,  and  weapons  so  much  more  terrible  than 
their  own.  Anxious  to  carry  away  to  their  friends  some  part  of  this 
floating  world  of  wonders,  and  not  satisfied  with  the  trifles  they  received 
in  return  for  skins,  one  of  the  canoes  with  one  man  in  it  lurked  about 
the  stern  with  a  thievish  tardiness,  notwithstanding  he  was  warned  off. 
Watching  an  opportunity,  he  at  length  crawled  up  the  rudder  into  the 
cabin  window,  and  stole  a  pillow  and  a  few  articles  of  wearing  apparel. 
The  mate,  little  anticipating  that  justice,  though  slow,  is  sure,  and 
would  follow  him  even  to  the  Arctic  circle,  shot  at  the  poor  pilferer  and 
killed  him.  The  rest  fled ;  panic  struck,  and  in  their  precipitance,  some 
leaped  into  the  water.  The  ship's  boat  was  manned  and  sent  to  re- 
cover the  articles ;  one  of  those  who  had  leaped  into  the  water  got  hold 
of  the  boat  for  the  purpose  of  overturning  it,  as  was  thought,  but  the 
cook  stood  ready  with  his  sword,  and  with  one  blow  cut  off  one  of  his 
hands,  and  he  was  drowned.  This  was  the  first  Indian  blood  shed  during 
the  voyage.  With  this  mighty  revenge  for  a  trifling  injury,  they  returned 
to  the  ship,  and  weighed  anchor  near  Teller's  Point,  off  the  mouth  of 
Croton  river,  near  the  entrance  into  Tappan  Sea." 

Parsonage  or  Montrose's  Point,  sometimes  styled  "Parsonage  Farm,'' 
is  separated  from  Verplanck's  Point,  on  the  north,  by  the  creek  Mea- 
nagh.  This  Point  or  Farm,  which  originally  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-two  acres,  was  held  simply  by  permission  or  lease,  under 
James  Van  Cortlandt,  (the  son  of  John,  grandson  of  Stephen,  the  son  of 
De  Herr  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,)  by  the  consistory  of  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed church,  until  at  last  the  law  of  limitation  had  given  the  latter 
peaceable  possession  of  the  property,  a  claim  which  was  strengthened  by 
an  order  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  issued  in  1835-6  giving  the  consistory 
permission  to  sell.  The  "Parsonage  Farm,"  was  subsequently  sold  to 
Stephen  Lent  for  the  sum  of  $2,750.*  who  disposed  of  it  to  different 
proprietors. 

The  old  Dutch  church,  of  Cortlandt  Manor,  stood  on  the  Brotherson 
farm  at  Montrose's  Point,  now  owned  by  Frederick  W.  Seward,  Assistant 

a  Moulton  &  Yates  Hist.  N.  Y.,  page  271. 

6  The-  Wickapy  Indians,  whose  principal  settlements  were  in  the  vicinity  of  Anthony's  Nose, 
c  Another  account  states  that  the  title  of  the  church  became  involved,  after  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  and  the  property  was  sold  to  Fatisfy  quit-rent. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


I~3 


Secretary  of  the  United  States,  and  others,  quite  near  the  residence  of 
the  former.  This  edifice  which  was  probably  erected  in  1729-30,  was 
still  standing  in  1793;  but  destroyed  by  fire  soon  afterwards.  Prior 
to  the  building  of  the  old  church,  the  members  of  this  society  appear  to 
have  contributed  one-fourth  part  towards  the  salary  for  the  support  of 
the  Rev.  minister  at  Philipsburgh,  or  Sleepy  Hollow ;  for  in  the  second 
Book  of  the  church  memoranda,  at  the  latter  place,  occurs  the  following 
entry : —  "A  beginning  will  be  made  on  the  next  page,  but  also  by  com- 
mon accord  it  is  resolved  by  the  inhabitants  of  Philips,  of  one  part  and 
the  respective  inhabitants  of  the  manor  of  Mr.  Cortlandt,  to  wit,  that  the 
said  communities  will  be  holden  (without  having  to  move  any  excep- 
tion against  it)  to  pay  and  to  deliver  a  legal  fourth  part,  yearly,  for  di- 
vine service  in  the  church  here  at  Philipsburgh,  in  order  that  the  Rev. 
minister  of  God's  word  may  and  can  receive  in  a  better  manner,  his 
salary  and  satisfaction  for  his  true  performed  service  in  the  respective 
community.  At  Philipsburgh  on  the  other  side  will  be  holding  to  satisfy 
the  other  three  parts  for  the  said  divine  service,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Rev.  minister,  and  further  they  will  be  henceforth  together  and  as  one 
community,  and  members  of  the  Christian  church  ;  and  henceforth  they 
will  be  annoted  in  the  church  memoranda  book  in  such  a  manner  as  it 
will  be  called  for."  The  following  list  of  communicants  occurs  soon  after, 
dated  April  2 1  st,  A.  D.  1717,  entitled: — "A  continuation  of  the  per- 
sons, members,  living  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt  and  patent  of  Captain 
Dekay  and  Ryck  Abrahamson.  First,  Sybout  Herricksen  Krankheyt 
and  Geertje  his  wife,  Jan  Corne  Van  Texel  and  Annentj  his  wife,  Fran- 
coy  de  Paw,  Mathys  Brower  and  Marretye  his  wife,  Nathan  Beesly  and 
Esther  his  wife,  Catharine  Van  Texel,  wife  of  Hendrick  Lent,  Geertje 
Brouwer,  wife  of  Samuel  Brouwer,  Hendrick  Lent  and  Cornelia  his  wife, 
William  Van  Texel  and  Irynje  his  wife,  Annetje  Sybout,  wife  of  Jan 
Beesly,  Maria  de  Paw,  wife  of  Abram  Lent,  Aeltje  Brouwer,  wife  of 
Jeurisen  Wall,  Thunis,  Kranckhyt  and  Sophye  his  wife,  William  Teller 
and  Marietje  his  wife,  Jeremy  Gennuyss  and  Annetje  his  wife,  Marri- 
etje  Blauvelt,  wife  of  Ryck  Lent,  and  Eljzabeth,  the  wife  of  Comelis 
Michgrelzen. 

Belonging  to  the  Reformed  Church  of  Cortlandtown,  is  a  MSS.  volume 
entitled: — "Kerkelyk  Aantcken  boek  voor  De  MannourVan  Cortlandt," 
that  is,  ("a  church  register  for  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,")  containing  a 
list  of  baptized  infants,  to  which  is  appended  the  names  of  the  parents 
and  witnesses,  &c.  The  first  entry  occurs  June  3d,  1729;  baptized 
Teunis,  the  son  of  Hendrick  Brouwer  and  Jannetje  Crankheit. 

"The  2Sth  day  of  June,  1760,  ordained  as  consistory,  Hermanus  Gar- 


174 


HISTORY  OF  TIIN  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


dineir,  Abraham  Van  Tessel,  as  elders,  and  Abraham  Lent,  as  deacon, 
&c."a  From  the  foregoing  extracts  it  is  evident  that  a  district  society 
was  organized  on  Cortlandt  manor  as  early  as  1729,  and  that  the  first 
Church  edifice  was  erected  soon  afterwards. 

The  present  church  which  was  built  between  the  years  1795  an^  J799 
is  located  south-east  of  Verplanck's  Point,  near  the  King's  Ferry  Road 
and  directly  facing  the  Albany  and  New  York  turnpike.  It  is  a  neat 
structure  of  wood,  with  a  tower  and  cupola,  but  its  interior  contains 
nothing  worthy  of  notice — a  lecture  room  and  porch  have  been  recently 
added.  The  tower  contains  a  steel  bell  weighing  800  lbs.,  manufactured 
at  Sheffield,  England,  presented  by  James  R.  Gibson  and  Mrs.  A.  G. 
Phelps  as  a  memorial  of  Mrs.  James  R.  Gibson  of  Cortlandtown — in- 
scribed "Kathrina,  1874."  A  parsonage  was  erected  on  the  glebe  ad- 
joining the  church  in  1854.  The  church  now  holds  sixteen  acres  of 
land,  a  portion  of  which  has  been  laid  out  in  what  is  called  "  Cedar  Hill 
Cemetery." 

The  following  warrantee  deed,  which  includes  the  site  of  the  church 
and  containing  altogether  an  acre  of  ground  was  given  on  the  31st  of 
March,  1795,  by  James  Cockcroft,  of  the  city  of  New  York  of  the  first 
part  to  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  of  the 
town  of  Cortlandt,  County  of  Westchester  and  State  of  New  York,  for 
the  sum  of  five  shillings  good  and  lawful  money  of  the  State  of  New 
York  to  him  in  hand  paid  : 

"All  that  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  laud  situate  lying  and  being  in  the  Town 
of  Cortlandt,  County  of  Westchester  and  State  of  New  York  and  is  part  of  water 
lot  (No.  7)  adjoining  Hudson's  River,  butted  and  bounded  as  followeth  beginning 
at  a  small  Bilberry  Bush6  on  the  west  side  of  the  Post  Road  leadiug  from  the 
City  of  New  York  to  Pcekskill  thence  south  62  degrees  aud  30  minutes  west  3 
chains  and  90  links  to  a  stake  and  stones,  thence  south  26  degrees  and  30  min- 
utes East  three  chains  and  90  links  to  a  stake  and  Stone,  thence  north  62 
degrees  and  30  minutes  east  3  chains  and  90  links  to  the  Post  Road  afore- 
said, thence  northerly  by  aud  with  said  road  to  the  place  of  beginning  con- 
taining 1  acre  two  quarters  aud  three  rods  of  land,  together  with  all  and  singular 
the  buildings,  hereditaments,  &c,  belonging,  &c.  To  have  aud  to  hold,  &c," 
"and  also  the  said  party,  party  of  the  2nd  part  and  their  successors  shall  and 
may  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  for  ever  hereafter  peaceably  and  quietly 
have,  hold,  occupy,  possess  and  enjoy,  &c."  James  Cockcuoft.c 

Lydia,  widow  of  James  Cockcroft,  afterwards  married  Charles  White. 
To  prevent  any  claim  of  dower  that  might  hereafter  have  arisen,  Charles 

a  Sinw  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  this  work  in  1S-17,  the  above  register  has  been 
mutilated  and  now  commences  with  deaths,  Aug.  29,  1741.  [Epitok.] 

b  Amidst  all  th<'  trimmings  and  changes  the  bilberry  bush  still  flourishes  ami  bids  fair  to 
be  a  lasting  boundary  to  God's  acre. 

c  Couuty  Rec.  K«  g.  office  Book  of  Deeds,  Lib.  Y.  p.  253, 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


T75 


White  and  Lydia  his  wife  gave  the  Dutch  Reformed  church  on  the 
26th  of  December,  1799,  a  quit  claim  deed  of  which  the  following  is  an 
abstract : 

"Between  Charles  White  of  the  City  of  New  York,  merchant  and  Lydia  his 
wife  of  the  first  part  and  Hercules  Lent,  Peter  Goetschins,  Abraham  Lent, 
Martin  Post,  Ru  hard  Schiggel,  Samuel  Vessels,  John  II.  Lent  and  Abraham 
Moutross,  the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  of  the  Manor  of 
Cortlandt  in  the  County  of  Westchester  and  State  of  New  York  of  the  second 
part,  for  the  sum  of  one  dollar  grants,  confirms,  &c,  all  the  land  before  recited 
in  Cockcroft's  deed  to  the  elders  and  deacons  to  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part 
their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  a  pew  nearly  square,  sufficiently  large  enough  to 
contain  ten  persons  in  the  church  now  erected  on  the  said  premises  and  likewise 
that  the  small  building  or  school  house  also  erected  on  the  said  premises  shall  al- 
ways be  and  remain  for  the  use  of  a  public  school,  &c." 

"  Charles  White  &  Lydia  Wutie.'-0 

It  is  claimed,  however,  that  Mrs.  White  (alias  Cockcroft)  had  pre- 
viously conveyed  seven  hundred  acres  of  land  in  water  lot  No.  7,  ex- 
tending from  Hudson  River  to  the  Furnace  woods  on  the  coast  to 
Stephanus  Hunt,  which  included  the  church  property ;  so  that  the 
Dutch  Reformed  church  actually  held  under  Hunt  for  some  time  by 
peaceable  possession.  Be  this  as  it  may,  Elias  Hunt,  son  of  Stephanus, 
subsequently  conveyed  to  this  society  the  sixteen  acres  they  now  hold 
inclusive  of  the  one  acre,  two  quarters  and  three  rods  conveyed  by  Cock- 
croft in  1795. 

In  the  cemetery  surrounding  the  church  are  several  monuments  to 
the  Lents,  Montross's,  Brinckerhoffs,  &c,  &c;  also  a  plain  head  stone 
inscribed  as  follows : — 

"Sacred 
to  the  memory  of 
DR.  PETER  GOETCHIUS, 
who  died  the  21st  of  Sept.,  A.  D.  1828, 
aged  70  years,  5  months, 
and  20  days, 
having  been  for  35  years  an  elder 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
Cortlandtown,  and  died  as  he  lived 
a  Christian. 


"  '  The  silent  tomb  and  rising  hillocks  show, 
The  way,  the  end  of  mortals  here  below ; 
But  silent  tombs  nor  hillocks  can  affright 
The  soul  of  him  whose  ways  are  just  and  right. 
How  calm  the  righteous  man  with  God  his  friend ; 
Peace  crowns  his  life,  and  happiness  his  end.'  " 

a  Copied  from  original  document  In  possession  of  the  consistory  of  the  Ref.  Church,  Cort- 
landtown. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  following  minutes  are  extracted  from  the  recocds  of  the  New 
York  Classis  : — 

Flatbush,  April  24,  1792,  the  Rev.  Classis  "appoint  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Jackson"  to  visit  the  congregation  at  the  Cortlandt's  manor,  between 
this  and  the  next  session,  and  report  to  Classis  the  state  of  that  congre- 
gation."6 

Sept.  4,  1792,  Mr.  Jackson  reports  to  Classis  that  he  has  fulfilled  his 
commission,  and  finds  the  congregation  have  lost  their  church,  dimin- 
ished in  number,  and  greatly  dispersed. 

Resolved,  that  Mr.  Jackson  shall  again  visit  them  as  soon  as  conven- 
ient between  this  and  next  spring  to  organize  the  consistory,  and  to  do 
any  thing  in  his  power  to  collect  the  congregation.0 

April  30,  1793,  Rev.  G.  A.  Kuypers  and  Rev.-  Peter  Stryker,  each 
with  an  elder,  appointed  by  Classis  to  visit  the  vacant  congregations  at 
Cortlandt's  manor  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order  to  organize  a  consistory, 
&c,  &c.  Rev.  Mr.  Brush  and  Brouwer  ordered  to  preach  in  their  ab- 
sence in  their  pulpits,  and  after  they  have  accomplished  their  mission  to 
repair  to  the  same  place,  and  preach  there  at  least  each  one  Sabbath. d 

September  2,  1794,  ordered  that  Mr.  Jackson  visit  the  congregation 
of  Cortlandt  manor,  the  second  Lord's  day  September  instant ;  also, 
that  Mr.  Schoonmaker  visit  said  congregation  once  in  the  meantime 
between  this  and  next  meeting.* 

Also  ordered,  that  the  Rev,  Mr.  Sickles  in  the  course  of  this  fall  visit 
Peekskill,  and  apply  to  the  Classis  of  Albany  for  recommendation  to 
visit  their  vacancies. 

1797,  Rev.  Mr.  Lowe  reports  that  he  has  fulfilled  his  mission  to  Cort- 
landt. 

Mr.  Abeel  appointed-''  1798.  Mr.  Abeel  reports  that  he  has  fulfilled 
his  appointment. 

Ordered  that  the  candidates  now  under  the  care  of  this  Classis  sup- 
ply each  one  Sabbath  at  Cortlandtown,  and  that  Mr.  Jackson  preach 
and  administer  the  Lord's  Supper  once  during  the  said  time. 

May  8,  1800,  a  call  made  out  by  the  church  of  Cortlandtown  upon 
the  Rev.  William  Manly,  was  laid  before  the  Classis  for  aprobation. 
Upon  reading  the  same,  it  was  found  to  be  in  due  form,  and  subscribed 
by  three  elders  and  four  deacons,  but  not  authorized  by  any  minister 
as  the  moderator  of  the  call.  Dr.  Peter  Goetchius,  one  of  the  subscrib- 
ing elders,  appearing  before  the  Classis,  attested  to  his  own  signature 
and  that  of  the  other  subscribers,  and  gave  sufficient  reasons  why  a 
neighboring  minister  could  not  assist  in  completing  the  document.  It 
was  approved  and  endorsed.? 


a  To  this  Individual,  (tinder  God,)  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  In  Cortlandtown  Is  Indebted 

for  her  re-establishraent  and  present  success. 
b  Rec.of  N.  Y.  Classis,  vol.  I,  110. 
e  Rcc,  of  N.  Y.  Classis,  vol.  i,  113. 
d  Roc.  of  N.  Y.  Classis,  vol.  I,  123. 
t  Rec.  N.  Y.  Classi3,  vol.  i,  143 
/  Roc.  X.  Y.  Classis,  vol.  1,  1ST. 
<7  Rue.  N.  Y.  Classis,  vol.  i,  221. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


I77 


The  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Cortlandtown  was  incorporated  30th 
December,  1794;  first  trustees,  William  Lent,  Peter  Goetchius,  Hercu- 
les Lent,  elders;  Abraham  Lent,  Benjamin  Dyckman,  Jacobus  Kronk- 
hite,  deacons." 

To  this  church  was  formerly  annexed  the  Van  Nest  Reformed  Dutch 
chapel  at  Peekskill.  A  mission  was  commenced  by  the  present  pastor, 
nth  Nov.,  1876,  at  Verplank's  Point ;  land  has  been  given  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  chapel,  and  there  is  good  prospect  of  success.  Prior  to  the 
year  iSor,  supplies  were  obtained  weekly  from  this  church  from  New 
York. 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS  OF  THE  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH  CORT- 
LANDT. 

Date  of  Instalment.  Minsters.  Vacated  by. 

April,  1800,  Rev.  William  Manly,''  Death. 

March  27,  1S10,          Rev.  Abraham  Hoffman,  Resig. 
October  21,  1831,        Robert  Kirkwood, 
October  3,  1836,         Rev.  Cornelius  Depew  Westbrook,  D.D., 
September,  1850,        Rev.  Samuel  Lockwood, 
August,  1853,  Rev.  John  B.  Steele, 

1859,  Rev.  John  St.  John, 

1867,  Rev.  Polhemus  Van  Wyck, 

1870,  Rev.  John  C.  Garretson, 

1S74,  Rev.  John  B.  Thompson, 

May  2j,  1875,  Rev.  Joseph  Alexander  Harper,  present  minister. 

One  of  the  principal  professors  in  this  neighborhood  in  former  times 
was  Stephanus  Hunt,  son  of  Josiah  Hunt  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  who  came 
originally  from  England.  His  two  younger  sons  were  Lewis  Hunt  who 
settled  at  Chappaqua,  W.  C.  C.  and  Edmund  Hunt.  Stephanus  the 
eldest  purchased,  as  we  have  already  had  occasion  to  show,  700  acres 
of  land  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt ;  and  left  four  sons  John,  Daniel, 
Josiah  and  Elias,  to  each  of  whom  their  father  set  #ff  50  acres.  Elias 
married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Dennis  Lent  Odel  who  is  still  living  on  a 
part  of  the  old  farm 

Between  Verplanck's  Point  and  Crugers  is  Montross  Point,  where 
there  is  a  small  hamlet  and  several  fine  residences  ;  there  is  a  brick 
yard  owned  by  John  D.  Karet  and  occupied  by  Cyrus  Travis — employing 
about  25  men  and  disbursing-some  $8,000  during  the  season.  A  little 
north,  just  below  Verplanck's  Point,  are  two  brick  yards  owned  by 
Charles  Jones  and  occupied  by  Kelly  and  O'Brien — employing  about  90 
men,  and  paying  out  about  $20,000  per  season. 

a  R<!li!rtons  Soc.  Lib.  A.  p.  79. 
h  Brother  of  General  Manly. 


178       ,  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Near  Cruger's,  a  short  distance  south  from  Montross  Point  is  situated 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  called  "  The  Church  of  the  Divine 
Love."  This  edifice  is  substantially  the  work  of  the  Rev.  Gouverneur 
Cruger  who  was  architect  and  also — to  a  large  extent — builder.  The 
church  and  its  Sunday  School,  which  are  built  of  brick,  cost  about  ten 
thousand  dollars,  and  to  it  is  attached  a  neat  and  commodious  rectory 
also  of  brick.  The  corner  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  by  the  Rev. 
T.  L.  Johnson,  D.D.,  on  St.  Barnabas'  day  June  nth,  1869,  and  was 
consecrated  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  on  Friday,  Sept. 
15th,  1871.  The  chandeliers  and  lamps  of  elegant  pattern  and  device, 
were  the  gifts  of  W.  G.  Kortright,  Esq.,  of  New  York.  The  communion 
silver  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Nicholas  Cruger.  The  organ  which  cost 
eleven  hundred  dollars  was  built  by  Carhart  &  Needham,  and  was  the 
gift  of  the  Rev.  Gouverneur  Cruger.  The  font  is  of  Caen  stone  with 
elaborate  design.  The  tower  contains  a  Meneely  bell,  of  one  thousand 
pounds.    The  Rev.  Gouverneur  Cruger  is  the  rector. 

At  a  short  distance  below  Montrose,  stands  Boscobel  House,  so 
named  from  the  splendid  white  oak  trees  which  once  surrounded  it, 
after  the  old  Boscobel  House  in  England,  which  was'  also  noted  for  its 
far  famed  oaks,  the  late  residence  of  Staats  Morris  Dyckman,  Esq.,  at 
present  occupied  by  his  grand-daughter,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  P.  Cru- 
ger. This  house,  erected  in  1792,  is  built  in  the  French  style;  and  oc- 
cupies a  veiy  pleasant  spot  on  the  brow  of  a  high  hill  overlooking  the 
river,  the  Island  of  Oscawana,  and  adjacent  country.  On  the  south- 
east is  to  be  seen  Croton  Point,  with  Irvington  in  the  distance;  while 
far  beyond  looms  up  Dobb's  Ferry,  with  Paulding  Castle  rising 
above  it. 

On  the  south  is  plainly  visible  the  Clove,  High  Tarn,  Haverstraw  Bay 
and  village — while  on  the  west  are  fine  views  of  Stony  Point,  Grassy 
Point  and  North  Haverstraw.  The  grounds  surrounding  the  mansion 
are  greatly  enriched  with  luxuriant  woods  and  plantations.  Just  below 
at  the  foot  of  the  terrace  is  a  fine  spring  house,  reached  by  a  flight  of 
stone  steps.  About  seven  years  ago  during  a  heavy  drought,  this  peren- 
nial spring  supplied  the  whole  neighborhood  with  water.  Overshadow- 
ing the  top  of  the  spring  house  is  a  venerable  white  oak  four  or  five  feet 
in  diameter,  while  near  by  are  groups  of  horse-chestnuts,  originally  im- 
ported in  pots  from  England,  also  fine  groves  of  locust  trees.  The  beau- 
tiful Island  of  Oscawana,  through  which  the  Hudson  River  rail  road 
passes  by  a  tunnel,  once  formed  a  portion  of  the  Cruger  estate,  but  now 
belonging  to  Henry  P.  DeGraff,  Esq. 

Staats  Morris  Dyckman,  the  former  proprietor,  was  the  fifth  son  of 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


179 


Jacob  Dyckman"  of  Philipsburgh,  and  the  protege  of  Gen.  Staats  Morris, 
he  w  as  also  for  many  years  the  private  secretary  of  Sir  'William  Erskine, 
(Commissary  General  of  the  British  army)  in  which  capacity  he  attend- 
ed the  latter  to  Europe.  Sir  William  died  in  1795,  leaving  a  large  and 
valuable  property  to  his  secretary. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Dyckman  returned  to  his  na- 
tive country,  purchased  the  Boscobel  estate,  and  erected  the  present 
mansion.  After  the  Revolutionary  war  the  English  Government  in 
gratitude  for  services  rendered,  presented  Mr.  Dyckman  with  a  full  set 
of  diamonds,  and  a  golden  urn  18  inches  high.  As  stated  above, 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Col.  John  P.  Cruger,  was  the  daughter  of  Peter  C. 
Dyckman,  the  son  of  Staats  Morris,  by  his  wife  Eliza  Kennedy.  In  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Cruger,  is  a  "loving  cup,"  used  for  family  christen- 
ings, brought  from  Ireland  by  James  Kennedy,  more  than  a  hundred 
years  ago;  marked,  "B.  K."b 

The  library  at  Boscobel  formerly  contained  a  valuable  collection  of 
books,  (amounting  to  6,000  volumes)  most  of  which  wrere  accidentally 
destroyed  by  fire,  but  twenty  volumes  still  remain  of  the  old  collection." 

Among  other  rare  books,  are  the  modern  part  of  a  Universal  History 
of  London,  1781,  in  65  volumes;  "from  the  earliest  accounts  to  the 
present  time,  compiled  from  original  authors."  The  Annual  Register, 
from  1750  to  1800,  44  volumes  printed  1791,  Encyclopedia  Brittanica, 
20  volumes,  London,  1797.  Junins,  in  several  volumes  richly  bound  in 
vellum,  1797.  An  account  of  the  preservation  of  King  Charles  II, 
after  the  battle  of  Worcester,  drawn  up  by  himself,  &c,  London,  1803 
containing  portraits  of  Charles  the  Second,  Richard  Penderell,  Mrs.  Jane 
Lane,  His  Excellency  Lieut.  Gen.  Dalyell,  of  Brims,  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  His  Majesty's  forces  in  Scotland,  1666-16S5,  Boscobel  House 
with,  its  timbered  gables  and  tower,  with  antique  garden.  There  are 
three  volumes  of  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testament.  British  Theatre  34 
volumes,  1795;  Porcupine's  Works,  &c,  by  William  Cobbett,  12  vol- 
umes, London,  May,  1S01;  Orlando  Furisso,  translated  from  Italian  by 
Judovico  Ariosto,  with  notes  by  John  Hoole,  London,  1799;  Jirmen 
Theatre,  translated  by  Benjamin  Thompson,  Esq.,  in  6  volumes,  Lon- 
don, 180 1 ;  Cook's  Voyages,  8  volumes  quarto,  London,  1785;  Bruce's 
Travels  to  discover  the  source  of  the  Nile,  1768-1773,  Edinborough, 

o  Jacob  Byclrman  resided  on  the  Talte  property  situated  on  the  road  leading  to  King's  Ferry 
on  ViTplanck's  Point,  near  Green's  Cove. 

6  The  arms  of  Kennedy  (Johnstown  County  Dublin.  Bart.)  Sa  on  a  fesse  ar.  berw.  three 
helmets  close,  a  fox  oonrant,  ppr.  Crest  a  demiarm  embowed  In  armour  ppr.  holding  a  branch 
of  oak— motto — Aduareo  VlrfettL 

c  Some  portions  of  the  second  library  brought  by  Staats  Morris  Dyckman  from  England, 
were  sold  to  Chancellor  Livingston. 


l8o       *  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

1790;  A  Discourse  of  the  Liberty  of  Prophecying,  by  Jeremy  Taylor. 
D.D.,  Chaplain  in  ordinary  to  His  Majesty  King  Charles  the  First,  and 
Bishop  in  time  of  Charles  the  Second  of  Downe  and  Connor  in  Ireland 
printed  for  R.  Royston,  1647.  This  book  contains  not  that  prelate's 
real  sentiments,  but  was  designed  to  show  what  plausible  arguments 
every  sect  and  party  of  Christains  had  to  say  in  favor  of  their  particular 
opinions,  &c."  Works  of  Homer  translated  from  the  Greek  into  Eng- 
lish verse  by  Alexander  Pope  in  7  volumes,  London,  Anno,  1794.  Bell's 
Edition  of  William  Shakespeare,  printed  complete  from  the  text  of  Sam- 
uel Johnson  and  George  Steeves,  &c,  London,  1785. 

The  pictures  consist  of  the  following:  James  Ogilvie  (Earl  of  Find- 
later),  by  Stuart ;  this  individual  was  the  intimate  friend  of  Mrs.  Staats 
Dyckman  and  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  Boscobel  House,  and  teacher  of 
Elocution  in  New  York  City.  Mrs.  Staats  M.  Dyckman  or  Eliza  Come 
grand-daughter  of  of  Peter  Come,  by  Jan-is;  Miniature  of  Staats  Morris 
Dyckman,  Miniature  of  Peter  Come,  Miniature  of  Holy  Family,  by 
Michael  Angelo ;  picture  of  Holy  Family  by  Raphael,  the  latter  was 
brought  from  England  by  Staats  Mooris  Dyckman ;  Miniature  in  ivory 
of  George  the  Third  and  Queen  Charlotte  executed  by  English  prisoners 
in  India. 

The  finding  of  Moses,  Queen  Charlotte  as  Pharaoh's  daughter  and 
attendants  5  another  representing  the  drawing  of  Moses  out  of  the  water, 
the  group  of  females  representing  the  queen  and  attendants.  Here  is 
preserved  Major  John  Andre's  flute  presented  to  Mrs.  Cruger's  grand- 
father ;  also  a  gold  enameled  snuff-box  made  of  the  veritable  Boscobel 
oak  in  which  Charles  the  Second  was  concealed  in  165  containing  a 
medallion  of  that  monarch.  The  sconcers  of  cut  glass  are  very  fine, 
likewise  the  antique  mantel-clock  in  French  ormolu. 

On  the  Boscobel  estate  is  situated  St.  Augustine's  chapel  a  small 
Gothic  edifice  of  wood  with  porch  and  recess  chancel,  beautifully  shaded 
with  vines  and  trees.  In  the  rear  of  this  building  are  fine  views  of  the 
river,  the  brick  yards  and  village  of  Crugers.  On  the  east  is  Hessian 
Hill  which  was  occupied  by  the  Hessians  during  the  Revolutionary 
war. 

The  Island  of  Oscawana  and  neighboring  shores  immediately  around 
Boscobel  must  have  been  favorite  resorts  of  the  Kitchawan  Indians. 
Indian  axes  and  pestles  have  been  found  in  the  gardens  and  clay  banks 
adjoining,  as  well  as  several  skeletons. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Boscobel  House  is  situated  the  small  hamlet  and 
landing  of  Cruger's,  a  name  derived  from  the  Crugcr  family,  who  have 
long  possessed  estates  in  the  immediate  neighborhood. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


iSi 


"John  Cruger"*1  was  the  first  of  that  name  who  '•came  from  Germany 
to  America  previous  to  the  year  1700,  and  resided  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  An  old  record  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  John  C.  Cruger,  of  Cu- 
ger's  Island,  Dutchess  county,  N.Y.,  says  "From  the  traditionary  account 
in  the  family  and  from  the  coat  of  arms  which  lie  brought  with  him,  it 
is  supposed  he  was  descended  from  the  family  of  Baron  Von  Cruger. 
The  name  of  that  family  was  always  spelt  with  a  C,  while  that  of  the 
commonality  in  Germany  is  spelt  with  a  K."  The  name  itself  in  its 
origin  is  a  corruption,  undoubtedly,  of  the  Latin,  Cruciger,  or  cross- 
bearer. 

He  was  a  merchant,  a  high-toned  gentleman  and  a  prominent  citizen 
of  New  York  during  the  first  half  of  the  eighteenth  century.  He  was 
elected  alderman  of  the  Dock  Ward  in  17 12,  and  held  the  office  till 
1733  inclusive — the  long  period  of  twenty-two  years.  In  1739  ne  be- 
came Mayor  of  the  city,  and  remained  in  office  till  his  death  on  13th 
August,  1744. 

He  married  in  1702,  Maria,  eldest  daughter  of  Hendrick  Cuyler  of 
Albany,  the  first  of  that  name  in  America,  and  Anne  his  wife,  and  had 
three  sons  Henry,  John  and  Tileman.  Tileman  died  a  young  man  and 
unmarried." 

"John,  the  youngest  son  who  never  married,  was  like  his  father,  emin- 
ent as  a  merchant,  and  in  political  life."  He  was  Alderman  and  Mayor 
of  New  York,  Speaker  of  the  Provincial  Assembly,  delegate  to  the  famous 
Congress  of  1765,  with  Messrs.  Bayard  and  Lispenard,  and  first  Presi- 
dent of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York.  He  died  at  Kinder- 
hook  in  1792. 

"  Henry  Cruger,  the  eldest  of  the  two  surviving  sons  of  John  Cruger 
the  first,  who  was  born  25th  November,  1707,  in  New  York,  resided 
for  many  years  in  that  city,  and  was  also  in  political  life.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Assembly  from  1745  to  1759,  and  subsequently  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  Council  of  the  Province,  and  served  till  1773,  when  he 
resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son,  John  Harris  Cruger.  In 
May,  1775,  his  health  was  impaired,  he  went  to  England  and  resided  at 
Bristol  with  his  second  son,  Henry,  the  Member  of  Parliament  for  that 
city.  He  died  there  in  1778,  and  lies  buried  in  the  centre  aisle  of  the 
Bristol  Cathedral.  He  married  for  his  first  wife,  on  28th  of  September, 
1734,  a  lady  of  Jamaica,  the  widow  of  Patrick  Montgomery  of  that  Island 


a  In  tht>  library  of  Mr.  John  C.  Cruger,  of  Crujrer's  Island,,  Dntchess  connty,  la  the  Pntch 
family  Dibit'  of  the  first  John  Cruger,  printed  at  Dort  in  16S8.  The  arms  are  from  an  ancient 
iron  seal  which  belonged  to  John  Cruger :— Argent  a  bend  aznre  charged  with  three  martlets, 
or,  betw.  two  grayhounds  currant  proper — Motto — Deo  non  Fortuna — Crest — A  deiul  gray- 
hound  saliaut,  gorged  or,  Motto—  beneath  the  wreath— Fidis. 


1 82  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

whose  maiden  name  was  Koughter  or  Slaughter :  but  she  died  without 
children.  His  second  wife  was  a  Miss  Harris  of  the  same  Island,  by 
whom  he  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  eldest  son  was  Jolm 
Harris  Cruger  who  succeeded  his  father  in  1773  as  one  of  the  Gover- 
nor's Council,  he  was  also  Chamberlain  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was 
commissioned  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  First  battalion  or  regiment,  General 
de  Lancey  himself,  being  the  Colonel.  After  the  war  he  went  to  Eng- 
land and  resided  at  Beverley  in  Yorkshire,  where  he  died  without  issue. 

Henry  Cruger,  the  second  son,  educated  at  King's  College,  N.  Y.,  was 
in  1757  sent  by  his  father  to  Bristol,  England,  to  enter  a  counting-house. 
He  became  a  successful  and  popular  merchant  of  that  city,  which  he 
made  his  home.  In  1774,  he  and  Edmund  Burke  were  nominated  for 
Members  of  Parliament  for  Bristol,  and  after  a  sharp  contest,  elected. 
He  was  also  once  Sheriff  of  Bristol,  and  in  1781  was  elected  its  Mayor. 
In  1784,  he  was  again  elected  to  Parliament."  In  1790  he. declined  re- 
election, having  determined  to  return  to  America  and  reside  there  for 
the  rest  of  his  life,  and  in  the  same  year  came  back  with  his  family  to 
his  native  city.  He  was  soon  engaged  in  politics,  and  notwithstanding 
his  service  in  Parliament,  and  especially  his  re-election  in  1784,  after  the 
peace  of  1783,  and  subsequent  service  of  about  six  years,  he  was,  in 
1792,  elected  a  Senator  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  served  as  such. 
His  residence  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  at  382  Greenwich 
street,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  24th  of  April,  1827,  aged  88  years. 

His  first  wife  was  Miss  Peach,  daughter  of  Samuel  Peach  the  great 
Banker  of  Bristol,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Samuel  Peach  Cruger, 
who  subsequently  took  the  surname  of  Peach,  and  was  the  late  Samuel 
Peach  Peach  of  Tackington  House,  Gloucester  in  England,  who  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  William  Miles,  of  Leigh  Court,  near  Bristol ;  they  had 
one  child,  Emma  Sarah,  who  married  in  1820,  Lord  John  Murray- Ayns- 
ley,  a  grandson  of  John  Murray,  Duke  of  Athol. 

The  second  wife  of  Henry  Cruger,  was  Miss  Caroline  Elizabeth  Blair. 
Their  eldest  son  was  Henry  H.  Cruger  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Nicolas  Cruger,  his  first  cousin.  Their  second  son  was  William  Cru- 
ger, and  their  third  son  was  John  Cruger  who  was  the  father  of  ^Henry 
Cruger,  the  late  Hon.  Nicholas  Cruger  and  Col.  John  Peach  Cruger"  of 
Boscobel  House,  Crugers,  Westchester  county,  who  possesses  the  large 
silver  pitcher,  presented  by  the  citizens  of  Bristol,  England,  to  his  grand- 
father, the  Hon.  Henry  Cruger,  when  a  resident  of  that  city. 


a  For  most  of  the  foretrotnir  sketch  relating  to  the  Crn(rer's,  wo  are  Indebted  to  an  article 
In  the  New  York  Gen.  arid  Biog.  Itec.  vol.  vl,  No.  8 ;  entitled  Family  Kecords,  Cruger.  Con- 
tributed by  Edward  F.  DeLancey. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


Just  south  of  Cruger's  is  the  Island  of  Oscavvana,  now  owned  by  Hen- 
ry P.  DeGralf,  President  of  the  Bowery  Bank,  who  is  so  largely  interes- 
ted in  property  at  Cruger's,  and  also  owner  of  Iona  Island.  Mr.  De 
Graff  is  now  erecting  a  splendid  mansion  of  brick  with  suitable  out- 
buildings, on  the  high  grounds  of  Oscowana,  overlooking  the  splendid 
scenery  of  the  Hudson  River.  At  Cruger's  there  are  four  brick-yards 
owned  by  John  Peach  Cruger,  and  occupied  by  D.  J.  Haight,  employ- 
ing about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  and  paying  out  about  $23,400 
for  labor  during  the  season.  On  George's  Island,  about  one-half  a  mile 
above  Cruger's,  there  are  three  brick  yards  employing  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  men,  and  occupied  by  William  Tompkins,  paying  about 
$25,000.  A  little  to  the  north  of  this  are  two  more  brick  yards,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Orrin  Frost,  employing  about  eighty  men,  and  paying 
out  about  $20,000  during  the  season.  On  the  turnpike  leading  to  Peek- 
skill  is  the  hamlet  of  Boscobel;  here  is  a  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  erected  in  1868,  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blake  is  the  present  pas- 
tor. The  celebrated  Lieutenant  William  Mosier,  or  Moshcr,  of  the 
Revolution,  formerly  resided  in  this  neighborhood.  His  brother  Abel 
Mosher,  left  a  son  Daniel  whose  son  is  the  present  Isaac  Mosher  of 
Boscobel. 

•  A  small  mountain  stream  enters  the  Hudson  near  Boscobel  called  the 
Furnace  brook,  upon  which  stood  the  manorial  mills,  long  since  super- 
seded by  Ramsay's  mill  now  owned  by  Mr.  Phelps  above  Crugers;  crown- 
ing the  bold  banks  of  the  mountain  torrent  is  situated  the  Cortlandt 
Furnace,  which  has  given  name  not  only  to  the  brook  but  to  an  exten- 
sive tract  of  forest,  consisting  of  1,500  acres  called  the  "  Furance  Wood," 
on  the  borders  of  which  are  numerous  peat  beds. 

•  In  the  year  1760  a  mining  company  was  established  in  England,  and 
German  miners  employed  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  and  smelting  iron 
ore  in  this  vicinity.  It  would  appear,  however,  that  the  ore  was  not 
found  here  in  sufficient  abundance ;  for,  at  a  vast  expense,  we  find  it 
subsequently  transported  from  the  Queensburg  mine,  in  the  forest  of 
Dean,  Rockland  county,  by  the  route  of  King's  ferry,  and  melted  in 
this  furnace.  But  even  in  Rockland  County  the  ore  was  not  found  in 
sufficient  quantities  to  render  it  of  any  importance,  so  that  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  the  enterprise  was  wholly  abandoned,  and  the  property  sold 
to  Mr.  John  Ramsay  whose  daughter  married  John  Cruger,  father  of 
John  P.  Cruger.  The  furnace  woods  are  now  held  by  various  proprietors. 
Mr.  Benjamin  Odell  occupies  the  Ramsay  residence  and  mill.  The 
mansion  house  of  the  late  Hon.  Nicholas  Cruger,  who  for  several  years 
represented  this  county  in  assembly,  is  delightfully  situated  near  the  land- 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER 

ing  commanding  from  its  elevated  position,  most  extensive  views  of  the 
river;  and  is  now  occupied  by  his  widow. 

Croton  village  in  the  lower  part  of  this  town  is  situated  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river  of  that  name  near  its  confluence  with  the  Hudson.  At 
the  intersection  of  the  New  York  and  Albany  Post  Road  with  the  road 
leading  to  the  railroad  station  is  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  of  St. 
Augustine.  Episcopal  services  were  also  performed  at  the  village  of 
Croton,  in  this  parish,  by  Mr.  Wetmore  in  1756,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble 
in  1761,  and  by  the  Rey.  Mr.  Punderson  in  1763,  who  says,  "that  he 
preached  a  lecture  there,  the  people  giving  a  cheerful  attendance,  &c." 

The  lot  on  which  it  stands  was  the  gift  of  Philip  G.  Van  Wyck,  Esq.,  a 
grandson  of  the  late  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  which  was  erected  soon  after  the 
Revolutionary  war  (some  say  1796-7),  occupies  a  commanding  position 
on  a  knoll  overlooking  the  Albany  and  New  York  Post  road.  The  land 
on  which  it  stands,  including  the  cemetery,  consisting  of  four  acres  was 
the  gift  of  the  Hon.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  first  Lieutenant-Governor  of 
the  State  just  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  church  edifice.  The 
Lieutenant-Governor  is  said  to  have  joined  the  Methodist  body  through 
the  influence  of  Mr.  Freeborn  Garretson  who  married  his  wife's  cousin. 
This  society  are  now  erecting  a  new  structure  of  brick  which  has  already 
cost  in  the  neighborhood  of  $4,000  ;  but  the  situation  chosen  is  a  very 
low  one  and  far  inferior  to  the  site  of  the  old  structure.  The  present 
pastor  is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ronalds.  The  Friends  Meeting-house  is  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  of  the  latter.  Here  is  a  convenient  landing 
known  as  the  Collabergh  landing  from  whence  sloops  ply  to  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  other  places  on  the  Hudson  River.  There  is  also  the 
Croton  landing,  Depot  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad,  telegraph  station, 
Post  Office,  numerous  fine  dwellings  and  stores — together  with  five  brick 
yards  owned  by  Mr.  Philip  G.  Van  Wyck,  Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 
and  Mr.  John  Cocks,  and  occupied  by  Geo.  W.  Morton,  Nicholas 
Mehrhoff  &  Bro.,  and  George  J.  Barlow,  employing  about  150  men  and 
paying  out  some  $35,000  per  season.  To  the  east  of  Croton  village, 
the  Collabergh  mountains — a  high  ridge  encompassed  by  woods— towers 
far  above  the  surrounding  hills,  at  the  foot  of  which  is  situated  the 
Collabergh  pond  (a  beautiful  sylvan  lake  in  miniature)  supplied  by  never- 
failing  springs  of  pure  water. 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  Croton  River  stands  the  Cortlandt  Manor 
House,  late  the  residence  of  Gen.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  but  now 
in  possession  of  his  nephew,  Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  This  venerable 
mansion,  one  of  the  oldest  edifices  now  remaining  on  the  borders  of  the 


THE  TOWN  OV  CORTLANDT. 


Hudson  was  built  soon  after  the  erection  of  the  Manor  by  Johannes  Van 
Cortlandt,  eldest  son  of  De  Hur  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  first  lord  of 
the  Manor.  Although  tradition  says  that  when  Van  Cortlandt  purchase^ 
from  Governor  Thomas  Dongan,  in  1683-4,  the  domain  of  Kitchawan, 
the  latter  had  already  begun  improvements,  intending  to  complete  a 
fortified  country  seat  for  the  convenience  of  fishing,  hawking  and  hunt- 
ing in  the  neighboring  waters,  low  lands  and  forests.  Tradition  also 
adds,  that  Dongan  planted  apple-trees  not  far  from  the  site  of  the  Manor 
house.  A  variety  of  the  fruit  known  as  the  "  Dongan  apple,"  is  yet 
grown  on  the  estate.  Quaint  and  picturesque  in  form,  the  old  house 
harmonizes  well  with  its  natural  surroundings.  It  stands  near  the  foot 
of  an  abrupt  slope  of  a  high  wooded  hill,  that  shelters  it  from  the  keen 
northern  blasts  of  winter.  Before  it,  is  a  fine  lawn,  gently  sloping  to  the 
water's  edge,  and  shaded  by  magnificent  trees. 

The  manor  house  was  built  for  the  two-fold  purpose  of  a  country 
residence  and  a  fort.  Its  solid  walls  of  gray  stone,  three  feet  in  thick- 
ness, were  pierced  on  every  side  with  loop-holes  for  musketry.  Some  of 
these  may  yet  be  seen  in  the  rear  walls,  and  one  in  particular  that  has 
been  recently  opened  on  the  front  or  south  side  of  the  dinning-room 
which  presents  the  form  of  the  Egyptian  T.  H.  T.  One  of  the  principal 
objects  the  builder  (whether  Governor  Dongan  or  Johannes  Van  Cort- 
landt) had  in  view  was  security  against  the  Indians,  who  at  one  time 
were  very  numerous  in  this  neighborhood.4  In  fact  its  noble  owners 
never  knew  when  they  were  secure  from  the  inroads  of  the  savages,  but 
in  proportion  to  the  strength  and  security  of  their  habitation.  The 
principal  sachem  of  Kitchtawan,  when  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  made 
the  purchase,  was  Sackima  Wicker,  a  son  probably  of  the  illustrious 
Indian  warrior  Croton  or  Noten,  who  had  for  a  long  period  lived  and 
exercised  his  authority  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  still  bearing  his  name. 
This  war-like  individual  had  erected  in  his  life  time  a  fort  on  the  Point, 
a  little  south-west  of  where  the  manor  house  now  stands  well  guarded 
and  protected,  as  a  defence  for  his  rich  domain  against  hostile  intruders. 

A  large  Indian  bow  now  lies  across  a  pair  of  magnificent  moose- 
antlers  over  the  main  entrance  door  to  the  mansion,  which  was  given,  it 
is  said,  by  that  sachem  to  the  first  lord  of  the  manor,  and  has  been 
handed  down  to  the  present  proprietor.  But  to  return  to  our  description 
of  the  house — it  has  a  high  basement,  a  second  story,  which  includes  the 
principal  apartments;  and  a  third,  lighted  by  dormer-windows.  Around 
the  front  and  ends  of  the  mansion  is  a  broad  veranda,  shaded  by  trail- 

a  Still  pn  servpd  at  the  manor  house  are  various  articles  of  Indian  pottery,  hatchets,  pipes, 
pcsUcs,  chopping  knives  and  arrow  heads  all  dug  up  in  this  vicinity  at  various  dates. 


1 85        .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ing  vines.  From  it  the  eye  may  take  in,  at  a  glance,  Croton  Bay  (the 
Kitchtawan  of  the  Indians  so-called  on  account  of  the  abundance  of 
wild-fowl  that  frequented  it),  over  which  stretches  the  Hudson  River 
Railway.  Croton  Point,  so  famous  for  its  grapes  and  wine,  and  the 
broad  expanse  of  the  Tappan  Sea,  made  classical  by  the  genius  of 
Irving ;  and  the  Hudson  River,  with  both  its  shores,  as  far  down  as 
Dobbs's  Ferry  on  the  east,  and  Point-no-point  on  the  west.  Turning  to 
the  right,  and  looking  over  Croton  Point  (se-was-qua),  the  high  and 
rugged  range  of  Tom  Mountains,  extending  back  of  the  village  of  Haver- 
straw,  breaks  upon  the  vision ;  while  in  the  foreground  is  seen  Haver- 
straw  Bay,  famous  with  clustering  associations  of  the  treason  of 
Arnold  and  the  fate  of  Andre\ 

Eastward  of  the  mansion,  and  lying  parallel  with  the  Croton,  is  a 
spacious  garden  or  pleasure-ground,  rich  with  choice  flowers  and  table  del- 
icacies. A  long  walk  leads  through  this  garden  to  the  ancient  "Ferry 
House,"  about  which  gather  memories  of  incidents  of  the  old  war  for 
Independence.  A  pleasant  road  up  to  the  high  bridge  of  the  Croton  at 
the  old  head  of  navigation — a  rickety  structure,  which  seemed  ready 
to  tumble  into  the  stream  more  than  a  dozen  years  ago.  During  the 
Revolutionary  war  there  was  no  bridge  between  the  mouth  of  the  Croton 
and  the  old  "Pine  Bridge,"  until  the  "Continental"  or  "New  Bridge" 
was  erected,  and  that  stood  about  a  mile  east  of  the  present  structure;* 
so  that  old  "Pines  Bridge"  which  crossed  the  Croton  about  a  mile  above 
the  present  dam,  is  the  famous  one  so  often  spoken  of  in  the  narratives 
of  events  on  the  "Neutral  Ground"  during  the  war  for  Independence. 
This  ancient  Ferry  did  all  the  transportation  between  the  latter  region 
and  the  American  lines.  The  bay  is  making  rapid  progress  toward 
the  condition  of  a  salt  meadow.  In  1840,  the  swollen  Croton  River 
broke  away  the  dam  connected  with  the  aqueduct  by  which  New  York 
city  is  supplied  with  water,  and  swept  down  into  the  bay,  an  enormous 
quantity  of  earth,  on  which  occasion  the  river,  directly  opposite  the 
mansion,  rose  suddenly  to  the  height  of  eight  feet  above  the  ordinary 
tide  level,  while  up  the  river  about  half  a  mile  to  the  eastward,  it  ex- 
ceeded fifty  feet.  Where  the  Shad  and  Herring  fishery  was  once  car- 
ried on  successfully,  is  now  an  oozy  marsh;  where  vessels  before  rode 
at  anchor,  green  grass  may  now  be  seen  at  low  tide.  It  is  said  that  the 
bay  was  once  famous,  too,  throughout  the  country  as  the  favorite  resort 
of  vast  flocks  of  canvass  back  ducks.  Into  the  mouth  of  that  bay, — 
according  to  the  leagues,  latitude  and  topograhy  given  in  the  log-book 


a  Testimony  of  David  Merrltt  of  Cortlandtown.  McDonald  MSS.  In  possession  of  George 
H.  Moore,  Esq.,  of  New  York  llist.  Society. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


187 


of  the  navigator, — Henry  Hudson  sailed  and  anchored  the  "Half-Moon" 
at  sunset  on  Sunday,  the  1st  of  October,  1609,  O.  S.,  or  about  seventy- 
five  years  before  the  manor-house  was  built. 

As  we  have  previously  shown,  when  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  became 
full  proprietor  of  the  grand  domain,  it  was  erected  into  the  Lordship  and 
Manor  of  Cortlandt,  by  royal  charter,  bearing  the  date  of  June  17, 1697. 
That  charter,  written  on  parchment,  and  preserved  at  the  manor-house, 
with  the  circular  tin  box  containing  the  crumpled  royal  seal,  has  upon  it 
a  well  engraved  portrait  of  the  royal  grantor,  King  William  III,  of  Eng- 
land, &c. 

Tradition  says  that  for  the  purpose  of  surveying  the  lands  to  be  inclu- 
ded in  the  royal  charter  of  1697,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  started  from 
the  Croton  in  a  per-i-auger,  having  on  board  a  party  of  surveyors,  ac- 
companied by  several  Indians,  who  were  designed  to  act  as  pioneers ; 
proceeding  up  the  Hudson,  they  disembarked  at  St.  Anthony's  Nose 
where  the  Indians  were  immediately  started  on  a  day's  walk,  or  journey, 
as  they  termed  it,  into  the  wilderness  (20  English  miles)  to  mark  the 
northern  and  eastern  boundaries  of  the  eighty-three  thousand  acres  to  be 
included  in  the  grand  domain.  Van  Cortlandt  and  some  of  the  party 
remaining  on  St.  Anthony's  Nose  near  the  red  cedar  tree  which  was  to 
mark  the  north-west  corner  of  Cortlandt  manor,  and  the  southernmost 
bounds  of  Adolph  Philips's  patent,  and  now  marks  the  dividing  lines 
between  Westchester  and  Putnam  counties. 

The  manor-house  is  distinguished  not  only  for  its  antiquity,  but  for 
the  character  of  its  tenantry,  guests,  and  its  scenes.  Its  earlier  owners 
were  notable  men  in  the  annals  of  the  Province  and  State  of  New  York. 
Doubtless  at  the  table,  there  sat  most  of  the  Provincial  Governors,  from 
Hunter  and  Ingolsby  down  to  Colden,  at  the  kindling  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, with  whom  the  Van  Cortlandt's  sympathized.  The  career  of  Leis- 
ler  had  drawn  party  lines  very  distinctly,  and  some  of  the  governors 
could  not  have  been  welcome  at  the  manor-house.  After  the  Revolu- 
tion such  staunch  patriots  were  ever  welcome,  as  Governor  George  Clin- 
ton (whose  daughter  was  the  wife  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.)  Gen. 
Schuyler,  Robert  Livingston,  John  Jay  and  others.  "Citizen"  Genet> 
who  also  married  a  daughter  of  Clinton,  was  frequently  there,  and  also 
distinguished  travelers'  from  abroad.  Colonel  Brant,  the  Mohawk  chief, 
dined  there  once  under  peculiar  circumstances.  One  Sunday,  while  at- 
tending divine  service  in  a  little  church  near  Croton,  Col.  Van  Cort- 
landt saw  a  well  dressed  Indian  leaning  upon  a  window  sill  listening  to 
the  sermon.  On  learning  that  it  was  Brant,  who  was  stopping  at  a  tav- 
ern near  by,  he  sent  an  invitation  to  the  chief  to  come  and  dine  with 


188 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


him.  The  late  war  became  the  topic  of  conversation.  The  Colonel  had 
once  chased  Brant,  and  had  been  conscious  that  Indian  sharpshooters 
had  attempted  to  kill  him  while  he  was  leaning  against  a  tree.  When 
the  Colonel  spoke  of  this,  Brant  replied,  "I  ordered  one  of  my  best 
marksmen  to  pick  you  off  but  you  seemed  bullet-proof." 

The  eminent  George  Whitefield  once  preached  eloquently  to  Van 
Cortlandt's  assembled  tennants  from  the  veranda  of  the  manor-house. 
Dr.  Franklin  rested  there  when  he  was  returning  from  his  fatiguing  mis- 
sion to  Canada,  late  in  the  spring  of  1776,  journeying  from  Albany  to 
New  York  in  Gen.  Schuyler's  post-chaise.  Washington  was  many  times 
at  the  mansion,  while  the  American  army  lay  on  the  shores  of  the  Hud- 
son. There  Col.  Henry  B.  Livingston  had  his  quarters  while  watching 
the  Vulture,  off  Teller's  (now  Croton)  Point,  at  the  time  of  the  treason 
of  Arnold.  There  Lafayette,  and  Rochambeau,  and  the  Duke  de  Lau- 
zun,  were  entertained;  and  the  manor-house  was  always  open  as  a  rest- 
ing place  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  Methodist  preachers,  such 
as  Asbury  and  Garretson,  in  the  early  days  of  the  American  branch  of 
that  church. 

He  who  extended  these  hospitalities  for  the  period  of  half  a  century 
or  more,  was  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt — who  was  a  member  of  the  New 
York  Provincial  Congress,  chairman  of  the  New  York  Committee  of 
Safety,  and  for  eighteen  successive  years  from  the  organization  of  the 
State  Government,  in  1777,  was  Lieut.  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth. 
He  espoused  the  cause  of  the  patriots  at  the  beginning.  Crowr  officers 
in  America  tried  to  win  him  to  the  Tory  side.  In  1774,  Gov.  Tryon 
essayed  to  seduce  him.  The  event  is  best  related  in  the  words  of  his 
eldest  son,  Gen.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  at  that  time  twenty-five  years  of 
age: — "I  remember,"  he  records  in  his  diary,  "Gov.  Tryon  came  in  a 
vessel,  bringing  his  wife  and  a  young  lady,  who  was  a  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  John  Watts,  a  relative  of  my  father,  and  Col.  Edmund  Fanning,  his 
friend  and  secretary;  and  after  remaining  a  night  he  proposed  a  walk, 
and  after  proceeding  to  the  highest  point  of  land  on  the  farm,  being  a 
height  which  affords  a  most  delightful  prospect;  when  the  governor 
commenced  with  observing  what  great  favors  could  be  obtained  if  my 
father  would  relinquish  his  opposition  to  the  views  of  the  King  and  Par- 
liament of  Great  Britain,  what  grants  of  land  could  and  would  be  the 
consequence,  in  addition  to  other  favors  of  eminence,  consequence,  &c 
My  father  then  observed  that  he  was  chosen  a  representative  by  the 
unanimous  approbation  of  a  people  who  placed  confidence  in  his  integ- 
rity to  use  all  his  ability  for  their  benefit  and  the  good  of  his  country,  as 
a  true  patriot,  which  line  of  conduct  he  was  determined  io  pursue.  The 


t 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


Gov.  then  turned  to  Col.  Fanning  and  said :  '  I  find  our  business  here 
must  terminate,  for  nothing  can  be  effected  in  this  place,  so  we  will  re- 
turn;' which  they  did  by  taking  a  short  and  hasty  farewell,  and  em- 
barked on  board  the  sloop  and  returned  to  New  York.  This  was  in 
the  year  1774."" 

The  patriot  suffered  for  his  principles  during  the  war  that  ensued. 
His  wife,  Joanna  Livingston,  fled  before  the  invading  British  to  Living- 
ston's manor.  The  house  was  plundered.  Even  carved  wainscoting  was 
carried  away,  and  made  to  grace  a  mansion  in  New  York;  and  the  Dutch 
tiles  around  a  fireplace  were  taken  out  and  used  as  dining  plates. 

Gov.  Van  Cortlandt  died  in  1814,  in  the  ninety-fourth  year  of  his  age. 
His  son,  Philip,  who  was  a  distinguished  officer  in  the  Continental  army 
during  the  War  for  Independence,  was  the  last  heir  of  the  entail.  He 
kept  up  the  hospitalities  of  the  mansion  until  his  death,  in  1831  ;  when 
the  estate  passed  into  the  possession  of  its  present  owner,  Col.  Pierre 
Van  Cortlandt  (son  of  Philip's  third  brother,  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt), 
who  inherited  it  from  his  uncle.  This  gentleman  married  Catharine, 
daughter  of  the  late  eminent  Dr.  Theodrick  Romeyn  Beck,  of  Albany. 
He  became  the  first  proprietor  of  the  estate  in  fee  simple.  Like  their 
predecessors,  he  and  his  accomplished  wife  dispense  a  refined  hospitality 
to  friends  and  strangers. 

The  Manor  house  contains  interesting  pictures,  manuscripts  and 
relicts  of  the  past.  There  may  be  seen  full-length  portraits  of  the  earlier 
Van  Cortlandts  in  their  younger  days — one  representing  John  Van  Cort- 
landt as  a  boy  of  about  twelve  years  of  age,  dressed  in  a  long  blue  coat 
reaching  to  the  knees,  with  large  cuffs  turned  up  to  the  elbows,  knee 
breeches,  scarlet  stockings,  high  shoes  and  silver  buckles,  his  right  hand 
resting  on  a  stag.  It  deserves  to  be  mentioned  here  that  the  head  and 
horns  of  this  very  animal  (as  descendants  of  that  wild  race  which 
anciently  spread  from  the  Hudson  to  Connecticut)  are  still  preserved  in 
the  hall.  The  late  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  has  left  this  memoran- 
dum relative  to  them — "  That  the  deer  of  which  this  is  the  head  and 
homs  was  raised  by  my  uncle  John  Van  Cortlandt  about  the  year  1730, 
and  which  head  and  horns  has  been  preserved  and  kept  by  my  late  father 
until  his  death  and  still  by  me.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt."  Another  portrait 
represents  Pierre  (afterwards  Lieutenant-Governor)  as  a  boy  of  about  ten 
years  of  age,  in  a  scarlet  coat,  with  white  silk  stockings  and  a  grey-hound 
by  his  side.  Abraham,  still  older,  is  depicted  in  a  russet  coat  and  red 
stockings,  with  high-heeled  shoes  and  buckles.  These  paintings  are  said 
to  be  over  140  years  old,  and  represent  three  sons  of  Philip  Van  Cort- 

o  Gen.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt '3  Diary. 


IQO  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

landt  and  Catherine  de  Peyster.  Beside  the  above  there  is  a  fine  por- 
trait of  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  painted  by  Jarvis; 
Joanna,  wife  of  the  Governor,  and  third  daughter  of  Gilbert  Livingston 
and  Cornelia  Beekman ;  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  by  Collins ; 
Catharine,  first  wife  of  the  General  and  eldest  daugther  of  George  Clin- 
ton, Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  by  Aimes ;  Anne  Stevenson, 
second  wife  of  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  by  Aimes ;  Mrs.  Mag- 
delen  Stevenson,  mother  of  Ann,  by  Aimes ;  Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 
and  Mrs.  Catharine  E.  Van  Cortlandt,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Dr.  Theo- 
drick  Romeyn  Beck ;  Theodrick  Romeyn  Beck  of  Albany,  author  of 
Beck's  Medical  Jurisprudence,  &c,  and  members  of  the  family,  some  of 
them  painted  by  the  late  Charles  L.  Elliott  j  also  a  medallion  portrait  of 
Dr.  T.  R.  Beck,  by  Palmer ;  portraits  of  George  Clinton,  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States  and  Governor  of  New  York  and  lady,  in  crayons, 
by  St.  Menor  Valdenuit ;  miniatures  of  George  Clinton,  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt  and  Gilbert  Van  Cortlandt,  by  Edward  Malbon ;  and  Cath- 
arine Clinton  Van  Cortlandt,  artist  unknown;  a  portrait  of  Brant,  painted 
from  life  at  Albany  for  William  Caldwell,  Esq.,  of  Albany,  the  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  C.  E.  Van  Cortlandt,  and  over  the  top  of  the  frame  is  thrown  a 
sash  that  belonged  to  the  chief. 

Among  the  family  plate  is  the  "  large  silver  tankard  marked  with  the 
family  coat  of  arms,"  which  in  1754  was  bequeathed  by  Stephen  Van 
Cortlandt  (son  of  Philip  and  grandson  of  Stephanus  first  lord  of  the 
Manor)  to  his  eldest  son  Col.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  who  afterwards  took 
such  an  active  part  against  the  Revolution ;  a  silver  shaving  cup  or 
christening  bowl  with  two  handles,  very  curious,  brought  to  this  country 
by  Oloff  Stevenson  Van  Cortlandt  from  Holland  in  1638;  a  gold  pap- 
spoon,  with  little  golden  bells  on  the  handle  to  charm  the  babe  while  it 
was  feeding,  which  was  also  brought  from  Holland ;  a  silver  tea  kettle 
formerly  belonging  to  the  De  Peysters — Catharine  De  Peyster  having 
married  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  son  of  Stephanus  in  1709;  it  was  made 
in  France  and  probably  taken  to  Holland  from  that  country  by  the  De- 
peysters;  a  sugar  sifter  of  beaten  silver  work  brought  from  Holland; 
large  silver  bowl  used  for  "  suppaan,"  to  which  may  be  added  two,  mag- 
nificent pitchers,  inscribed  as  follows  : — 

PRESENTED 

TO 

GENERAL  PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT 

BY  THE 

Directors  of  the  Westchexter  County  Bank, 
June,  1836. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


In  the  dining-room  is  the  large  table  brought  from  Holland  and  taken 
during  the  Revolution  to  Livingston  Manor  by  Joanna  Livingston,  the 
wife  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  The  mantel  con- 
tains a  very  handsome  clock,  manufactured  in  Paris  to  commemorate 
Bonaparte's  Egyptian  campaign  ornamented  with  sphinxes,  emperial 
eagle,  &c,  composed  of  French  ormolu  and  white  marble.  The  buffet 
which  surmounts  the  mantle  contains  some  curious  china  and  glass, 
among  which  may  be  enumerated  a  porcelain  figure  of  a  monster,  with 
the  body  and  legs  of  an  elephant  and  a  grim  head,  half  brute  and  half 
human,  and  some  Japanse  figures  upon  its  back  all  indicative  of  the  con- 
nection of  the  first  emigrant  to  America  with  the  Dutch  West  India 
Company.  This  very  curious  ornament  for  many  years  stood  on  the 
parlor  mantel  piece  at  Castle  Philipse  near  Tarrytown,  then  occupied  by 
the  Beekman  family — but  in  1847  Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt,  wife  of  Dr. 
Gerard  G.  Beekman,  and  sister  of  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  re- 
stored this  heir-loom  to  the  manor  house ;  some  curious  china  brought 
by  Captain  Dean  from  China  for  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and  late 
James  Caldwell  of  Albany,  cornucopia  for  flowers,  brought  from  Hol- 
land; curious  glass  goblets,  opaque  thread  in  stems,  pair  of  buckles 
made  of  conch  shells,  &c,  &c.  In  china  closet,  in  parlor — old  china 
brought  from  the  east  in  the  early  part  of  seventeenth  century  by  the  Van 
Cortlandts,  including  a  china  stand  for  ashes  of  pipe  with  brass  foot ; 
very  small  and  ancient  tea-pots,  china  shaving-basin,  the  property  of  late 
William  Caldwell  of  Albany  in  use  153  years.  Piece  of  china  which 
belonged  to  Lord  Fairfax  over  200  years  old ;  glass  tumbler  with  colored 
figures  brought  by  theRomeyn's  from  Holland  in  1654,  and.  then  thought 
to  be  very  old;  box  made  of  wood  of  the  "  Endeavour,"  the  ship  in 
which  Capt.  Cook  sailed  round  the  world ;  she  was  brought  to  Newport, 
R.  I.,  condemned  as  unseaworthy;  the  keel  was  sold  to  a  cabinetmaker, 
and  used  for  canes,  boxes,  &c.  Medallion  of  Franklin,  made  of  the  red 
clay  of  Passy.  Beaumarchais  caused  them  to  be  struck  from  a  profile 
sketched  by  Mile.  Anna  Vallayu,  fur  cap  on  head,  very  rare ;  buttons 
from  Yager  coat  worn  by  Paulding  when  he  captured  Andre,  and  given 
by  him  to  General  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt ;  agate  and  silver  casket,  very 
old,  &c. 

The  Library  contains  a  valuable  collection  of  books,  autographs,  &c. 
Among  the  former  may  be  enumerated  a  Dutch  translation  of  the  "Com- 
mon Prayer  Book,"  entitled,  "Het  Boek  Dar  Gemeene  Gebederen," 
Bedieninge  du  sacramenten  Nevens  Andrew  Koskelyke  Gewomteny 
lytyheden  gebruykelyk  in  de  Kerke  von  Engeland,  &c,  printed  in  "Lon- 
don by  Jan.  Hendrick  Schuller,  mdcciv  (1704),  Dedicated  to  Queene 


192 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Anne.  On  one  of  the  fly  leaves  is  recorded  the  following,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Gen  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt: — "  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt's  ejus 
Liber,  March  1st,  i739-40."a  The  Negro  Plot,  by  the  Recorder  of  New 
York,  entitled,  "A  Journal  of  the  detection  of  the  Conspiracy,  New 
York,  printed  by  James  Parker,  1744.  A  copy  of  this  work  brought 
$240  at  Manzie's  sale.  This  copy  was  once  the  property  of  the 
Hon.  William  P.  Smith;  sold  by  him  to  William  Livingston  with  MSS. 
Notes,  by  Smith,  "New  England  Judged,"  1703;  "Funeral  Oration" 
on  Washington  by  Major  Michael  Gabriel  Houdin,  with  a  portrait 
of  the  author,  1800.  Among  the  autographs  is  the  poetical  effusion  of 
the  wife  of  his  excellency  President  James  Madison,  addressed  to 
Mr.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Junr: — 

"  Happy  the  man,  and  he  alone, 
Who,  master  of  himself  can  say, 
To-day  at  least  hath  heen  my  own, 
For  I  have  clearly  lived  to-day." — D.  P.  Madison. 

Next  occurs  a  letter  from  Gen.  Lafayette  to  Charles  King,  Esq. 

La  Grange,  September  28,  1832. 

This  letter  my  dear  sir,  will  be  delivered  by  Mr.  Fiorelli,  a  young  Ital- 
ian sculptor,  a  refugee  patriot,  nephew  to  the  gentleman  whom  I  intro- 
duced to  you  in  1824.  I  recommend  him  to  your  good  ad\rice,  and  beg 
you  to  accept  the  best  wishes  and  regards  of  your  obliged  and  affection- 
ate friend,  Lafayette. 

There  is  also  an  original  letter  from  Gen.  Washington,  dated  Mount 
Vernon,  April  3d,  1797,  to  Mrs.  Clinton,  and  likewise,  one  from  Mrs. 
Washington  to  the  same.  The  following  memorandum  occurs  in  an  old 
almanac  of  1783,  in  the  hand-writing  of  Lieut.  Governor  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt : — 

"N.  B.  I  went  from  Peekskill,  Tuesday,  the  18th  of  November, 
in  company  with  his  excellency  Gov.  Clinton,  Col.  Benson  and  Col. 
Campbell;  lodged  that  night  with  Gen  Cortlandt  at  Croton  River,  pro- 
ceeded and  lodged  Wednesday  night  at  Edw.  Covenhaven's  where  we 
mett  his  excellency  Gen.  Washington  and  his  Aids.  1  he  next  night  we 
lodged  with  Mr.  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt  at  The  Yonkers,  after  having 
dined  with  Gen.  Lewis  Morris.  Fryday  morning  we  rode  in  cotnpany 
with  the  Commander-in-Chief  as  far  as  the  Widow  Day's,  at  Harlem, 


a  Copy  of  a  letter  from  non.  John  Romeyn  Brodhead  to  Mrs.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  June 
13th,  1SB5 : — "  You  will  see  in  Sieutans  memories  of  Nelson,  (the  author  of  "  Fasts  and  Festi- 
vals ")  page  136,  a  reference  to  a  Dutoh  translation  of  Common  Prayer  Book'"— (Ho  refers 
also  to  an  autograph  note  from  Mr.  Julian  Verplauck's  regarding  the  edition  of  1711,  as  a 
great  curiosity  just  added  to  the  State  library.)  "  Let  me  congratulate  you  on  possessing  an 
unique  copy  (as  far  as  I  know)  of  this  precious  rtcni.  I  hold  myself  happy  that  the  old  (gover- 
nor's book  was  used  by  me  at  Briar  Cliff  on  Trinity  Sunday  of  1865,  more  than  a  century  after 
Pierre's  ancestor  wrote  his  autograph  011  its  leaves." 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


J93 


whore  we  held  a  council.  Saturday  I  rode  down  to  Mr.  Stuyvesant's  (his 
brother-in-law),  stayed  there  until  Tuesday.  Then  rode  triumphant  into 
the  city  with  the  commander." 

In  this  same  apartment  is  a  small  mahogany  writing  table  at  which 
his  excellency  DeWitt  Clinton,  Governor  of  New  York,  was  writing  when 
he  expired  so  suddenly  on  Monday,  i  ith  of  February,  1828.  This  valua- 
ble relic  was  the  property  of  Hendrick  Romeyn  Beck,  who  left  it  to  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Van  Cortlandt.  A  small  silver  plate  inserted  un- 
der the  table  bears  the  following  inscription: — "At  this  table  DeWitt 
Clinton  was  sitting  when  he  died."  There  is  also  preserved  a  desk 
seal  of  DeWitt  Clinton,  given  by  his  sons  to  Theodrick  R.  Beck.  There 
is  a  fine  bust  of  the  Hon.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  executed  from  the 
original  portrait  by  Jarvis;  and  a  portrait  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
executed  in  crayons  by  Valdenuit  in  1797.  Also  the  silver  mounted 
pistols  of  the  Lieut.  Governor.  The  suit  of  apartments  on  the  principal 
floor  are  painted  to  imitate  oak  wainscoting. 

"There,  too,  is  still  preserved  the  'haunted  room,'  in  which  from  time 
immemorial,  lodgers  have  heard,  in  the  night,  rustling  like  that  pro- 
duced by  the  passage  through  the  apartment  of  a  lady  in  a  silk  gown. 
Only  occasionally  may  the  rustling  be  heard.  I  have  listened  in  that 
room  for  the  'ghost '  in  vain.  The  shadowy  dame  or  spinster  never 
stoops  to  gratify  idle  curiosity.  But  the  rustling  has  been  frequently 
heard,  and  the  natural  causes  which  produce  the  sounds  have  not  been 
discovered.  The  'ghost'  is  harmless,  and  has  never  disturbed  the  re- 
pose of  one  of  the  most  charming  homes  on  the  borders  of  the  Hud- 
son."'1 

During  the  Revolutionary  War  the  ancient  "  Ferry  House  was  occu- 
pied by  a  continental  guard  to  protect  the  ferry  and  all  passes  to  and 
from  the  "neutral  ground"  which  lay  south  of  the  Croton.  Occasionally 
it  was  favored  with  the  presence  of  Washington  and  other  distinguished 
military  officers. 

The  following  orders  from  Baron  de  Kalb  bear  date  : 

"  Camp,  nkae  Croton  Bridge,  19m  July,  1778. 
"  Colonel  Malcolm's  regiment  is  ordered  to  march  at  2  o'clock  to-morrow  morn- 
ing to  the  fort  at  West  Point,  on  Hudson's  River,  with  the  regiment  commanded 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Parker,  which  is  to  join  on  the  road  near  Croton  Bridge. 
The  commander  of  the  two  regiments  (Col.  Burr)  will  make  all  convenient  dis- 
patch, marching  ten  miles  a  day,  as  water  and  ground  will  admit. 
  The  Bakon  De  Kalb."6 

o  Much  of  the  foregoing  description  of  the  Manor-house  la  derived  from  an  article  in  the 
Republican  of  Slncc-Sinir,  Thursday,  July  31st,  1S72.  Also,  Apuletou's  Journal,  June  21su 
18.3,  No.  222  vol.  lx  ;  Wavsiilc  HeUcs. 

6  Burr's  Memoirs.  VOL  L,  131. 


194 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


During  the  winter  of  1782,  Capt.  Daniel  Williams,  of  the  New.  York 
levies,  (stationed  on  the  lines),  having  just  returned  from  an  excursion 
to  Morrisania,  was  surprised  by  a  party  of  the  enemy's  horse,  in  a  barn 
near  the  Ferry  House.  George  McClain,  who  behaved  with  the  utmost 
gallantry  on  this  occasion,  was  killed  ;  the  rest  of  the  party  effected  their 
escape  on  the  ice.° 

The  Van  Cortlandt  Cemetery  is  situated  on  the  summit  of  a  hill  west 
of  the  mansion.    Here  is  a  marble  tomb  erected  to  the 

Memory  of  the  Honorable 

PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 

late  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the 
State  of  New  York, 

And  President  of  the  Convention  that 

framed  the  Constitution  thereof  during 
the  Revolutionary  War  with  Great  Britain. 

He  departed  this  life  on  the  first  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1814,  in  the 
ninety-fourth  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  a  patriot,  of  the  first  order,  zealous  to 
the  last  for  the  liberties  of  his  country  ; 
A  man  of  exemplary  virtues ;  kind  as  a  neighbor, 
fond  and  indulgent  as  a  parent ;  an  honest  man — 
ever  the  friend  of  the  poor ; 
respected  and  beloved. 

The  simplicity  of  his  private  life  was  that 
of  an  ancient  Patriarch. 

He  died  a  bright  witness  of  that  perfect 
love  which  casts  out  the  fear  of  death, 
putting  his  trust  in  the  living  God,  and 
with  full  assurance  of  salvation  in  the 
redeeming  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  retaining 
his  recollection  to  the  last,  and  calling  upon 
his  Saviour  to  take  him  to  Himself. 

Near  the  Lieutenant-Governor  are  interred  the  remains  of  his  illustri- 
ous son,  Gen.  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  who  died  November  21st,  1831, 
aged  82 ;  and  Johanna  Van  Cortlandt,  wife  of  the  Hon.  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt,  daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Cornelia  Livingston,  born  at  King- 
ston, in  the  county  of  Ulster,  the  28th  day  of  August,  1722,  died  at  her 

a  David  Merrit  of  Cortlandtowu,  Oct.  12th,  1S15,  says :  "  When  the  Refugees  surprised 
Williams's  post,  at  Orsers,  a  part  of  them  went  uorth  and  cut  off  ye  retreat,  driving  Col.  John 
Post,  the  guide  and  others  upon  ye  ice,  when  Odell  fought  with  two  and  escaped  "—Conver- 
sation between  Meritt  and  Jas.  McDonald.  McDonald  MSS.,  in  possession  of  George  H.  Moore 
librarian  of  New  York  Hist,  Soc. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CORTLANDT. 


'95 


residence  at  Croton,  on  the  16th  of  September,  iSoS,  aged  S7  years,  &c. 
Also  a  tomb  bearing  the  following  inscription  : — 

Sacred 
To  the  memory 
of 

GERARD  G.  BEEKMAN, 
born 

September  19,  1746, 
In  the  City  of  New  York  j 
died 

June  23d,  A.  D.  1822. 
at  his  seat 
In  the  town  of  Mount  Pleasant, 
County  of  West  Chester, 
aged 

73  years,  9  months,  and  3  days. 

Beside  the  above  tombs,  there  is  a  small  pedestal  surmounted  with  a 
chaste  urn,  inscribed  as  follows : — 

To  the  memory  of 
CATHARINE, 
wife  of 

Col.  Pierre  Van  Corli.andt,  Junr., 
and  eldest  daughter  of 
George  Clinton,  Esqr., 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 
"Tlie  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed ;  "— Prov.  x :  T. 

May  death's  best  slumbers  occupy  thy  urn— 
The  heap  that  hides  thee  nature's  livery  wear  ; 
O  be  thou  sacred  in  the  silent  bourne, 
Till  time  rolls  round  the  great  Sabbatic  year. 

born  at  New  London 
the  5th  of  November,  1770, 
she  deceased  at  her 
residence,  Peekskill, 
on  the  10th  January,  1811, 
aged  40  years,  2  months  and  5  days,  &c,  &c. 

Likewise  a  marble  obelisk  to  the  memory  of  Anne  Van  Cortlandt, 
wife  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt: 

"She  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth." 

Also  monuments  to  Stephen,  Gilbert  and  Gertrude  Van  Cortlandt. 
To  the  west  of  the  cemetery,  at  the  entrance  of  the  neck  proper,  stood 
the  Indian  Castle  or  Fort  of  Kitchawan,  one  of  the  most  ancient  fortres- 


196   •  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ses  south  of  the  Highlands.  The  narrow  pass  which  it  occupied  was 
well  protected  on  the  north  by  Indian  Swamp,  and  on  the  south  by  the 
salt  meadows.  It  is  said  to  have  been  erected  at  a  very  early  date  by 
the  sachem  Croton,  as  a  convenient  rendezvous  for  the  assembling  of 
his  war  and  hunting  parties,  and  also  for  the  object  of  commanding  the 
rich  treasuries  of  the  Hudson  and  the  wide  estuary  of  the  Croton.  We 
have  previously  shown  that  Matsewakes  was  chief  sachem  of  Kitchawan 
as  early  as  1641. 

At  a  short  distance  east  of  the  fort,  on  the  south  edge  of  Haunted 
Hollow,  is  situated  the  Indian  burying  ground  of  Kitchawan.  Nothing 
can  be  more  romantic  and  beautiful  than  its  locality,  "a  clear  proof  of 
the  good  taste  of  those  who  selected  and  consecrated  it  for  that  object." 
There  was  formerly  a  current  belief  in  the  neighborhood  that  the  forms 
of  the  ancient  warriors  still  haunted  the  surrounding  glens  and  woods. 
The  apparitions  have  been  named,  in  consequence,  "The  Walking 
Sachems  of  Teller's  Point."  The  road  from  the  Manor  House  to  Croton 
Landing  passes  along  the  edge  of  Haunted  Hollow. 

In  connection  with  the  above,  another  tradition  deserves  to  be  record- 
ed, which  asserts  that  several  of  the  river  tribes  had  a  severe  and  san- 
guinary conflict  with  the  Indians  inhabiting  the  Point,  which  resulted  in 
the  defeat  of  the  former;  and,  further,  that  the  large  mound  or  barrow 
near  the  entrance  of  the  Point  was  erected  over  the  dead  who  fell  upon 
that  memorable  occasion.  Be  this  as  it  may,  indubitable  evidence  exists 
that  a  struggle  must  have  taken  place  here  at  some  time,  from  the  fact, 
that  vast  quantities  of  warlike  weapons  have  been  found  in  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity  of  the  fort. 

A  rural  lane,  bordered  with  luxuriant  forest  trees,  leads  from  the  main, 
called  Enoch's  Neck,  to  the  Point  proper,  originally  called  by  the  Indi- 
ans Senasqua,  and  by  the  English,  Sarah's  or  Sarak's  Point,  the  name 
derived  from  Sarah  Teller,  wife  of  William  Teller,  former  proprietor. 
This  lane  passes  immediately  below  the  site  of  the  Indian  castle. 

The  Italian  villa  of  the  late  R.  T.  Underhill,  M.D.,  stands  upon  an 
elevated  position  near  the  extremity  of  the  latter,  commanding  a  very, 
extensive  view  of  the  Hudson  River  (nearly  twenty-seven  miles  in  .length) 
and  adjacent  country,  in  which  Vredideka  Hook  forms  a  noble  feature 
in  the  south-west.  The  basement  of  the  building  is  constructed  of  Ashlar 
marble,  cut  in  Sing-Sing;  the  upper  portion  consists  of  stucco  brick. 
The  whole  edifice  is  in  admirable  keeping  with  the  adjoining  vineyards 
and  surrounding  scenery. 

The  late  R.  T.,  and  Stephen  A.  Underhill  who  is  the  present  proprie- 
tor of  the  Point  proper,  a  grand-son  of  Robert  Underhill,  Esq.,  fifth  in  de- 


THE  TOWN  OF*  CORTLANDT. 


I97 


scent  from  the  famous  Capt.  John  Underbill,  High  Constable  of  the 
North  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  upon  Long  Island. 

The  woods  of  Teller's  Point  afford  a  safe  retreat  for  thousands  of 
crows,  (corvus  corone  Linn.)  which  here,  unmolested  and  unwatched  by 
the  cruel  farmer  and  gunner,  have  from  time  immemorial  enjoyed  an 
extensive  "roost." 

The  canting,  living  crow 

Whoso  birth  was  in  their  tops,  grew  old  and  died, 
Among  the  branches,  till  at  last  they  stood 
As  here  they  stood,  mossy,  tall  and  dark, 
Fit  shrine  for  humble  worshipper  to  hold 
Communion  with  his  maker. — Bryant. 

Daily  towards  sunset,  may  be  seen  approaching  this  sylvan  abode, 

"The  blackening  train  of  crows  to  their  repose." 

— Burns. 

When  the  Croton  dam  gave  way  in  the  fall  of  1 840,  the  wild,  hurry- 
ing torrent — as  it  approached  nearer  and  nearer — is  said  to  have  sent  a 
savage  roar  through  these  woods,  causing  the  very  watch-dogs  to  howl 
with  fear. 

A  large  fish  pond  lying  east  of  Dr.  Underbill's  residence,  is  conjectured 
to  have  originally  formed  the  bed  of  the  Croton  river,  from  the  fact  that 
trunks  of  trees  have  been  discovered  four  or  five  feet  beneath  its  muddy 
sediment. 

The  southern  declivities  of  the  Point  towards  the  Croton  Bay  are 
covered  with  extensive  vineyards  of  Catawba  and  Isabella.  The  table 
land  also  embraces  luxuriant  orchards  and  vineyards.  The  whole  of  the 
latter  cover  nearly  an  area  of  forty  acres. 

Two  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  shad,  and  seven  thousand 
herring,  having  been  taken  at  single  lifts  in  the  adjoining  waters.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  season,  vast  flocks  of  coot  and  black  duck  frequent  the 
shores  of  the  Croton  and  Haverstraw  Bays. 

There  are  numerous  Revolutionary  incidents  connected  with  Croton 
or  Teller's  Point  deserving  of  notice.  It  was  off  the  western  extremity 
that  the  Vulture,  sloop  of  war,  came  to  anchor  on  the  morning  of  the 
21st  of  September,  1780,  having  brought  up  Andre  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  an  interview  with  Arnold  ;a  and  here  she  expected  to  have  await- 
ed his  return — but  soon  after  the  spy  had  embarked  for  the  opposite 
shore,  a  barge  filled  with  armed  men  from  the  Vulture,  was  seen  ap- 
proaching Teller's  Point;  whereupon,  George  Sherwood  and  John  Pat- 


a  See  Greenburgh. 


ic;8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


terson,  who  were  in  the  vicinity,  seized  their  arms  and  hastened  to  the 
shore,  resolved  in  their  own  rninds  that  the  enemy  should  not  land  with- 
out opposition.  For  this  purpose  they  concealed  themselves  behind  the 
large  rocks  which  still  lie  on  the  beach;  and  as  the  barge  came  sweeping 
along  towards  the  shore,  Patterson  fired.  His  aim  had  been  well 
directed,  for  an  oar  was  seen  to  fall  from  the  hands  of  one  of  the  men 
on  board,  and  much  confusion  was  observed  among  them.  A  second 
shot  from  Sherwood  compelled  them  to  return,  which  they  did  under 
a  cover  of  canister  and  grape-shot  from  the  Vulture,  directed  to  that 
part  of  the  beach  where  Petterson  and  Sherwood  were  concealed.  The 
cannonade  from  the  Vulture  drew  the  attention  of  the  people  of  Cort- 
landt-town  to  the  scene  of  action.  The  Vulture  lying  in  a  position  to 
be  distinctly  seen  from  Verplanck's  Point,  and  the  distance  of  country 
between  it  and  the  point  on  the  Westchester  shore,  and  likewise  from 
Stony  Point ;  the  town  of  Haverstraw,  and  the  point  where  Andre  and 
Arnold  held  their  conference  in  Rockland  County ;  the  grounds  upon 
both  sides  of  the  river  for  many  miles  in  extent  sloping  gradually 
towards  the  river— gave  the  inhabitants  a  full  view  of  the  scene 
of  action. 

The  inhabitants  on  the  Westchester  side  had  been  upon  the  lookout, 
for  they  apprehended  an  attack  under  cover  of  the  night.  There  were 
more,  however,  who  entertained  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  brought 
on  before  sunset,  until  Petterson  and  Sherwood  commenced  their 
fire. 

Many  of  them  now  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action  with  a  field-piece, 
which  they  had  obtained  of  Col.  Livingston,  who  was  in  command  at 
Verplanck's  Point ;  and  after  erecting  their  little  battery  on  the  Point, 
they  opened  a  well-directed  fire  against  the  Vulture.  They  soon  com- 
pelled her  to  slip  her  cable  and  hoist  sail.  This  circumstance  pre- 
vented Andre  from  returning  to  New  York  by  water. 

"  No  sooner  (says  Sparks)  had  Andre*  and  Arnold  arrived  at  Smith's 
house,  than  a  cannonade  was  heard  down  the  river.  It  was  discovered 
to  be  against  the  Vulture,  which,  though  distant  several  miles,  was  in 
full  view,  and  for  a  time  seemed  to  be  on  fire.  It  had  been  repotted  to 
Colonel  Livingston  by  messengers  from  Teller's  Point,  that  the  vessel 
was  so  near  the  shore  as  to  be  within  reach  of  cannon-shot,  and  that 
the  inhabitants  were  likewise  apprehensive  boats  would  land  and  com- 
mit depredations.  Col.  Livingston  accordingly  sent  from  Verplanck's 
Point  a  party  with  cannon,  who  fired  upon  the  Vulture  and  compelled 
her  to  remove  from  the  position  she  had  held  during  the  night,  and  drop 
farther  down  the  river  till  she  was  beyond  reach  of  the  shot  Andre 


THE  TOWN  OK  CORTLANDT. 


199 


beheld  the  scene  from  the  windows  of  Smith's  house  with  anxious  emo- 
tion ;  at  length  the  firing  ceased,  and  he  resumed  his  wonted  spirits  and 
composure."0 

Upon  another  occasion,  "  while  Enoch  Crosby  the  Westchester  spy- 
was  on  duty  in  the  vicinity  of  Teller's  Point,  a  British  sloop  of  war 
came  up  the  river,  and  anchored  in  the  stream  opposite  the 
point. 

With  an  unconquerable  predeliction  for  strategem,  our  hero  immedi- 
ately concerted  a  plot,  for  the  sole  purpose,  he  says,  of  affording  "  a  little 
sport  for  his  soldiers."  He  accordingly  proceeded  down  to  the  Point, 
accompanied  by  six  men,  five  of  whom,  besides  himself,  concealed  them- 
selves in  the  woods,  which  grew  a  short  distance  from  the  shore,  while 
the  other  paraded  the  beach  so  as  to  display  La  Fayette's  uniform  in  so 
conspicuous  a  manner,  as  to  attract  the  notice  of  the  officers  on  board 
the  vesse! 

The  enemy  swallowed  the  bait ;  and  a  boat  soon  put  off  from  the 
sloop  of  war,  manned  with  eleven  men,  under  the  command  of  a  lieu- 
tenant, to  make  a  prisoner  of  this  one  yankee,  who  precipitately  fled 
into  the  woods  as  the  barge  approached  the  shore.  The  Englishmen 
followed,  threatening  to  shoot  the  fugitive  unless  he  stopped  and  sur- 
rendered. 

As  soon  as  the  pursuers  had  passed  his  own  little  party,  which  were 
scattered  in  various  directions,  Crosby  exclaimed,  '■  Come  on,  my  boys ! 
now  we  have  them  !" 

At  this  signal,  every  man  sprang  up  in  his  place  with  a  shout  that 
made  the  welkin  ring ;  making  at  the  same  time  such  a  rustling  in  the 
bushes,  that  the  British,  thinking  themselves  surrounded  by  a  superior 
force,  surrendered  without  resistance. 

On  the  next  day  iney  were  marched  to  Fishkill,  and  confined  in  the 
old  Dutch  church."6 

On  1 6th  of  October,  1799,  (remarks  Gen.  Heath,)  fourteen  seamen 
were  taken  prisoners  by  Capt.  Hallet's  company  of  New  York  militia, 
two  days  before  on  the  North  River,  near  Teller's  Point." 

The  surface  of  this  town  is  hilly,  and  on  the  north-west  mountainous. 
The  soil  consists  principally  of  sand  and  gravelly  loam;  it  is  abundantly 
supplied  with  rivulets  and  springs  of  water. 

The  general  growth  of  wood,  is  oak  of  all  kinds,  chestnut,  hickory, 
elm,  black  and  white  ash,  birch  and  pine. 


a  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  20«. 

6  Barman's  Spy  Vmuaskeu,  pp.  143,  150. 

c  Heath's  Mem".  2'2. 


200 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OK  WESTCHESTER. 


The  first  independent  election  for  officers  of  the  town  of  Cortlandt, 
took  place  April  ist,  1788,  when  the  following  individuals  were  chosen 
officers  for  the  year  ensuing: — 

Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Supervisor. 

Joseph  Travis,  Towu  Clerk. 

Daniel  Birdscll  ) 

Nathaniel  Brown,       -  Poor  Masters. 

Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,) 

David  Ferris,  Constable. 

John  Paulding,  Collector. 


John  Jones, 
Nathaniel  Brown, 
John  Paulding, 
Bariah  Richardson, 
Abraham  Merritt, 

Hercules  Lent, 
Jonathan  Ferris, 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,) 

Abraham  Lent, 
Henry  Lent,  son  of 

Hercules, 
Jarvis  Dusenberry, 
Caleb  Barton, 
John  Haight, 

John  Jones, 
Henry  Griffen, 
Abraham  Merritt, 
John  Paulding, 

Gerritt  Storms, 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt, 
Elisha  Hammon, 
Joshua  Bishop, 
Thomas  Conkling, 
J  )hn  Garrison, 
Joseph  Mandeville, 
Richard  Curry,  Jr., 
John  Ferris, 
John  Lee, 
Daniel  Hall, 
Ludlow  Haight, 
Sam'l  Field, 
Benj.  McCord, 


1 


Fence  Viewers. 


J 


-  Commissioners  of  Highways 


Assessors. 


Pound  Masters. 


-  Highway  Masters. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 


This  township  is  situated  ten  miles  south  of  White  Plains,  twenty 
miles  north  of  New  York,  one  hundred  and  forty  from  the  city  of  Albany, 
and  four  east  of  the  Hudson  j  bounded,  north  by  Scarsdale,  east  by 
Pelham  and  New  Rochelle,  south  by  West  Chester,  and  west  by  Yonkers. 
It  is  about  seven  miles  long,  north  and  south,  and  near  two  and  a  half 
miles  wide.  On  the  west  it  is  washed  by  the  Bronx  river,  (Aguehung) 
and  on  the  east  by  Hutchinson's  (Aqueanounck,)  or  East  Chester  creek, 
which  enters  a  large  bay  of  the  same  name,  in  the  south  east  angle  of 
this  town.a 

East  Chester6  was  at  first  called  Hutchinsons,  and  subsequently,  "The 
Ten  Farms,"  an  appellation  derived  from  its  ancient  division  among  ten 
proprietors.    The  present  name  was  conferred  as  early  as  1666. 

The  lands  of  East  Chester,  were  formerly  included  in  the  Indian  grant 
of  1640,  whereby  the  Indians  conveyed  to  the  Dutch,  all  the  territory 
situated  between  the  town  of  Greenwich  and  the  North  River. 

Upon  the  14th  of  November,  1654,  Thomas  Pell  obtained  a  second 
grant  from  the  aboriginal  proprietors,  which  also  embraced  the  present 
township.  Twelve  years  later  we  find  the  inhabitants  of  East  Chester 
confirmed  in  all  their  rights  by  the  Mohegan  Sachems,  Gramatan, 
Woariatapus,  Annhooke,  (alias  Wampage,)  and  Porrige. 

The  undivided  lands,  which  were  a  long  time  in  controversy  between 
the  two  towns  of  East  and  West  Chester,  appear  to  have  been  held  by 

a  See  N.  Y.  GaztUer. 

b  This  name,  Chester,  says  Camden,  "  comes  plainly  from  the  Roman  Castrum  "  Camden's 
Brlttania. 


201 


202 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OK  WESTCHESTER. 


the  Indians  up  to  a  late  period  of  colonial  history.  The  aboriginal 
names  of  Coranases  and  Conoval,  frequently  occur  in  the  early  deeds  of 
this  town. 

A  castle  of  the  Sinamon  Indians  formerly  stood  on  the  hill  in  the 
rear  of  Dr.  Philemon  Fowler's  residence,  in  the  'village  of  East  Chester. 

Indian  wigwams  formerly  occupied  the  site  of  Daniel  Morgan's  resi- 
dence, bordering  the  Aqueauouncke  (Hutchinson's)  river,  and  the  mill 
of  Stephen  Anderson,  upon  the  same  stream. 

Vast  quantities  of  arrow  and  spear  heads  are  found  in  every  portion 
of  this  district,  showing  that  it  was  once  a  great  hunting  country.  The 
Indians  were  extravagantly  fond  of  the  chase,  "their  first  hunting  season 
always  commencing  as  soon  as  the  wild  herbage  began  to  grow  up  in 
the  woods."" 

Deer  must  have  been  incredibly  numerous  in  the  ancient  forests  of 
East  Chester,  as  we  invariably  find  the  wolf  infesting  the  same  section  of 
country. 

Upon  the  ioth  day  of  February,  1672,  in  was  agreed  (by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  East  Chester,)  "that  the  town  wolf-pits  which  Mr.  Pinckini  and 
John  Hoyt  hath  made,  shall  be,  and  is  also  illegal  in  the  glan  (glen.)  where 
they  are  situated,  and  that  the  inhabitants  do  see  to  fill  them  up." 
Seven  years  later  it  was  decidfcd  by  vote,  that  the  inhabitants  pay  ten 
shillings  for  every  wolf  that  is  killed  within  the  limits  of  East  Chester, 
for  the  year  ensuing.  These  orders  show  conclusively  that  this  ferocious 
animal  was  then  very  troublesome. 

So  common  and  mischievous  were  wolves,  (at  this  early  period.) 
throughout  the  country,  that  we  find  the  provincial  assembly  compelled 
to  issue  the  following  order  for  their  distraction,  entitled  an  act  for  de- 
stroying wolves  within  the  colony, — 

"  Forasmuch  as  divers  inhabitants  of  this  colony  have  suffered  many 
grievous  losses  in  their  stocks,  both  of  sheep  and  neat  cattle,  for  the  pre- 
vention of  which,  and  encouragement  of  those  who  shall  destroy  wolves 
in  the  said  colony,  and  that  the  breed  of  wolves  within  the  colony  may 
be  wholly  rooted  out  and  extinguished,  be  it  enacted,  &c,  that  in  the 
County  of  West  Chester,  twenty  shillings  for  a  grown  wolf  killed  by 
a  Christian,  and  ten  shillings  for  such  a  wolf  killed  by  an  Indian,  and 
half  that  sum  respectively  for  a  whelp."6 

Att  a  Court  of  Sessions  held  at  West  Chester,  for  the  County  of  West 
Chester,  Sept.  7,  1692,  by  their  Majestie's  authority,  present  the  Hon. 
Caleb  Heatcott,  one  of  their  Majestie's  Councell  for  the  Province  of 

a  Vanderrtoncks  N.  N.,  N.  Y.  Hist  S  10.  20T. 
b  Acta  of  Col.  Assembly,  N.  Y.,  p.  47. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


New  Yorke,  Lt.  Coll.  John  Pell,  Justice  &  Quorum,  Joseph  Theale, 
Dan.  Strange,  Esq.'s,  Justice's  of  the  Peace. 

Whereas,  the  grand  Inquest  Represents  to  this  Court  that  care  may  be  taken 
for  the  Destroying  of  wolves  &  the  Court  being  Impowered  by  Act  of  Generall 
Assembly  to  see  the  same  put  in  Execution. 

The  Court  01  ders  that  every  Township  &  Constables  jurisdiction — The  Con- 
Stables  in  their  respective  place  shall  take  care  under  the  penalty  of  five  pounds 
for  the  neglect,  that  they  cale  together  the  Inhabitants  &  give  notice  that  the 
Court  of  Sessions  lia^e  ordered  &  it  is  hereby  ordered  for  the  prevention  of 
Damages  done  by  wolves  in  this  County,  that  the  Inhabitants  of  every  respective 
place  shall  make  or  cause  to  bo  made  two  wolfe  pitta  in  such  places  where  the 
Inhabitants  shall  see  most  convenient :  and  that  for  every  wolfe  cateched  kild  or 
destroyed  by  the  said  pitts,  or  otherwise  the  heads  shall  be  brought  to  the  Con- 
stables who  shall  cutt  of  the  earcs  of  from  the  said  wolofes  head  and  naile  it  up 
in  some  convenient  Publick  place  :  and  that  the  said  Constable  shall  pay  or  sat- 
tisfie  for  every  such  wolofes  head  soc  brought  to  him  it  being  made  appeare  that 
it  was  kild  within  his  precints  the  sum  of  twelve  shelhngs,  and  for  the  defraying 
of  the  charge  of  makeing  of  the  said  wolofe  Pitts  &  killing  the  said  wolves  a  rate 
shall  be  made  upon  the  severall  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Constableshipp  for  the 
defraying  the  said  charge,  and  for  the  incurragem'  of  the  Indians  they  shall  have 
ten  shillings  a  pice  for  every  wolofe  they  kill  within  the  severall  Constableshipps, 
they  bringing  the  heads  first  to  the  said  Constables,  and  that  such  pitts  be  made 
between  this  and  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  March  next.  And  that  annually  a 
a  rate  be  made  before  the  first  of  Jan.,  paid  before  March  next.  The  Constable 
having  full  power  to  see  the  same  effected  and  done  by  virtue  of  this  order,  and 
to  distraiue  upon  any  that  refuseth  or  neglecteth  to  pay  his  just  proportion.'1 

The  remains  of  a  large  wolf-pit  are  still  to  be  seen  in  the  "Winter  Hill 
burying-ground,  situated  upon  the  property  of  the  late  Mr.  Robert  Pur- 
dy.  Tradition  asserts  that  over  one  hundred  years  ago,  the  original  set- 
tlers used  to  hunt  bears  and  deer  in  the  Long  Reach  patent,  (situated  on 
the  north-west  side  of  this  town,)  and  they  were  accustomed  to  provide 
themseh\.j  with  thirty  days  provision. 

The  following  grant  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  Thomas  Pell,  occurs 
in  1664,  to  James  Euestis,  Philip  Pinckney  and  others. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  I,  Thomas  Pell,  have  granted  to  James 
Euestis  and  Philip  rinekney,  for  themselves  and  their  associates,  to  the  number 
of  ten  families,  to  settle  down  at  Hutchinsons,  that  is  where  the  house  stood  at 
the  meadows  and  uplands,  to  Hutchinson's  River,  they  paying  according  to  ye 
proportion  of  the  charges  which  was  disburst  for  the  purchase,  and  other  ne- 
cessary charges,  only  liberty  to  have  the  disposing  of  two  lotts  upon  the  same 
terms  with  them,  because  that  I  might  provide  them  some  tradesmen  for  their 
comfort,  as  a  smith,  or  weaver,  or  what  else  with  their  approbation.  Witness 
my  hand,  this  24th  of  June,  1664.  &  Thomas  Pell. 


a  Roc  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  W.  C.  C. 
b  Alb.  Kec 


204     .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

The  above  grantees  appear  to  have  emigrated  from  Fairfield  Con- 
necticut, to  this  place;  for  in  the  year  i649,\ve  find  the  following  names 
recorded  in  the  town  books  of  Fairfield,  viz. : — James  Euestis,  Philip 
Pinckney,  John  Tompkins,  Moses  Hoit,  Samuel  Drake,  Andrew  Ward, 
Walter  Lancaster,  Nathaniel  Tompkins,  Samuel  Ward,  &c.  These  in- 
dividuals subsequently  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  East  Ches- 
ter. 

The  following  covenant  was  drawn  up  in  1665,  for  the  future  govern- 
ment of  the  proprietors,  entitled: — 

Articles  of  agreement  betwext  us  whose  names  are  underwriten,  A.  D. 
1665. 

Imprimus,  that  we  by  the  grace  of  God,  Pitt  down  on  the  track  of  land  lieng 
betwext  Huthesson's  broock,  rehear  the  house  was,  untell  it  com  unto  the  river, 
that  runeth  in  at  the  head  of  the  meados. 

2.  That  we  indeavor  to  keepe  and  mamtayn  christian  love  and  sivell  honisty. 

3.  That  we  faithfully  conssall  what  may  be  of  inflrmyti  in  any  one  of  us. 

4.  Plainlie  to  dealle  one  with  another  in  christian  love. 

5.  If  any  trespas  be  don,  the  trespaed  and  the  trespaser  shall  chuse  tow  of  this 
company,  and  they  a  thirde  man  if  need  be  requiered,  to  end  the  mater,  without 
any  further  trubell. 

6.  That  all  and  every  one  of  us,  or  that  shall  be  of  us,  do  paye  unto  the  mines- 
ter,  according  to  his  meade. 

7.  That  none  exceed  the  quantity  of  fifteen  acres,  until  all  have  that  quantity. 

8.  That  every  man  hath  that  meadow  that  is  most  convenient  for  him. 

9.  That  every  man  build  and  inhabit  on  his  home  lot  before  the  next  winter. 

10.  That  no  man  make  sale  of  his  lot  before  he  hath  built  and  inhabited  one 
year,  and  then  to  render  it  to  the  company,  or  to  a  man  whom  the}'  approve. 

11.  That  any  man  may  sell  pait  of  his  alotment  to  his  neighbor. 

12.  That  no  man  shall  engrosse  to  himself  by  buying  his  neighbor's  lot  for  his 
particular  interest,  but  with  respect  to  sell  it  if  an  approved  man  come,  and  that 
without  much  advantage,  to  be  judged  by  the  company. 

13.  That  all  public  affairs,  all  bridges,  highways,  or  mill,  be  carried  on  joint- 
ly, according  to  meadow  and  estates. 

14  That  provision  be  endeavoured  for  education  of  children,  and  then  en- 
couragement be  given  unto  any  that  shall  take  pains  according  to  our  former  way 
of  rating. 

15.  That  no  man  shall  give  entertainment  to  a  foreigner  who  shall  carry  him- 
self obnoxious  to  the  company  except  amendment  be  after  warning  given. 

1G.  That  all  shall  join  in  guarding  of  cattle  when  the  company  see  it  con- 
venient. 

17.  That  every  man  make  and  maintain  a  good  fence  about  all  his  arable  land, 
and  in  due  time  a  man  chosen  to  view  if  the  company's  be  good. 

18.  That  every  man  sow  his  land  when  most  of  the  company  sow  or  plant  in 
their  fields. 

10.  That  we  give  new  encouragement  to  Mr.  Brewster  each  other  week,  to 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER.  205 

give  us  word  of  exhortation,  and  that  when  we  are  settled  wc  meet  together 
ever}'  other  weeke,  one  hour,  to  talk  of  the  hest  things. 

20.  That  one  man,  either  of  himself,  or  by  consent,  may  give  entertainment 
to  strangers  for  money. 

21.  That  one  day,  every  spring,  be  improved  for  the  destroying  of  rattle 
snakes. 

22.  That  some,  every  Lord's  day,  stay  at  home,  for  safety  of  our  wives  and 
children. 

23.  That  every  man  get  and  keep  a  good  lock  to  his  door  as  soon  as  he  can. 

24.  That  a  convenient  place  he  appointed  for  oxen  if  need  require. 

25.  If  any  man's  meadow  or  upland  be  worse  in  quality,  that  be  considered  in 
quantity. 

26.  That  every  man  that  hath  taken  up  lottes  shall  pay  to  all  publick  charges 
equal  with  those  that  got  none. 

That  all  that  hath  or  shall  take  up  lots  within  this  tract  of  land  mentioned  in 

the  premises  shall  subscribe  to  these  articles. 

Thomas  Shute  The  mark  of 

The  mark  of  X 

O  Nathaniel  White, 

Nathaniel  Tompkins,  William  Haidon's  mark,  H 

Philip  Pinkney,  The  mark  of  John  Gay,  I  G 

The  mark  of  X  Joseph  Joans,  John  A  Pinkney, 

John  Hoitt,  The  mark  of  John  Tompkins,  O 

James  Eustis,  Richard  Shute, 

The  mark  of  X  Daniel  Godwin,  The  mark  of  John  Hollind,  I  U 

The  mark  of  X  William  Squire,  Moses  Iloitte, 

David  Osburn,  Richard  Hoadley, 

John  Goding,  The  mark  of  Henry  X  Ffowlirr 

Samuel  Drake,  John  Emory, 

John  Jackson,  Moses  Jackson, 

The  mark  of  John  Drake,  I  D  John  Clarke, 

This  is  a  true  copy  according  unto  the  originall,  transcribed  by  me.  Richard 

Shute,  this  23d  day  of  Nov.  '68. 

In  1666,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  obtained  a  further  grant  from 
the  native  Indians,  Ann-hooke  and  others.  This  sale  was  confirmed  by 
royal  patent  the  same  year : 


ROYAL  PATENT  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 
"Richard  Nichols,  Esq.,  Governor  General  under  his  Royal  Highness,  James, 
Duke  of  York  and  Aliiauj-,  &c,  &c.,  of  all  his  territories  in  America,  to  all  to 
whom  these  presents  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting:  whereas,  there  is  a  certain 
plantation  upon  ye  main,  lying  within  ye  limits  and  bounds  of  Westchester,  be- 
longing to  ye  north  riding  of  Yorkshire,  upon  Long  Island,  situate  and  being  in 
ye  north  part  of  ye  limits  of  ye  said  towne,  which  said  plantation  is  commonly 
known  and  called  by  ye  name  of  The  Ten  Farms,  or  Eastchester,  and  is  now  in 
the  tenure  and  occupation  of  several  freeholders  and  inhabitants,  who  having 


206 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


heretofore  made  lawful  purchase  thereof,  have  likewise  manured  and  improved 
a  considerable  part  of  ye  lands  thereunto  belonging,  and  settled  several  familyes 
thereupon  ;  now  for  a  confirmation  unto  ye  said  freeholders,  and  inhabitants  in 
their  enjoyment  and  possession  of  ye  premises,  ksoiv  y ee,  by  virtue  of  ye  commis- 
sion, and  authority,  unto  me  given  by  his  royal  highness,  I  have  ratified,  confirmed 
and  granted,  and  by  these  presents,  do  ratifie,  confirm,  and  grant,  unto  Fhilip 
Pinckney,  James  Euestis,  and  William  Hayden,  as  patentees  for  and  on  ye  behalf 
of  themselves,  and  their  associates,  their  heirs,  successors  and  assignees,  all  ye  said 
plantation,  with  ye  lands  thereunto  belonging,  lying  within  ye  bounds  and  limits 
hereafter  expresset,  viz. :  that  is  to  say,  bounded  to  the  east  and  ye  north-east, 
by  a  certain  river,  commonly  called  Hutchinson's  River,  which  runs  in  at  ye 
head  of  ye  meadow,  and  is  ye  west  bounds  of  Mr.  Pell's  patent,  to  ye  south-east 
by  a  certain  creek,  the  mouth  whereof  openeth  to  ye  south-east,  then  including 
ye  meadows  heretofore  called  Hutchinson's  Meadows,  and  ye  upland,  to  ye  now 
knowne  and  common  pathway  coining  up  from  Westchester,  to  take  in  also  of 
ye  uplands  betweene  Hutchinson's  and  Rattlesnake  Brooke,  from  the  said  path 
to  ye  extent  of  half  a  mile  north-west  for  them  to  plant,  or  otherwise  to  man- 
ure, as  they  shall  see  cause;  ye  remainder  to  lye  in  common  between  them  and 
ye  inhabitants  of  Westchester,  at  ye  end  of  which  half-mile  to  be  bounded  by 
Rattlesnake  Brooke,  till  you  come  to  ye  head  thereof;  from  thence  striking  a 
north-east  line  to  Hutchinson's  River  aforementioned,  ye  certain  bounds  of  this 
plantation  aforesaid  are  described,  and  so  hereafter  are  to  bee  reputed  and  taken, 
any  former  order,  conclusions,  or  agreement,  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  not- 
withstanding, together  with  all  w  oodlands,  meadows,  pastures,  marshes,  quer- 
ryes,  waters,  creeks,  lakes,  brooks,  fishing,  hawking,  hunting,  fowling  and  all 
other  profits,  commoditys,  emoluments  and  hereditaments,  to  the  said  land  and 
premises  within  ye  limitts  and  bounds  aforementioned,  described,  belonging,  or 
any  otherwise  appertaining;  and  ye  said  patentees  and  their  associates,  their 
heirs,  successors,  and  assignees,  shall  likewise  have  free  commonage  and  liberty  for 
range  of  feed  of  cattle,  from  ye  head  of  Hutchinson's  Brook  aforesaid,  for  about 
eight  English  miles;  to  run  north-west  into  the  woods  as  far  as  Bronck's  River, 
or  so  far  as  they  shall  not  encroach  or  entrench  upon  any  former  patent  by  mee 
given  or  granted:  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  ye  said  lands  heredit- 
aments and  premises,  with  their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances,  and  every  part 
and  parcel  thereof,  to  the  said  patentees,  and  their  associates,  their  heirs,  succes- 
sors and  assignees,  to  ye  proper  use  and  behoofe  of  ye  said  patentees  and  their 
associates,  their  heirs,  successors  and  assignees,  forever;  moreover,  I  do  hereby 
grant  and  confirm  unto  ye  said  patentees  and  their  associates,  their  heirs,  succes- 
sors and  assigi  s,  that  their  plantation  shall  continue  to  retain  ye  name  of  East- 
onESTEK,  by  which  name  and  stile  it  shall  be  distinguished  and  knowne  in  all 
bargains  and  sales,  deeds,  records  and  writings;  likewise,  they  shall  have  ye 
privilege  of  electing  out  of  their  owue  numbers  some  discreet  person,  who  shall 
be  elected  yearly  to  the  office  of  a  deputy  constable,  to  keep  his  majesties  peace, 
and  to  compose,  if  possible,  all  private  differences  by  arbitration  amongst  them- 
selves, but  that  in  all  other  matters  they  have  relation  to  ye  town  and  court  of 
Westchester,  they,  the  said  patentees  and  their  associates,  their  heirs,  successors 
and  assignees,  rendering  and  paying  such  dutys  and  acknowledgments  as  now  are 
or  hereafter  shall  be  constituted  and  established  by  ye  laws  of  this  government, 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


207 


Hinder  ye  obedience  of  his  royal  highness,  his  heirs  and  successors.  Given  un- 
der my  hand  and  seal  at  Fort  James,  New  York,  on  ye  Isle  of  Manhattans,  ye 
ninth  day  of  March,  in  ye  nineteenth  year  of  ye  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord, 
Charles  ye  Second,  by  ye  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and  Ire- 
land, King,  defender  of  ye  faith,  &c,  &c,  and  in  ye  year  of  our  Lord  God, 
16GG.« 


Subsequently  the  three  patentees  made  the  following  declaration  of 
trust  in  behalf  of  their  associates: — 

"These  may  certyfie  that  we,  viz.  Phillip  Finknic,  James  Shute  and  'William 
Haiden,  having  a  certain  track  of  land  granted  and  conermed  unto  us  by  patten, 
being  granted  and  conermed  by  Collenalle  Richard  Nichollas,  then  Goavcrnor  in 
New  Yorke,  being  granted  to  us,  viz.  Phillip  Pinknine,  James  Euslis  and  Wil- 
liam Hoydeff,  and  our  associates  each  of  the  above  mentioned  Phillip  Pinknine, 
James  Shute  and  William  Haiden  do,  by  these  resigne  up  our  perticulere  interest 
that  we  have  by  paten,  or  otherwise  granted  and  conermed  unto  our  associates, 
who  have  owned  and  subscribed  unto  the  observation  of  a  coviuante,  with  us 
this  provisall,  that  they  observe  all  conditions  of  our  grantes  ;  2ndly,  that  they 
with  us,  and  we  with  them,  perpetuate,  our  rate  of  interest  of  land,  and  main- 
taine  our  and  their  enjoyments ;  3rdly,  that  we,  with  the  major  part  of  the  in- 
habitants that  are  associated,  have  the  disposinge  of  laud,  but  not  they  without 
us — we  that  are  associate  accordingly  as  our  names  are  hearen  inserted  :  — 


Upon  the  9th  of  March,  1666,  Robert  Doughty  purchased  several  par- 
cels of  land  belonging  to  William  Haiden,  situated  within  the  limits  of 
Eastchester  Patent.  In  1667  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  united  with 
those  of  Long  Island  in  protesting  against  the  Duke's  laws.6  The  province 
of  New  York  was  re-taken  by  the  Dutch  on  the  30th  of  July,  1673. 
Upon  this  occasion  we  find  the  deputies  of  Oostdorp,  alias  Westchester, 
and  the  adjacent  hamlet  of  Eastchester,  offering  to  submit  themselves  to 
the  government  of  the  State  General  and  the  Prince  of  Orange ;  in  re- 
turn for  which  they  were  commanded  "  to  nominate,  by  their  inhabi- 
tants, a  double  number  as  magistrates  for  the  aforesaid  villages.""  Sub- 

a  Book  of  Pat  Alb.  1M 17,  March  Oth,  Deed  from  Governor  Nicolls  to  Philip  Pinkney,  James 
Evans  and  others,  for  a  tract  of  land  known  as  The  Ten  Farms,  or  Eastchester,  p.  12,  Land 
Papers,  vol.  i,  lfttH  to  1813. 

6  Thompson's  History  of  Long  Island. 

c  Eastchester  Rec 


RICHARD  NICOLLS. 


Recorded  by  order  of  ye  Governor, 
the  day  and  year  above  written. 

"Matthias  Nicolls,  Secretary. 


Phillip  Pinkine, 
William  Haiden, 
Johne  Hoitte, 
James  Euestis, 
Richard  Shute, 


David  Osburne, 
Samuel  Drake, 
John  Embery, 
John  Jackson, 
Moses  Jackson, 


Moses  Hoitte." 


208 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OK  WESTCHESTER. 


sequently  the  following  order  was  issued  by  the  Lords,  Commanders, 
and  Honorable  Council  of  War  of  the  New  Netherlands,  residing  in  Fort 
William  Hendricke. 

"Whereas,  by  a  former  order  it  was  thought  fit  that  the  two  towns  of  West  ' 
and  Eastchester  should  be  brought  under  one  court  of  judicature,  consisting  of 
three  schepens,  or  magistrates — that  is  to  say,  out  of  the  town  of  Westchester 
two,  and  one  out  of  the  town  of  Eastchester ;  and  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
respective  towns  should  make  choice  each  of  a  double  number — the  which,  by 
them,  hath  been  accordingly  executed,  and  returned,  and  made  unto  us, — we 
have  made  choice  of  magistrates  of  the  said  towns,  to  continue  for  the  space  of 
one  whole  year  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof,  viz., 

For  ye  town  of  Westchester,  {J^*S£, 
do       do       Eastchester,  John  Hoitte, 
And  the  said  persons  are  hereby  required  with  all  possible  expedition  to  ap- 
pear before  us,  and  to  take  the  oath,  &c.  &c.    Dated  at  Fort  William  Hend- 
ricke, 27th  of  August,  1673. «  Cornelius  Euerstead, 

T.  Youngs, 
Jacob  Banckers. 

In  1676  Nathaniel  Tompkins,  of  this  town,  was  directed  by  Governor 
Andross  "to  seize  all  stray  horses  within  the  jurisdiction  of  West  and 
Eastchester  that  are  without  marks,  and  bring  them  to  the  constable  or 
justice  of  the  peace."6 

At  this  period  the  standard  prices  of  grain  and  other  marketable  pro- 


duce were  as  follows: — 

Merchantable  winter  wheat,      ...  5s.  Od. 

Summer  wheat,   4s.  6rf. 

Merchantable  barley,        ....  4s.  Od. 

Rye  -.      .      .      .  3*.  6d. 

Peas,  .   3s.  Od. 

Indian  corn,   2s.  Qd. 


Certain  difficulties  having  arisen  with  regard  to  the  boundaries  of 
Eastchester  Patent,  Mr.  Philip  Pinckney  was  appointed  on  the  30th  of 
October,  1677,  "to  go  to  our  governor  to  meet  Mr.  Justice  Pell,  Esq., 
where  it  is  intended  that  our  governor  is  to  decide  any  difference  that 
may  arise  betwixt  us  concerning  the  bounds  of  our  Patent."6 

In  the  year  1681,  Capt.  Philip  Pinckney,  Samuel  Drake,  senior,  and 
Moses  Hoit,  were  chosen  to  treat  with  the  Indians  about  their  lands. 
"  And  so  if  they  can  agree,  in  behalf  of  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants,  with 

a  Alb.  Rcc,  vol.  xxiii.,  273,  16th  p.  VO'  1073,  J£  John  noit,  "  Is  not  to  suffer  any  person  or 
persons  whatsoever  to  puss  through  Bostcneater  to  or  from  New  England :  except  they 
can  produce  a  royal  pass  or  licence  from  authority  for  the  same.  ' Ac.  N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.  voU- 
xxiii.  p.  659. 

6  Eastchester  Rcc. 

c  Ibid. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


the  said  Indians,  concerning  the  purchase  and  pay  of  the  said  land,  &c, 
these  three  men  above  mentioned  to  be  together  in  the  design." 

"Also  it  is  further  agreed  that  the  said  Indian  purchase  shall  be  paid, 
answerable  unto  every  man's  proportion  of  land  in  the  east  division 
already  laid  out,  &c."° 

The  following  land  list  occurs  in  1682,  containing  the  names  and  rates 
of  the  resident  freeholders : — 


Samuel  Drake, 

30i 

Walter  Lancaster, 

22 

Nathaniel  Tompkyns, 

.  23* 

Richard  Shute,  . 

.  44 

Capt.  Will.  Haiden,  . 

•40 

Henry  Fowler, 

25 

William  Pinckncy,  . 

.  40 

John  Tompkyns, 

.  24 

Richard  Hoadlcy, 

24 

John  Wharford, 

24 

William  Gray,  . 

.  ts* 

Samuel  Godin, 

.  234 

John  Pinckncy,  . 

John  Vaille, 

6* 

John  Drake, 

.  24i 

Samuel  Godin, 

•  H 

Moses  Hoit,  . 

45 

Walter  Webelly, 

8 

John  Clarke, 

.  13 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester,  held  December  1st, 
1683,  it  was  resolved,  that  Nathaniel  Tompkyns,  John  Drake  and  Rich- 
ard Shute,  should  go  into  the  woods  with  the  Indians,  "and  mark  out 
certain  lands  within  the  patent  of  Eastchester,  and  go  and  know  what 
the  said  Indians  do  ask  for  the  said  lands,  and  bring  report  to  the  rest 
of  the  inhabitants." 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1686,  Captain  William  Haiden  and  Moses  Hoit, 
Sen.,  were  chosen  by  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester,  to  go  to  treat  with 
the  Westchester  townsmen  in  defence  of  our  land,  granted  to  us  by 
patent. 

On  the  1 6th  of  January,  1698,  occurs  the  following  entry  in  the  town 
records: — "There  being  several  inhabitants  of  Westchester  come  to  in- 
vade us  (the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester)  in  the  property,  of  our  lands,  by 
way  of  molestation,  the  town  did  inform  the  above  said  persons,  that 
they  should  not  proceed  to  lay  out  any  land,  or  mark  any  trees,  or  to  set 
any  marks,  as  by  sufficient  testimony  will  appear." 

In  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  at  Albany,  there  is  a  map  of  the  dis- 
puted territory,  entitled  "A  draft  of  the  lands  in  controversy  between  the 
inhabitants  of  Westchester  and  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester,  joyn'd 
with  William  Peartree,  &c,  surveyed  and  laid  downe  per  Augustine 
Graham,  surveyor,  &c."6 
a  Ibid. 

6  "  In  lTOS,  John  Auhovnean  *  Co.,  petitioner!  Lord  Cornbnrr  for  license  to  purchase  a  parcel 
Of  unappropriated  vacant  land  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  (discovered  by  them)  which 
they  should  l>  •  desirous  to  settle  and  improve,  from  the  native  Indian  proprietors  thereof,  to 
be  thereby  Instituted  to  his  majestie's  favorable  patent  for  the  same.  Endorsed  Aboynean's 
petition  In  behalf  of  himself  &  Co.  Head  in  Council,  April  P>,  1705.  Papers  about  lands' in  con- 
troversy between  East  and  West  Chester,  determined  April,  1705. 


2IO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  vacant  lands  were  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Rattlesnake  Brook 
in  the  north-west  corner  of  the  present  town,  and  amounted  to  3,308 
acres.  From  their  peculiar  shape  they  obtained  the  name  of  the  "Long 
Reach." 

In  1696,  "at  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders,  and  commonality  of  the 
borough  town  of  West  Chester,  they  did  give  and  grant  unto  Col.  Caleb 
Heathcote,  the  liberty  of  the  stream  of  Hutchinson's  river,  or  creek,  ly- 
ing by  the  "Ten  Farms,"  within  the  limits  and  bounds  of  the  patent  of 
the  borough  town  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  known  by  the  name  of  East- 
chester,  for  to  erect  a  mill  or  mills  thereon.0 

Upon  the  23d  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1700,  we  find  the  Indians 
confirming  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  in  their  possession. 

INDIAN  DEED. 

Be  it  known  unto  all  to  whom  these  presents  may  come,  or  concern;  whereas 
the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  did  formerly  purchase  a  certain  tract  of  land  of 
the  natives,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  sixty  and  six, 
and  part  of  the  same  being  not  as  yet  satisfied,  the  said  tract  of  land  being  but- 
ted and  bounded  as  is  hereafter  expressed,  viz. :  east  and  south-cast,  by  a  certain 
river  commonly  called  Hutchinson's  river,  which  runs  in  at  the  head  of  the 
meadows,  on  the  west  bounds  of  Mr.  Pell's  patent,  and  southerly  to  Hutchin- 
son's brook,  and  from  the  head  thereof,  north-west  to  Bruuckses  his  river,  and 
so  all  the  land  betwixt  Hutchinson's  and  Brunckses  his  river,  and  so  from  the 
head  of  Hutchinson's  river,  northwest  west  to  Brunckses  river,  and  so  all  the 
land  betwixt  Hutchinson's  and  Brunckses  rivers,  according  as  aforemen- 
tioned, now  know  ye,  that  we,  Woariatapus  Annhook  and  Porrige,  do 
owne,  that  we  have  received  full  satisfaction  of  Richard  Shute,  John  Drake,  and 
Henry  Fowler,  in  the  behalf  of  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  afore- 
said, for  the  said  tract  of  land,  and  we  the  abovesaid  Woariatapus,  Annhook 
and  Porrige,  do  by  these  presents  confirm  unto  the  said  Richard  Shute,  John 
Drake  and  Henry  Fowler,  in  the  behalf  of  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  East- 
chester aforesaid,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  and  we  the  above  said  Woar- 
iatapus, Annhook  and  Porrige,  will  warrant  and  defend  the  same  from  all  in- 
cumbrances whatsoever,  of  any  person  or  persons  laying  claime,  right,  title  cr 
demand,  unto  any  part  or  parcel  of  the  abovesaid  tract  of  land,  above  mentioned, 
in  witness  whereof,  v  e  the  said  Woariatapus,  Annhook  and  Porrige  have  here- 
unto put  to  our  hands  and  seals,  this  third  day  of  Dec,  in  the  12th  year  of  his 
majestie  s  reign,  A.  D.  1700. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  The  mark  of  X 

presence  of  us,*  Robert  Bloomer,  Woariatabus. 
■George  Copping,  David  Whitlock.  The  mark  of  AH  Ann  Hooke, 

Gramatau  Sachem,  Porrige 


a  Wostcliester  Kec. 

I 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


2i  r 


The  same  year  it  was  resolved  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  "that 
Edmund  Ward  shall  have  and  hold  sixty  acres  of  land,  in  consideration 
that  the  said  Edmund  Ward  do  pay  the  Indians  purely,  and  clear  the 
said  town  of,  and  from  the  said  pay,  when  need  be,  &c. 

The  Indian  purchase  to  be  paid  for  as  follows, viz. : — 14  guns,  12  coats, 
12  Indian  kettles,  12  Indian  axes,  4  adzes  and  4  barrels  of  cider;  this 
agreement  entered  into  by  me,  Richard  Shute,  Recorder  in  Eastchester. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1705,  Patthunck,  Sagamore,  Hopesco  alias  Por- 
rige,  Anne  Hook,  and  Elias,  Indian  proprietors,  sold  to  George  Booth, 
joiner,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  his  associates, 

"All  that  our  right  of  laud  which  is  not  yet  lawfully  purchased,  lying  and  be- 
ing from  the  land  which  is  now  in  dispute  betwixt  Westchester  ana-  Eastchester, 
and  so  running  along  by  Broncks's  river,  to  Hutchinson's  river,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Eastchester  lync,  to  have  and  to  hold,  &c." 

Upon  the  22d  of  Sept.,  1708,  the  following  letters  patent  were  issued 
under  the  great  seal  of  the  Province,  to  Col.  William  Peartree  and  his 
associates  a 

LONG  REACH  OR  NEW  PATENT. 

"Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  &c. ,  the 
Queen,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c. ;  whereas,  it  appears  that  our  beloved  cousin, 
Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  had  granted  to  Col.  William  Peartree,  Col.  Jacobus 
Van  Cortlandt,  Joseph  Van  Home,  Capt.  John  Drake,  Thomas  Pinckncy, 
Joseph  Drake,  Edmund  Ward,  Henry  Fowler  and  Roger  Barton,  a  grant  for  a 
tract  of  land  in  Westchester  county,  beginning  at  Hutchinson's  brook,  at  the  end 
of  the  half  mile  mentioned  in  Eastchester  patent,  and  so  up  the  said  Hutchin- 
son's brook,  as  the  brook  ruus  to  the  head  thereof,  and  from  thence,  north-west 
to  Brunckses  river,  and  so  up  the  said  Brunckses  river,  as  the  river  runs,  till  it 
comes  to  bear  with  the  head  of  Hutchinson's  river,  due  south-east  to  a  chestnut 
tree,  marked,  and  so  down  the  said  Hutchinson's  river,  as  the  river  runs,  till  it 
comes  to  the  north-east  and  south-west  line  of  Eastchester  patent,  and  so  down 
south-west,  along  the  said  line,  to  the  head  of  Rattlesnake  brook,  and  from 
thence,  down  the  said  brook,  as  the  brook  runs,  to  the  aforementioned  half  mile 
of  Eastchester  patent,  and  from  thence  westerly  to  the  above  said  Hutchinson's 
brook,  where  it  began:  know  tk,  that  we  have  ratified  the  said  grant  to  the 
above  mentioned  persons,  reserving  what  has  been  granted  to  Westchester,  23d  of 
Sept.,  in  the  seventh  year  of  her  majesty's  reign,  1708  b 

In  1724,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  appear  to  have  held  a  quit-rent 
on  the  patent  of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  others,  &x.c 

a  This  Individual  was  the  Mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York  In  1703,  and  for  many  years  senior 
warden  of  Trinity  church,  In  that  city. 

b  Alb.  Book  of  Pat.  No.  p.  380. 

e  Town  Hoc  No.  2. 


2  I  2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTEP. 


The  following  items  relate  to  the  election  of  town  officers  from  1672 
to  1783. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  1672,  Samuel  Drake  was  voted  in  consta- 
ble for  the  year  ensuing. 

April  24th,  1673,  the  inhabitants  nominated  William  Haiden,  for  the 
first  man  to  be  presented  to  our  commander  for  our  magistrate. 

Mr.  John  Hart  was  elected  magistrate,  A.  D.  1673. 

This  24th  day  of  August,  1673,  the  inhabitants  have  nominated  Wil- 
liam Haiden,  for  the  first  man  to  present  to  our  commander,  for  a  mag- 
istrate, and  John  Hoitte  for  the  ground  man.  Upon  nomination  also 
this  same  day  we  have  forthwith  agreed  that  our  desire  is,  that  Mr.  John 
Pell  may  be  proposed  to  our  commander  for  the  year  as  a  skoutte. 

The  same  year  Richard  Shute,  was  chosen  town  recorder. 

In  1686,  John  Pinckney  appears  as  supervisor;  Richard  Shute,  clerk 
of  the  town  court;  Joseph  Drake,  constable;  William  Haiden,  Samuel 
Drake  and  Philip  Pinckney,  town  commissioners;  Haiden  and  John 
Pinckney,  representatives. 

In  1691,  John  Pinckney,  supervisor. 

The  following  election  took  place  in  1776-7: 

Stephen  Ward,  supervisor;  Samuel  Sneden,  town  clerk ;a  Charles 
Guion,  collector;  Solomon  Drake  and  Moses  Drake,  assessors;  Thomas 
Farrington,  Joshua  Ferris,  Joseph  Gedney,  overseers  of  roads;  Thomas 
Pinckney  and  William  Fowler,  overseers  offences;  Edmund  Ward  and 
John  Sneden,  viewers  of  fences;  Stephen  Ward  and  William  Fowler, 
pounders. 

The  first  independent  election  for  town  officers  took  place  on  the 
2 2d  of  December,  1/83,  under  the  superintendence  of  Stephen  Ward 
and  Ebenezer  S.  Burling,  Esq.,  &c,  (in  accordance  with  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  passed  October  23,  1779,)  when  the  following  persons  were 
elected : 

Ebenezer  Burling,  Esq.,  supervisor ;  Charles  Ward,  town  clerk ;  Wil- 
liam Crawford,  jun.,  constable  and  collector;  Thomas  Pinckney,  Jacob 
Hunt,  Daniel  Learing  and  John  Wright,  assessors ;  Charles  Guion, 
Elisha  Shute  and  James  Morgan,  overseers  of  roads ;  William  Crawford 
and  James  Morgan,  pounders  ;  William  Crawford  and  Charles  Guion,  to 
take  care  of  public  edifices.6 

The  public  lands  of  Eastchester  are  now  managed  by  a  board  of  trus- 
tees, according  to  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  May  11,  1846.' 

a  Samuel  Sneden  was  town  clerk  and  supervisor  for  many  years  prior  to  the  Revolution 
and  was  succeeded  by  Benjamin  Mosyar  subsequent  to  that  period. 

b  Town  Records.— The  town  books  consist  of  three  volumes ;  the  first  commenciug  on  the 
13th  of  February,  1672 ;  2d  vol.  in  1693  ;  3d.  vol.  at  a  much  later  period. 

e  Laws  of  N.  Y.  69  session,  chap.  1S5-20S. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


Mount  Vernon  the  principal  village  in  this  town,  has  a  station  on  the 
New  York  and  New  Haven  Rail  Road,  and  was  incoporated,  Dec.  13, 
1853.  It  contains  four  churches,  several  private  schools,  and  1,161  in- 
habitants. West  Mount  Vernon  has  a  station  on  the  New  York  and 
Harlem  Rail  Road,  two  churches,  and  contains  630  inhabitants.  East 
Mount  Vernon  contains  275  inhabitants;  Waverly  and  Washingtonville, 
are  suburban  villages  inhabited  principally  by  mechanics  and  men  doing 
business  in  New  York. 

The  village  of  Eastchester  is  situated  in  the  south-east  angle  of  the 
town,  at  the  head  of  the  Eastchester  Bay,  fifteen  miles  from  the  city  of 
New  York ;  it  contains  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  fifty 
dwelling  houses,  one  Episcopal  and  one  Methodist  church,  post  office, 
three  taverns,  four  stores,  and  one  grist  mill.  There  is  also  a  convenient 
landing,"  from  whence  sail  several  sloops  trading  with  the  New  York 
market. 

The  first  settlement  in  this  town  appears  to  have  been  commenced 
near  the  Indian  path,  (subsequently  known  as  the  Westchester  path  or 
Kingsbridge  road,)  leading  to  the  wading  place,  cir.  1664,  at  a  spot  call- 
ed Hutchinson's.  "  That  is  where  the  house  stood  at  the  meadows  and 
uplands  to  Hutchinson's  river"6 

In  1666  it  was  by  royal  charter  enacted,  "That  the  plantation  shall 
continue  and  retain  ye  name  of  Eastchester,  by  which  name  and  style 
it  shall  be  forever  hereafter  distinguished  and  known,  &c  " 

The  early  planters  in  order  to  concentrate  their  dwellings  as  much  as 
possible,  (so  as  to  protect  themselves  and  families,)  laid  out  the  original 
farms  in  narrow  strips  called  home  lots,  which  radiated  from  the  village 
fort  in  all  directions. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  held  Oct.  16,  1675,  is  was  resolved, 
"  That  we  will  forthwith  fit  William  Haiden's  house  by  his  land,  soe  as 
that  it  may,  by  God's  helpe  and  blessing,  answer  our  honorable  govern- 
or's order  and  our  own  preservation.  At  the  same  time  John  Jackson, 
Richard  Hoadley  and  Samuel  Drake,  jun.,  were  chosen  to  stake  out  the 
place  as  aforementioned  for  the  said  fortification  ;  also  John  Jackson 
and  Richard  Shute  were  chosen  to  the  constable  to  be  overseers  for  the 
carrying  on  the  said  works ;  and  it  was  further  agreed,  that  for  a  man's 
day's  work,  (provided  he  do  an  honest  day's  work,)  he  shall  be  allowed 
two  shillings  and  sixpence  a  day,  for  a  man ;  and  for  their  cattle,  cart,  or 
tackling  to  do  the  work,  or  four  oxen,  shall  be  allowed  six  shillings  a  day ; 
for  two  oxen,  five  shillings  per  day;  and  so  begin  the  said  work  on  Thurs- 


o  At  an  early  period  called  SilUck's  landing,  A.  D.  1G7C 
b  Extracts  from  Pell's  grant. 


214 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


day  next,  it  being  the  17th  of  this  instant,  A.  D.  i675."a  The  above^ 
structure  (commonly  called  the  General  Fort)  was  erected  by  the  village 
farmers,  on  the  hill  north-west  of  Mr.  Philemon  Fowler's  residence.6- 
The  ruins  of  this  Fort  were  distinctly  visible  thirty  years  ago. 

Upon  the  1st  day  of  Dec.  1675,  Samuel  Drake,  sen.,  was  appointed 
by  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  "  to  appear  at  the  honorable  Court  of 
Sessions  against  Mr.  Pell,  concerning  Eastchester  work  as  not  being  a 
fort."c 

By  the  Governor's  orders  it  appears  to  have  been  dismantled  the  fol- 
lowing year;  for  on  the  4th  of  Sept.,  1676,  we  find  the  inhabitants  agree- 
ing "  to  employ  a  man  to  tear  or  to  take  down  the  stockadoes  accord- 
ing to  our  Governor's  order ;  also  on  the  same  occasion,  Richard  Shute 
was  chosen  to  go  to  Westchester  to  hire  or  make  an  agreement  with 
John  Hudson  to  carry  the  stockadoes  of  Eastchester  down  to 
Yorke."'* 

Near  the  fort,  was  located  the  general  fold,  into  which  all  cattle  were 
driven  nightly  for  protection.  The  fold  appears  to  have  been  construct- 
ed sometime  prior  to  1684. 

The  first  school-house  was  erected  in  1683,  for  at  a  public  meeting  of 
the  inhabitants,  held  on  the  15th  of  October  of  that  year,  it  was  ordered, 
"  that  a  school-house  be  erected  upon  a  site  between  the  property  of 
Richard  Shute  and  William  Haiden,  and  encouragement  given  to  Mr. 
Morgan  Jones  to  become  the  school-master."e 

This  building  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  village  school-house. 
Thus  the  ground  has  been  used  for  this  purpose  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  years. 

In  1685  it  was  agreed  to  build  a  town  house,  fourteen  feet  long  and 
twelve  feet  broad,  and  to  set  it  up  by  the  highway  side  between  the 
houses  of  Captain  William  Haiden  and  Richard  Shute. 

Beside  the  home  lots,  the  proprietors  held  equal  shares  in  the  planting 
lands,  (situated  on  the  west  side  of  Rattlesnake  brook,)  the  commons, 
or  Conoval  meadows,  and  the  sheep  pasture. 

At  a  town  meeting,  held  21st  February,  1705,  the  inhabitants  did 
agree  by  vote,  "  that  all  the  land  below  Annhooks  brook,  and  also  a 
strait  line  from  the  old  meadow  to  the  head  of  Rattlesnake  brook,  beside 


a  Town  Roc.  vol.  1. 

ft  This  gentleman  who  for  nearly  half  a  century  tilled  the  olTice  of  senior  warden  of  St.  rani's 
church,  Eastchester,  was  a  descendant  of  Henry  fowler,  one  of  the  original  patentees  of  this 
town.  His  father  was  William  Fowler,  the  sun'of  Joseph,  whose  family  once  held  the  Seton 
farm.  The  brother  of  Joseph  was  Col.  Jonathan  Fowler,  the  father  of  Abraham,  whose  son. 
the  Rev.  John  Fowler,  now  owns  the  old  Fowler  mansion  and  estate. 

c  Town  Rec. 

d  Town  Rec 

e  Town  Rec. 


* 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


215 


all  the  land  between  Hutchinsons  brook,  and  Rattlesnake  brook,  to  the 
extent  of  the  half  mile  shall  be  for  a  perpetual  sheep  pasture."0 

Upon  the  30th  of  May,  1707,  John  Drake  and  Edmund  Ward  were 
chosen  sheep-masters  by  the  freeholders  of  Eastchester. 

The  town  and  village  of  Eastchester  were  distinguished,  in  our  early 
colonial  annals,  for  the  active  part  they  took  in  favor  of  Governor  Leis- 
ler;  for  we  find  "  Leisler's  party  strengthened  on  the  3d  of  June,  1689, 
by  the  addition  of  six  captains  and  four  hundred  men  in  New  York,  and 
a  company  of  seventy  men  from  Eastchester,  who  had  all  subscribed  on 
that  day  a  solemn  declaration  to  preserve  the  Protestant  religion  and  the 
fort  of  New  York  for  the  Prince  of  Orange  and  the  Governor  whom  the 
Prince  might  appoint  as  their  protector."6 

The  pleasant  village  green  in  front  of  St.  Paul's  church  was  formerly 
used  as  a  general  training  ground  for  this  section  of  the  county ;  and  here, 
too,  the  county  elections  were  not  unfrequently  held.  The  following 
article  is  taken  from  the  New  York  Weekly  Journal  of  Monday,  Dec. 
24,  1733,  "  containing  the  freshest  advices,  foreign  and  domestic :" — 

"  Westchester,  Oct.  29<7t,  1733. 

"On  this  day  Lewis  Morris,  Esq.,  late  chief  justice  of  this  province,  was,  by 
a  majority  of  voices,  elected  a  representative  from  the  county  of  Westchester. 
*  *  Election  of  great  expectation  ;  the  court  and  country's  interest  was  exert- 
ed (as  is  said)  to  the  utmost.  I  shall  give  my  readers  a  particular  account  of  it, 
as  I  had  it  from  a  person  that  was  present  at  it.  Nicholas  Cooper,  Esq,,  high 
sheriff  of  the  said  county,  having,  by  papers  affixed  to  the  church  of  Eastchester 
and  other  public  places,  given  notice  of  the  day  and  place  of  election,  without 
mentioning  any  time  of  the  day  when  it  was  to  be  done,  which  made  the  electors 
on  the  side  of  the  late  judge  very  suspicious  that  some  fraud  was  intended — to 
prevent  which,  about  fifty  of  tbem  kept  watch  upon  and  about  the  green  East- 
chester (the  place  of  ele«tion)  from  12  o'clock  the  night  before  till  the  morning  of 
that  clay.  The  other  electors,  beginning  to  move  on  Sunday  afternoon  and  even- 
ing, so  as  to  be  at  New  Roehelle  by  midnight,  their  way  lay  through  Harrison's 
Purchase,  the  inhabitants  of  which  provided  for  their  entertainment  as"they  passed 
each  house  in  their  way,  having  a  table  plentifully  covered  for  that  purpose. 
About  midnight  they  all  met  at  the  house  of  William  Le  Count,  at  New  Roehelle, 
whose  house,  not  being  large  enough  to  entertain  so  great  a  number,  a  large  fire 
was  made  in  the  street,  by  which  they  sat  till  daylight,  at  which  time  they  began 
to  move.  They  were  joined  on  the  hi  V  at  the  east  end  of  the  town  by  about  seventy 
horse  of  the  electors  of  the  lower  part  of  the  county,  and  then  proceeded  towards 
the  place  of  election  in  the  following  order,  viz. ;  First  rode  two  trumpeters  and 
three  violins ;  next  four  of  the  principal  freeholders,  one  of  which  carried  a  ban- 
ner, on  one  side  of  which  was  affixed,  in  gold  capitals,  'King  George,'  and  on 
the  other,  in  golden  capitals,  'Liberty  and  Law;'  next  followed  the  candidate, 

a  Town  Roc.  vol.  1L 

6  Smiths  History  of  New  York,  English  edition,  p.  59. 


2l6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 


Lewis  Morris,  Esq.,  late  chief  justice  of  this  province,  then  two  colors,  and  at 
sun  rising  they  entered  upon  the  green  of  Eastchester,  the  place  of  election,  fol- 
lowed hy  above  three  hundred  horse  of  the  principal  freeholders  of  the  county 
(a  greater  number  than  had  ever  appeared  for  one  man  since  the  settlement  of 
that  county.)  After  having  rode  three  times  round  the  green,  they  went  to  the 
houses  of  Joseph  Fowler  and  Child,  who  were  well  prepared  for  their  recep- 
tion ;  the  late  chief  justice  was  met,  on  his  alighting,  by  several  gentle  nen  who 
came  there  to  give  their  votes  for  him.  About  11  o'clock  appeared  the  candidate 
of  the  other  side,  William  Forster,  Esq.,  schoolmaster,  appointed  b}-  the  Society 
for  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and  lately  made,  by  commission  from  his 
Excellency, "(the  present  governor,)  Clerk  of  the  Peace  and  Common  Pleas  in 
that  county,  which  commission,  it  is  said,  he  purchased  for  the  valuable 
consideration  of  one  hundred  pistoles,  given  the  governor :  next  him  came  two 
ensigns,  borne  by  two  of  the  freeholders ;  then  followed  the  Honorable  James 
De  Lancy,  Esq.,  chief  justice  of  the  province  of  New  York,  and  the  Honorable 
Frederick  Phillipse,  Esq.,  second  judge  of  the  said  province  and  baron  of  the 
exchequer,  attended  by  about  a  hundred  aud  seventy  horse  of  the  freeholders 
and  friends  of  the  said  Forster  and  the  two  judges  :  they  entered  the  green  on 
the  east  side,  and,  riding  twice  round  it,  their  word  was  '  No  Land  Tax.'  As 
they  passed,  the  second  judge  very  civilly  saluted  the  late  chief  justice  by  taking 
off  his  hat,  which  the  late  judge  returned  in  the  same  manner,  some  of  the  late 
judge's  party  crying  out  'No  Excise;"  and  one  of  them  was  heard  to  say 
(though  not  by  the  judge)  'No  pretender; '  upon  which,  Forster,  the  candidate, 
replied,  '  I  will  take  notice  of  you : '  they,  after  that,  retired  to  the  house  of 

 Baker,  which  was  prepared  to  receive  and  entertain  them.    About  an  hour 

after,  the  high  sheriff  came  to  town  finely  mounted,  the  housings  and  holster 

caps  being  scarlet,  richly  laced  with  silver,  belonging  to   .     Upon  his 

approach,  the  electors  on  both  sides  went  into  the  green  where  they  were  to 
elect,  and  after  having  read  his  majesty's  writ,  bid  the  electors  proceed  to  the 
choice,  which  they  did,  and  a  great  majority  appeared  for  Mr.  Morris,  the  late 
judge ;  upon  which,  a  poll  was  demanded,  but  by  whom  is  not  known  to  the 
relator,  though  it  was  said  by  many  to  be  done  by  the  sheriff  himself.  Morris, 
the  candidate,  several  times  asked  the  sheriff  upon  whose  side  the  majority 
appeared,  but  could  get  no  other  reply  but  that  a  poll  must  be  had,  and 
accordingly,  after  about  two  hours  delay  in  getting  benches,  chairs  and  tables, 
they  began  to  poll.  Soon  after,  one  of  those  called  Quakers,  a  man  of  known 
worth  and  estate,  came  to  give  his  vote  for  the  late  judge.  Upon  this,  Forster, 
and  the  two  Fowlers,  Moses  and  William,  chosen  by  him  to  be  inspectors, 
questioned  his  having  an  estate,  and  required  of  the  sheriff  to  tender  him  the 
book  to  swear,  in  due  form  of  law,  which  he  refused  to  do ;  but  offered  to  take 
his  solemn  affirmation,  which  both  by  the  laws  of  England  and  the  laws  of  this 
province  was  indulged,  to  the  people  called  Quakers,  and  had  always  been 
practised,  from  the  first  election  of  representatives,  in  this  province,  to  this  time, 
and  never  refused  ;  but  the  sheriff  was  deaf  to  all  that  could  be  alleged  on  that 
side  ;  and  notwithstanding  that  he  was  told  by  the  late  chief  justice,  and  James 
Alexander,  Esq.,  one  of  his  Majesty's  council,  and  counsellor  at  law,  and  by 
William  Smith,  Esq.,  counsellor  at  law,  that  such  a  procedure  was  contrary  to 
law,  and  a  violent  attempt  of  the  liberties  of  the  people,  he  still  persisted  in  re- 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


fusing  the  said  Quaker  to  vote,  and  in  like  manner  did  refuse  seven  and  thirty 
Quakers  more — men  of  known  and  visible  estates.  This  Cooper,  now  high  sherilf 
of  the  said  county,  is  said  not  only  to  be  a  stranger  in  that  county,  but  not  hav- 
ing a  foot  of  land,  or  other  visible  estate  in  it,  unless  very  lately  granted,  and  it 
is  believed  he  has  not  where  withall  to  purchase  any.  The  polling  had  not 
been  long  continued  before  Mr.  Edward  Stephens,  a  man  of  a  very  considerable 
estate  in  the  said  county,  did  openly,  in  the  hearing  of  all  the  freeholders  there 
assembled,  charge  William  Forster,  Esq.,  the  candidate  on  the  other  side,  with 
being  a  Jacobite,  and  in  the  interest  of  the  Pretender,  and  that  he  should  say  to 
Mr.  William  Willctt  (a  person  of  good  estate  and  known  integrity,  who  was  at 
that  time  present  and  ready  to  make  oath  to  the  truth  of  what  was  said)  that  true 
it  was  he  had  taken  the  oaths  to  his  Majesty,  King  George,  and  enjoyed  a  place 
in  the  government  under  him,  which  gave  him  bread;  yet  notwithstanding  that, 

should  James  come  into  England,  he  should  think  himself  obliged  to  go  there 

and  fight  for  him.  This  was  loudly  and  strongly  urged  to  Forster's  face,  who  denied 
it  to  be  true ;  and  no  more  was  said  of  it  at  that  time.  About  eleven  o'clock 
that  night  the  poll  was  closed,  and  it  stood  thus  :— 

For  the  late  Chief  Justice,       -      -      -  231 
"  Quakers,    ....  38 

269 

For  William  Forster,  Esq.,      ...  151 
*      For  difference,  ....  us 

269 

So  that  the  late  chief  justice  carried  it  by  a  great  majority,  without  the  Qua- 
kers. Upon  closing  the  poll  the  other  candidate,  Forster,  and  the  sheriff  wished 
the  late  chief  justice  much  joy.  Forster  said  he  hoped  the  late  judge  would  not 
think  the  worse  of  him  for  setting  up  against  him,  to  which  the  judge  repliedt 
he  believed  he  was  put  upon  it  against  his  inclinations,  but  that  he  was  highly 
blauieable,  and  who  did  or  should  know  better  for  putting  the  sheriff,  who  was 
a  stranger,  and  ignorant  in  such  matters,  upon  making  so  violent  an  attempt  up- 
on the  liberty  of  the  people,  which  would  expose  him  to  ruin  if  he  were  worth 
£ 10,000,  if  the  people  aggrieved  should  commence  suit  against  him.  The  people 
made  a  loud  huzza,  which  the  late  chief  judge  blamed  very  much,  as  what  he 
thought  not  right.  Forster  replied,  he  took  no  notice  of  what  the  common  peo- 
ple did,  since  Mr.  Morris  did  not  put  them  upon  the  doing  of  it. 

The  indentures  being  sealed,  the  whole  body  of  electors  waited  on  their  new 
representative  to  his  lodgings  with  trumpets  sounding,  and  violins  playing,  and 
in  a  little  time  took  their  leave  of  him.  Thus  ended  the  Westchester  election  to 
the  general  satisfaction. 

New  York,  November  5th.  On  Wednesday,  31st  October,  the  late  chief  jus- 
tice, but  now  representative,  for  the  county  of  Westchester,  landed  in  this  city 
about  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  at  the  ferry  stairs.  On  his  landing  he  was  sa- 
luted by  a  general  fire  of  the  guns  from  the  merchant  vessels  lying  in  the  road, 
and  was  received  by  great  numbers  of  the  most  considerable  merchants  and  in- 


2l8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  \VESTCHESTF.R. 


habitants  of  this  city,  and  by  them,  with  loud  acclamations  of  the  people  as  he 
walked  the  streets,  conducted  to  the  Black  Horse  tavern,  where  a  handsome  en- 
tertainment was  prepared  for  him  at  the  charge  of  the  gentlemen  who  received 
him,  and  in  the  middle  of  one  side  of  the  room  was  fixed  a  tablet  with  golden 
capitals,  "King  George,  Liberty,  and  Law."« 

The  road  which  passes  through  the  village  green  on  the  north  side  of 
the  church,  was  formerly  called  the  Kingsbridge  turnpike.  This  road 
appears  to  have  been  first  opened  in  167 1,  as  we  find  in  that  year,  "Mr. 
John  Pell  and  Mr.  John  Richbell  appointed  to  lay  out  the  new  road  to 
New  England,  through  Eastchester."6  The  Kingsbridge  road  was  the 
first  stage  route  established  between  New  York  and  Boston  in  1732. 
"The  coach,  which  would  at  the  present  time  be  thought  an  extremely 
slow  one,  was  fourteen  days  in  the  journey,  carrying  news  to  and  fro 
once  a  month."" 

Beneath  the  shade  of  the  venerable  locusts  (which  still  adorn  the 
green,)  stood  the  village  stocks,  erected  in  1720.^  Embedded  in  the 
bark  of  one  of  the  trees,  may  be  seen  the  iron  staple  to  which  cul- 
prits were  formerly  attached  and  publicly  whipped.  Upon  the  green, 
between  the  locust  trees  and  the  present  church  yard,  stood  the  old  parish 
church,  built  by  the  Independents  about  1699. 

The  first  settlers  of  Eastchester,  like  the  people  in  general  ofc  that  day, 
paid  early  attention  to  religion,  to  the  support  of  the  gospel,  andihe  in- 
stitutions of  the  Church  to  which  they  belonged.  The  congregational 
church  in  this  place  was  gathered  in  1665;  for,  in  that  year  it  was 
ordered:  "That  all  and  every  one  of  us,  or  that  shall  be  of  us,  do  pay 
unto  the  minister  according  to  his  mead,"  also,  "that  we  give  new 
encouragement  to  Mr.  Brewster  each  other  week,  to  give  us  a  word  of 
exhortation."e  A.  D.  1670,  it  was  further  enacted:  "That  whereas  we 
being  a  society  of  christians  living  together,  have  agreed  that  all  of  those 
of  our  association  shatt  join  together  in  meeting  on  Lord's  days  to  tell 
about  the  worship  of  God;  it  was  also  resolved  that  whereas  Moses 
Hoit  being  deserter,  and  being  behind,  and  not  seeming  to  be  willing  to 
contribute  unto  our  minister,  whereupon  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester 
have  agreed  that  the  said  Moses  shall  be  presented  unto  the  next  Court 
of  Sessions,"  &c. 

Upon  the  29th  of  July,  1674,  Richard  Shute  was  chosen  for  to  go  to 
our  honored  governor  as  a  representative  for  the  village  of  Eastchester* 

o  New  York  Weekly  Journal,  1733,  No.  VllL 

b  Assize  Rec.  Alb. 

c  Brldgman's  Hort,  Rep.  1S46. 

d  The  stocks  consisted  of  a  rude  wooden  instrument,  firmly  secured  in  the  ground,  into 
which  the  offenders'  hands  and  feet  were  locked.  It  wasonce  a  common  mode  ol  punishment, 
but  since  the  Revolution  has  fallen  into  disuse. — Editor. 

e  See  Covenant. 


THE  TOW.V  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


219 


upon  the  occasion  that  we  may  have  the  Rev.  Ezekiel  Fogge  to  be  es- 
tablished and  confirmed  by  our  honorable  governor,  and  also  the  humble 
request  to  have  the  liberty  or  grant  to  build  a  Chapel  of  Ease,  and  not 
to  be  paving  toward  Westchester  church's  building." 

The  following  day,  at  a  public  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  East- 
chester,  it  was  resolved  by  vote,  "to  go  jointly  unto  Westchester,  and  so 
speake  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fogge,  by  reason  we  heard  that  Mr.  Fogge 
did  express  himself  to  be  desirous,  and  also  willing  to  live  and  settle 
among  us  in  Eastchester ;  in  consideration  whereof,  we  are  willing  to 
manifest  our  acceptance  to  embrace  his  good  company,  and  shall  pro- 
vide for  his  present  comfort,  and  likewise  for  his  future  livelihood." 

Upon  the  5th  of  September,  1677,  it  was  agreed,  "that  if  it  be  the 
will  of  God  to  bring  a  minister  to  settle  among  us  we  pay  him  £40  a 
year,  for  his  subsistance,  and  also  provide  him  a  house  and  land  for  his 
use  during  the  time  he  stays  here  as  our  minister.  At  this  meeting  it 
was  resolved  to  send  Philip  Pinckney  and  Samuel  Drake,  Sen.,  as  repre- 
sentatives to  Westchester  to  the  town  meeting  to  treat  with  that  town 
for  the  providing  a  minister." 

The  31st  day  of  March,  1678,  was  appointed  by  the  inhabitants  of  East- 
chester, "to  be  kept  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  that  it  will  please  Al- 
mighty C/od  to  withdraw  His  judgments  from  us.  As  in  some  measure, 
according  to  our  honored  governor's  order  to  keep  the  said  day  in  the 
best  manner  we  can  attain  unto." 

Mr.  Pinckney  appears  to  have  been  selected  to  carry  on  the  said  day 
of  humiliation. 

It  was  further  agreed  on  the  same  occasion,  "that  we  will  meet  to- 
gether on  Sabbath  days,  for  time  to  come  to  celebrate  the  worship  and 
service  of  God.  in  the  best  manner  that  we  can  attain  unto." 

It  was  also  decided  by  vote,  "that  we  will  pay  towards  the  carrying 
on  the  said  Sabbath  day's  services,  by  a  free  will  offering  for  the  year  en- 
suing, the  following  sums: — 


William  Haiden, 
Richard  Shute, . 


John  Pinckney, 
Richard  I  loudly, 
John  Drake, 


Nathaniel  Tompkins, 


s.  d. 
14  0 
12  0 
10  0 
10  0 
10  0 
10  0 


John  Tompkins, 
Will.  Gregier. 
Henry  Fowler, 
Henry  C'rcway, 
Samuel  Druke, 


s.  d. 
OS  0 
05  0 
04  0 
02  0 
15  0 


Upon  the  17th  of  December,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  agreed 
to  Pa>'  jC+°  a  )'ear  unto  Mr-  Morgan  Jones,  minister  of  Newtown,  L.  I. 
"That  is  to  say,  to  be  paid  unto  the  said  minister,  for  his  encouragement 


220 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


to' administer  the  word  of  God  unto  us,  as  our  minister;  and  that  we 
the  said  inhabitants,  do  engage  to  pay  the  above  said  sum  of  £40  in 
good  provincial  pay,  at  the  price  according  to  the  same  of  this  govern- 
ment; provided,  that  the  said  Mr.  Jones  do  come  and  live  among  us, 
and  perform  the  office  of  a  minister,  and  to  pay  it  by  vote." 

Feb.  nth,  1680,  we  find  the  Rev.  Morgan  Jones,  officiating  in  the 
village  of  Westchester.0 

During  the  year  1684,  Eastchester  appears  to  have  been  united  with 
Westchester  in  the  support  of  a  pastor ;  for,  in  the  spring  of  the  same 
year,  it  was  resolved,  "that  the  justices  and  vestrymen  of  West  and 
Eastchester,  and  Yonkers,  do  accept  of  Mr.  Warham  Mather  as  our 
minister  for  one  whole  year."6 

At  a  public  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  held  Sept.  5th,  1685,  it  was 
resolved  to  contribute  the  following  salary  towards  the  maintenance 
of  a  minister: — 


£ 

s. 

d. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

Daniel  Drake,  Jr., 

1 

0 

0 

William  Gray, 

0 

10 

0 

Richard  Shute, 

1 

5 

0 

John  Clarkson, 

0 

5 

0 

Moses  Hoite, 

1 

0 

0 

Thomas  Korton, 

0 

6 

0 

Richard  Hoadley, 

0 

15 

0 

John  Shute, 

0 

5 

0 

John  Piuckney, 

1 

0 

0 

Thomas  Piucknej-, 

0 

5 

0 

John  Drake, 

0 

15 

0 

Walter  Lancaster, 

0 

10 

0 

John  Wcarford, 

0 

15 

0 

Thomas  Keurkiu, 

0 

7 

0 

Cornell  Goding, 

0 

12 

6 

do.  Jun'r, 

0 

5 

0 

Henry  Fowler, 

0 

13 

8 

John  Coe, 

0  10 

0 

John  Joan, 

0  10 

0 

Nathaniel  White. 

0 

10 

0 

This  present  testifieth,  that  we  whose  names  are  above  written,  do 
engage  to  pay  the  said  several  sums  by  us,  every  particular  man,  to  pay 
as  above  said,  unto  Mr.  Morgan  Jones,  for  the  carrying  on  the  work  of 
the  ministry  for  this  present  year  ensuing,  beginning  the  said  year,  from 
the  day  of  his  coming,  &c,  hither,  and  carrying  on  the  said  work,  and 
allow  the  said  payment  in  good  Indian  corn,  at  2s.  for  a  bushel,  winter 
wheat  at  5s.  by  a  bushel,  &c." 

Mr.  Riker  in  his  annals  of  Newtown,  says: — 

"The  Rev.  Morgan  Jones  had  again  changed  his  ministerial  relations. 
The  people  of  Eastchester  had  long  desired  to  have  him,  and,  perhaps, 
had  enjoyed  his  services  for  a  few  months  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1683. 
They  now  afford  a  liberal  inducement,  and  he  began  to  officiate  there 
August  3d,  1685.    The  original  agreement  with  him  at  Newtown,  never 

a  See  Westchester. 
b  Westchester  Kec 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


22  1 


having  been  fulfilled,  either  as  respected  his  salary  or  the  fitting  up  of 
his  residence;  he  applied  to  the  governor  and  council  for  redress.  A 
summons  to  the  town  authorities  to  appear  and  answer,  was  sufficient ; 
they  satisfied  Mr.  Jones,  and  on  April  27th,  1686,  he  gave  them  receipts 
in  full. 

Of  his  services  in  Newtown  little  is  known  beyond  what  has  been  re- 
lated. His  administration  of  baptism  and  the  marriage  vow  is  incident- 
ally mentioned.  He  was  a  ready  speaker,  and  of  a  conciliatory  disposi- 
tion ;  but  different  accounts  are  given  of  his  character  and  qualifications. 
Dr.  Calomy,  in  speaking  of  him  while  settled  in  Wales,  intimates  that 
he  wanted  capacity,  but  was  honest.  But  Dr.  Mather  in  his  Magnalia, 
sets  him  in  a  positively  bad  light ;  yet  I  attach  but  little  importance  to 
his  statements  about  Mr.  Jones,  because  they  are  not  only  improbable 
and  puerile,  but  are  given  at  second-hand,  and  not  on  the  personal  knowl- 
edge of  the  doctor — whose  credulity  was  equal  to  his  learning.  The 
history  of  Mr.  Jones,  so  far  as  known,  affords  nothing  positive  against 
him;  and  it  may  be  stated  in  his  favor,  that  he  enjoyed  the  acquaintance 
and  confidence  of  Dr.  Thomas  Lloyd,  of  Pensylvania,  and  his  brother 
Charles  Lloyd,  Esq.,  of  Dolobran,  Wales,  who  were  his  college  mates  at 
Oxford."0 

The  Rev.  Morgan  Jones  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Samuel  Goding  who 
received  instructions  to  read  in  the  Bible  and  other  good  sermon  books, 
and  so  to  carry  on  the  Sabbath  exercises  in  East  Chester.  On  the  30th  of 
November,  1692,  the  inhabitants  of  East  Chester  agreed  to  pay  the  fol- 
lowing sums  towards  the  support  of  Mr.  Samuel  Goding  : 

Henry  Fowler  offers  one  bushel  of  good  winter  wheat. 
John  Tompkins      3  0  John  Drake      4  0 

John  Clark  2  0  John  Pinckney  5  pecks  of  Indian  corn. 

Joseph  Drake        4  0  William  Gray    2  0 

Thomas  Pinckney  3  0  John  Shute       3  0 

Isaac  Taylor  2  0  Ben.  Taylor      2  0 

Thomas  Shute   4  6. 

Upon  the  9th  of  May,  1693,  it  was  resolved  that  a  meeting-house 
should  be  built  according  to  the  dimensions  agreed  upon.  "  On  the 
1 6th  inst  it  was  agreed  that  the  whole  charge  of  building  the  said  house 
shall  be  paid  according  unto  the  estates  of  every  particular  person's  list 
taken."  At  the  same  time  "  Captain  William  Haiden.  John  Drake, 
John  Pinckney,  Richard  Shute  and  Henry  Fowler,  Senior,  were  chosen 
overseers  to  superintend  the  building  of  the  meeting-house." 

By  an  act  of  Provincial  Assembly  passed  21st  September,  1693,  (con- 
finned  nth  of  May,  1697),  East  Chester  •  became  one  of  the  four  pre- 
cints6  of  West  Chester  Parish. 


a  Riker's  Annals  of  Newtown,  L.  I.,  p.  114. 

ft  Acts  of  Assembly  from  uwi  to  1721.  As  early  as  1609  we  find  the  following  order  In  tile 
Town  Rec,  "The  bounds  of  our  parish  to  be  preiunbulated  according  to  law,"  Book  L  p.  23. 


222       .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  on  the  15th  December,  1693,  "  Moses  Hoit, 
junior,  and  others  were  chosen  to  take  list  of  estimation  according  to  the 
town's  agreement  for  making  a  rate  for  the  payment  of  the  carpenter's 
work  for  building  the  meeting-house." 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1693-4,  "William  Haiden,  John  Drake  and 
Richard  Shute  were  chosen  to  receive  forty  pounds  as  according  to  the 
free  will  offering  and  to  act  and  do  and  lay  out  the  said  several  sums  for 
the  town.  Also  it  was  agreed  that  these  men  have  full  power  to  receive 
the  said  sums  and  lay  them  out  towards  building  the  said  meeting-house 
and  to  render  account  thereof  to  the  town." 

At  a  town  meeting  held  23d  January,  1694-5,  the  inhabitants  "agreed 
by  vote  to  lay  out  half  an  acre  of  land  to  be  set  out  for  a  parsonage-lot, 
to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  town,  to  be  reserved  for  that  use  forever, 
which  above  said  land  is  lying  in  and  being  upon  the  green  in  Eastches- 
ter." 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1696,  "it  was  determined  to  lighten  the  meeting- 
house by  a  lantern  to  every  seat  of  the  same."  The  following  is  a  plan 
of  the  meeting-house,  with  the  names  of  pew-holders,  as  represented  in 
the  town  records. 


Mr.  Justice  Pinckney, 
Pichard  White, 
Thomas  White, 
John  White,  * 
Mates  Fowler, 
The  south  side  belong 
to  this. 

Henry  Fowler,  Sen. 
John  Pinckney, 
Moses  Hoite,  Sen., 
Moses  Hoite,  J  mi. 
John  Haute, 
Robert  Stonith, 
John  Lancaster, 
East  to  this. 

Capt.  John  Drake, 
Ensign  Drake, 
John  Tompkins, 
Nathan  1  Tompkins, 
Mr.  Will.  Chaterton, 
a  place  of  John  Clark, 
South  side  of  this. 

Isaac  Taylor, 
Isaac  Lawrence, 
Edward  Hancock, 
Thomas  Vail, 
Jeremiiih  Fowler, 
Isaac  Odell, 
John  Coe, 
Joseph  Coe, 
West  to  this. 

1692 

The  old  church  of  Eastchester,  like  that  of  Westchester,  would  seem 
to  have  been  a  frame  building  twenty-eight  feet  square,  and  about  eight- 
een feet  to  the  eaves;  the  sides,  as  well  as  roof,  being  shingled,  which  lat- 
ter met  together  in  an  apex.  The  interior  was  wainscoted,  and  a  gal- 
lery was  constructed  in  it,  but  soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  Rev- 


THE  TOWN  OK  EAST  CHESTER. 


223 


olutionary  war,  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  foundation  stones  upon 
which  the  building  rested,  were  visible  in  part,  as  late  as  1793.°  There 
is  a  tradition  in  the  Pinckney  family  that  one  of  its  early  members  pre- 
sented the  land  to  the  church,  embracing  the  present  green,  church-yard 
and  adjoining  property,  for  which  they  enjoy  the  privilege  of  free  inter- 
ment. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  226.  July,  1697,  "It  was  agreed  by  vote  to 
meet  at  the  meeting-house  on  the  10th  day  of  August,  next  ensuing,  at 
sun  half  an  hour  high  in  the  morning,  in  order  to  the  cutting  brush  about 
the  common  in  Eastchester  woods,  and  to  appear  at  the  beat  of  the 
drum." 

On  the  2d  of  January,  1698,  the  inhabitants  agreed  by  vote,  "That 
the  address  which  is  drawn  up  to  be  presented  to  His  Excellency,  con- 
cerning indockin  (inducting)  a  minister,  the  said  inhabitants  have  and 
do  agree  that  the  officers  of  said  town  shall  asign  (sign)  the  said  address 
in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants,  or  any  of  our  ad- 
jacent neighbors." 

The  Governour,  however,  refused  to  induct  a  dissenting  minister,  on 
the  ground  that  such  a  one  was  not  qualified  to  accept,  and  that  the  law 
intended  no  other  than  an  orthodox  minister,  for  if  otherwise,  nothing 
but  confusion  would  ensue  about  the  disposal  even  amongst  the  Dissent- 
ers themselves. 

The  inhabitants  of  East  Chester  finding  the  Governour  bent  upon  the 
settlement  of  a  national  ministry,  next  attempted  to  annul  the  act  of 
1693,  by  making  themselves  a  distinct  parish  from  Westchester.  This 
appears  by  the  following  extract  from  the  town  records  : 

"April  nth,  1699,  it  was  agreed  upon,  by  a  full  and  free  vote,  to 
petition  unto  His  Excellency  and  Honorable  Council  and  General 
Assembly,  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  the  rest  of  our  neighbors  in  the 
Yonkers  and  Mile  Square,  to  desire  that  we  may  be  taken  from  West- 
chester and  have  liberty  to  call  a  minister  of  our  own." 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1699,  it  was  resolved  at  a  public  meeting 
held  in  East  Chester,  "  To  haste  and  erect  the  meeting-house,  and  that 
it  shall  be  finished  at  or  before  the  31st  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1700,  and  in  case  the  said  work  be  not  finished,  that  then  John  Drake 
and  Jeremiah  Fowler  shall  set  men  at  work  and  finish  the  said  work  on 
the  town  account."6 

a  Rev.  William  S.  Coffey'9  Commemorative  Discourse,  1S65,  at  Centennial  Anniversary  of 
St.  Paul's  church. 

b  Town  Records.  "  By  an  act  of  Assembly  passed  this  year,  the  trustees  of  each  town  were 
to  make  a  yearly  rate.for  nuildiiiir  a  church  where  wanting,  Ac."  2  Will.  III.  A.  D.  1699. 
Laws  of  N.  V-  vol.  1.  Chap.  S3,  p.  37. 


224 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  20th  of  February,  1700,  we  find  them 
setting  aside  a  small  quantity  of  land  as  a  provision  for  a  minister,  ac- 
cording to  their  constant  method,  and  which  was  used  in  all  other  town- 
ships within  the  Colony,  as  follows : 

"  The  said  inhabitants  have  laid  out  one  piece  of  land  containing  18  rods  in 
length,  and  easterly  5  iod,  and  at  the  western  end  it  is  5  rod  in  breadth;  the 
said  land  is  set,  lying  and  being  in  East  Chester,  1  rod  off  from  John  Lancaster's 
meadow,  and  at  the  west  end  half  a  rod  by  the  home  meadow  of  the  said  John 
Lancaster's,  which  land  is  for  the  use  of  the  town  for  a  parsonage  lot,  which 
said  lot  was  laid  out  by  the  consent  of  Mr.  Thomas  Pinckney,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  Richard  Shute,  as  witnesseth  that  the  said  land  is  given  to  be  so  uer 
(near)  his  meadow.  The  mark  of  John  X  Lancaster."0 

Upon  this  occasion  it  was  agreed  "  That  the  minister's  salary  be  paid 
by  rate  for  time  to  come." 

On  the  1 6th  of  May,  1699  or  1700,  "  Ten  acres  of  land  were  voted 
by  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  to  Nicollas  Conklin,  in  consideration 
that  he  shall  part  with  his  house,  home,  lot  and  orchard,  for  the  use  of 
a  minister,  in  case  the  said  minister  do  accept  of  this  above  said  house 
and  home  lot."  Mr.  Henery  Fowler  at  the  same  time  was  directed  to 
"  Wriggt  a  letter  to  Mr.  Morgan  to  come  over  and  see  whether  he  doth 
well  approve  of  what  the  inhabitants  have  done  for  his  maintenance."6 

It  was  also  "  Agreed  to  pay  Ml.  Morgan  ^30  current,  for  salary," 
which  sum  was  ordered  to  be  raised  upon  all  rateable  estates. 

At  a  public  town  meeting,  held  about  this  time,  "  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan 
did  declare  that  he  did  not  like  that  home  lot  of  Nicholas  Concklin's, 
and  also  that  the  said  piece  of  land  is  not  a  whole  home  lot."c 

Upon  the  12th  of  June,  1700,  twenty  acres  of  land  were  voted  to  Mr. 
Morgan. 

"  At  a  public  town  meeting,  called  by  order  of  the  inhabitants,  Oct. 
4th,  1700,  the  said  inhabitants  directed  Mr.  Henry  Fowler  and  Richard 
Shute,  (with  the  rest  of  the  intended  church.)  to  write  unto  the  Rever- 
end ministers  in  New  England  concerning  the  ordination,  they  having 
the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan;  also  that  Mr.  Thomas  Pinkney, 
Henery  Fowler  and  Richard  Shute,  shall  wright  unto  His  Excellency  for 
his  approbation,  that  he  will  be  pleased  to  induct  (the  word  induct  is 
marked  out  in  the  original  MS.  and  the  letters  app  written  over  it)  our 
minister,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Morgan."  At  the  same  time,  "  Joseph  Drake 
and  Thomas  Pinckney  were  authorized  to  agree  with  a  carpenter  to 
build  a  pulpit  on  the  town's  account." 

a  Town  Records,  vol.  i.  p.  20. 
6  Town  Rec,  vol.  t.  p.  20. 
e  Town  Rec,  vol.  i.  p.  4. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


225 


Having  now  obtained  the  services  of  a  minister,  and  finding  the 
Church  pouring  in  upon  them,  the  inhabitants  once  more  determined  to 
pettion  the  Assembly  for  an  act  to  separate  them  from  Westchester. 
Whereupon,  at  a  town  meeting,  14th  of  October,  1700,  "Mr.  Henry 
Fowler.,  sen.,  was  authorized  by  the  inhabitants  to  proceed  to  New- 
York  to  petition  the  General  Assembly  for  the  calling  and  settling  a 
minister  with  ourselves,  and  that  we  may  be  freed  from  Westchester  in 
the  ministry." 

1 2th  of  King  William  III,  A.  D.,  1700,  occurs  an  act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  entitled  as  follows : — 

AN  ACT  FOR  DECLARING  THE  TOWN  OF  EASTCHESTER  IN  THE 
COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER,  A  DISTINCT  PARISH  FROM  THE 
TOWN  OF  WESTCHESTER  IN  THE  COUNTY  AFORESAID. 

Passed  tlie  29th  of  October,  1700. 

"  Whereas,  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province,  entitled  : — 
An  Act  for  settliug  a  ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  iu  the  City  of 
New- York,  County  of  Richmond,  Westchester  and  Queens  County,  it  is  amongst 
other  things  declared  and  enacted,  that  the  towns  of  Westchester,  Eastchester, 
Lower  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  should 
be  a  parish  together,  for  the  better  maintaining  of  a  good  and  sufficient  Protestant 
minister ;  and,  whereas,  since  the  making  of  said  act,  it  has  been  found  incon- 
venient, and  to  the  great  discouragement  of  religion  and  the  public  worship  of 
God,  for  the  inhabitauts  of  Eastchester  to  travel  to  Westchester  aforesaid,  to  be 
present  at  the  preaching  of  the  Word  of  God;  wherefore,  the  said  Inhabitants 
and  Freeholders  of  the  town  of  Eastchester  aforesaid,  have,  by  their  humble 
Petition  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  now  convened  in  General  Assembly, 
most  humbly  prayed,  that  it  might  be  declared  and  enacted. 

"  I.  And  be  it  Declared  and  Enacted,  by  His  Excellency,  the  Governour 
and  Council  and  Representatives,  now  convened  in  General  Assembly,  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  same,  that  the  said  town  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  West- 
chester be  for  henceforth  and  forever  hereafter,  separated  from  the  parish  of 
Westchester,  Eastchester,  Lower  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  to  all  in- 
tents, constructions,  and  purposes  whatsoever ;  the  said  act,  entitled  an  Act  for 
settling  the  ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them,  in  the  City  of  New- 
York,  County  of  Richmond,  Westchester  and  Queens  County,  or  any  other  act 
to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any  ways  notwithstanding. 

"II.  And  be  it  Further  Enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  the  said 
Town  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  be,  and  is  hereby  declared 
to  be  and  remain  forever  a  distinct  parish  from  the  Parish  of  Westchester,  East- 
chester, Lower  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  by  the  name  and  style  of 
the  Parish  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester ;  Provided,  that  the 
Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  thereof  do  maintain  a  good  orthodox  Protestant 
minister  in  the  said  town  of  Eastchester ;  any  law,  usage  or  custom  to  the  con- 
trary thereof,  iu  any  ways  notwithstanding." 


2  26      '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

The  above  Act  was  disannulled  by  Queen  Anne  in  Council  in  1702^ 
3,  as  appears  from  the  following  in  a  letter  addressed  by  the  Lords  of 
Trade  to  Lord  Cornbury,  dated  Whitehall,  Jan.  26th,  1702,  occurs  the 
following : 

"P.  S. — Since  the  writing  of  this  letter,  upon  consideration  of  the  Act  for 
declaring  the  town  of  Eastchester  to  be  a  distinct  parish,  «fcc,  and  of  the  reasons 
offered  to  us  against  it  by  the  Right  Reverend  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  we 
have  prepared  a  report  to  be  laid  before  Her  Majesty  with  our  humble  opinion 
that  the  same  be  disallowed."" 

Again  their  lordships  writing  to  the  same,  dated  Whitehall,  April  7  th, 
1703,  say: 

"  We  have  told  you  in  a  former  letter  that  we  had  prepared  a  report  with  our 
opiuion  for  disannulling  the  Act  declaring  the  Town  of  East  Chester  to  be  a  dis- 
tinct Parish,  &c.  Which  having  accordingly  been  done,  We  likewise  send  you 
a  Copy  of  Her  Majesty's  Order  in  Council  for  that  effect."6 

June  the  12th,  1700. — "The  town  exchanged  land  with  Mr.  Joseph 
Morgan,  pastor  of  the  church  in  East  Chester." 

The  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  also  at  the  same  time  "  did  give  and 
grant  two  acres  of  land,  to  be  laid  out  where  it  shall  not  be  within  the 
Town's  sheep  pasture,  unto  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan,  minister,  &x."c 

"June  26,  1700.  At  a  town  meeting  held  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Eastchester,  the  inhabitants  have  agreed  that  the  minister's  note  and 
the  town  rate  shall  be  paid  by  agreement,  as  the  town  rate  was  payd 
in  the  year  i6Q4."d 

"At  a  public  town  meeting  called  by  order  of  the  inhabitants,  Oct. 
4th,  1700,  the  said  inhabitants  directed  Mr.  Henry  Fowler  and  Richard 
Shute,  (with  the  rest  of  the  intended  church,)  to  write  unto  the  reverend 
ministers  in  New  England  concerning  the  ordination  j  they  having  the 
assistance  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan.  Also,  that  Mr.  John  Pinckney, 
Henry  Fowler  and  Richard  Shute,  shall  write  unto  his  Excellency  for 
his  approbation,  that  he  will  be  pleased  to  induct  our  minister  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Morgan ;  at  the  same  time  Joseph  Drake  and  John  Shute-,  were 
chosen  to  hire  a  man  to  build  a  pulpit  on  the  town  account." 

March  the  6th,  1701,  the  inhabitants  "exchanged  4  rods  of  land  with 
Joseph  Morgan,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Eastchester." 

January  12th,  1702,  it  was  resolved  by  the  justices  and  vestrymen  of 

a  N.  Y.  Col.  M.  S.  S.,  London  Doc.  15,  vol.  iv.  p.  1026. 

6  Ditto,  p.  1038. 

c  Town  Roc.  vol.  vll,  p.  24. 

d  Town  Rcc.  vol.  vii,  p.  24. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


227 


the  Parish  of  Westchester  that  there  shall  be  raised  ^50  for  the  minis- 
ter's maintenance,  the  proportion  of  Eastchester  being  ^£9,  17s.  6d.a 

Upon  the  3d  of  April,  1702,  John  Drake  and  Thomas  Pinckney  were 
authorized,  "To  agree  with  a  carpenter  to  make  a  pulpit,  and  set  up  the 
gallery  and  repair  the  window  shutters,  &c." 

At  the  same  time,  John  Tompkins,  jun.,  was  also  chosen  "  To  beat 
the  drum  constantly,  every  Lord's  day,  if  occasion  require,  and  at  other 
times  when  it  is  needful,  and  to  keep  the  drum  in  repair ;  and  the  said 
inhabitants  do  promise  to  pay  him  therefor  9  pence  a  piece,  every  one.'' 

"April  14th,  1702,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  have  given  liberty 
unto  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan,  our  minister,  that  is  to  say  the  use  of  that 
part  of  meadow  by  and  near  unto  Saml.  Water's  house,  and  that  he  shall 
have  the  use  of  the  said  meadow  for  the  term  of  ten  years  after  the  date 
hereof."6 

On  the  18th  of  May,  1703,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  appointed 
Mr.  Thos.  Pinkney  and  Mr.  Edmund  Ward  "  To  draw  an  obligation 
with  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan,  minister,  for  one  year,  for  his  encouragement, 
and  to  see  who  will  subscribe  thereunto  for  the  payment  of  the  town." 

Mr.  Morgan,  who  must  have  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  of  East- 
chester sometime  during  the  above-mentioned  year,  was  the  son  of 
Lieut.  Joseph  Morgan,  (of  what  is  now  Preston  County  by  his  wife 
Dorothy,  daughter  of  Thomas  Parke,  of  Weathcrsfield),  the  third  son  of 
James  Morgan,  a  native  of  Wales,  who  was  born  in  1607,  and  who  em- 
migrated  to  Roxbury,  Mass.,  in  1638.  The  Rev.  Joseph  was  born  at 
Preston  6th  of  November,  1671.  "His  name  stands  on  the  catalogue 
of  Yale  College  as  one  of  the  graduates  in  the  class  of  1702,  but  he  was 
probably  not  a  regular  graduate ;  and  the  degree  of  A.  B.  was  doubtless 
conferred  upon  him  as  an  honarary  one — for  according  to  the  "  History 
of  Greenwich,"  Conn.,  he  was  settled  over  the  First  Church,  Greenwich, 
in  1697,  and  in  1700,  dismissed  and  settled  over  Second  Church,  Green- 
wich. He  was  also  a  regular  preacher  in  Bedford,  Westchester  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1699,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Fairfield  County  Association 
in  i7oo,"c  and  soon  after  called  to  Eastchester.  "From  1704  to  1708, 
he  was  again  the  minister  at  Greenwich,  Conn.  In  1709,  he  was  settled 
as  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at, Freehold,  New  Jersey,  and  in 
1728  was  charged  before  the  Synod  with  "practising  astrology,  counte- 
nancing promiscuous  dancing,  and  transgressing  in  drink."  These 
charges  were  not  sustained.  He  resigned,  however,  and  took  charge  of 
the  two  churches  at  Hopewell  and  Maidenhead,  N.  J.;  and  in  1736,  was 

a  Town  Rec.  vol.  vti,  p.  57. 

b  Vestry  Books  of  Westchester  Parish. 

c  Morgan  Family,  by  N.  U.  Morgan,  Hartford,  1S69. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


again  charged  with  intemperance,  and  suspended  from  the  ministry — but 
was  restored  again  in  1738,  "on  the  intercession  of  many  good  peo- 
ple."" Romeyn,  in  his  history  of  the  First  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at 
Hackensack,  says  that  "In  1709  the  Dutch  Church  in  Monmouth 
County  obtained  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Morgan,  who  was  there 
for  twenty-two  years."6  Mr.  Morgan  was  a  preacher  of  considerable 
note,  and  several  of  his  discourses  and  sermons  were  published ;  among 
them,  one  on  the  death  of  his  eldest  son,  Joseph,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  1723,  and  died  the  same  year;  a  " Reply  to  a  Railer  against 
the  Doctrine  of  Election,"  1724;  "Sin  its  own  Punishment,"  1728;  and 
"  Love  to  our  Neighbors,"  third  edition,  1749."  In  his  letters  dated  at 
Freehold  in  1721  and  1722,  he  speaks  of  his  two  sons,  one  aged  17  and 
the  other  11,  as  "good  scholars,"  and  "one  other  son  a  little  older;" 
this  is  evidently  the  Joseph  whose  death  is  above  alluded  to.d 

"  At  a  town  meeting  held  by  ye  freeholders  of  East  Chester  ye  26th  of 
January,  17",  it  was  voted  that  Moses  Fowler  should  have  and  enjoy  all  ye 
land  between  ye  land  of  Wm.  Fowler  that  he  bought  of  Joseph  Morgan." 

On  the  19th  of  February,  1717,  James  Morgan  was  appointed  col- 
lector of  Eastchester. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  1725,  the  names  of  James  Morgan  and 
Thomas  Morgan  appear  as  freeholders  of  the  town. 

To  Mr.  Morgan,  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  or  Presbyterian 
church  at  Eastchester,  appears  to  have  succeeded  the  celebrated  Wil- 
liam Tennent. 

List  of  ministers  or  pastors  of  the  Congregational  or  Presbyterian  church  of 


Eastchester. 

Install  ok  Call.  Pastors.  Vacated. 

1665-6,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Brewster,  B.  D.,  Resigned. 

1675,  Rev.  Ezekiel  Fogge, 

1684,  Rev.  Warham  Mather,«  " 

3d  Aug.,  1685,  Rev.  Morgan  Jones,  A.  M.,  " 

30  Nov.,  1692,  Rev.  Samuel  Goding,  " 

1691,  Rev.  Marmaduke  Matthews,  " 

1700,  Rev.  Joseph  Morgan,  A.B.  " 

1719.  Rev.  William  Tennent, 


a  History  of  Morgan  Family,  by  N.  II.  Morgan. 

b  First  LMs.  at  Dedication  01  First  Dutch  Church  at  TJackensack,  N.  J.,  by  Rev.  Theodore 
Romeyn,  May  2, 1809. 
c  History  of  Morgan  Family,  by  N.  H.  Morgan. 

d  Morgan  Family,  by  N.  H.  Morgan.  In  the  Town  Record  of  Eastchester  occnr  the  follow- 
ing entries :  "East  Chester,  the  27th  day  of  January,  1703,  Joseph  Morgan,  the  son  of  Joseph 
Morgan  and  Sarah  his  wife,  was  born  the  12th  day  of  March,  1701."  This  evidently  records 
the  birth  of  Joseph  the  eldest  son,  graduate  of  Yale  College,  who  died  2Sth  November.  1723. 
"  Anne  Morgan,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Morgan  and  Sarah  his  wife,  was  born  the  4th  d.iv  <  >f 
July,  1702;  Cornelia  Morgan,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Morgan,  was  bom  the  31st  dav  of  Octo- 
ber (1703).  Entered  by  me,  Edmund  Ward,  Recorder."  "  Andrew  Morgan,  the  son  of  Joseph 
Morgan  and  Sarah  his  wife,  was  born  the  29th  day  of  January,  1704-5."  Town  Rec.  Lib.  ii,  p.  43. 

i  Sec  a  letter  from  Warham  Mather,  m  the  Mather's  Papers,  published  m  ColL  MSS.  Hist; 
Soc.  (N.  Y.  Hist  Soc). 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


22Q 


Upon  the  19th  of  November,  1702,  the  Rev.  John  Bartow  was  inducted 
by  Govcrnour  Cornbury,  into  the  parish  church  of  Westchester,  East- 
chester,  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  notwithstanding  all  the 
means  used  to  prevent  and  disturb  his  settlement  by  the  Independents; 
and  as  no  "good  Orthodox  Protestant  minister"  had  been  maintained 
in  this  parish,  in  accordance  with  the  late  act,  Mr.  Bartow  was  consid- 
ered legally  inducted,  and  settled  over  all  the  rights  and  appurten- 
ances of  Westchester  parish,  of  which  the  church  at  Eastchester  formed 
a  part.  This  fact  the  Independents  or  Presbyterians  themselves  ac- 
knowledged by  paying  their  quota  of  j£$o  per  annum,  towards  Mr.  Bar- 
tow's support,  according  to  the  first  settlement  in  1693. 

In  the  summary  account  of  the  state  of  the  Church  in  the  province  of 
New  York,  as  it  was  laid  before  the  clergy,  convened  October  5th,  1704, 
at  New  York,  by  the  appointment  of  his  Excellency  Edward  Lord  Vis- 
count Cornbury  and  Colonel  Francis  Nicholson,  it  was  stated,  that 
"There  is  one  independent  congregation  at  Eastchester,  whose  minister 
designs  to  leave  there,  whose  congregation  upon  his  departure  are  re- 
solved to  join  with  the  Church.""1 

Col.  Caleb  Heathcoate,  in  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the  venerable 
Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts,  dated  Manor  of 
Scarsdale,  November  9th,  1705,  thus  writes;  "and  thirdly,  one  Mr.  Mor- 
gan, who  was  minister  of  Eastchester,  promised  me  to  conform."6 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  John  Bartow,  rector 
of  the  parish  of  Westchester,  to  the  secretary  of  the  Venerable  Propa- 
gating Society,  in  1707,  shows  most  conclusively  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Eastchester  finally  embraced  the  Church  of  England,  and  accepted  him 
as  their  minister. 

"My  Lord  Cornbury  requested  me  to  go  and  preach  in  Eastchester; 
accordingly  I  went,  (though  some  there  had  given  out  threatening  words 
should  I  dare  to  come,)  but  tho'  I  was  there  very  early,  and  the  people 
had  notice  of  my  coming,  their  Presbyterian  minister,  Mr.  Morgan,  had 
begun  service  in  the  meeting-house,  to  which  I  went  straightway  and 
continued  the  whole  time  without  interruption,  and  in  the  afternoon  I 
was  permitted  to  perform  the  Church  of  England  service;  Mr.  Morgan 
being  present,  and  neither  lie  nor  the  people  seemed  dissatisfied,  and 
after  some  time  of  preaching  there  afterwards,  they  desired  me  to  come 
oftcner;  and  I  concluded  to  minister  there  once  a  month,  which  now  I 
have  done  for  about  three  years." 

In  regard  to  this  conformity  of  the  people  of  Eastchester  to  the 
Church  of  England,  Dr.  Howkins  says: — "That  the  population  of  East- 


a  Town  Rcc.  vol.  11, 16, 
b  Town  Kec.  vol.  i,  29. 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Chester  was  400,  who  being  Presbyterians,  obtained  an  act,  by  which 
they  were  formed  into  a  separate  parish,  and  obtained  a  minister  of 
their  own  persuasion ;  but  on  Mr.  Bartow's  coming  among  them,  they 
were  so  well  satisfied  with  the  liturgy  and  doctrine  of  the  Church,  that 
they  forsook  their  minister  and  conformed  to  the  Church  of  England." 

In  an  address  to  the  venerable  and  honorable  Society  for  Propagating 
the  Gospel,  the  following  account  is  given  of  the  building  of  the  church 
at  Eastchester : — 

"  May  it  please  the  venerable  and  honorable  Society  for  Propagating 
the  Gospel — we,  whose  names  are  subscribed,  do  hereby  certify  that  the 
Church  of  Eastchester  was  built  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1692,  by  sub- 
scription of  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  ;  and  that  Mr.  Matthews,  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  for  about  three  years,  and  after  him  Mr.  Morgan, 
a  Presbyterian  minister,  did  preach  till  such  time  as  Mr.  Bartow  began 
to  preach  unto  us  in  the  year  1763,  since  which  time  it  has  been  in  his 
possession,  and  he  comes  and  preaches  at  Eastchester  once  in  four 
weeks  during  the  winter,  and  once  in  eight  weeks  during  the  space  of 
six  months  in  the  summer. 

"  And  we  further  certify  that  the  town  of  Eastchester  was  made  a  dis- 
tinct parish  from  Westchester  in  the  year  1700." 

About  this  time  the  inhabitants  addressed  the  following  petition  to 
Governor  Cornbury,  asking  for  an  abatement  in  their  annual  quota  and 
thanking  him  for  directing  Mr.  Bartow  to  preach  among  them  : — 

PETITION  FROM  EASTCHESTER  TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY,  &o. 
"The  Humble  Petition  of  John  Drake,  Joseph  Drake  and  William Chadderton 
in  the  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester, 
Slieiceth : 

That  Col.  Heathcote.  did,  at  the  request  of  your  Excellency's  Petitioners,  move 
your  Excellency  to  give  directions  that  what  the  Vestry  had  layd  on  the  parish 
of  Westchester  for  incidental  charges  over  the  minister's  rate  and  constable's 
allowance  for  allowing  the  same,  might  be  abated  from  the  qnoata  layd  on  our 
place,  we  being  burtheued  with  much  more  than  our  just  proportion  of  that  tax; 
that  Col.  Heatcote  did  thereupon  inform  your  Excellency's  Petitioner's,  that 
your  Excellency  had  been  pleased  to  direct  that  some  of  the  Justices  which  lived 
without  the  precincts,  should  make  inquiry  into  that  matter  and  make  report 
thereof  to  your  Excellency,  but  the  Justices  not  being  able  before  this"  time  to 
get  in  the  list  of  estates  was  the  cause  of  the  delay  of  that  return,  so  hope  your 
Excellency  will  pardon  our  not  leavying  what  was  layd  upon  us,  by  the  late 
Vestry,  and  will,  in  your  great  goodness  and  justice,  protect  us  from  paying 
more  than  our  fair  and  equal  proportion,  which  we  shall  always  most  readily  do, 
so  long  as  your  Excellency  shall  think  fitt  to  continue  us  joyned  to  that  Parish. 
We  are  exceeding  thankful  that  your  Excellency  hath  been  pleased  to  direct 
Mr.  Rartow  to  preach  sometimes  amongst  us,  for  we  assure  your  Excellency  that 
'tis  our  earnest  desires  to  come  under  the  Regulation  of  the  Church  of  England 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


as  by  law  established,  and  so  is  our  minister,  Mr.  Morgan,  for  which  reason  we 
are  desirous  to  continue  him  amongst  us,  and  maintaine  him  by  subscription 
untill  such  times  as  your  Excellency  shall  think  fitt  to  have  the  parishes  in  the 
County  otherwise  divided,  which  are  at  present  so  very  ineonvenieut,  that  not 
half  of  the  people  can  have  the  benefit  of  the  ministry.  Your  Excellency  we 
find  by  the  return  of  the  Justices,  that  our  divident  of  the  late  rate  ought  not  to 
have  been  more  than  .£'7  5s.  6d.,  and  the  Vestry  have  layd  £15  10s.  upon  us, 
and  there  being  i'7  10s.  layd  on  the  parish,  besides  the  Minister's  rate  and  the 
Constable's  allowance  for  leavying  the  same,  under  the  name  of  incidental 
charges,  and  that  some,  by  the  inequality  of  the  division  falling  wholly  upon  us  ; 
we  therefore,  most  humbly  implore  your  Excellency  to  direct  that  we  may  pay 
no  more  at  this  time  than  £S,  and  for  the  future  only  our  equal  divident,  and  as 
in  duty  bound,  your  Excellency's  Petitioners  shall  Ever  Pray,  &c. 

John  Dkake, 
Joseph  Dkake, 
William  Chatterton."<* 

The  foregoing  petition  shows  conclusively,  that  although  Eastchester 
had  been  declared  a  separate  parish  from  Westchester,  as  early  as  1700, 
yet  the  Colonial  Governors  still  considered  it  as  joined  to  that  parish 
according  to  the  prior  act  of  1693. 

This  the  inhabitants  also  acknowledged  by  the  annual  election  of 
three  Vestrymen  for  the  precinct  and  paying  the  yearly  rates  laid  on  the 
the  parish.  The  choice  of  a  minister,  however,  and  providing  for  his 
support,  had  been  lodged  by  the  act  of  1693,  in  the  Vestry;  and  the 
choice  of  a  Vestry  in  the  people.  Into  the  church  and  freehold  of  the 
parsonage  lot  (as  it  was  then  styled)  of  Eastchester,  Mr.  Bartow  had 
been  legally  presented  by  the  Vestry  and  inducted  by  the  Governor's 
mandate,  as  we  have  already  seen. 

At  a  meeting  held  by  the  Justices  and  Vestry  of  Westchester,  the  1 2th 
of  December,  1705,  "John  Smith,  of  Eastchester,  constable,  in  the  year 
1704,  proved  the  payment  of  ^9  17s.  6d.,  which  is  the  full  proportion 
of  said  Town  for  that  year."  The  Vestry  agreed  that,  "  Mr.  Bartow,  if 
he  pleased,  shall  preach  at  Eastchester  every  fourth  Sabbath  day,  which 
was  condescended  to  by  Mr.  Bartow." 

In  1709-10,  the  Vestry  next  for  Eastchester  were  Isaac  Taylor,  John 
Lancaster  and  Nathaniel  Tompkins. 

Upon  the  25th  of  February,  1711-12,  "at  a  town  meeting  held  by  the 
freeholders  of  Eastchester,  the  said  freeholders  did  agree  by  vote,  that 
Judge  Drake,  Isaac  Taylor  and  Moses  Fowler,  should  be  empowered  to 
constitute  and  hire  a  man  or  men,  as  they  shall  think  proper,  to  repair 
and  finish  the  meeting-house  and  making  a  pulpit  in  the  same ;  and  also 


a  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  III.  92- S. 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

to  have  power  to  make  a  rate  on  all  and  every  of  the  freeholders  and 
inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  that  shall  amount  to  as  much  money  as 
shall  defray  the  said  charges."  On  the  20th  of  March  following,  this  re- 
solution was  repealed  and  the  same  men  empowered  to  "  Repair  the  meet- 
ing-house, in  making  a  pulpit  and  pew  in  it,  and  also  seal  and  make 
seats  in  the  same  so  far  as  the  boards  that  are  already  bought  will  go." 

The  next  year  the  Rev.  John  Bartow  contributed  £9  6s.  6d.  towards 
rectifying  the  pews  and  seats  in  East  and  Westchester  churches. 

In  1 7  1 8,  Mr.  Bartow  informs  the  Society  that  some  efforts  were  be- 
ing made  to  introduce  a  Presbyterian  minister  at  Eastchester.  This 
must  have  been  the  celebrated  William  Tennent,  who  officiated  here 
for  a  short  time  only,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Bedford. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY- 
[extract.] 
Westchester  in  the  Province  of  New  York, 
Nov.  1 8th,  1 7 18. 

Worthy  Sir, 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  have  occasion  to  acquaint  the  Society  that  there 
are  endeavours  now  on  foot  to  bring  in  a  Presbyterian  minister  at  East- 
chester. Some  of  their  main  agents  have  been  with  me  and  signified 
their  design,  from  which  I  laboured  to  dissuade  them,  but  in  vain  ;  for 
they  told  me  if  I  would  undertake  to  come  and  preach  every  Lord's  day 
in  their  town,  they  would  be  contented,  otherwise,  they  wouid  have  a 
minister  of  their  own.  This  has  bred  a  division  amongst  the  people, 
and  some  are  for  it  and  some  against  it ;  which  schism,  I  think,  would 
effectually  be  ended  if  they  had  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England 
to  reside  amongst  them."" 

Mr.  Bartow,  writing  to  the  Secretary  in  1725,  says: — "The  pulpit  and 
wainscoat  of  the  church  at  Eastchester,  are  since  decently  painted,  and 
a  new  gallery  built,  and  the  Presbyterian  minister  when  he  comes  not 
permitted  to  officiate  therein." 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bartow,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Standard,  was  in- 
ducted "To  the  rectory  of  Westchester,  the  glebe  thereof,  and  to  all  the 
rights  and  appurtenances  of  the  same." 

In  the  year  1728,  Mr.  Standard  officiated  every  other  Sunday  at  East- 
chester and  publicly  catechised  the  children.6 

"During  Mr  Standards  ministry  here,  some  trouble-making  spirits 
arose,  who  sought  to  upset  the  action  of  those  Presbyterians,  who  joined 
the  Church  in  Mr  Bartow's  time,  and  get  possession  of  the  old  building. 

a  Now  York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulharu,  vol.  1,  555.  (Hawks.) 
b  Printed  Abstracts  of  Yen.  Soc. 


THE  TOWN  OK  EAST  CHESTER. 


233 


But  religious  contracts  were  found  to  be  as  binding  as  civil  bargains. 
Mr.  Standard  says,  "The  church  of  Eastchester  was  supposed  to  be  in- 
cluded among  the  rights  and  appurtenances  of  Westchester  parish;  that 
Mr.  Bartow  was  legally  presented  and  inducted  into  the  church,  and 
died  possessed  of  it ;  that  he  too  was  legally  presented  and  inducted,  and 
therefore  laid  claim  to  it  as  his  own  proper  right  exclusive  of  them,  and 
so  kept  them  out  of  it."" 

In  1744,  Mr.  Standard,  who  had  now  taken  up  his  residence  in  East- 
chester, writes  to  the  Secretary  as  follows: — 

MR.  STANDARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

Eastchester,  May  14th,  1744. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"My  Brother  Vaughan  informs  me,  that  Archbishop  Tennison  hath 
left  upon  his  will,  ^50  per  annum,  to  be  paid  to  the  oldest  missionary, 
being  an  Englishman,  which  missionary  he  saith  I  am,  and  that  it  will 
be  necessary  for  me  to  go  home  in  order  to  obtain  it,  which  if  I  do,  and 
apply  to  my  Lord  Chancellor,  he  doubts  not  of  success;  and  he  further 
adds,  that  Mr.  Talbot  received  the  same  during  his  time.  If  you,  good 
sir,  know  any  thing  of  that  affair,  be  pleased  to  communicate  it  to  me 
and  to  intercede  for  leave  for  me  to  come  home. 

I  am  yours  and  the  Venerable  Society's 
very  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Standard."6 

The  following  year  he  informs  the  Society,  that  the  parishes  of  East 
and  Westchester  are  in  a  peaceable  and  growing  state. 

As  Church  business  was  at  this  time  transacted  with  town  matters,  we 
find  the  inhabitants  electing  a  sexton  for  Eastchester.    On  April  the  1st, 

1755,  it  was  resolved,  "That  Richard  Stevens  be  appointed  grave-dig- 
ger for  the  town,  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  to  dig  a  grown  person's  grave 
for  six  shillings  and  three  shillings  for  children."    On  the  7th  of  April, 

1756,  the  town  appointed  the  same  individual  for  grave-digger  and  sex- 
ton for  the  town. 

In  1758,  Mr  Standard  presented  the  bell  to  the  church,  which  still 
summons  the  parishoners  every  Lord's  day  to  the  house  of  prayer,  and 
by  it,.  "He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 

At  the  commencement  of  this  year,  the  aged  missionary  was  called  to 
mourn  over  the  grave  of  an  affectionate  wife,  who  came  to  her  death  in 

a  Sro  'Rpt.  TTenrv  E.  Duncan's  Jubilee  Sermon  for  1851. 

b  New  York  v.SS.  from  Archives  at  Fulbam.  vol.  U,  132.  (Hawk's).  "In  1T2S,  Mr.  Delpech 
was  schoolmaster  at  Eastchester. 


234 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


a  terrible  manner,  as  appears  from  the  following  extract  taken  from  the 
New  York  Post  Boy,  of  February  6th,  1758: — 

"  We  have  the  following  most  shocking  and  melancholy  account  from 
Eastchester,  viz.: — That  on  Friday  morning  the  27th  of  January,  Mrs. 
Mary  Standard,  aged  about  seventy  years,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas 
Standard,  of  this  place,  was  found  dead  on  the  chimney-hearth  of  one  of 
the  apartments  in  the  house,  having  her  head,  the  chief  parts  of  both 
her  breasts,  with  her  left  arm  and  shoulder  entirely  burnt  to  cinders.  It 
appears  that  the  unfortunate  old  gentleman  and  his  more  unfortunate 
old  lady,  had,  upon  some  necessary  occasion  the  evening  before,  agreed 
to  lay  separate;  and  the  Doctor  taking  his  leave,  went  to  bed,  leaving 
his  wife  sitting  before  the  fire,  where,  it  is  imagined,  the  poor  old  gentle- 
woman must  either  have  been  seized  with  a  fit,  or  in  rising  from  her 
chair,  had  fallen  into  the  fire,  and  being  undoubtedly  rendered  unable  to 
move  herself,  she  became  the  most  moving  spectacle  imaginable  to  the 
most  affectionate  and  tender  husband,  who  first  discovered  her  in  the 
morning." 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Standard  died  at  Eastchester,  in  January,  1760,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  nearly  eighty,  and  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his 
wife,  beneath  the  chancel  of  the  old  church  on  the  green.  In  18 18, 
their  bodies  were  removed  by  order  of  the  Vestry  and  interred  under 
the  communion  table  of  the  present  ediffce.a 

The  Rev.  John  Milner  succeeded  Mr.  Standard,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  and  was  inducted  rector  of  the 
parish  church  of  Westchester,  including  the  several  districts  of  West- 
chester, Eastchester,  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1761. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  town  records  relates  to  the  parsonage 
lot  described  in  1695,  as  "Lying  upon  the  Green  in  Eastchester:" — 

"At  a  public  town  meeting  called  by  the  justices  of  the  town  to  in- 
quire into  several  encroachments  on  lands  in  said  town,  held  in  East- 
chester, on  Monday  the  30th  day  of  August,  1762,  it  was  agreed  that 
these  men  (Jonathan  Fowler,  Charles  Vincent,  John  Fowler  and  Joseph 
Drake,)  should  regulate  the  parsonage,  and  to  take  a  bond  of  Isaac 
Lawrence  of  indemnity,  to  deliver  up  the  same  to  the  town  again  at  his 
decease."6 

It  was  during  Mr.  Milner's  ministry  that  the  foundation  of  the  present 
church  was  laid.  In  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society, 
dated  Westchester,  1761,  he  says: — 

a  Their  remains  were  found  in  a  srood  state  of  preservation,  trat  crumbled  to  pieces  on  ex- 
posure to  the  atmosphere.  Tradition  says,  that  Mr.  Standard  (rave  certain  lands  to  the  church 
on  condition  that  the  remains  ol  himself  and  wife  should  in-  removed  whenever  the  new  edi- 
fice should  he  built. 

b  Town  Records  of  Eastchester. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


235 


"  The  people  of  Eastchester  have  laid  the  foundation  of  a  new  church 
of  stone,  seventy-one  feet  by  eighty-eight,  in  the  room  of  a  small  decayed 
wooden  building  erected  in  the  infancy  of  the  settlement." 

In  the  year  1766,  Mark  Christian  was  appointed  sexton  for  the  town, 
an  office  which  he  subsequently  held  under  the  trustees  of  the  church. 
Upon  the  1st  of  April,  of  that  year,  he  was  directed,  "To  take  care  of 
the  Green,  to  see  that  hogs  don't  dig,  and  to  dig  graves,  and  to  find  a 
good  bier."a 

On  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Milner,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury, 
afterwards  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  the  first  American  Bishop,  was 
inducted  rector  of  the  parish  church  of  Westchester  and  its  precincts,  3d 
of  Dec,  1766.  June  25th,  1767,  he  writes  to  the  secretary  in  these 
words : — 

"  At  Eastchester,  which  is  four  miles  distant,  the  congregation  is  gen- 
erally larger  than  at  Westchester.  The  old  church  in  which  they  meet, 
as  yet,  is  very  cold.  They  have  erected  and  just  completed  the  roof  of 
a  large  well  built  stone  church,  on  which  they  have  expended,  they  say, 
^700  currency ;  but  their  ability  seems  exhausted,  and  I  fear  I  shall 
never  see  it  finished.  I  applied  last  winter  to  his  Excellency,  Sir  Henry 
Moore,  for  a  brief  in  their  favor,  but  the  petition  was  rejected." 

In  1777,  he  wrote  to  the  Society: — "With  regard  to  my  own  mission, 
I  can  only  say,  that  it  is  utterly  ruined."  Services  had  been  suspended 
for  some  time  in  Eastchester,  and  the  congregation  dispersed.  At  this 
period  the  church  was  used  as  an  hospital,  and  subsequently  served  the 
purpose  of  a  court  house.  The  following  item  occurs  in  the  records  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas: — 

"At  a  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Jail  Delivery,  held  at 
the  church  at  Eastchester,  in  and  for  the  County  of  Westchester,  on 
Tuesday,  the  12th  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1787,  present, 
the  Honourable  Richard  Morrris,  Esq.,  Chief-Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Judicature,  for  the  State  of  New  York,  Stephen  Ward,  Jona- 
than J.  Tompkins,  Ebenezer  S.  Burling  and  Benjamin  Stevenson,  Jus- 
tices of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Jail  Delivery  for  the  County  of 
Westchester,  &c." 

St.  Paul's  church,  Eastchester,  was  first  incorporated  on  the  12th  of 
March,  1787,  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  entitled: — 


a  At  a  town  meeting  held  7th  of  April,  1767,  "It  was  agreed  that  Dr.  Wright  should  not  be 
molested  In  his  hurrying  yard  ou  said  Green  in  said  town."— Town  Records. 


236 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


AN  ACT  TO  ENABLE  ALL  THE  RELIGIOUS  DENOMINATIONS  IN 
THE  STATE,  TO  APPOINT  TRUSTEES  WHO  SHALL  BE  A  BODY 
CORPORATE  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  TAKING  CARE  OF  THE 
TEMPORALITIES  OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  CONGREGATIONS, 
AND  FOR  OTHER  PURPOSES  THEREIN  MENTIONED. 

Passed  6th  of  April,  1784. 

"  The  preamble  of  this  act  recites  the  38th  article  of  the  Constitution. 

Article  1. — Directs  that  not  less  than  three  or  exceeding  nine  in  number  of 
Trustees,  are  to  be  elected,  to  transact  all  affairs  relative  to  the  temporalities  of 
their  respective  churches. 

Article  4. — Whether  the  same  consist  of  lands,  tenements,  &c,  and  whether  the 
same  shall  have  been  given,  granted  or  devised  to  and  for  their  use,  and  they  and 
their  successors  shall  lawfully  have,  hold,  use,  exercise  and  enjoy  all  and  singu- 
lar the  churches,  meeting-houses,  parsonages,  burying  places  and  lands  thereunto 
belonging,  with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  heretofore  by  the  said 
church  occupied  or  enjoyed,  by  whatsoever  name  or  names,  person  or  persons, 
as  if  the  same  were  purchased  and  had,  or  to  them  given  or  granted,  or  by  them 
or  any  of  them  used  and  enjoyed  for  the  uses  aforesaid,  to  them  and  their  succes- 
sors, to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use  and  benefit  of  them  the  said  Trustees  and 
their  successors  for  ever,  &c. 

Article  6. — And  the  Trustees  are  also  to  regulate  and  order  the  renting  of  pews 
in  the  said  churches,  and  the  perquisites  of  the  said  church  arising  from  the  break- 
ing of  the  ground  in  the  cemetery,  or  church-yard,  and  in  the  churches  for  bury- 
ing the  dead,  &c.a 

Under  this  Act,  the  following  persons  were  elected  Trustees:  "  Thomas 
Bartow,  John  Wright,  Isaac  Ward,  Elisha  Shute,  Lewis  Guion  and 
Philip  Pell,  Jun. 

After  this  incorporation,  all  management  of  the  Church  and  Church 
property  at  town  meetings  is  dropped.  The  Church  now  manages  her 
own  affairs,  her  power  and  right  to  do  so,  being  fully  recognized  by  the 
town ;  for  upon  the  3d  of  April,  1787,  prior  to  the  incorporation,  it  was 
resolved  at  town  meeting,  "  To  erect  a  school  house,  and  to  set  it  on 
the  Green  near  where  the  stocks  formerly  stood  " — but  this  resolution 
was  never  carried  into  effect,  because  the  Church  had  been  incorporated, 
and  consequently  claimed  the  Green  exclusively  as  her  own.  The  very 
fact,  too,  that  the  old  church  erected  since  1692,  once  stood  upon  the 
Green  is  conclusive  evidence  that  this  property  is  still  vested  in  the 
Church.  In  1790,  therefore,  it  was  ordered  by  the  town,  "To  build  the 
school  house  on  town  ground,  by  Charles  Guion's,  where  it  formerly 
stood."    Again,  at  a  town  meeting  in  1792,  it  was  declared,  "That  the 

a  "  The  trustees  were  directed  to  make  an  annual  report  between  the  first  of  January  and 
the  llr-i  of  April,  to  the  Chancellor,  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or  any  of 
the  Judges  of  the  Ooorl  of  Common  Pleas,  Ac."  Laws  of  N.  Y.,  177s  to  ITS",  Greenlears  edi- 
litii,  vol.  1,  cha|).  xviii,  71. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


237 


"burial  ground  shall,  and  of  right,  ought  to  belong  to  the  Church."  After 
the  election  of  the  Trustees,  too,  the  sexton  was  always  appointed  by 
the  Church. 

On  the  ioth  of  December,  1787,  an  agreement  was  entered  into  be- 
tween a  majority  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Eastchester, 
of  the  one  part,  and  William  Heskins,  carpenter,  of  the  other  part,  where- 
in the  latter  agreed  "  To  erect  and  build  a  pulpit,  reading  desk,  and 
clerk's  seat  in  the  said  church,  according  to  the  dimensions  in  the  plan 
by  him  exhibited  to  the  said  Trustees,  and  the  form  of  the  pulpit  in  the 
church  at  Yonkers,  &c." 

The  Trustees  not  only  anxious  to  finish  the  church,  but  to  obtain  the 
services  of  a  suitable  minister,  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Moore,  afterwards  Bishop  of  the  Diocese : — 

TO  THE  REV.  BENJAMIN  MOORE. 

Eastchestek,  15th  Dec,  1787- 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  We  have  this  clay  disposed  of  the  pew  ground  in  our  church  in  a  manner 
that  promises  success  to  our  religious  endeavors.  We  have  also  a  prospect  of 
completing  our  church  in  a  respectable  manner,  and  New  Rochelle  will  join  us 
in  engaging  a  gentleman  of  the  profession  of  the  gospel  .to  officiate  in  the  two 
places.  From  a  reliance  on  your  pious  wishes  to  promote  the  Christian  Religion, 
we  beg  leave  that  whenever  a  gentleman  of  character,  ami  qualified,  in  your 
opinion,  for  our  purpose,  may  come  to  your  knowledge,  and  whose  condition 
may  be  adapted  to  our  situation,  that  you'll  please  to  signify  the  same  to  us. 

We  arc,  Rev.  Sir,  with  much  respect, 

Your  humble  servants, 

The  Trustees." 

In  1789,  the  Trustees  appointed  Marcus  Christian  for  one  year,  bell- 
ringer  of  the  church,  for  which  service  he  was  allowed  $4  per  annum.11 

The  following  year,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  appear  to  have  as- 
sociated themselves  in  the  ministry,  with  the  parish  of  Yonkers;  for,  "at 
a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  March  20th,  1790,  Mr.  Pell,  one  of  the  Trus- 
tees, produced  a  letter  directed  to  the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D. 
D.,  Bishop  of  the  State  of  New  York,  requesting  the  favor  of  his  visiting 

a  At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  on  the  7th  of  .May,  1781,  "  Marcus  Christian,  the  sexton  to  the 
church  in  Eastchester,  was  sent  for  and  examined  respecting  the  bell's  being  rung  <m  Satur- 
day, the  30th  of  April,  on  the  family  of  James  Bogart's  moving  out  of  this  place  ;  whioh  charge 
he  denied,  and,  in  his  examination,  said  he  was  lame  in  bed,  and  was  not  at  the  church  ihat 
day.  He  was  further  examined  on  his  former  conduct,  on  his  selling  licure  in  the  belfrie  of 
the  church,  on  a  training  day,  which  h"  acknowledged.  Whereupon  they  did  agree  he  was 
Dot  worthy  to  keep  the  keys  of  the  church,  or  to  be  employed  as  sexton  ;  upon  which  he  de- 
livered the  key  and  was  dismissed  the  service." 

In  1791  James  Pell  was  elected  sexton  and  bell  ringer.  He  was  succeeded  by  Benjamin 
Bartow  in  1794. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  church  in  Eastchester  next  month,  in  order  to  ordain  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Cooper,  a  priest  for  this  and  Yonkers  church."  On  this  occasion, 
William  Crawford  was  requested  to  render  an  account  of  the  rent  due 
the  church  from  him,  for  the  glebe. 

In  1792,  we  find  the  town  defining  the  boundaries  necessary  for  the 
church,  for  a  yard  and  burial  ground  ;  accommodating  the  remainder,  of 
what  was  called  the  Church  Green,  (the  site  of  the  old  church,  and  burial 
place  of  one  of  its  ministers)  to  public  occasions,  and  appointing  trustees 
to  carry  the  same  into  execution,  notwithstanding  the  church  had  been 
in  possession  exclusively  for  nearly  one  hundred  years. 

"  At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Eastchester,  3d  of  April,  1792,  it  was  agreed  as 
follows: — and  it  is  also  agreed  by  vote  at  this  town  meeting,  that  there  shall  be 
three  trustees  chosen,  who  shall  have  power,  and  are  hereby  authorized  to  affix  and 
ascertain,  in  conjunction  with  the  trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  town 
of  Eastchester,  the  quantity  and  boundaries  of  the  land  necessary  for  said 
church  and  burying  ground ;  and  such  boundaries  when  so  fixed  and  determined 
on  shall  be  declared  in  a  certificate  by  the  said  trustees  of  the  town,  which  is  now 
to  be  chosen,  under  their  hands  and  seals,  and  delivered  to  the  Trustees  of  said 
Church,  which  certificate  shall  forever  hereafter  operate  as  a  bar  to  any  claim  of 
this  town  to  the  lands  within  the  said  described  boundaries.  Power  was  also 
given  to  the  trustees  to  lease  out  any  of  the  public  lands  and  tenements  to  the 
best  advantage.  The  meeting  proceeded  to  uonuuate  and  choose  three  men  as 
trustees  of  said  town,  viz  :  Nehemiah  Marshall,  Benjamin  Morgan,  and  James 
Morgan. 

The  following  certificate  appears  in  the  town  books  immediately  after 
the  above  resolution  : — 

Whereas,  we  the  subscribers,  by  a  vote  and  order  of  the  town  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  held  in 
said  town  on  the  3d  day  of  April,  1792,  were  authorized  and  empowered  to  affix 
and  ascertain,  in  conjunction  with  the  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  East- 
Chester  aforesaid,  the  boundaries  and  quantity  of  land  necessary  and  convenient 
for  said  church,  and  for  a  burial  place  adjacent  to  the  same. 

And  wliereas,  we,  the  said  subscribers,  having  on  the  day  of  the  date  hereof, 
met  with  a  majority  of  the  trustees  of  said  church,  and  having  proceeded  to  view 
the  premises,  and  in  order  to  furnish  the  said  church  with  sufficiency  of  ground 
for  a  yard  and  burial  ground,  and  also  to  accommodate  the  remainder  of  what  is 
called  the  Green,  to  public  occasion,  Do,  in  pursuance  of  the  trust  reposed  in  us 
by  the  vote  or  order  above  mentioned,  hereby  certify,  that  the  said  trustees  of  the 
church  aforesaid  shall,  and  of  right  ought  to  possess  the  ground  comprehended 
within  the  limits  following,  for  the  use  and  purposes  aforesaid,  that  is  to  say  : — 
Beginning  at  the  distance  of  34£  feet  directly  north-east,  from  the  north-east 
corner  of  said  church,  from  thence  extending  in  a  straight  line  westerly,  observ- 
ing the  distance  of  28  feet  from  the  front  of  said  church,  until  it  comes  to  the  edge 
of  the  bank  between  the  upland  and  salt  marsh,  thence  southerly  by  the  said 


To  face  page  IBS,  vol.  L 


PEDIGREE  OK  MORGAN,  OF  EASTCHESTER 


Charles  Morgan,  Of  Flushing  .Elizabeth 


.lames,  <>f  Kasiche*! or,  .Abigail 

I 


Charles  .Susannah  Union 


Elijah  .Levina     Benjamin. 1. Miriam  Ward       Caleb  .Phoebe 


Hatfleld 

.2.  Dinah  Morgan 

Ward 

-Elijah 

— Joseph 
— Gilbert 
—Caleb 
—David 

Edward 

Elijah 

>  Caleb,  =  Anne  Hodman 


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nenry  R.  _1.  Mary  Winship, 

T2.  Helen  M.  Fordham 


Maria  L  married  0.  H.  smith 


Benjamin  R. 


.1  in. c     i  'I,,,  i..  l.mlni-l I 

 I  


Mary  ..Gilbert  Valentine        Abigail  _Da\ld  Iliistaco        Anne_E.  Trcdwell        Susannah _Thos.  Drake        Eustatla_Jno.  Garrett        Phoebe _Ellsha  Shutc        Charles  _ Jane  Oulon 


I 


ClmilcH-M.  A.  Ferka      Eliza  Ann _J.  Barton      Ablgutl  _  John  Drake      Phiebe^J.  I.c  Count      Susan  _Moscs  Drake      Sarah  ^J.  Wood      Hannah  _Moses  Hunt      Mary_.Ino.  Darker 


JamoaF.  .lulla  U.  _Nmlth  Sarnll  A  _W.  Wright  Maria  A.  ChallcaL. 


I.elltla  Ann_Jno.  Valentino  Jane _Flaher  Valentine    nes'ter  _Thos.  Oakley   Abigail _BenJ.  Washburn    Susan    Mary _1  Samuel  Drake  Ablj'ah_Jaue  Uuderhlll    James  Sarah  A 

 '^-Gilbert  Won  |  1  craiviu'rd 


diaries  J.  M.  J.  Thorno     Mary  A.  ..Thompson  Plnckney     Pita  V.  _8arah  Bush    Abl'jah  o_Mary  Bush     Abigail  J.  _().  F.  Callendcr      nester_Isaiali  Washburn      Margaret  A. _A.  M.  Dcdercr     James  L._Elizabctb  B.  nalsey 

Wm.  Moseli  y_Charlotto  r "  "HP 
 |    A.  Chapln  -L 


Chas.  V._SusanM. 
I  Bodi'au 


Grace  B.  _Iiobert  Marshall,  Jr.  Ralp! 


in  B. 


Joseph  A. 


Tames  L.  _Alicc  M.  Hill 
J  


Miriam. I.    W.  li. 

(Julinby 


A.  Murln_J  F. 

BBtmn 


Jannli  i\_a.  F. 

Held 


l'la'n_P.  Aek- 
erman 


S  a  S 

2    5  3 


§5 


To  race  page  239,  vol.  i. 


5  d 

?  B 


I 

Charlotte 
m. 
Elijah 
Angevine 


E 
Jo 


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James  =Phcebe  Ludwell 


Mary  ..Gilbert  Valentine 


Abigail  =Da 


Charles  —It  A.  Feeks      Eliza  Ann  _J.  Barton      Abigail  =John  Drake 


James  F.   Julia  R.  =Smith   Sarah  A.  =\V.  Wright   Maria  A.   Charles  L, 
Charles  J>=M.  J.  Thome     Mary  A.  =Thompson  Pinckney     Peter  TJ.  _jj 


les  _Sarah  A. 
I  Craw  fori 


I  , 

Wm.  Mosel.  yisan  M.    ' 'A 


Utean 


Edith  15. 


Charlotte  C. 


Emma  L.      William  > 


>  a  o  Miriam  J.  _W.  D. 
Big  Qllimby 


A.  Maria  JJ  F. 

II.  ban 


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Reid 


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THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


239 


bank  and  marsh,  until  it  comes  to  the  fence  by  the  salt  meadows,  at  a  monu- 
ment stone ;  from  thence  easterly  along  said  fence,  until  a  line  be  drawn  parallel 
from  the  first  mentioned  boundaries,  at  the  distance  of  20  feet  from  the  east  side 
of  said  church  will  touch  the  said  fence,  and  along  that  line  to  the  first  mentioned 
bounds.  Nevertheless,  always  reserving  to  the  proprietors  of  salt  meadow, 
adjoining  said  land,  and  those  who  have  meadows  southerly  of  said  laud,  their 
usual  right  of  way  in  going  to  and  coming  from  said  meadows  with  their  hay, 
through  the  land  above  described. 

Witness  our  hands  and  seals,  the  28th  day  of  April,  1792. 

Ben.  Morgan,  [l.  b.] 

James  Morgan,  £l.  s.] 

Nehemiaii  Marshall,  [l.  s.] 
Witnesses,  William  Crawford,  Dorcas  Crawford."0 

Now,  although  the  origin  of  the  first  church  edifice  in  the  town  of 
Eastchester  is  clearly  traceable  to  the  action  of  the  town,  yet  it  is  very 
evident  that  it  was  first  commenced  in  1692-3,  by  a  tax  levied  on 
Churchmen  and  Dissenters,  promiscuously,  according  to  their  real  estate, 
and  not  finished  until  the  act  of  1699  was  passed,  which  provided,  that 
"  The  trustees  of  each  town  were  to  make  a  yearly  rate  for  building  a 
church  where  wanting."  According  to  the  principles  of  common  law, 
at  this  period,  meeting  houses  erected  by  public  tax  belonged  to  the 
Church  established  by  laiv.  Hence,  we  find  Mr.  Bartow  and  his  suc- 
cessors after  their  establishment  and  induction,  by  the  then  Governors, 
claiming  the  chapel  or  meeting  house  at  Eastchester  as  their  own,  and 
not  only  so,  but  keeping  the  Dissenters  out  of  it.  The  parsonage  or 
glebe  with  all  its  rights  and  appurtenances  was  likewise  voted  for  public 
purposes,  and  belonged  to  the  rector  ex-ofhcio ;  for,  say  the  rules  of  com- 
mon law,  concerning  glebes,  "  Every  church  of  common  right  is  entitled 
to  house  and  glebe,"  and  "  After  induction  the  freehold  of  the  glebe  is 
in  the  parson."  Whilst  the  wardens  and  vestrymen,  who  were  the  choice 
of  the  people,  elected  the  rector  and  provided  for  his  support,  the  rate- 
payers appear  to  have  regulated  the  burial  ground,  voted  repairs  to  the 
church  when  necessary,  and  appointed  the  sexton,  as  was  done  in  many 
other  parishes.  This  was  the  state  of  things  prior  to  the  Revolution. 
After  peace  was  established  and  New  York  was  finally  organized  as  a 
State,  an  act  was  passed  in  1784  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  socie- 
ties; and  under  this  act,  we  have  seen,  the  church  at  Eastchester  was  in- 
corporated. Now  this  act  conferred  on  trustees  the  right,  "  Lawfully,  to 
have,  hold,  use,  exercise  and  enjoy  all  and  singular  the  churches,  meeting 
houses,  parsonages,  burying  places  and  lands,  thereunto  belonging,  with 

a  Town  Records.  "  In  1S08,  the  town  granted  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  laid  ont  in  fencing 
the  burial  ground  of  the  church  of  Eastchester,  and  supervisors  and  overseers  were  directed 
to  see  it  expended."  "  At  the  same  time  a  vote  was  taken  to  alter  the  right  of  way  through 
the  burial  ground  to  the  verge  thereof,  aud  that  of  the  salt  meadows  belonging  to  the  town." 


240 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  heretofore  by  the  said  church 
occupied  or  enjoyed,  &c."  Whatever  rights,  therefore,  the  Church  pos- 
sessed prior  to  the  Revolution,  were  still  continued  to  her  by  the  act  of 
1784. 

Subsequently,  however,  to  the  joint  action  of  the  trustees  "The  church 
appointed  three  persons  to  enclose  the  land  set  off  to  the  church  by  the 
town,"  as  appears  from  the  following  resolutions : — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  at  the  house  of  Win.  Crawford,  on  the  12th 
of  March,  1793,  it  was  resolved  as  follows: — Resolved,  that  Messrs.  Steven  Ward, 
Lancaster  Underhill  and  Abraham  Valentine,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized 
and  empowered  to  inclose  the  land  belonging  to  the  church  in  Eastchester,  as  laid 
out  and  ascertained  by  trustees  chosen  on  the  part  of  the  town  of  Eastchester, 
and  the  trustees  of  the  church,  by  a  board  fence  on  the  whole  front  or  north  side 
thereof,  composed  of  one  board  at  the  bottom  and  shtted  above,  and  that  the 
same  be  of  the  height  of  four  feet  and  a  half ;  and  the  other  parts  of  said  laud  to 
be  inclosed  by  a  post  and  rail  fence,  or  such  board  fence  as  aforesaid,  and  that 
the  said  persons  complete  the  same  as  conveniently  as  may  be,  <fcc." 

"  Re.so'ved  further,  that  the  above  mentioned  persons  take  and  receive  the 
profits  thereof  by  plowing  for  two  seasons,  any  of  the  said  lands,  except  that 
within  the  compass  of  the  burial  place,  and  after  that  to  take  the  grass  crowing 
out  of  the  said  land  by  pasturing  and  mowing  the  same,  and  render  an  account 
yearly  to  the  said  trustees  of  such  profits,  until  a  full  compensation  has  been 
made  by  the  use  thereof  for  their  trouble  and  expense  in  fencing  the  said  land,0 

The  presumption  is,  that  the  trustees  of  the  church  supposing  their 
title  to  the  ground  in  question,  invalidated  either  by  the  reorganization 
of  the  church  in  1787,  or  of  the  town  in  1788,  or  perhaps  of  both, 
acted  as  the  recipient  of  the  same  from  the  town,  and  wisely  asserted  no 
claim.  It  is  certain  that  her  action  in  1792,  did  not  weaken  the  title 
she  possessed  in  any  land  rightfully  belonging  to  her;  whilst  the  effect 
of  the  certificate,  as  declared  in  the  resolution  of  the  town  before  quoted, 
was  to  be  forever  a  bar  to  any  claim  on  the  part  of  the  town  to  the  lands 
set  off.b 

This  church  was  again  incorporated  on  the  4th  of  October,  1795,  by 
the  style  and  title  of  "  St  Paul's  Church  in  the  Town  of  Eastches- 
ter,"0 in  pursuance  of  an  Act  passed  for  the  relief  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  on  the  17th  of  March,  previous.  Upon  this  occasion, 
William  Popham  and  Lancaster  Underhill  were  elected  church-wardens ; 
Philip  Pell,  Lewis  Guion,  Isaac  Ward,  John  Reed,  Isaac  Guion,  Abra- 
ham Valentine,  William  Pinckney  and  William  Crawford,  vestrymen. 

a  Church  Records,  commencing  A.D.  1787. 

b  See  Report  to  the  trustees  of  the  town  of  Eastchester  as  to  the  title  to  the  burying  ground 
attached  i"  St.  Paul's  church  at  Kartell  sicr,  In  Keussalaer  Ten  Broecfc,  N.  V.  L8B> 
c  County  Rec  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  10, 11,  UL 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


241 


In  1798,  the  connection  between  this  parish  and  Yonkers  was  dis- 
solved," and  an  association  formed  with  Westchester  in  order  to  procure 
a  minister.  Upon  the  9th  of  March,  1799,  Mr.  Isaac  Wilkins,  then  in 
deacon's  orders,  was  called  to  officiate  as  minister  of  the  united  parishes 
of  West  and  Eastchester. 

In  1 80 1  the  Vestry  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Rector,  War- 
dens and  Vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York : — 

TO  THE  RT.  REV.  RECTOR  AND  THE  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY- 
MEN OF  THE  CORPORATION  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH  IN 
THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

"The  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  St.  Paul's  church  at  Eastchester,  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  from  a  firm  belief  of  the  disposition  of  the  corporation  of  the 
Trinity  Church  to  aid  and  assist  their  sister  Churches  in  every  undertaking  or 
design  for  encouraging  and  advancing  the  interest  and  increase  of  their  respective 
congregations ;  and  also  from  the  consideration  of  their  having  heretofore  ex- 
tended their  liberality  to  other  Churches  whose  circumstances  were  uot  more 
needy,  are  induced  to  make  the  following  Representation  of  the  situation  of  the 
said  Church,  viz :  that  it  was  built  some  few  years  before  the  Revolution,  but 
left  unfinished.  That  by  the  depredations  commonly  attendant  thereon,  it  was 
greatly  injured,  the  wooden  part  of  it  being  taken  away,  whereby  the  walls  were 
exposed  and  so  much  impaired,  that  shortly  after  the  retnrn  of  peace,  the  little 
remaining  part  of  the  former  congregation  exerted  their  best,  the  war  having 
enfeebled  their  abilities,  to  put  the  church  in  some  sort  of  order  for  public  wor- 
ship, and  engaged  a  minister,  and  in  conjunction  with  Westchester  do  still  re- 
tain one  who  promises  by  his  talents  as  a  teacher,  with  an  exemplary  conduct, 
to  promote  the  cause  of  religion  and  enlarge  the  congregation,  &c." 

In  April,  181 7,  the  Rev.  Ravaud  Kearny,  A.  M.,  succeeded  Mr. 
Wilkins  as  minister  of  this  parish.  He  was  the  son  of  Philip  Kearny, 
whose  grandfather,  Michael  Kearny,  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  this 
country  in  1706.  He  was  born  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  22d  of  August,  1791, 
entered  Columbia  College  in  1808,  and  graduated  Bachelor  and 
Master  of  Arts  in  181 2.  In  1816  he  was  ordained  deacon,  and  the 
year  following  Priest,  by  the  Right  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  and  soon 
afterwards  commenced  his  labors  here.  In  182 1,  he  relinquished  the 
rectorship  of  this  parish,  and  confined  himself  to  the  Church  at  New 
Rochelle,  to  which  benefice  he  was  called  in  18 19.  Sometime  in  1822, 
he  resigned  the  charge  of  the  latter,  and  accepted  a  call  to  St.  Mary's 
Parish,  Maryland,  from  whence  he  removed  to  St.  John's  church,  Can- 
andaigua,  West  New  York,  and  in  1828  took  charge  of  St.  Paul's  church, 
Red  Hook,  Dutchess  County,  of  which  he  remained  rector  until  the  day 


a  Mr.  Cooper's  farewell  sermon  was  delivered  in  St.  Paul's  church,  June  16,  1T9S,  from  2 
Cor.  xiii :  11.   In  the  course  of  it  he  alludes  to  nine  years  of  service  at  Eastchester. 


242        •  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

of  his  death.  He  died  8th  of  May,  1844.  His  remains  were  brought 
to  New  York,  and  interred  in  the  family  vault  at  St.  Mark's  church  in 
the  Bowery. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Kearny,  the  Rev.  Lewis  Pintard  Bayard, 
from  the  Diocese  of  New  Jersey,  was  elected  rector  of  the  parish.  He 
continued  faithfully  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office  both  here  and 
in  New  Rochelle,  until  the  14th  of  October,  1826,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  Lawson  Carter,  for  whose  successors  see  list  of 
rectors. 

The  first  delegates  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  in 
1787,  were  Philip  Pell,  Sen.,  and  Thomas  Bartow. 

We  have  previously  shown  that  the  present  church  edifice  was  erected 
in  1765,  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town.  Situated  in  a  pleasant  valley, 
bordering  on  the  Aqueanouncke,  it  presents  from  the  neighboring  hills 
a  very  picturesque  appearance.  The  building  is  remarkable  for  the 
solid  character  of  its  masonry,  the  angles  of  the  edifice  being  ornamented 
with  rustic  quoins,  the  windows  and  doors  also  having  rustics.  A  vestry 
and  school  room  have  just  been  built,  opening  into  the  east  end  of  the 
church.  On  the  west  end  is  a  neat,  square  tower  of  three  stages,  with 
narrow  lights,  terminating  in  an  octangular  lantern,  containing  a  bell 
which  bears  the  following  inscription: — "The  Gift  of  the  Rev.  T/iomas 
Standard,  1758.    Lester  6*  Pack,  fecit."* 

Immediately  above  the  tower  door  are  inscribed  the  initials  of  the 
principal  benefactors,  viz. : — P.  R.  P. — P.  P. — D.  V. — also  a  tablet  of 
red  sand-stone,  bearing  the  date  of  erection,  1765.  The  whole  edifice 
has  recently  undergone  considerable  repairs  ;  a  new  chancel  arrangement 
made,  the  walls  painted  in  frescoe,  and  the  church  newly  seated.  It 
deserves  to  be  mentioned  that  the  pulpit  and  reading  desk  were  origi- 
nally placed  between  the  two  south  windows.  Beneath  the  chancel 
repose  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Standard,  former  rector  of  the 
parish,  and  Mary,  his  wife.  In  the  gallery  is  a  fine  toned  organ,  pre- 
sented by  George  Rapalye,  Esq.,  in  1833,  at  a  cost  of  $800.  The 
chandalier  and  sheds  were  also  his  gift. 

The  communion  silver  consists  of  a  flaggon,  four  chalices  and  jjaten. 
The  former  bears  the  following  inscription  : — "  To  St.  Paul's  Church, 
Eastchester,  IV.  Y.  In  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary  Grigg,b  obi.  Jan.  2d, 
1844,  s£  71  years" 


a  During  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  bell  and  praver  hook  formerly  used  by  the  Missiona- 
ries of  the  Yen.  Prop.  Soc,  were  burried  for  safe  keeping  on  the  farm  known  as  the  old  Kosa 
place,  and  now  owned  by  E.  C.  Halsey,  Esq. 

b  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Joshua  Pell,  Esq.,  grandson  of  Thomas  Pell,  second  Lord  of 
the  Manor  of  Pelham. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


243 


The  chalices  are  inscribed  as  follows: — ist.  "  The  gift  of  Frederick 
Van  Cortlandt,  St.  Paul's  Chtirch,  Eastc  luster,  A.  D.  1829."  2d  and 
3d,  marked  "  A.  S."a  4th,  "  St.  Paul's  Church,  Eastchester,  N.  K, 
from  Mrs.  John  Quincy  Adams,  1829."  This  chalice  is  not  only  ren- 
dered valuable  by  the  distinguished  lady  who  gave  it,  but  by  the  melan- 
choly story  associated  therewith. b 

In  the  old  church  book,  occurs  the  following  memorandum: — "'To 
cash  paid  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper,  to  buy  a  communion  cup,  jQi  15J  id, 
March  iSth,  1793."  Upon  the  Church  Green,  between  the  ancient 
locust  trees  and  burial  ground,  formerly  stood  the  old  church,  built  by 
the  town  in  1692.  This  edifice,  constructed  of  wood,  was  destroyed  by 
fire  at  an  early  period  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  church  yard  which  lies  on  the  south  and  west  side  of  the  church, 
is  one  of  the  most  extensive  in  the  country. 

TOMB-STONES. 


M.  V.  D.  I.  P.  D.  NOVE  I  D  I  D 

FEB  THE  MBER  THE  FOVRT  N.  20 

14.  ETH.  DAY.  1724.  1714 

1704 

M.  O.  D.  Ye  27.  1726— A.  A.  AV.  Ye  1730— JOSEPH.  DRAKE.  DESESED. 
MARCH.  THE.  1G.  DAY.  1731.  IN.  THE.  70-I-.  YEAR.  OF.  niS.  AGE,— 
HERE.  LS.  THE.  BODY.  OF.  THOMAS.  PINCKNEY.  DIED.  YE.  1.  1732. 
EG.  71— HERE.  LAYS.  THE.  BODY.  OF.  CAP.  WILL.  PINCKNEY. 
DECESED.  11.  DAY.  OF.  MARCH.  1755.  AG'D.  ABOUT.  75.  YEARS 
— I.  O.  D.  FEB.  1746—0.  H.  IIOBRED.  DECES.  ID.  Ye  YEAR.  1755—.  I 
0.  DE.  JULY.  Ye  25.  175— HERE  LYETH  THE  BODY  OF  WILLIAM 
CRAWFORD:  WHO  DEPARTED:  THIS:  LIFE  THE  11.  DAY:  OF 
NOVEMBER:  IN:  THE:  51:  YEAR:  OF:  HIS:  AGE:  1747— E.  W.  O. 
NOVEMBER— M.  A  *C.  JAN.  25.  1764-F.  O.  DEC.  12— MAJOR  SAMUEL 
PELL,  OB.  29.  DECR.  1786,  IN  THE  32nd  YEAR  OF  HIS  AGE.  THUS 
AFTER  RETURNING  VICTORIOUS,  FROM  THE  FIELD  OF  MARS,  HE 
CHEERFULLY  OBEYS  THE  SUMMONS  OF  ETERNITY  FROM  WHENCE 
THERE  IS  NO  RETURN. 


a  Ann,  daughter  of  James  Smith,  Esq.,  whose  brother,  Col.  William  Smith,  married  a 
daughter  of  President  Adams,  ami  resided  on  the  Koss  place  in  this  town. 

6  'i'he  son  of  this  lady  being  washed  overboard  from  a  vessel  in  the  Sound,  was  found  by 
one  of  the  church  wardens,  and  brought  to  this  church  for  interment. 


244      •  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

On  a  small  marble  oblisk  is  the  following : 

Sacred 
to  the  memory  of  the 
REV.    AUGUSTINE  P.  PREVOST, 
only  son  of  the  late  Mrs.  L.  C.  Palmer, 
who  departed  this  life 
on  the  15th  of  November,  1843, 
in  the  37th  year  of  his  age, 
and  the  8th  of  his  ministry,  7  years  of  which 
he  was  Rector  of  St.  John's  Church, 
Canandaigua,  N.  Y. 

Rest  from  thy  labors,  blessed  spirit  rest ; 
Tho'  early  called,  God's  ways  are  always  best, 
Nor  need  this  feeble,  partial  pen  declare 
What  was  thy  need,  or  what  thy  labors  were. 
The  poor,  the  desolate,  the  bad  reclaimed 
Are  mouths  for  thee,  who  never  wert  ashamed 
To  own  thy  Master's  cause  before  the  great, 
Nor  heeded  frowns  while  laying  bare  their  state  ; 
A  weeping  flock,  children  mourn  the  loss 
Of  their  lov'd  Pastor.    Steadfast  on  the  Cross 
He  kept  their  gaze — "Watch,"  was  his  latest  cry, 


" Neither is  he  that  plartteth  anything,  neither  he  that  tratereth. 
But  God  that  giveth  the  increase." — 1st  Cor.  3d  chap.,  7th  verse. 

RECTORES  DE  EASTCHESTER. 

TEMP.  INST.  RECTORES.  VAOAT.  PATR02TS. 

19  Nov.  1702,  Rev.  John  Bartow,  CI.  A.  M.  pr.  mort.  War.  and  Ves. 

8  July  1727,  Rev.  Thos.  Standard,  CI.  A.  M.  "  " 
12  June  1761,  Rev.  John  Milner,  CI.  A.  M.  pr.  resig.,  " 

3  Dec.  1766,  Rev.  Sam.  Seabury,  CI.  A.  M.  " 
3  Mar.  1799,  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  Presb.  D.D.  pr.  mort, 
Apr.  1817.  Rev.  Ravaud  Kearny,  Presb.  A.  M.  pr.  resig.  " 
1821,  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  " 
14  Oct.  1826,  Rev.  Lawsou  Carter,  Presb.  " 

9  Aug.  1836,  Rev.  John  Grigg,  Presb.  " 

25  July  1837,  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  Presb.  "  " 

1  Apr.  1846,  Rev.  Edwin  Ilarwood,  Presb. 
22  Aug.  1847,  Rev.  Henry  E.  Duncan,  Presb.  "  " 

1  Feb.  1852,  Rev.  William  S.  Coffey,  Presb.,  present  incumbent. ' 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  village  of  Eastchester  was 
first  organized  in  1836,  and  incorporated  the  same  year  by  the  name 
and  title  of  "  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  town  of  East- 
chester." Thomas  Griffin,  Peter  Bertine,  Josiah  Sickles,  Nicholas  Duff, 
and  Gilbert  Underbill,  trustees.  The  church  was  erected  in  1837,  and 
a  small  parsonage  has  been  added  since. 


RECTORY  OF  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  EAST  CHESTER 


ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  EAST  CHESTER. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


245 


This  portion  of  Westchester  County  seems  to  have  suffered  severely 
during  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  constantly  the  scene  of 
marches,  points  of  defence,  and  skirmishes.  Here,  also,  the  lawless 
"skinner"  and  "cow-boy "  practised  their  black  deeds  of  rapine  un- 
molested. 

In  October,  1776,  a  skirmish  took  place  in  this  town  between  the 
patriots,  on  their  route  from  King's  Bridge  to  Westchester,  and  the 
enemy,  under  Lord  Howe.  For  some  time  the  Connecticut  troops 
were  billeted  in  the  village.  Here  Gilbert  Vincent,  Jr.,  who,  like  his 
father,  was  the  blacksmith  of  the  town,  was  shot  by  order  of  a  French 
officer  belonging  to  Col.  Armaud's  cavalry  of  the  French  Legion  for  re- 
fusing to  shoe  his  horse  on  the  Lord's  Day,  in  consequence  of  which 
Elijah,  his  brother,  joined  the  British  army,  took  a  lieutenant's  com- 
mission, and  throughout  this  whole  region  became  a  terror  to  all  who 
opposed  the  Crown.  On  the  3d  October,  1779,  "Lieutenant  Gill  of 
the  American  Dragoons,  patrolling  in  Eastchester,  found  a  superior 
force  in  his  rear,  and  had  no  alternative  but  to  surrender  or  cut  his  way 
through  them ;  he  chose  the  latter,  and  forced  his  way,  when  he  found 
a  body  of  infantry  still  behind  the  horse.  These  he  also  charged,  and 
on  his  passing  them  his  horse  was  wounded,  and  threw  him,  when  he 
fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Two  of  the  lieutenant's  party — which  con- 
sisted of  twenty-four — were  killed,  and  one  taken  prisoner;  the  rest 
escaped  safe  to  their  regiments."" 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  village  a  detachment  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Parsons,  fitted  out  in  sleighs,  (returning  from  an  enterprise  against 
the  enemy  at  Morrisania),  were  overtaken  and  almost  entirely  cut  to 
pieces  by  a  party  of  British  light  horse.6 

The  small  stream  which  waters  the  western  part  of  the  village  of 
Eastchester  was  formerly  known  as  Rattlesnake  Brook.  An  early  town 
order  requires  the  inhabitants  to  meet  together  one  day  in  the  Spring 
for  the  destruction  of  this  dangerous  reptile.  As  late  as  1775  one  of 
them  was  killed  near  the  brook,  measuring  some  six  feet.  Feb.  1st, 
1696-7,  John  Pell,  Sen.,  had  the  privilege  of  erecting  a  mill  on  this 
brook.  In  1721  Nathaniel  Tompkins  was  permitted  by  the  town  to 
erect  a  fish-weir  on  Rattlesnake  Creek,  "  to  ye  advantage  of  himself  to 
catch  ye  fish  that  swimmeth  therein,  for  ye  space  of  ten  years  from  this 
date,  providing  he  put  it  up  at  once."" 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  brook,  on  "Mill  Lane,"  is  situated  the  tide 

a  Heath's  Mi •moires,  21S. 
b  HiikIi  Caines'  Gazette. 

•  Town  liecord.  It  appears  from  the  Town  Record,  that  as  early  as  1703  there  existed  a 
mill  covenant  between  the  town  and  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote.   Town  Record,  vol.  is,  p.  54. 


246      '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

mill  of  the  late  Robert  Reid,  Esq.  This  gentleman  was  the  son  of 
John  Reid,  who  was  born  at  Ualmellington,  Ayreshire,  Scotland,  in 
1752,  and  bought  land  of  John  Bartow.  His  grandfather,  Robert  Reid, 
was  of  Ayreshire,  Scotland,  and  descended  from  the  Reids  of  Loch 
Hannoch,  of  the  Clan  Chatu,  settled  at  Craig-on-Hill,  Ayrshire,  1644. 
Robert  Reid's  mother  was  Mary  Bartow.  He  had  five  maiden  sisters ; 
one  of  whom,  Phoebe,  still  survives  and  occupies  the  property  which 
they  have  held  for  nearly  a  century.  The  Reid  cottage  occupies  an 
extensive  view  of  the  winding  creek  and  the  high  grounds  of  Pelham. 
The  adjoining  property  formed  a  portion  of  the  ancient  planting  grounds 
of  Eastchester. 

Further  to  the  south-west  lies  Black  Dog  Brook,  sometimes  called 
Hutchinson's  Brook,  so  mysteriously  connected  with  the  fate  of  the  cele- 
brated Ann  Hutchinson.  This  stream  constitutes  a  portion  of  the 
southern  boundary  between  the  towns  of  East  and  West  Chester ;  it 
discharges  into  the  Aqueanouncke,  or  Hutchinson's  Creek. 

Upon  the  Western  shore  of  Hutchinson's  Creek  is  located  the  village 
landing  already  alluded  to.  In  mis  stream  a  British  vessel  of  war  was 
captured  during  the  Revolution  by  a  party  of  whale-boat  men. 

In  the  south-west  corner  of  Eastchester  lies  the  estate  of  the  late 
George  Faile,  Esq.,  (at  present  occupied  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Thomas 
H.  Rutherford),  formerly  the  property  of  Fleetwood  Marsh,  Esq.,  a 
native  of  Dutchel,  Buckinghamshire,  England,  for  many  years  a  free- 
holder in  this  town.  The  situation  of  the  estate  is  very  fine,  command- 
ing all  the  various  undulations  of  a  hilly  district.  The  house,  seated 
upon  rising  ground,  overlooks  the  valley  to  the  south-east,  Eastchester 
Creek,  and  the  distant  waters  of  the  Sound. 

The  adjoining  property  on  the  west  belonged  to  the  late  Robert 
Givans,  Esq.  The  mansion  is  surrounded  by  extensive  plantations  and 
ample  woodlands.  The  latter  affords  a  favorite  rendezvous,  or  head- 
quarters, for  vast  flocks  of  crows,  which  receive  every  protection  from 
their  generous  benefactors.  The  noise  created  by  them  in  their  evening 
assemblage  and  re-ascension  in  the  morning,  is  incredible — causing  the 
wood  to  re-echo  with  a  thousand  reverberations. 

In  the  immediate  neighborhood  are  the  properties  of  the  late  Judge 
Effingham,  C.  Schieft'elin  and  Col.  C.  M.  Schieffelin,  late  member  of 
the  Assembly.  The  former  was  once  owned  by  Capt.  Solomon  Fowler, 
of  De  Lancy's  Refugee  Corps,  who  was  killed  at  Horse  Neck  during 
the  Revolutionary  War.  It  was  afterwards  confiscated.  Col.  Schieffe- 
lin's  residence  occupies  the  summit  of  a  high  ridge,  overlooking  the 
valley  of  Eastchester  on  the  east. 


To  face  page  247,  vol.  I. 


PEDIGREE  OF  LAWRENCE,  OF  EASTCHESTER. 


Arms:— Ar.  a  cross,  raguly,  gu.    Crest:— A  dcmi  turbot,  tail  upwards.    Motto:— Qwero,  Intenio. 


John  Lawrence,  of  8*..  Ives.  Huntingdonshire,  England,  ob.  1538. 
Jobs  |  Lawrence 


MB  Lawn-nee.  emigrated  from  England  lo  ihe  colon/ of  New      William,  emigrated  to  America  with  bls_Elizabeth.  Smith,  of  Smitntown,  da.  of  Richard,      Thomas,  one  of  the  patentees  of  Newtown, 


Amsterdam,  In  1011 ;  one  of  the  Ant  patentees  of  North  Hemp- 
stead, I-  I.,  16M;  a  resident  of  Westchester,  1644;  deputy  to 
Hartford  from  Gov.  Htuyvesant  In  1603;  Mayor  of  New  York, 
and  member  of  the  Governor's  Council  at  the  time  of  Ida  death 
in  1099;  .Judge  of  the  Hupreme  Court    Will  dated  1098. 


brother,  one  of  the  first  patentees  of  Fosh- 
Ing,  in  1645,  proprietor  of  LURCDOB  Neck, 
magistrate  of  Flushing,  under  the  Dutch, 
ob.  1060. 


patentee  of  Smithtown;  this  lady  afterwards 
married  Sir  Philip  Carteret,  Governor  of  New 
Jersey.  From  her,  Elizabethlown  tabes  its 
name. 


TIiomaH,  Joint  patentee  with  h's  fattier, _KranclnaHmlth,  widow 
anccHtor  of  the  Eastchester  branch.         j    of  M.  Hmllh. 


Willi 


lam,  member  of  the  Gov. , 
Couucll  from  1702-1700. 


John,  high  sheriff  of  Queens  County,  1693, 
commander  of  a  troop  of  horse,  ancestor 
of  the  Newtown  branch,  mar.  Elizabeth. 


[666,  proprietor  of  Dell-gate  neck,  a 
major  In  Leisler's  forces,  1690;  died  at 
Newtown,  July,  1703. 


Jonathan,  who  removed  to  Westchester,  ancestor, 
of  the  Westchester  branch,  and  probably  of  I 
Rockland  County  branch,  ob.  ante.  1720. 


Thomas,  Justice  of  the  Price  for  ..Frances 
Hergi  n  County,  from  1702-17 IB,  Kdsull 
Judge  of  Court  of  Common 
PIMM)  ancestor  of  N.  J.  branch. 


i  .11',  nat.  1GP0-7,  removed  from_l.  Anna  Squire 
Long  Inland  to  Kastchester,  clr.  I  -2. Esther 
1680,  ob.  cir.  1780.  Canlffe. 


John,  nat.  1068,  ob.  1738,  r-  - .  Elizabeth 
moved  to  Cortlandt's  patent 
1730. 


Jacob,  of  West — Lydla 
Chester 


Thomas,  will  dated  13th 
May,  1752,  lib  18,  p.  SOS. 


Isaac,  nat.  1<W7,  oh.  clr.  1708   1.  Widow  Ward. 

I  _v.  Ruth  Owen* 


JftOOb,  whose  decendanis  are  living 
at  Westchester. 


Mary 


J.lHaac, lint. _Ki'7.luli  Pill,  mil.  1729, 
1724         ol>.  asih  March,  179S 


2.  Jesse,  nat.  I>ee..l>!h,  1727_Ellzabelh 
oh.  Feb.  nth,  1801  Vamlostern 


I  I 


3.Joseph,  killed  by  a 
fall  from  his  horse 
prior  to  the  Revo- 
lution 


4.ollbert,  nat.  1739,  _Margaret       S.Aaron,  nat.  _l.Jane  Lawrence 


ob.  Ju:y  17, 1S17 


Kissac. 
_2.Mrs. 
Magrlelanc 

Myers 


1 9th  >i„r. 
1741.  ob.  2 
Jan.,  1S1C. 


ob.  13th  Aug., 
1785. 
_2.Craft,ob.  1829 


l.Anua,  nat.  April  22_Neuemlah  Hunt, 
1729,  ob.  Aug.  12,  nat.  May  21st, 
1796  1724,  ob.  July 

20-h, 1792 


a.  •>  a 


»  £  r 


a.  p  a 

r  M  i 


MB 

11 

D  % 


Notk  :— See  Historical  fieneology  of  the  Lawrence  family,  by  Thou.  Lawrence. 


To  face  page  247,  vol.  i. 


John  Lawrence,  emigrated  from  England 
Amsterdam,  in  1611 ;  one  of  the  first  pate 
stead,  L.  I.,  1644;  a  resident  of  Westell 
Hartford  from  Gov.  Stuyvesant  in  1C63; 
and  member  of  the  Governors  Council  ai 
in  1699;  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 


Thomas,  joint  patentee  with  h'.s  father, _Francii 
ancestor  of  the  Eastchester  branch.  of  M. 


Thomas,  Justice  of  the  Peace  for=FraDces  Isaac,  nat.  1 

Bergen  County,  from  1702-1713,      Edsall  Louglslac 

Judge  of  Court  of  Common  1689,  ob.  ci 
Pleas,  ancestor  of  N.  J.  branch. 


Isaac,  nat.  16S7,  ob.  cir.  1768^1. Widow  Ward. 

I  =2.Ruth  Owens 


Jo 


Jhn 


X  °  5  "-3 
c  —  3 
w  r  p" 

•    o>  3 

5  5. 1 

g5a 


00  o  S 

B  CT  u 

en  •  □ 

'  5? -a  B 


l.Isaac,  nat.=Kezlah  Pell,  nat.  1729, 
1724  ob.  25th  March,  1795 


2.Je 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


247 


There  is  a  remarkable  rock  in  this  vicinity  well  worthy  the  stranger's 
notice,  marked  with  a  rude  impression  of  a  human  foot  seven  inches  in 
length,  pointing  west.  It  is  a  perfect  impression  of  the  right  foot;  and 
what  is  very  singular,  another  track  occurs  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
sound,  on  Long  Island.  There  appear  to  be  several  tracks  upon  that 
island.  "  About  half  a  mile  from  the  fort  on  Montauk  Point,"  says  Mr. 
Trime,  "  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  is  a  granite  rock,  imbedded  in  the 
ground,  on  the  upper  surface  of  which  is  the  apparent  impress  of  a 
human  foot.  The  figure  is  as  perfect  and  distinct  as  would  follow  from 
the  pressure  of  the  left  foot  upon  some  cohesive  substance,  except  being 
deficient  in  a  toe ;  a  deficiency  no.t  at  first  sight  apparent,  and  discern- 
able  only  by  inspection.  No  artist  could  have  chiselled  a  more  perfect 
resemblance.  The  impression  is  still  fresh,  and  without  the  least  ap- 
pearance of  injury  from  time.  There  are  two  other  tracks  less  perfect 
and  distinct.  The  one  in  the  Indian  field,  and  the  other  west  of  Fort 
Pond.  The  heel  of  the  foot  is  towards  the  east  in  all  of  them,  as  though 
formed  in  passing  to  the  west.  Excepting  that  they  are  the  footsteps  of 
the  evil  spirit,  no  record  or  tradition  pretends  to  give  their  story.  They 
existed  at  the  first  settlement  by  the  whites,  and  were  a  subject  of 
pawwa  to  the  Indians."*1  Perhaps  they  are  in  some  way  mysteriously 
connected  with  "  Satan's  toe  "  and  the  "  stepping  stones  "  off  Throck- 
morton's Neck,  by  which  the  evil  spirit  made  good  his  retreat  when 
worsted  by  the  Mohegans,  or  enchanted  Wolf  tribe  of  Indians,  during 
some  unknown  period  of  the  stone  age. 

Within  a  short  distance  of  the  village  was  situated  the  estate  of  the 
late  Col.  John  R.  Hayward,  Esq.,  who  in  1846  represented  this  county 
in  Assembly.  His  son  is  the  present  Robert  Hayward,  of  Rye.  Col. 
Hayward  purchased  the  property  of  the  executors  of  the  late  Richard 
ohute.  In  167 1  James  Eustice  and  others  were  appointed  to  layout 
land  for  Richard  Shute  (ancestor  of  the  before-mentioned  Richard),  near 
Rattlesnake  Creek. 

Most  of  the  farms  in  this  neighborhood,  which  once  covered  the  old 
Lawrence  property,  embracing  at  one  period  nearly  five  hundred  acres, 
are  now  included  in  the  most  thickly  settled  portion  of  Mount  Vernon. 
A  part  of  the  Lawrence  estate  was  anciently  called  Virginia  from  its 
beautiful  appearance.  Its  earliest  proprietor  was  Isaac  Lawrence,  Esq., 
who  originally  emigrated  from  Long  Island  to  Eastchester  about  1689. 
On  the  1 2th  of  May,  1690,  Isaac  Lawrence  was  chosen  by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  town,  one  of  the  pound-masters  for  the  year  ensuing.  In 
1700  he  appears  to  have  been  town  treasurer,  and  in  1 721,  his  name 
a  H.  3.  Prime'8  History  of  Long  Island. 


248' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 


occurs  in  a  list  of  the  Grand  Jurors  for  the  County  of  Westchester. 
Isaac  Lawrence  died  about  1730,  leaving  three  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom 
was  Isaac  Lawrence,  grandfather  of  the  late  Augustus  Lawrence,  Esq., 
who  for  so  many  years  filled  with  great  credit  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  the  town  of  Eastchester,  whose  grandson  is  the  present  Dennis 
McMahon,  Esq.,  of  Castle  Eden,  Morrisiania.  The  Lawrences  of  West- 
chester County,  New  Jersey  and  Long  Island,  descended  from  John 
Lawrence  of  St.  Ives,  Huntingdonshire,  England,"  who  died  in  1538 
and  was  buried  in  the  Abbey  of  Ramsey,  Huntingdon.  His  eldest  son 
was  Henry  Lawrence  of  St.  Ives,  born  1600,  a  graduate  of  Emanuel 
College  in  1622,  who  came  to  New  England  in  1635  with  Lord  Saye 
and  Seal,  Lord  Brooke  and  others,  and  obtained  grants  on  the  Connecti- 
cut River.  He  subsequently  returned  to  England  and  was  made  Lord 
President  of  the  Privy  Council  and  Member  of  Parliament  for  Hertford- 
shire— and  was  buried  in  St.  Margaret's  church,  Hertford  John 
Lawrence  his  youngest  son,  of  Great  St.  Albans  in  Hertfordshire,  died 
circ.  1626  leaving  by  his  wife  Joan,  who  was  born  1593,  three  sons, — 
John,  William  and  Thomas  Lawrence — who  emigrated  from  Great  St. 
Albans,  in  Hertfordshire,  to  America,  during  the  political  troubles  that 
led  to  the  dethronement  and  death  of  Charles  I.  The  youngest  of  the 
three  sons,  Thomas  Lawrence,  was  one  of  the  patentees  of  Newtown, 
L.  I.,  and  proprietor  of  Hell-gate  neck;  and  died  at  Newton,  July,  1703, 
leaving  by  his  wife  Mary,  four  sons,  Thomas,  joint  patentee  with  his 
father  and  ancestor  of  the  New  Jersey  branch  ;  Isaac,  born  in  1666-7, 
who  emigrated  as  we  have  seen,  to  Eastchester  in  1689  and  died  circ. 
1736.  John  who  removed  to  Cortlandt  Manor  in  1730,  and  Jacob 
Lawrence  of  Westchester. 

The  Pinckney  estate  in  this  town  originally  embraced  the  properties 
of  Darius  Lyon,  Esq.,  late  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  others  adjoining. 
The  Pinckney  residence,  which  stood  a  little  to  the  south-west  of  Mr. 
Lyons  was  quite  a  stately  affair ;  and  appears  to  have  been  a  favorite 
resort  for  officers  of  the  Royal  army,  when  stationed  in  its  vicinity  during 
the  Revolutionary  War.  In  front  of  this  mansion  the  young  and  hand- 
some Henry  Pinckney  was  shot  before  the  eyes  of  his  family,  (by  a  party 
of  Continental  soldiers)  whilst  endeavoring  to  effect  his  escape  on  horse- 
back, April  2,  1786. 

a  The  first  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Sir  Richard  I.awrens  in  UM,  who  was  knighted  by 
Richard  I.  at  the  siege  of  Acre  in  1191.  This  individual  bore  for  his  coat  of  arms  "Argent  a 
cross  raguly  gules,"  which  is  still  carried  by  his  American  descendants"— after  this  the 
family  became  eminent  in  Eugland.  In  Faulkner's  History  of  Chelsea,  Ac.,  he  says,  "  The 
Lawrences  wi  re  allied  to  all  that  was  great  and  illustrious  ;  cousins  lo  tho  ambitious  Dudley, 
Duke  of  Northumberland,  to  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  to  Lord  Guilford  Dudley,  who  expiated  on 
the  scalTohl  the  short  lived  royalty  of  l.adv  Jane  tirey  ;  to  the  brilliant -Leicester,  who  set  two 
qneens  at  variance,  and  to  Sir  Philip  Sidney  who  refused  a  throne. "— Riker's  Annals  of  New- 
town, p.  281. 


To  face  page  MS,  voL  1. 


PEDIGREE  OF  PINCKNEY,  OF  EASTCHESTER. 


Arms  : — Or,  four  fusils  in  fesse  gules.       Crest : — Out  of  a  ducal  coronet  or,  a  griffon's  head  ppr. 


Philip  Pinckney,  one  of  the  tirst  patentees  of  Eastchester,  1G64_ 
(1.  at  Fairfield,  1649   f 


Thomas  Pinckney,  of  Ea^tchester  ^Hannah 


olin, 


living  in  1699 _AlMga.il,  da.  of  Thos.  Hunt 

  I 


Elizabeth 
Jane 


I  1 
Ann 

Deborah 


Thomas,  dlcd„Ellzabeth 


after  the  war 


Chappel, 
L.  T. 


Philip 
William 


Jo  lathan  ^  1  .Sarah  Ward 
-2.Alida  Staff 
a  Dutch  lady 


Hannah 
Susannah 


Ferris,  1699 


Abigail 


Rachel  _John  Pell,  'id  Lord  of  the 
Abigail      Manor  of  Pelham 


Mary 


Thomas,  nat.  _Abby  Israel  -.Dorothy  Rich 
Feb,  1729  Ilriggs 


Philip_Ellzabeth  Town-      wil'lam-Freelove,  da  of     Sarah,  married    Jemima,  mar.    Pooebe,  mar. 
I  send,  da  of  John  |  John  Townsend   John  Williams    Thos.  Ward     Thos.  Fowler 


III 
Jonathan,  ob.  s.p. 

Meriam,  ob.  s.  p. 

Sarah,  ob.  b.  p. 


John, 


1741,  ob, 
1744 


nat.     Gilbert.nat.  John,  nat.  Philip,  nat.  21st  Charles,  nat.  21  David,  a  rcpresent- 

May31st,     12th  July,  October,  1749      Nov.,  1751,  of   atlve  of  the  house 

1743  1746,ofNo-  of  Nova  Scotia     Nova  Scotia       of  Assembly  of 

va  Scotia  Nova  Scotia 


Philij 


Richard  _Susan  Oarhart 


1. Lewis      2. .John 


M.wtllla 


4.1srael      Rachel,  m.  Jacob  Post 


Thomas      BrjggS      Elijah      Joslah      Rachel  Rebecca 


T  I.  L 


3  |  Rl       £     Henry,  killed  ^Esther 
§  p  g-f  s,p  "      during  the    1  Content, 


Jonathan -Elizabeth 
I  Palmer 


Mira.hih.  .lane  Cross 


William  =1  Jarvis 
=2.Birdsall 


James  =Lowerey       David  =Fanny  Mclutyre 


p3  M 


l.Froelove     2.Mary,  m.    3. Jemima,  m.  4. Ann,  in. 
m.  Thos.       Dan.  Rob-    Maj.  Frazer,  Joseph 
Hunt  erts  B.  officer  Reynolds 


I  I 

c.&eblna,m.  G.Phcebe,m. 
Elijah  Elijah 
Ward  Rich 


T.  Sarah, 
m.  Dr. 

Root 


<    S     William  II.  „nannah 
Bcnlne 


I      |l     i    I  111 


l.FJijah        l.llary   ,r*  J>       _^       Mf"  or'   i«-  i» 
S.Peter         >.BUla  ||  f  £  §  |  g  |  5  z  g  £  5  a    |555  ?3    f  SS  |§    |g  | 
B.Stephen  |P  S|  f  %  S  3  fj  jf  S  *  1 |    §  f  §&  f  |  §§? 


I  I 


J.  I.  I 


>  a  tj  o  f 
a.  g  =■:  s  3  s 


1.  William      2..Tames      3. Peter      4  Elias 


5  B 


3  » 


Stephen        James  Henry  _Ruchcl  Ann  Haws        George  Washington         William _EUzabeth  Davenport 


Bert'ine=Loulsc  Prear 


Frl-d  Haws^Agnes  P.  Arthur  James  Ilenry  ^ITenrietta  Swann    George  Albert  =Frances  P.  Gale 


Deborah  =Charles  Bailey 

 I 


Wm  lleniy=PiKe  Charles   Henrietta„W.  E.  Frost  Emma_Scott  R, Barnes 


Esther..  Robert  Glenn 

 I  

I 


Robert  Forrest  Emma^Lother  G.  Tlllotson  Hannah 


Julia  uatllda_Jaa,  Dnucuii  Phyfo 
_l  

Dnucan  Wm.  H.  Pinkney 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


The  Pinckney's  of  Eastchester,  descend  from  Philip  Pinckney,  one  of 
the  first  ten  proprietors  and  patentees  of  this  town,  who  originally  emi- 
grated from  Fairfield,  Connecticut,  in  1664.  This  individual  was  doubt- 
less one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Fairfield,  who,  like  Ludlow  and  others, 
came  from  the  West  of  England  with  the  Rev.  John  Warham  and  Com- 
pany. Philip  Pinckney  was  a  lineal  representative  of  the  Pinckney's  of 
Tatterset,  Pinckney  Manor,  Norfolk  County,  England,  whose  ancestor 
Gilo  de  rinckcni  or  Pinckenie,  came  into  that  country  in  the  time  of 
William  the  Conqueror.41  "In  the  19th  of  Henry  II,  (1172-1173),  in 
Hugh  Peverel  and  others,  as  Trustees,  settled  Tatersete,  Pinkney's  Ma- 
nor, with  that  of  Brunsthorp,  on  James  de  Pynkeney  and  Joan  his  wife, 
intail,  with  remainder,  to  Hugh  their  son,  and  Isabel  his  wife  intail," 
"William  de  Pinkeni  by  deed;  9th  of  King  John  (1207-1208)  confirmed 
to  William  son  of  Richard  Anglo  (that  is  English)  by  deed;  sans  date,  a 
croft,  &c.  The  seal  to  this  deed  is  of  green  wax : — a  crescent  and  a  de- 
crescent in  chief  with  one  crescent  in  base.''6  "In  St.  Ethelred's  church 
Norwich,  England,  there  is  a  stone,  in  the  chancel  below  the  rails,  for 
Henry  Pinckeny  and  Elizabeth  his  wife;  she  died  27th  of  Sept.,  1700, 
^Etat  86." 

The  Pinckney  estate  is  watered  on  the  East  by  the  Aqueanouncke 
(Hutchinson's  River,)  and  its  tributary  called  Black  Dog  or  Ann  Hooke's 
Brook. 

The  Drake's  were  also  extensive  proprietors  in  the  town,  the  old  estate 
called  "Nonsuch,"  being  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  Aquehung,  or 
Bronx,  on  the  north  by  the  Yonkers  road,  leading  to  Swayne's  Mill;  on 
the  east  by  the  White  Plains  Turnpike,  and  on  the  south  by  the  Hunt's 
Bridge  road.  The  property  is  now  owned  by  various  individuals.  It  is 
somewhat  curious  that  the  only  portion  of  the  original  estate  lately  ves- 
ted in  the  Drake  family  was  the  site  once  occupied  by  the  barns,  and 
out-buildings  of  the  late  Moses  Drake.  This  individual  was  the  son  of 
Benjamin  Drake;  third  in  descent  from  Samuel  Drake,  Esq.,  of  Fairfield, 
one  of  the  first  of  the  ten  proprietors  of  Eastchester,  in  1664. 

On  the  9th  September,  1650,  Samuel  Drake  received  a  grant  of  land 
from  the  freeholders  of  Fairfield.  Upon  the  8th  of  Feb.,  1677,  Samuel 
Drake  of  Eastchester  sold  unto  his  son  Samuel  Drake,  three  separate 
parcels  of  land  lying  in  Fairfield.'' 

o  Hloomncld's  Norfolk,  vol.  v,  pp.  5.  6.  "  Ilamo  de  PlnKeney,  time  of  nonry  II,  marr. 
Alice  who  died,  siezed  of  the  manor  of  Pinkeney  iu  1233-9.  Their  son  John  de  Plnkeucy  k  it 
James  de  Pinkeney,  Lord  of  Pinkeney,  In  1335-6.  James  Plnkeney  left  by  his  wife  Joan;  Hugh 
de  Plnki'in  \  ,  who'married  Isabel,  their  heirs  hild  the  Lordship  of  Pinkeney  in  1399-1 10  •." 

6  Bloomtleld's  Norfolk,  vol.  v.  pp.  5,  6.  The  arms  of  Pinkney  or  Pinkeni,  of  Buckingham- 
shire, Essex,  Norfolk  and  Northamptenshire  temp,  Edward  I,  were,  or,  four  fusils  iu  Ussegau. 
The  anus  of  PHlip  Pinckney  of,  Eastchester  were  the  same. 

c  The  familv  Is  now  represented. 

d  Fairileld  Town  Kecords. 


250 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  will  of  Samuel  Drake,  Sen.,  bears  date  May  30th,  i676.a  Sam- 
uel Drake  is  presumed  to  be  a  grand-son  of  John  Drake  of  the  Council 
of  Plymouth,  one  of  the  original  company  established  by  King  James  I, 
in  1606,  for  settling  New  England.  John  his  son  came  to  Boston  in 
1630,  and  finally  settled  in  Windsor,  Conn.,  from  whence  his  son  Sam- 
uel removed  to  Fairfield.  The  will  of  Samuel  Drake,  Sen.,  of  Fairfield, 
bears  date  12th  of  December,  1691,  by  which  it  appears  that  his  moth- 
er's name  was  Anne,  and  his  wife's  Ruth,  and  that  he  had  a  sister  Re- 
becka  Rogers,  then  living  at  Eastchester.  "To  his  cousin  Joseph,  son 
to  his  brother  Joseph  of  Eastchester,  he  bequeaths  all  his  lands  situate 
in  Fairfield."6 

The  Drake  family  are  of  great  antiquity  and  descend  from  the  old 
house  of  Drake  of  Ashe,  Devonshire,  England,  a  branch  of  which  gave 
birth  to  the  illustrious  Sir  Francis  Drake.  The  name  is  supposed  to  be 
derived  from  the  heraldrick  Wivern.  the  arms  of  the  family,  which  is 
another  name  for  the  fabled  dragon  of  antiquity,  Draco  or  Drago  being 
a  Roman  name,  as  late  as  Sir  Francis  Drake — writers  called  him  the 
Dragon  "c  — of  this  family  was  Joseph  Rodman  Drake,  the  poet ;  the 
late  Charles  Drake,d  M.D.,  of  New  York,  E.  G.  Drake,  Esq.,  of  Scars- 
dale,  and  Thomas  Drake  of  New  Rochelle,  who  is  a  lineal  representative 
of  Samuel  Drake,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Eastchester  in  1664. 

Opposite  the  late  Mr.  Drake's  residence  is  situated  the  property  of 
the  late  Elisha  Shute  whose  ancestor  was  Thomas  Shute  another  of  the 
early  patentees  of  this  town  in  1665  f  Richard  Shute,  the  son  of  Thomas 
was  for  many  years  recorder  of  Eastchester.  Elisha  Shute  was  the  father 
of  the  late  Richard  Shute  whose  sons  are  still  living  in  the  town. 

The  representatives  of  James  Eustis,  another  of  the  ten  proprietors  in 
1664,  are  also  numerous  in  East  and  Westchester. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  town  at  West  Mount  Vernon  on  Hunt's 
Bridge,  on  the  Bronx,  is  located  the  New  York  and  Harlem  Railroad 
Depot.  About  two  miles  and  a  half  north  of  this  place  is  situated  Bronx 
Mill,  the  property  of  the  late  James  P.  Swain,  Esq.,  formerly  known  as 
Underhill  Mill. 

The  Bronx  River  here  affords  a  fine  water  power  to  an  extensive 
grist  mill  and  screw  manufactory.  The  building  is  a  large  and  hand- 
some structure  of  stone,  four  stories  high,  and  measures  forty  feet  by 
eighty.    The  machinery  is  of  the  best  kind,  and  the  water  is  sufficient  to 

a  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  vol.  Ill,  47. 

6  Prob.  Rec.  Fairlleld  Co.,  Conn.,  lGS9tol701. 

e  Gen.  and  Bros  account  of  Drake  family  by  Samuel  G.  Drake,  Boston,  1S45. 

d  Corporation  Doc.  xxxvi.,  875,  Report  for  1833. 

c  The  Inventory  of  the  late  Shoot  or  Shute  dec'ed,  of  Fairfield,  Conn.,  Oct.  3, 1671,  Probate 
Rec,  p.  123. 


THE  TOWN  OK  BAST  CHESTER.  25 1 

carry  the  mill  throughout  the  year,  which  enables  it  to  grind  at  all  sea- 
sons. 

The  course  of  the  Bronx  immediately  below  the  mill  is  said  to  have 
been  formerly  changed  by  a  large  beaver  dam,  which  those  industrious 
animals  had  erected  near  die  foot  of  Mr.  Underbill's  garden.  Beaver 
Pond  lies  directly  north  of  the  mill.  Beavers  were  once  very  common 
on  the  Bronx  and  neighboring  streams,  and  afford  an  excellent  example 
of  animals  not  only  sociable  by  dwelling  near  each  other,  but  by  joining 
in  a  work  which  was  for  the  benefit  of  the  community.  Water  was  as 
needful  for  the  Beaver  as  for  the  miller;  and  it  is  a  very  curious  fact  that 
long  before  miller's  ever  invented  dams,  or  before  men  ever  learned  to 
grind  corn,  the  beaver  knew  how  to  make  a  dam  and  to  insure  itself  a 
constant  supply  of  water.  The  dam  was  by  no  means  placed  at  random 
in  the  stream,  just  where  a  few  logs  may  have  happened  to  lodge — but 
it  was  set  exactly  where  it  was  wanted,  and  it  was  made  so  as  to  suit 
the  force  of  the  current ;  in  those  places  where  the  stream  runs  slowly 
the  dam  was  carried  straight  across  the  river,  but  in  those  where  the 
water  had  much  power  the  barrier  was  made  in  a  convex  shape  so  as  to 
resist  the  force  of  the  rushing  water.  The  power  of  the  stream  could, 
therefore,  always  be  inferred  from  the  shape  of  the  dam  which  the  beav- 
ers had  built  across  it.  Some  of  these  structures  were  of  great  size, 
measuring  two  or  three  hundred  yards  in  length  and  ten  or  twelve 
feet  in  thickness,  and  their  form  exactly  corresponded  with  the  force 
of  the  stream.  They  made  their  houses  close  to  the  water  and 
communicated  with  them  by  means  of  subterranean  passages,  one 
entrance  of  which  passed  into  the  house,  or  lodge — as  it  was  techni- 
cally named — and  the  other  into  the  water,  so  far  below  the  sur- 
face that  it  could  not  be  closed  by  ice.  The  "  lodges "  were  nearly 
circular  in  form,  and  closely  resembled  the  well-known  snow  houses  of 
the  Esquimaux ;  being  domed,  and  about  half  as  high  as  they  were  wide, 
the  average  height  being  three  feet,  and  the  diameter  six  or  seven  feet. 
They  were  so  thick  and  well  lined  that,  during  severe  frosts,  they  were 
nearly  as  hard  as  solid  stone."a  The  last  beaver  seen  in  this  vicinity 
was  in  the  summer  of  1790. 

Vast  quantities  of  trout,  roach,  suckers  and  other  fresh  water  fish,  are 
bred  yearly  in  the  Bronx. 

In  1825  Canvas  White,  Esq.,  engineer,  employed  by  the  New  York 
Water  Works'  Company,  reported  to  the  directors  of  that  corporation, 
that  he  would  recommend  taking  the  waters  of  the  Bronx  at  Underbill's 
Bridge,  estimating  that  9,100,000  gallons  of  water  might  be  delivered  in 
a  Harper's  New  Monthly  Magazine. 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

the  city  daily,  and  that  the  whole  expense  would  not  exceed  $1,450,000." 

The  mill  and  adjoining  property,  at  an  early  period,  belonged  to  the 
late  Lancaster  Underhill,who  lived  to  the  remarkable  age  of  98.  Through- 
out the  trying  period  of  the  Revolution,  this  individual  resided  on  his 
farm,  and  appears  to  have  suffered  severely  both  in  person  and  estate. 
During  many  a  severe  winter  night  he  lay  concealed  beneath  the  body 
of  an  ox  cart — which  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  cover  with  hay — 
and  on  each  returning  day  blessed  his  good  fortune  that  his  house  had 
escaped  the  flames.  Near  the  mill  is  located  the  Bronxville  Railroad 
depot,  distant  about  four  and  a  half  miles  south  of  White  Plains,  and 
eight  from  New  York.  The  agent  at  this  station  (for  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century)  is  Mr.  Lancaster  Underhill,  the  son  of  the  late  Lawrence 
Underbill  a  younger  son  of  Lancaster  Underhill,  a  former  proprietor  of 
most  of  the  adjoining  lands.  The  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at  Bronx- 
ville was  erected  in  1840,  on  land  given  by  the  late  Rev.  Robert  Bolton, 
a  former  pastor  of  this  parish,  then  owner  of  the  Pond  Field  property. 
The  church  was  incorporated. 

Upon  the  Long  Reach,  in  this  town,  are  situated  the  farms  and  resi- 
dences of  John  Townsend,  Esq.,  (former  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  sen- 
ator for  the  second  district  in  182 1,)  Alexander  Pirnie,  Mr.  Headly, 
Alexander  Masterton,  Abijah  Morgan,  Charles  Morgan,  and  Mr.  Pinck- 
ney,  &c. 

The  whole  of  this  elevated  district  commands  extensive  views  of  the 
Sound  and  surrounding  country.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  stands  Mar- 
ble Hall,  the  site  of  which  is  celebrated  in  our  Revolutionary  annals. 

From  the  petition  of  Jonathan  Ward  (one  of  the  former  proprietors  of 
this  place)  to  Congress  in  1825,  we  learn,  '  that  at  the  commencement 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  Stephen  Ward  (the  petitioner's  father)  resided 
in  Eastchcster,  and  county  of  Westchester,  seven  miles  south  of  White 
Plains;  that  the  British  troops  took  possession  of  the  city  of  New  York 
and  the  southern  part  of  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  the  autumn  of 
1776;  that  in  consequence  of  which,  the  said  Stephen  Ward  left  his 
residence,  consisting  of  a  large  and  valuable  dwelling,  barn,  and  sundry 
other  buildings;  that  between  this  period  and  the  autumn  of  1778,  those 
buildings  were  occupied,  a  large  portion  of  time,  by  the  American  troops, 
at  which  place  there  were  several  engagements  between  them  and  the 
British;  that  in  November,  1778,  a  large  body  of  the  British  forces,  com- 
manded by  General  Tryon,  made  an  excursion  as  far  as  Ward's  house, 
and,  by  the  General's  orders,  totally  destroyed,  by  a  fire,  the  buildings, 
with  considerable  other  property."6 
a  Corporation  Doc. 

6  Amer.  State  Papers,  No.  cccclxv,  654.  See  Simcoe's  JIU.  Journal,  p.  92. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


253 


In  the  Spring  of  1776,  Captain  Archibald  Campbell,  with  a  strong 
force  of  the  enemy,  surprised  the  Continental  guard  (under  the  command 
of  Captain  Delavan)  stationed  at  Ward's  house.  After  an  offer  of  sur- 
render had  been  made  by  the  Americans,  a  shot  was  fired  from  one  of 
the  windows  (by  Lieut.  Paddock)  which,  unfortunately,  killed  Captain 
Campbell.  The  British,  seeing  their  commander  fall,  instantly  forced 
the  house,  and,  no  resistance  being  made,  revenged  his  death  by  killing 
upwards  of  twenty  on  the  stairs  and  in  the  adjoining  rooms;  a  few  effec- 
ted their  escape  by  jumping  out  of  the  back  windows.  The  dead  who 
fell  upon  this  occasion,  were  interred  among  the  locusts  on  the  west  side 
of  the  road. 

John  Dibble,  on  the  3d  of  Nov.  1844,  (one  of  the  American  soldiers 
who  took  an  active  part  in  this  affair)  thus  relates  the  circumstances  at- 
tending the  surprisal  in  1776: — "I  was  at  the  attack  made  upon  Ward's 
house  by  Major  Campbell.  In  the  morning  of  that  day  we  went  down 
to  William's  Bridge,  on  a  scout  to  cover  a  foraging  party  consisting  of 
five  or  six  teams.  Our  intention  being  to  forage  in  the  vicinity  of  Morris- 
ania,  and  return  to  Eastchester  in  the  evening.  The  enemy  came  up 
from  King's  Bridge  to  oppose  us,  and  we  fought  them  across  the  river 
(Bronx)  all  day  long  until  the  teams  returned.  We  numbered  about 
eighty  strong,  forty  accompanying  the  teams,  while  the  rest  remained  to 
oppose  the  enemy.  The  British  were  about  fifty  strong  and  had  a  fort 
at  the  bridge.  It  was  night  before  we  returned  to  Ward's  house.  Cap- 
tain Samuel  Delavan  commanded  us,  and  he  was  saved  that  night  in  con- 
sequence of  wearing  a  red  coat,  thus  passing  for  a  British  officer.  The 
enemy  approached  Ward's  house  from  the  west  side  of  the  road.  A  sen- 
tinel was  posted  near,  or  perhaps  in  the  road,  who  challenged  the  British. 
The  latter  rushed  up  to  the  house,  and  soon  surrounded  it.  Captain 
Noah  Bouton  came  to  the  door  and  asked  for  quarter,  saying  they  were 
all  desirous  to  surrender;  but  Major  Campbell  called  out  "Fire  away 

boys  kill  all  the  d  d  rebels  you  can."    Bouton  thereupon  discharged 

his  musket,  and  shot  Campbell  through  the  body  who  fell  dead  at  his 
feet.  There  were  about  two  hundred  Americans  in  the  house  who  all 
escaped  except  twenty-seven  who  were  taken  prisoners,  and  six  who  were 
killed.  The  British  had  eight  killed.  I  effected  my  escape  by  jumping 
out  of  a  window  on  the  north  side  of  the  house  and  soon  after  encoun- 
tered a  company  of  Americans  advancing,  I  gladly  joined  them  and  re- 
turned to  the  fight.  On  reaching  the  house  we  found  the  enemy  firing 
into  the  windows.  Posting  ourselves  behind  a  stone  wall  we  attacked 
them,  but  they  far  outnumbered  us ;  and  out-flanked,  we  were  compelled 
to  retreat.    We  retired  that  night  some  two  miles  off,  and  the  next  day 


254 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


returned  and  buried  the  dead  at  Ward's  house.  On  the  succeeding  day 
we  retreated  as  far  as  North  Castle,  and  about  a  week  after  were  ordered 
to  White  Plains  where  we  remained  until  discharged.*  The  dead  who 
fell  on  this  occasion  were  interred  in  a  beautiful  locust  grove  west  of 
the  house  and  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  barn  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
post-road  leading  to  White  Plains.  John  Williams  of  the  County  House, 
aged  93,  Oct.  17th,  1844,  says:  "I  remember  when  Colonel  Simcoe  was 
up  with  a  party  and  burnt  Ward's  house.  They  took  off  all  the  siding 
of  the  building,  together  with  the  doors,  windows  and  shutters,  &c,  and 
transported  the  same  to  King's  bridge  to  build  barracks  for  the  troops, 
after  which  they  set  fire  to  the  house  and  burnt  it  down."6 

The  Hon.  Stephen  Ward,  who  occupied  this  property  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  (his  dwelling  house  standing  directly  on  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent Marble  Hall,  and  closely  resembling  it  in  all  its  proportions),  was 
the  son  of  Edmund  Ward,  of  Eastchester,  for  many  years  a  member  of 
the  Colonial  Assembly,  and  grandson  of  Edmund  Ward,  of  Fairfield, 
Connecticut,  who  removed  to  Eastchester  about  the  latter  period  of  the 
17th  century.  In  1700  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  granted  to  Edmund 
Ward  fifty  acres  of  land,  in  consideration  that  he  pay  the  Indians  for 
the  same.  These  lands  were  situated  on  the  Long  Reach,  for  the  name 
of  Edward  Ward  occurs  in  the  Long  Reach  patent  granted  to  William 
Peartree  and  others,  A.  D.,  1708. 

The  Wards  of  Eastchester  descend  from  the  ancient  family  of  that 
name  formerly  seated  at  Goileston  and  Homesfield,  in  the  County  of 
Suffolk,  England,  in  1593,  who  claimed  to  represent  William  de  la 
Ward  who  flourished  temp.  Henry  II,  1154-1189.  Of  this  family  was 
Andrew  Ward,  a  native  of  Suffolk  County,  who  emigrated  to  New 
England  in  1630.  He  was  a  freeman  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  and  accom- 
panied the  first  settlers  to  Connecticut,  and  was  elected  magistrate  in 
1636.  He  subsequently  removed  with  the  Rev.  Richard  Denton  to 
Hempstead,  Long  Island,  in  1643,  and  became  a  resident  of  Fairfield 
in  1649.  His  son  was  the  grandfather  of  the  former  proprietor  of  the 
Somerville  estate. 

The  Honorable  Stephen  Ward,  above  mentioned,  was  for  many  years 
a  judge  of  the  county,  and  a  firm  patriot  throughout  the  Revolution. 
At  an  early  period  he  appears  to  have  been  proscribed  by  the  loyalist 
party,  and  a  bounty  set  upon  his  head. 


a  McDonald  MSS.  in  possession  of  Georjre  II.  Moore,  of  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc. 

b  Ditto.  Prince  Gedney  of  White  Plains.  92  years  of  age  in  Oct.  Is44,  says,  that  Elijah 
HaiBfia,  a  private  in  the  Queen's  Hangers,  was  killed  in  the  attack  upon  Ward's  house.  His 
sons  were  Bartholomew,  Thos.,  Jas.  <te  Elijah  Haines. 


To  face  page  254,  vol- 


PEDIGREE   OF   WARD,    OF    WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Arms: — Az.  a  cross,  patonce,  or.    Crest : — A  Wolf's  head,  erased,  or.  Motto: — Non  nobis  solum. 

Andrew  Ward,  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  freeman,  1G34,  accompanied  the  Urst  settlers  to  Connecticut.,  =  

and  was  elected  a  magistrate  in  1636;  removed  to  Long  Island,  in  1643;  a  resident  of  Fairileld,  I 
Conn.,  in  1649. 


Edmund  Ward,  of  Fairfield,  Conn.,  re-=Mary 
moved  to  Eastchester  ;  will  dated  June*  I 
1712.   Surrogate's  office.  No.  7,  111. 


Samuel,  East-=IIannaU 
Chester,  1698  I 


Edmund  Ward,  member  of  lh>:   Pliaebe  Sands 


William  Ward,  of  Connecticut, 


Colonial  Assembly;  will  dated 

ancestor  of  the  Wards  of  Litch- 

12th Feb.,  1731.  Surrogate's 

field. 

Kec  No  11,  276. 

Richard  of  Westchester  ^Mary 


Ada^Isaae  Lawrence 


Edmund,  of  Eastchester,  to  whom  _Phoebe 
his  father  bequeathed  a  silver  I  Fow.er 
hilted  sword;  ob.  1S05. 


Hon.  Stephen,  Judge  of   the_Ruth  Gcdney, 
County  of  Westchester,  nat.    I  nat.  Aug.  12,  1730, 
Feb.  27,  1730,  ob.  Dec.  8, 1797.    I  ob.  May  23. 1809. 


Mary 


John 


J. John  S.WIMam 


S.Elijah     C.Richard  _.. 


J  , 


Stephen^Mary  Griffin   Charles  =Mary     Jaines^Phcebe      Bartholomew  =Elizabeth 


LI  I 
l.Phor' 


s.winiam 
3.  Moses 


•(.Stephen  1. Phoebe 
S.John  2,Miriam 
fl.AuguBtus  H.  


Louisa^  Nathan 
Babcock 


Stephen,  nat. 
April  8,  1787. 


Philip  Pell,  Jeffer- 
son County,  N.  Y. 


Margaret 
Mary 


_Benj. 
Wright 


Ruth 
Julia 


Glonanna^Wood 


m.  Jan. 

Pell 

nat. 

Tomp-        nat.  Aug.  25, 

Bonnet 

Surr.  of 

20th. 

May 

kins  1766- 

W'chester 

1783. 

29th, 

Co.,  nat. 

1762. 

Sept.  21, 

1763,  ob 

Sept  23,  1842. 

Caleb  T.  Ward 

,      Boniiett,  nat.       Mary,  nat. 

Caroline 

Jonathan^,  Sarah 
Brown, 
da.  of 
Hacha- 
liah, 
nit.  2d 
June, 
1772. 


Richard  =Deborah     Jasper . 
nat.  1st  Brlggs 
Jan., 
1770,  m. 
Mar.  6, 
1791,ob. 

28  May, 
1816. 


nat. 
Feb.  4, 
1773, 
ob.  4, 
Dec 
1334. 


Ann 
Egbert 


1  S  -a  r 


J  5  '  50 M 


Nancy 


of  Staien 
Island. 


July  13,  1796, 
ob.  8  Jan., 


May,  1801, 
ob.  21 

May,  lsio. 


Anna  = 
Jackson 
Odell 


Stephen 
James  H. 
nat.  Sept. 
12,  1325. 


John  of_K  Tho_Free- 
E'cllcstcr, 
will  dated 
1754.  Sur. 
Rec.  fol. 
19, 102. 


love 

Plnck- 

ney 


Isaac  nat. 
LJS  12  Nov., 
is  1748- 


E  13 


Charles,  nat.  April  nth,  1802,  ob. 


Sally  Ann,  nat.  June  10th,  1800,  ob. 


Emeline,  nat.  June.  1809. 


Egbert,  ob. 


Rev  John  W 


Sylvester,  S.  II. 


Mary  A. 


Martha 
Townsend, 
nat.  10th 
Aug.,  1755, 
ob.  14,  Fob., 


I 


t._  Elizabeth  John,  nat.  _Sarah  James,  nat.  _Esther  Thomas,  nat.  Elijah,  nat.  Isaac,  nat.  Daniel,  nat. 
June  3d,  '''ownsend  26th  June,  Morgan  2l8t  April,  Fowler  22d  March,  June  9, 17S9,  18th  March,  31st  March, 
1774.  1778.  1780,  ob.  28  1785,  ob.  8.  p.     of  Western       1794,  1796. 

Aug.,  1838.   New  York.  


Abigail,  nat. 
1776. 


Ann,  nat.=Townsend 
26th  Feb., 
1783 


Margaret =David  Morgan 
nat.  16th 
June,  17S7 


Hester,  nat.=Peter  Boyd 
19th  August, 
1791 


Martha,  nat  JBImeon  Burgess. 
Sept.  10th, 


Moses.  of_Ann,  da.  of 
Sing.  Sing  I  Job  Sher- 
wood 


Philip, 
ob.  fl.  p. 


William, 


Thomas  _1  — 

I  2  Oakley 


I 

Israel  =Sarah 
I  Russell 


Samuel  =Mary  Purdy     Nancy  —Stephen  Archer 


Rebecca  ^Nathaniel 
Underhlll 


Freelove=01iver 
Torra 


Elizabel  h  _<  inner*. 

Tompkins 


PJUBbeMWUUam  Hunter 


Isaac  Abl'jah  Nattlanlcl_Hester  MaJ.  Gen.  Francesjames  Sally  _Will  Thomas   Mary  _G  Luyster 


|  Brower    Aaron  of 
Sing-Sing 


Pugs- 
ley 


Ann  Car- 
penter. 


Elizabeth  _Nathaniel  Sarles 


Phoebe  =James  Miller 


Hannah  -  Elijah  Wash- 
burn 


Elizabeth  .  Levi  Shute 
Ann. 


Rebi  ooa  -Dr.  BcTlbner 


Jeinima^Geoige  Jesse 
Sherwood 


John,  ob.  s.p.  Thomas,  ob.  s.p.  N.Y,  Leonard,  Essex  Co.  N.J  Janles  Ezra  Elijah  Harriet =Wm.  Denham,N. J.  Jemirna_,Nathan'l  Carpenter  Catharlne^Odell  Mary  _Jas.  Carpenter 

NY. 


William  (IrllVln.  Margaret  11.  Walworth 
nat.  Kvb  22,'.is».  I  u.il.  May  16,  1797, 
i,li.l'Vl>.,lv<:,        j  uli.  Nov.  21.  1879  


Samuel  Naticy  Moses  William  Natnanlel  Elmlra  Hannah  Mariah  Frances _Ward  Carpenter  Catherine  Harriet 


1. Eliza  l.oui.-a^John  Betts      2.Hetty  Marla=01iver  Delancy  Ward 


.1  . 


.1 


Willluui.  Julia  IS.  Tyug     l.Mary  O.     i.Emlly      3.Rosalle      4  Harriet 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER.  255 

The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his  tombstone  in  Eastchester 
church  yard: 

In 

memoky  of 
STEPHEN  WARD,  ESQ., 
who  died  8111  Decembek.,  1797, 
Aged  67  Years,  9  Montus  and  17  Days. 

Sons  of  America ! 
Mourn  for  your  country,  she  has  lost  a  friend 
Who  did  her  rights  anil  liberties  defend. 
May  rising  patriots  keep  those  rights  secure, 
And  hand  them  down  to  latest  ages  pure. 
Mourn  too,  ye  friends  and  relatives  who  knew 
His  worth,  his  kindness,  and  his  love  to  you. 
But  duty  bids  us  all  resign,  and  say, 
Thy  will  be  done  who  gave  and  took  away. 

By  his  wife,  Ruth  Gedney,  the  Hon.  Stephen  Ward  left  issue  eight  sons 
and  four  daughters ;  the  fourth  son  was  the  late  Jonathan  Ward,  sur- 
rogate of  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  a  delegate  to  the  convention 
that  framed  the  late  constitution  of  this  State  in  181 2  :  also  a  member 
of  State  Senate  in  1806. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Marble  Hall  are  situated  the  two  valuable  marble 
quarries  now  owned  by  John  M.  Masterton,  late  supervisor  of  the  town. 
The  former  supplied  the  material  for  the  construction  of  the  New  York 
and  New  Orleans  Custom  Houses  and  the  City  Hall,  Brooklyn. 

The  Winter  Hill  burying  ground  just  west  of  Marble  Hall,  contains 
some  ancient  memorials  to  the  Haiden  or  Hadens  and  Hunts.  One  of 
the  headstones  is  inscribed:  "S.  17 19;"  another  "Mary  Hoden,  deceased 
March  ye  10th,  1731."  William  Haiden  was  one  of  the  first  patentees 
of  this  town  in  1664-5. 

Upon  the  eastern  side  of  Long  Reach  lies  the  estate  of  the  late  James 
Somerville,  Esq.,  now  owned  by  James  Somerville,  for  a  long  period 
one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  the  county  and  a  well  known  and 
respected  freeholder  in  this  town.  His  father  was  Archibald  Somerville, 
M.  D.,  of  Melrose,  Roxburgshire,  Scotland  (whose  family  originally  came 
from  Berwickshire)  a  lineal  descendant  of  Sir  Gualter  de  Somerville, 
Lord  of  Wicknour,  one  of  the  companions  of  the  Norman  conqueror. 
His  brother  was  the  late  Archibald  Somerville  who  succeeded  to  this 
estate  and  left  a  daughter. 

The  Somerville  property  formerly  belonged  to  Daniel  Williams,  a 
native  of  the  town  of  Bedford  in  this  county,  and  was  given  him  by  the 
State  of  New  York,  upon  the  16th  of  June,  1783,  "  for  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  services  of  David  Williams  of  Cortlandt  manor,  in  the  county 


256 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  Westchester,  hath  rendered  his  country  in  apprehending  and  securing 
the  British  deputy  adjutant  general,  Major  John  Andre  who  was  return- 
ing to  New  York,  after  having,  in  the  character  of  a  spy,  concerted 
measures  with  the  infamous  Benedict  Arnold,  then  commanding  at  the 
posts  in  the  Highlands,  for  betraying  the  said  posts  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  and  for  his  virtue  in  refusing  a  large  sum  of  money  offered  by 
the  said  Major  Andre  as  a  bribe  to  permit  him  to  escape,  &c,  and  con- 
sisted of  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate  in  the  town  of 
Eastchester,  late  in  the  possession  of  Edmund  Ward,  amounting  to  252^ 
acres." 

David  Williams  subsequently  removed  from  South  Salem,  or  Cort- 
landt's  manor,  to  Livingstonville,  in  Schoharie  county,  New  York,  where 
he  bought  a  farm  of  General  Daniel  Shays,  and  resided  upon  it  until 
his  death,  August  2d,  1831.  He  left  a  widow,  4  sons  and  3  daughters. 
He  was  the  object  of  much  regard,  from  the  interesting  historical  event 
with  which  his  name  is  associated;  and  the  year  before  his  death  he  be- 
came the  guest  of  the  city  of  New  York.  The  bones  of  Williams  have 
been  recently  removed  from  Livingstonville,  Schoharie  county,  to  Ren- 
selaerville,  Albany  County,  wherp  it  is  proposed  to  erect  a  monument 
to  his  memory.  This  is  only  doing  justice  to  the  good  man's  character; 
for  his  two  companions,  Paulding  and  Van  Wart,  have  long  ago  been 
honored  by  a  grateful  public  in  the  erection  of  monuments  to  their  mem- 
ories. 

Edmund  Ward,  the  former  owner  of  the  Somerville  estate,  was  the 
only  brother  of  the  Hon.  Stephen  Ward.  During  the  Revolution,  Ed- 
mund appears  to  have  sided  with  the  loyalists,  for  which  he  lost  his 
property  under  the  confiscation  act  of  1782.  His  second  son,  John 
Ward,  was  an  officer  in  the  Loyal  American  regiment,  "and  entered 
(remarks  Sabine)  the  military  service  of  the  Crown  as  early  as  1776. 
During  the  war  he  was  frequently  in  battle.  The  Loyal  Americans 
went  to  New  Brunswick,  in  1783;  and  when  in  the  course  of  that  year 
the  corps  was  disbanded,  he  settled  at  St.  John  as  a  merchant.  He 
filled  various  public  stations,  and  for  many  years  enjoyed  the  appellation 
of  "  the  father  of  the  city."  At  the  time  of  his  decease,  he  was  not  only 
the  senior  magistrate  of  the  city  and  county  of  St.  John,  but  the  oldest 
merchant  and  half-pay  officer  in  New  Brunswick.  Mr.  Ward  was  a 
gentleman  of  noble  and  venerable  appearance.  He  died  in  1846,  in 
the  ninety-third  year  of  his  age.  His  remains  were  taken  to  Trinity 
church,  "where  the  impressive  funeral  service  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land was  read,  and  were  subsequently  interred  in  the  new  burial  ground, 
a  Abstract  of  Soles  of  Confiscated  Estates,  13S. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EAST  CHESTER. 


followed  to  the  grave  by  one  of  the  largest  and  most  respectable  funeral 
processions  ever  seen  in  this  city;  including,  in  distinct  bodies,  the  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  for  the  city  and  county  of  St.  John,  the  Common 
Council  of  the  city,  headed  by  his  worship  the  Mayor,  and  his  honor  the 
Recorder,  the  members  of  the  legal  profession,  (the  barristers  being  in 
their  gowns),  at  the  head  of  whom  was  his  honor  Mr.  Justice  Carter, 
supported  by  the  Honorable  the  Attorney  General  and  Solicitor  Gene- 
ral, the  Grand  Jury  for  the  city  and  county,  then  attending  the  Circuit 
Court,  and  the  officers  and  men  of  the  New  Brunswick  regiment  of 
artillery  of  St.  John,  as  well  as  a  vast  concourse  of  other  citizens,  all 
anxious  to  pay  the  last  sad  tribute  of  respect  to  one  who  was  so  inti- 
mately associated  with  the  early  history  of  the  country,  &c."a 

In  the  northern  part  of  this  town  are  situated  the  residences  of  the 
late  James  Morgan6  and  William  Silliman,  Esq.  Immediately  north  of 
the  latter  stood  the  old  Tredwell  mansion,  the  headquarters  of  Lord 
Howe,  when  the  British  army  lay  encamped  in  the  vicinity. c 

The  farm  of  Mr.  John  Bates  completes  the  northern  boundary  of  this 
town. 

Upon  Hutchinson's  River  are  situated  the  saw  and  grist  mills  of  John 
Tompkins  and  Stephen  Anderson.  The  latter  gentleman,  besides  his 
mill,  carries  on  a  large  rope  and  cord  factory. 

The  general  surface  of  Eastchester  is  hilly  and  somewhat  stony,  the 
soil  chiefly  consisting  of  a  fertile  loam ;  there  is,  however,  a  good  pro- 
portion of  interval  and  meadow  land  upon  the  rivers.  The  town  is  well 
watered  throughout,  both  by  springs  and  streams.  The  growth  of  wood 
and  timber  resembles  that  of  other  towns  in  general  j  oak  of  various 
kinds,  hickory,  chestnut,  white  wood,  ash,  walnut  and  pine,  &c. 

"Among"  the  most  important  minerals"  of  Eastchester  ("in  an  eco- 
nomical point  of  view),  may  be  ranked  the  dolomitic  marble,**  which  oc- 
curs abundantly  in  various  places,  and  is  extensively  employed  as  a 
building  material.    Pyroxene  occurs  every  where  in  the  dolomite."" 

a  Sabine's  nist.  of  Anicr.  Loyalists,  GT3. 
6  See  genealogy. 

c  From  John  Tredwell  this  property  passed  to  the  late  Capt.  Joseph  Skinner,  who  died 
October  80,  1S36,  aged  70  years, 
d  Dolomite,  magnesiau "carbonate  of  lime, 
e  Geological  survey  of  the  State,  1S40. 


i 


THE  TOWN 

OF 

GREENBUR  G-IKD 


In  the  Dutch  language  Grein,  (Grain)  burgh  (borough  or  town.)  liter- 
ally the  Grain  town.  In  some  of  the  early  deeds  called  "Lawrence's 
Plantation,"  a  name  undoubtedly  derived  from  one  of  its  original  pro- 
prietors. 

At  the  period  of  the  Dutch  discovery,  this  town  formed  a  part  of  the 
Indian  territory  of  Wikagyl  as  laid  down  in  the  Dutch  caste  of  1 614. 

The  aboriginal  name  of  the  town  itself  was  Weckquaskeck;  after- 
wards varied  to  Weckqucesquesck  and  Wiequceshook ;  in  pure  Algonquin, 
Weec-quas-guck,  the  place  of  the  bark  kettle."  Opposite  Tappaan.  (says 
De  Vries,  in  1640,)  lies  a  place  called  Wickquaesqueeck. 

Van  Trenhoven  describing  the  place  remarks:  "  Wichquaesqueek,  on 
the  North  River,  five  (twenty)  miles  above  New  Amsterdam,  is  a  right 
good  and  suitable  land  for  cultivation;  contains  considerable  maize  land, 
which  the  Indians  planted,  rising  from  the  shore.  In  the  interior  the 
country  is  flat  and  mostly  even,  very  abundantly  watered  with  small 
streams  and  running  fountains.  This  land  is  situate  between  two 
rivulets  called  Sintsinck  and  Armonck,  lying  between  the  East, and 
North  Rivers.  "  Bedenkinge  over  het  aenvaerden  van  de  landeryen  in 
N.  Nederlant."'' 

To  a  large  current  of  water  which  descends  through  the  village  of 
Dobb's  Ferry  and  falls  into  the  Hudson  at  the  upper  landing,  the 

a  Schoolcraft's  paper  Prop.  X.  Y.  Hist  Soc.  1S44.  In  the  Delaware  language  Wi-qui-Jeek, 
signitiis  the  head  of  a  creek  or  run.  See  Essay  of  Delaware  Indian  and  English  spelling  book 
for  the  use  of  the  schools  of  the  Christian  Indians  on  Muskingum  River,  by  Dau'l  Leisberger. 
Miss,  among  Western  Indinas,  Phila.,  1776. 

b  O'Callaghan's  Ilist.  N.  N.  p.  240. 

358 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


259 


Indians  gave  the  name  of  Weghqueghe  or  Wysquaqua,  by  the  English 
called  afterwards  Wickers  creek  or  William  Portugues  creek. 

At  the  mouth  of  this  beautiful  stream  the  powerful  tribe  of  the  Wich- 
quaesqueeks,  had  erected  a  village  which  was  standing  in  the  time  of 
Nicholas  Johannes  Visschers,  (Nicholas  John  Visschers,)  for  in  his  map 
of  Novum  Belgium,  published  at  Amsterdam,  1659,"  he  calls  it  AYickqu- 
askek,  a  name  which  was  also  applied  to  the  surrounding  lands  as  already 
shown.  The  site  of  this  ancient  village  can  still  be  traced  on  the 
neighboring  banks  by  the  numerous  "  Indian  shell  beds"  which  in  some 
places  are  found  to  vary  from  two  to  three  feet  in  depth.  Another 
Mohegan  village  occupied  the  site  of  Tarrytown,  called  in  the  Algonquin, 
"Alipkonck,"  "Anneebikong  ?  "  place  of  leaves  or  "  rich  foliage,"6  "Above 
Weckquaskcck,  says  Schoolcraft,  was  the  village  of  Alipkonck,  that  is 
"  a  place  of  elms."c 

On  the  map  of  "Novum  Belgium"  it  is  also  styled  Alipconck,  which 
clearly  shows  it  was  standing  in  1659. 

From  the  bark  of  the  white  elm  (ulmus  Americana)  the  Indian  manu- 
factured his  light  canoe. rf  This  tree  is  also  celebrated  for  the  elegance  of 
its  foliage. 

As  early  as  1644  there  were  three  entrenched  castles  belonging  to  the 
Weckquaskecks."  One  of  these  strong-holds  was  still  remaining  in  1663, 
and  garrisoned  with  eighty  warriors. 

The  first  sachem  of  Weckquaskeck,  of  whom  we  have  any  account, 
was  Mongockononc,  who  appeared  in  behalf  of  this  place,  A.  D.  1644, 
at  Fort  Amsterdam. 

This  chief  must  have  held  his  authority  under  the  high  sachem  of  the 
Mohegans,  for  on  the  30th  of  August,  1645,  we  find  Aepjen,  chief  sachem 
of  the  Mohegans,  appearing  in  behalf  of  Wappinx,  and  Weckquaskeck, 
Sint  Sincks  and  Kicktawom,  before  the  Director  General  and  Council  at 
Fort  Amsterdam/ 

It  was  Cushawashet  or  Wequashcook,  whose  original  name  was  prob- 
ably Wequashcuk,  a  Nehantee  sagamore  who  assisted  Uncas  in  guiding 

a  S sc  eopy  of  Vlsscher's  map  engraved  by  Thomas  Starling,  Wilmington  Square,  London, 
1833 ;  from  the  original,  in  t lie  possession  of  S.  Converse,  New  York. 
6  Schoolcraft's  Ethnology.  Oneota. 
c  Proceedings  of  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  1844. 

d  These  canoes  of  bark  were  sewed  together  with  thongs  made  from  the  dry  sinews  of  the 
deer.  One  of  them  was  capable  of  holding  from  twelve  to  fourteen  men,  or  one  hundred  and 
flftv  bushels  of  corn. 

e  O'Callaghan'a  Hist.  N.  N:  299.  An  old  Indian  who  had  been  cstptured  by  the  Dutch  at  or 
near  Greenwich.  Conn.,  in  1643  "  promised  to  lead  them  to  Wetquescheck  which  consisted  of 
three  castles;  sixtv-live  men  were  dispatched  under  Lieut.  Baxter  and  Pieter  Cock,  who  found 
them  empty—  though  thirty  Indians  could  have  stood  against  two  hundred  soldiers,  inasmuch 
as  they  were  constructed  of  plank  five  inches  thick,  nine  feet  high  and  braced  around  with 
thick  bark  full  of  fort  holes.  Our  pepole  burnt  two,  reserving  the  third  for  a  retreat.''  Journal 
Of  New  Netherlami,  Doc.  Mist,  of  N  Y.,  vol.  iv.  p.  15. 

/  N.  Y.  Hist.  Coll.,  lid  series,  vol  ,  270. 


260 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Capt.  Mason  and  his  force  against  the  ill-fated  Pequot  Fort  Mystic,  6th 
June,  1637. 

Eighteen  years  later  Oratam,  chief  of  Hackinkiskacky,  summoned  the 
chiefs  of  Weckquaskeck  before  the  Council.  Upon  the  death  of  Mon- 
gockonone,  (who  doubtless  fell  in  one  of  those  Indian  wars  so  frequent 
in  that  stormy  period,)  Poumpahowhelbsheln  appears  to  have  inherited 
the  chieftainship.  This  individual  sanctioned  the  sale  of  lands  called 
Ubiequaeshook,  to  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  A.D.  i64Q.a 

The  chief  of  Weckquaskeck  in  the  year  1660,  was  Ackhongh,  who  is 
called  the  chief  and  counsellor  of  Weckquaskeck. 

In  1663  we  have  the  names  of  Toawenare,  sachem  of  the  same  place, 
and  Souwenaro  his  brother.  Also  the  same  year  occurs  the  name  of 
Schowmenarack.  In  1680  the  chiefs  were  Weskora,  or  Weskomen,  and 
Goharius  his  brother.  And  one  year  later  Wessickenaiuw,  sachem  of 
Weckquaskeck,  and  Conarhanded  his  brother. 

The  descendants  of  the  aboriginal  proprietors  appear  to  have  been 
very  numerous  in  this  town,  A.D.  1731,  nearly  half  a  century  after  their 
last  sale  to  Frederick  Philips. 

In  1746  there  were  two  Indian  villages  situated  in  the  vicinity  of 
'Hart's  corners;  one  stood  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  James  McChain,  whilst 
the  second  crowned  the  summit  of  Indian  Hill,  the  property  of  Mr. 
John  Tompkins. 

Even  as  late  as  1755  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  were  thickly  populated 
by  the  Indians,  particularly  south  of  Tarrytown  in  the  vicinity  of  Mr. 
James  Ackers. 

The  cruel  murder  of  an  aged  warrior  of  this  town,  Sept.,  A.  D.  1627, 
plunged  the  Dutch  colony  into  a  long  series  of  wars.  It  appears  that 
"one  of  the  neighboring  tribe  of  Wickwasqueeck  Indians  had  come, 
with  his  nephew  and  another  of  his  nation,  to  the  Dutch  fort  to  sell  some 
beaver  skins.  He  was  met,  unfortunately,  by  three  of  Minuit's  farm  ser- 
vants, who  not  only  rifled  the  Indian  of  his  property  but  murdered  him 
in  cold  blood. 

The  nephew  of  the  unfortunate  man,  who  was  then  a  mere  youth, 
was  a  witness  to  this  outrage.  He  returned  home  brooding  over 
the  wrong,  and  vowed  to  take  vengence  when  he  should  arrive  at 
the  years  of  manhood;  avow  he  too  faithfully  fulfilled  years  afterwards, 
the  Dutch  having  neglected  to  expiate  the  crime  by  a  suitable  present 


a  Pennekeck,  sachem  la  Achtercol,  stated  cm  the  16th  of  Julv,  1649,  (before  the  Director 
and  Council,)  that  the  tribe  named  Uaritans,  residing  before  at  Wccquaskeck,  had  no  sachem, 
ic.  Alb.  Bee.  vol.  vii,  252. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENI3URGH. 


261 


of  wampum,  in  conformity  with  the  customs  of  the  red  men,  or  punish 
the  murderers,  as  justice  and  good  policy  demanded.""1 

Sept.  A.  D.  1641,  the  boy  had  now  attained  the  age  of  manhood. 
"His  uncle's  spirit  was  still  unappeased — his  murder  was  unavenged. 
His  voice  was  heard  in  the  roaring  of  the  storm — in  the  rustle  of  the 
leaves — in  the  sighing  of  the  winds;  and  full  of  the  conviction  that  that 
spirit  could  not  find  rest  until  vengeance  should  be  had,  the  young 
Weckquaeskeeck  sought  for  a  victim  to  offer  to  the  manes  of  the  dead. 
Shrouding  his  evil  purpose  under  the  cloak  of  a  friendly  or  business  visit, 
he  called  at  the  house  of  one  Claes  Cornelisz  Smits,  the  'raad-maker,' an 
aged  settler  resident  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  under  pretence  of 
making  some  purchases.  The  old  man  suspecting  no  harm,  (for  the 
Indian  had  been  in  the  habit  of  working  for  his  son,)  set  some  food  be- 
fore him,  and  proceeded  to  get  from  a  chest,  in  which  it  lay,  the  cloth 
which  the  other  wished  to  purchase.  The  moment  he  stooped,  the  sav- 
age seized  an  axe,  struck  him  dead,  and  then  withdrew,  having  rifled  the 
house  of  all  its  contents. 

"  This  aggression  on  an  old  and  helpless  man  excited,  when  it  became 
known,  considerable  feeling  at  Fort  Amsterdam."6  "  Director  Kieft 
promptly  demanded  satisfaction  from  the  chief""  of  the  Weckquaskecks. 
"  But  the  sachem,"  who  was  doubtless  Mongockonone,  "  refused  to 
make  any  atonement.  He  was  sorry  that  twenty  Christians  had  not 
been  immolated;  the  Indian  had  but  avenged,  after  the  manner  of  his 
race,  the  murder  of  a  relative  whom  the  Dutch  had  slain  nearly  twenty 
years  before.  On  the  receipt  of  this  answer,  armed  parties  were  sent 
out  to  retaliate ;  but  they  returned,  having  effected  nothing."** 

Aug.  29,  1641,  it  was  proposed  to  wait  "  until  the  hunting  season( 
when  it  was  suggested  that  two  expeditions  should  be  got  up;  one  to 
land  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  '  Archipelago,'  or  Norwalk  Island — the 
other,  at  Weckquaskeck." 

Notwithstanding  the  impatience  of  Kieft  to  attack  the  Weckquas- 
kecks, he  could  not  obtain  the  consent  of  his  council  until  Feb.  18, 
1642.  Having  now  received  their  sanction,  "  he  ordered  Hendrick 
Van  Dyck,  ensign  in  the  Company's  service,  who  had  been  already  over 


a  O'C'allaghan's  Tlist.  N.  N.  p.  105.  On  the  29th  of  August,  1641,  the  following  proposals 
were  made  by  the  Director  General  and  Council  to  the  heads  of  families  residing  at  and  near 
New  Amsterdam  :  "  When  the  Indian  warriors  are  absent  on  their  hunting  expeditions,  then 
we  may  divide  ourselves  into  two  parties,  one  to  land  at  Kapels  and  the  other  at  Weckquaes- 
keeck and  take  them  by  surprise  on  both  sides.  The  Director  to  supply  as  many  negroes  as 
he  can  spare,  and  arm  them  with  a  tommahawk  and  small  half  pike."  Valentine's  Manual, 
1866,  p.  537. 

b  OTallaghan's  ITist.  X.  N.  p.  240,  l. 

eO'Callaghan's  Illst.  N.  N.  p.  241.  Journal  van  Nleuw  Nederlandt,  HoL  Doc  v.  314.  De 
Vries  corroborates  the  statements  tn  the  text, 
d  O'tallaghan's  Di.-t.  N.  N.  p.  242. 


262 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


two  years  stationed  at  New  Amsterdam,  to  proceed  with  a  force  of  eighty 
men  against  the  Weckquaskecks,  to  execute  summary  vengeance  upon 
that  tribe,  with  fire  and  sword." 

To  ensure  complete  success,  the  expedition  was  placed  under  the  di 
rection  of  a  trusty  guide,  who  professed  to  be  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  homes  and  haunts  of  the  savages.  This  party  started  in  the  fore 
part  of  March,  and  pushed  actively  forward  towards  the  Indian  village; 
but  fortune  favored  the  red  man.  The  night  set  in  clouded  and  dark ; 
and  when  the  expedition  reached  Armeperahin,a  Van  Dyck  called  a 
halt,  notwithstanding  the  entreaties  of  his  men  to  push  on,  ere  the 
savages  should  have  warning  of  their  approach.  An  hour  and  a  half 
was  thus  lost ;  the  guide  then  missed  his  way,  whereupon  Van  Dyck  lost 
temper,  and  made  a  retrograde  movement  to  Fort  Amsterdam,  whither 
he  returned  without  having  accomplished  the  object  for  which  he  had 
been  detailed.  The  expedition,  however,  was  not  without  its  effect. 
The  Indians  had  observed,  by  the  trail  of  the  white  men,  how  narrowly 
they  had  escaped  destruction ;  and  therefore  immediately  sued  for  peace, 
which  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven  concluded  with  them,  in  the  course  of 
the  spring"  of  1642,  "at  the  house  of  a  settler  named  Jonas  Bronk, 
who  resided  on  a  river  to  which  he  gave  his  name,  situated  east  of 
Yonkers,  in  the  present  county  of  Westchester." 

One  of  the  conditions  of  the  above  treaty  was  the  surrender  of  the 
murderer  of  Clas  Smits,  dead  or  alive ;  a  condition  however  which  was 
never  fulfilled,  owing  either  to  unwillingness  or  inability  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians."6 

"Feb.  7th,  1642,  winter  came ;  and  while  the  earth  was  yet  burried 
in  snow,  a  party  of  armed  Mohawks,  some  eighty  or  ninety  in  number, 
made  a  descent  upon  the  Weckquaskecks  and  Tappaen  Indians,  for  the 
purpose  of  levying  tribute."" 

"  At  the  approach  of  these  formidable  warriors  of  a  braver  Huron 
race,  the  more  numerous  but  cowering  Algonquins  crowded  together  in 
despair,  begging  assistance  of  the  Dutch.  Kieft  seized  the  moment  for 
an  exterminating  massacre.  In  vain  was  it  fortold  that  the  ruin  would 
light  upon  the  Dutch  themselves.  In  the  stillness  of  a  dark  winter's 
night,  the  soldiers  at  the  fort,  joined  by  freebooters  from  Dutch  priva- 
teers, and  led  by  a  guide  who  knew  every  by-path  and  nook  where  the 

a  Armeperahin,  supposed  to  be  the  west  branch  of  the  Sprain  river,  which  nows  in  the  rear 
of  Dobb'S  Ferry. 
b  O'CaUagban'a  nist.  N.  x.  p.  249, 50. 

c  O'Callaghan's  Hisr.  N.  N.  p.  264.—"  I  have  been  told,"  says  Coldon,  "  by  old  men  in  New 
England,  who  remember  the  time  when  the  Mohawks  made  war  on  their  Indians,  that  as  soon 
as  a  single  Mohawk  was  discovered  in  the  country,  these  Indians  raised  a  cry  from  hill  to  hill, 
4  A  Mohawk  1  a  Mohawk  1'  upon  which  they  all  fled  like  sheep  before  wolves,"  without  attempt- 
ing to  make  the  least  resistance,  whatever  odds  were  on  their  side,"  Ac— Col  Jen's  Hist.  Five 
Xations,  3,  4. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


263 


savages  nestled,  crossed  the  Hudson,"  (into  Pavonia,  New  Jersey,  whither 
the" unsuspecting  Weckquaskecks  and  Tappaens  had  fled  from  Man- 
hattan,) "for  the  purpose  of  destruction.  The  naked  and  unsuspecting 
tribes  could  offer  little  resistance ;  the  noise  of  musketry  mingled  with 
the  yell  of  the  victims.  Nearly  a  hundred  perished  in  the  carnage. 
Day-break  did  not  end  its  horrors;  men  might  be  seen,  mangled  and 
helpless,  suffering  from  cold  and  hunger  ;  children  were  tossed  into  the 
stream,  and  as  their  parents  plunged  to  their  rescue,  the  soldiers  pre- 
vented their  landing,  that  both  child  and  parent  might  drown."11  Be- 
side these,  thirty  more  were  murdered  at  Corlaers  Hook,  on  Manhattan 
Island,  while  sunk  in  repose. 

"This  unjustifiable  outrage  led  to  consequences  almost  fatal  to 
the  Dutch.  It  estranged  the  Long  Island  Indians,  the  warmest  of  their 
friends,  who  now  formed  an  alliance  with  the  River  Indians,  whose  hate 
knew  no  bounds  when  they  discovered  that  it  was  the  Dutch,  and  not 
the  Mohawks,  who  had  attacked  them  at  Pavonia  and  Corlaers  Hook. 
The  tomahawk,  the  fire-brand,  and  scalping  knife,  were  clutched  with  all 
the  ferocity  of  phrensy,  and  the  war-whoop  rang  from  the  Raritan  to  the 
Connecticut,  for  eleven  tribes  of  savages  proclaimed  open  war  against 
the  Dutch.  Every  settler  on  whom  they  laid  hands  was  murdered — 
women  and  children  dragged  into  captivity ;  and  though  the  settlements 
around  Fort  Amsterdam  extended,  at  this  period,  thirty  English  miles  to 
the  east,  and  twenty-one  to  the  north  and  south,  the  enemy  burned  the 
dwellings,  desolated  the  farms  and  farm-houses,  killed  the  cattle,  de- 
stroyed the  crops  of  grain,  hay,  and  tobacco,  laid  waste  the  country 
all  around  and  drove  the  settlers,  panic-stricken,  into  Fort  Amsterdam. 
'Mine  eyes  saw  the  flames  of  their  towns,' says  Roger  Williams,  'the 
frights  and  hurries  of  men,  women  and  children,  and  the  present  re- 
moval of  all  that  could  to  Holland."b  "The  assassins,"  says  Bancroft,  "were 
compelled  to  desire  a  peace,  which  was  covenanted  with  the  River 
Ind  ians  the  2  2d  of  April,  1643."  Tins  was  principally  brought  about 
by  the  Dutch  Patroon  de  Vries,  and  not  by  Roger  Williams,  as  some  of 
the  New  England  historians  claim-" 

This  peace  proved  unsatisfactory,  for  we  find  the  Indians  again  taking 
up  arms. 

15th  Sept.,  1643,  it  was  resolved  by  the  Dutch  to  renew  the  war, 
either  by  force  or  stratagem,  against  the  River  Indians/' 

"A.  D.  1644,  some  of  the  Stamford  people  having  surprised  an 

o  Bancroft's  Hl8t  tj.  8.  ii.  2S9.  90. 

b  O't'alliiRhan's  Hist.  N.  N.  p.  "70.    Pliod    Maml  Hist.  Rec.  ill.  156. 
«  O'Callaghan's  Hist.  N.  N.  p.  2T6.  note. 
d  O'Callaghan's  Hist  p.  2S5. 


264 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Indian  village  and  taken  some  prisoners ;  one  of  them  an  old  man,  pro- 
posed to  the  Dutch,  in  hopes  ol  obtaining  a  reward,  "to  lead  any  of  then- 
troops  against  the  Weckquaesqueecks,  who  are  said  to  be  entrenched  in 
three  castles,  at  the  north.  Lieutenant  Baxter  and  Sergeant  Cock  were, 
thereupon,  ordered  to  proceed  under  the  guidance  of  this  old  man,  with 
sixty-five  men  against  this  tribe.  But  this  party  was  in  no  way  more 
fortunate  than  those  which  had  already  gone  on  similar  expeditions. 
They  found  the  castles  of  the  Indians  formidable  in  construction,  and 
well  adapted  for  defence.  They  were  built  of  five  inch  plank,  nine  feet 
high,  and  bound  around  with  thick  beams,  and  studded  with  port  holes. 
Though  it  was  calculated  that  thirty  Indians  could  hold  out,  in  one  of 
these,  against  two  hundred  soldiers — strange  to  tell,  the  whole  were  found 
uninhabited.  The  Dutch,  thereupon,  burnt  two  of  these  strongholds 
reserving  the  third  as  a  point  to  retreat  to,  in  case  of  necessity.  From 
this  place  they  next  marched  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  further,  but 
discovered  nothing  save  a  few  huts."a 

April  6,  1644,  "The  spring  made  our  river  Indians  again  anxious  for 
peace,  which  was  brought  about  by  the  intervention  of  Capt.  John  Un- 
derbill. "  Mamaranack,  chief  of  the  Indians  residing  on  the  Kicktawano 
or  Croton  River ;  Mongockonone,  Pappenoharrow,  from  the  Weckque- 
esqueecks  and  Nochpeem  ;  and  the  Wappings  from  Stamford,  presented 
themselves,  in  a  few  days,  at  Fort  Amsterdam ;  and  having  pledged 
themselves,  that  they  should  not  henceforth  commit  any  injury,  whatever 
on  the  inhabitants  of  New  Netherland,  their  cattle  and  houses,  nor  show 
themselves  except  in  a  canoe,  before  Fort  Amsterdam,  should  the  Dutch 
be  at  war  with  any  of  the  Manhattan  tribes ;  and  having  further  promised 
to  deliver  up  Pacham,  the  chief  of  the  Tamkitekes,  (who  resided  in  the 
rear  of  Sing  Sing,)  peace  was  concluded  between  them  and  the  Dutch ; 
who  promised,  on  their  part,  not  molest  them  in  way."6 

The  Fall  of  the  same  year,  1644,  we  find  the  "eight  men,"  or  council 
of  the  director,  thus  complaining  to  the  Directors  of  the  Dutch  West 
India  Company  at  home. 

A  semblance  of  peace  was  attempted  to  be  patched  up  last  Spring  with 
two  or  three  tribes  of  savages  toward  the  north  by  a  stranger,0  whom 
we,  for  cause,  shall  not  now  name,  without  one  of  the  Company's  ser- 
vants having  been  present,  while  our  principal  enemies  have  been  unmo- 
lested. This  peace  hath  born  little  fruit  for  the  common  advantage  and 
reputation  of  our  lords,  &cj  for  as  soon  as  these  savages  had  stowed 

a  O'Oallajrhau's  ,iist.  ff,  n,  293. 
b  O'Callaghau,  p.  303. 
c  Captain  John  underbill. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


265 


away  their  maize  into  holes,  they  began  again  to  murder  our  people  in 
various  directions.  They  rove  in  parties  continually  around  day  and 
night,  on  the  Island  of  Manhattans,  slaying  our  folks,  not  a  thousand 
paces  from  the  forts;  and  'tis  now  arrived  at  such  a  pass,  that  no  one 
dare  move  a  foot  to  fetch  a  stick  of  fire-wood,  without  a  strong  escort.* 

"The  Spring  of  1645  brought  with  it,  as  usual,  another  desire  for 
peace,  on  the  part  of  the  River  Indians.  This  was  brought  about  by 
Kieft  and  his  counsellor,  La  Montagne.  To  make  suitable  presents 
to  the  Mohegans  or  Mahicanders  in  token  of  the  ratification  of  this 
peace,  Kieft  was  obliged  however  to  borrow  money  from  Adriaen 
render  Donck,  Sheriff  of  Rensselaerswyck,  afterwards  Patroon  of  Colen- 
donck,  (Yonkers,)  and  others.6 

On  the  occasion  of  this  treaty,  which  took  place  30th  August,  1645, 
"Aepjen,  chief  of  the  Mohegans,  spoke  for  the  Wappinecks,  the  Wech- 
quaesqueecks,  the  Sintsings,  and  the  Kitchtawancks.  These,  with  others, 
seated  themselves,  silent  and  grave,  in  front  of  Fort  Amsterdam,  before 
the  Director  General  and  his  council,  and  the  whole  commonalty;  and 
there,  having  religiously  smoked  the  great  calumet,  concluded  in  '  the 
presence  of  the  sun  and  ocean,'  a  solemn  and  durable  peace  with  the 
Dutch,  which  both  the  contracting  parties  reciprocally  bound  themselves 
honorably  and  firmly  to  maintain  and  observe."" 

The  ratification  of  this  important  treaty  terminated,  and  a  re-establish- 
ment of  good  understanding  with  the  natives  commenced  ;  for,  on  the 
14th  of  July,  1649,  we  find  the  Director  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant, 
pure!  asing  lands  in  this  town,  in  behalf  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Com- 
pany. 

"On  this  day,  the  date  underwritten,  appeared  before  the  noble  Lords,  the 
Director  General,  and  the  council,  Megtegichlcama,  Oteyochgue,  and  Wegtakock- 
ken  ;  the  right  owners  of  the  lauds  lying  on  the  North  River  of  New  Nether- 
land,  ou  the  east  shore,  called  VfixquoLxkak,  in  the  breadth  through  the  woods, 
till  a  certain  kd  called  Seiccgruc,  diverging  at  the  East  River,  from  thence  north- 
ward and  southward  to  a  certain  kil  called  Recliawes,  the  same  land  lying  be- 
twixt two  kils,  one-half  woods,  and  betwixt  the  North  and  East  Rivers;  so  that 
the  western  half  to  the  aforesaid  is  still  remaining;  and  the  other  easterly  half, 
with  a  south  and  north  direction,  middle  through  the  woods,  the  aforesaid 
owners  acknowledged;  that  with  the  consent  of  the  chief  Sachem,  the y  have 
sold  the  parcel  of  land,  and  all  their  oystcring,  fishing,  &c,  unto  the  noble  Lord 
Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director  General  of  New  Netherland,  for,  and  in  considera- 
tion of  certain  parcels  of  merchandize,  which  they  acknowledge  to  their  satis- 


o  Hoi.  Doc.  in,  20c,  222. 

V.ui.l.Tuodrk's  Now  Noth.  X.  V.  Hist.  Soc  trans.  (2  sor)  1st,  27  Vol. 
c  O  Callaghau's  Hist,  of  N.  N.,  Vol.  I,  p  356. 


266 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


faction  to  have  received  into  their  hands  and  power,  before  the  passing  ol  these 

presents,  viz.: 

6  Fathom  cloth  for  jackets. 
6  Ditto     seawant  (wampum.) 
6  Kettles. 
6  Axes. 
6  Addices. 


10  Knives. 
10  Harrow  teeth 
10  Corals  or  beads. 
10  Bells. 


1  Gun. 

2  lbs.  lead. 

2  lbs.  powder. 
2  Cloth  coats. 


In  consideration  of  which,  the  before-mentioned  owners  do  hereby  the  said 
land  convey,  transport,  and  give  over,  to  the  aforesaid  (noble  Lords  the  Director) 
General,  and  his  successors,  in  full,  true,  and  free  ownership  :  To  the  said  land, 
we  the  grantors,  neither  now  nor  hereafter,  shall  ever  present  any  claim  for  our- 
selves, or  our  heirs  and  successors,  desisting  by  these  presents  from  all  action, 
either  of  equity  or  jurisdiction,  but  conveying  all  the  same  to  the  said  Director 
General  and  his  successors,  to  do  therewith  as  it  may  seem  proper  to  them,  with- 
out their,  the  grantors,  or  any  one  of  them,  molesting  the  grantee  of  the  afore- 
said land,  whether  in  his  property  or  his  family.  It  is  also  agreed  that  the  most 
westerly  half,  just  as  the  Lord  Director  pleases,  shall  go  with  this  for  as  many 
goods  as  in  *  *  *  *  can  be  paid ;  and  they,  the  grantors,  promise  at  all 
times  to  induce  their  rulers  on  the  North  River  to  talk  the  matter  over,  and  not 
to  sell  to  any  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  Director  General ;  the  grantors 
promising  this  transport  firmly,  to  maintain  as  in  equity  they  are  bound  to  do. 
Witness  these  presents,  by  them  respectively  signed  in  the  Fort  Amsterdam,  in 
New  Netherlands,  this  14th  day  of  July,  A.  D.,  1649. "a 

The  mark  of  Ponupahan  helbghelen. 


The  Mark  of  Wegtakochken. 


The  mark 


The  mark 


a  Alb.  Rcc  G.  G.  222. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


267 


The  sachems  of  this  town  subsequently  committed  further  depreda- 
tions, and  probably  armed  several  of  the  sixty-four  war  canoes  that  at- 
tacked and  ravaged  the  country  around  Manhattan  during  the  absence 
of  Stuyvesant  in  1 655." 

For  on  the  6th  of  March,  1 660,  we  find  Ackhongh,  the  chief  and 
counsellor  of  Weecquacsqueeck,  appearing  in  the  city  of  New  Amster- 
dam, before  the  Director  General  and  Council,  to  treat  for  peace.6 

On  the  10th  of  July,  1663,  during  the  .negotiation  between  Connecti- 
cut and  the  Dutch,  a  furious  war  was  raging  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Esopus.  The  insurgent  tribes  were  headed  by  five  warlike  chiefs,  viz. : 
Pennyraweck,  Sewekenamo,  Wapperonk,  Caelcop  and  Mekarowe,  who 
threatened  not  only  the  extinction  of  the  Dutch  villages,  but  also  their 
allies,  the  Weeckquaesqueeck' s.  In  dread  of  the  threatened  invasion,  we 
find  the  chiefs  of  this  town  repairing  to  New  Amsterdam  on  the  26th 
of  July,  1663.  "Souwenaro,  sachem  of  Weeckquaesqueeck,  came  of 
his  own  accord,  with  his  brother  and  asserted  that  he  was  warned  by  a 
Wappinger  Indian,  that  the  Esopus  Indians  intended  to  come  down, 
within  five  or  six  days,  with  forty  or  fifty  men  to  kill  them,  with  the 
Dutch  of  New  Harlaem  and  other  places,  and  those  of  the  New  Village; 
he  told  them  he,  with  his  people,  took  therefore  their  flight  near  Har- 
laem. He  notified  them  of  it,  and  why  they  came,  so  that  those  of  New 
Harlaem  should  not  be  intimidated. 

"  He  said,  further,  that  he  warned  those  at  New  Harlaem,  and  re- 
quested we  would  do  the  same  to  the  people  in  that  neighborhood,  and 
warn  those  on  the  General's  farm  (Bowery)-  Souwenaro  also  stated 
that  his  people  were  only  eighty  strong,  which  could  bear  arms,  and  that 
they  had,  consequently,  left  their  fort  at  Weeckquaesqueeck,  and  had 
retired  into  the  woods  to  defend  themselves."" 

This  war  with  the  Esopus  Indians  lasted  till  November,  1663,  when  a 
peace  was  concluded.  In  the  Fall  of  the  same  year,  Sept.  15,  1663,  ap- 
peared in  the  fort,  Schoumenarack,  chief  of  Weeckquaesqueeck,  solicit- 
ing for  himself  and  his  men  to  go  fishing  unmolested  near  the  village  of 
Harlaem,  which  was  granted  on  condition  that  they  shall  not  come  with 
arms  near  the  Dutch  dwellings,  and  that  it  may  be  known,  with  full  cer- 
tainty, that  they  were  his  savages,  and  not  some  of  Esopus ;  so  was  de- 
livered to  him  a  seal  (signet)  of  the  Dutch  Company,  printed  on  wax,  in 
small  billets,  which  might  be  shown  in  meeting  Dutchmen,  on  the  day 
as  above. 


o  Bancroft's  Hist.  V.  S.  ii,  p.  2tf9. 
b  Alb,  Rec  xxi.  p.  <U1. 
c  Alb.  Rec.  X.\i,  247. 


268 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Note. — There  were  delivered  to  him  eight  seals,  viz. : — 

For  those  of  Weeckquaesqueeck,  whose  chief  is  Sawwesach,  four. 

To  Kitchtawangh,  whose  chief  is  Currupin,  four. 

Kiskingthing  and  Sint  Sinck  have  no  chiefs,  but  are  considered  to  be- 
long to  those  savages." 

On  the  2  ist  of  October,  1663,  we  find  the  chiefs  of  Weeckquaesqueeck 
united  with  those  of  Sint  Sinck  and  Kitchtawang,  in  a  war  with  the 
Dutch.6  The  armistice  of  November  appears  to  have  restored  tran- 
quility. During  the  summer  of  1662,  "Connecticut  purchased  of  the 
Indians,  all  the  lands  on  the  seaboard  as  far  west  as  the  North  River."c 
Thus  a  second  time  was  this  territory  ceded  by  the  sachems  of  Weec- 
quaesqueck.  Upon  the  confiscation  of  the  property  of  the  Dutch  West 
India  Company,  15th  of  June,  1665,  the  New  Netherlands  passed  to  his 
Royal  Highness,  James,  Duke  of  York;  and  these  lands  being  within 
the  province  of  New  York,  formed  a  part  of  the  North  Riding  of  York- 
shire.   In  consequence  Connecticut  ceased  to  hold  any  jurisdiction. 

The  next  grantee  under  the  sachems  of  Weecquaesqueeck,  was  the 
Hon.  Frederick  Philipse,  of  East  Friesland,  in  Holland,  who  had  emigra- 
ted to  New  Amsterdam  at  an  early  period.  The  first  grant  to  Philipse 
occurs  on  the  10th  of  December,  1681. 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  PEKCANTICO. 

"From  the  Indians  Cobus,  Oramaghquecr,  Bctthunsk,  Sjoghweena-men,  Wen- 
raweghien,  Saijgadme  and  Togtquanduck,  of  all  these  lands  beginning  on  the 
north  side  of  a  creek  called  Bisightick,  and  so  ranging  along  said  river  northerly 
to  the  land<*  of  the  said  Frederick  Philipse,  and  thence  alongst  the  said  land, 
north-east  and  by  east  until  it  comes  to  and  meets  with  the  creek  called  Neppi- 
zan,  if  the  said  creek  shall  fall  within  that  line,  otherwise  to  extend  no  further 
than  the  head  of  the  creek  or  kill,  called  Pekantico,  or  Pueghanduck,  and  thence 
southerly  alongst  said  river  Nippizan,  if  the  same  shall  fall  within  the  said  line 
as  aforesaid,  or  else  in  a  direct  line  from  the  head  of  the  said  creek  called  Bisigh- 
tick, and  from  thence  westerly  to  the  head  of  the  said  creek  Bisightick,  and 
alongst  the  same  to  the  North  or  Hudson's  river, "«  &c,  &c.  This  purcliase  em- 
braced the  north-west  portion  of  the  town,  and  a  part  of  Mount  Pleasant.  It 
was  attested  by 

W  The  mark  of  Wessickexaettw,  sachem  of  Wesquaskeck. 
Witness  the  mark  of  O  Clause  the  Indian./ 


a  Alb.  Rec. 

6  Alb.  Kec  XViil,  440. 

c  Bancroft  s  111st.  U.  S.  ii,  312. 

d  This  refers  to  a  former  purchase. 

e  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.  v.  5.4 

J  This  individual  appears  to  have  acted  as  Interpreter  upon  this  occasion. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH 

V  The  mark  of  GhOHABTOK  for  himself,  Cobct  and  Togikjuaudcok. 

W  The  mark  of  Wkamachaqceek. 

Z  The  mark  of  Pktthtxnok. 

O  The  mark  of  BjOOHXYBZN. 

—  The  mark  of  Weauaweghein. 

|   The  mark  of  Sayjaenw. 

Here  follows  a  schedule  or  particular  account  of  the  wampum  and 
other  goods  paid  by  Frederick  Philipse  for  the  said  land  : 

10  fathom  of  duffils,  2  iron  pots,  6  howes, 

10  blankets,  5  earthen  cans,  12  axes, 

8  gunns,  12  steels  to  strike  fire,  9  kettles, 

7  shirts,  2  coopers'  addz,  40  knives, 

1  anker  of  rum,  2  half  vatts  of  beere,  Cbrass  tobacco  boxes, 

25  lbs.  of  powder,  70  fathom  of  wampum,  6  coates, 

10  bars  of  lead,  7  pair  of  stockings,  2  drawing  knives. 

The  second  sale  to  Philipse,  embraces  lands  situated  south  of  the  for- 
mer, bearing  date  the  13th  of  April,  1682. 


269 


INDIAN  DEED  OF  NIPPIZAN. 


"Beginning  at  the  south  side  of  a  creek  called  Bisightick,  and  so  ranging  along 
Hudson's  river,  southerly  to  a  creek  or  fall  called  by  the  Indians  Weghquegsike. 
and  by  the  Christians  called  Lawrence's  plantation;  and  from  the  mouth  of  the 
said  creek  or  fall,  upon  a  due  east  course,  to  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians  Nip- 
piran — and  by  the  Christians, Youncker's  hill :  and  from  thence  along  the  west  sid» 
of  the  said  creek  or  kill,  as  the  same  runs  to  lands  formerly  bought." 

In  presence  of  Emient,  sachem  of  Siapham, 

Kicktawongh,  Gohakis, 

Conakhande,  brother  of  Wassekanew,  Teattanqi  eb, 

Abam  AOiiyrEEB,  WKARAyrAEoniEK. 

A  schedule  or  particular  of  wampum  and  other  goods  paid  by  Fred- 
erick Philipse  to  the  Indians,  the  owners  and  proprietors  of  the  above 
land. 


100  fathoms  of  white 

■wampum 
12  fathom  black  ditto, 
12  ditto  of  duffllls, 
12  blankets, 
12  kettles, 
10  guns, 

50  lb.  of  powder, 


30  barrs  of  lead, 


20  boxes. 


12  shirts  2  ankers  of  rum, 

12  pair  of  stockings,  2  1-2  vatts  of  beere, 

30  hows,  3  drawing  knives, 

8  fathom  of  stroud  water  2  coopers'  addz, 

cloth,  10  yearthen  juggs, 

8  coates,  10  axis," 
50  knives, 


a  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.  v.  57. 


270 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Upon  the  6th  of  September,  1682,  Frederick  Philipse  purchased  of 
the  native  Indians : 


INDIAN  DEED  OF  WEGHQUEGHE. 

"  All  that  tract  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's 
river,  beginning  on  the  north  side  of  the  land  belonging  to  the  Younckers  kill, 
or  W  epperhaein,  at  a  great  rock  called  by  the  Indians  Sigghes,"  and  from  thence- 
ranging  into  the  wood  east  wardly  to  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians  Nepperha, 
and  from  thence  along  the  said  creek  northerly  till  you  come  to  the  eastward  of 
the  head  of  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians  Weghqueghe,  being  the  utmost  bounds 
of  the  lands  formerly  bought  of  the  Indians,  &c,  &c,  attested  by 

WiRAMANHANCK,  Esi'ARAMOGH,  AnTIOOK, 

Maeintighbo.  Mightereameok,  Sakissjenooh, 

Aghwabowes. 

The  schedule  of  the  goods,  &c,  &c,  paid  by  the  grantee. 

4  guns,  G  pair  of  stockings,         2  ankers  of  rum, 

4  fathom  of  wampum,       10  bars  of  lead,  4  shirts, 

4  blankets,  3  kettles,  2  fathom  of  cloth, 

G  fathom  of  dufBls,  12  lbs.  of  powder,  1  adze. 

1  drawing  knife. 6 

The  last  purchase  made  by  Philipse  in  this  town,  (on  the  5th  of  June, 
1684.)  includes  the  land  situated  between  the  Saw  Mill  and  Bronx  river, 
viz : 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  NEPPIRAN. 

"All  the  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate,  lying,  and  being,  to  the  eastward  of 
the  land  of  the  said  Frederick  Philipse,  between  the  creek  called  Neppirau,  or 
the  Younckers  kill,  and  Brouck's  river,  beginning  (on  the  north  side)  at  the 
northerly  bounds  of  the  Younckers  land,  and  from  thence  along  the  aforesaid 
creek  Neppirau,  however  it  runs,  till  you  come  to  the  most  northerly  bounds  of 
the  said  Frederick  Philipse's  land,  and  from  thence  north-east  into  the  woods,  to 
Bronck's  river,  and  from  thence  along  Bronck's  river  so  far  as  it  runs  southerly 
to  the  eastward  of  Younckers  land  aforesaid,  and  from  thence  with  a  westwardly 
line  to  the  aforenamed  Younckers  kill  or  Neppiran,  together  with  all  the  lands, 
Ac,  &c. 

Sepham,  Abradppamnt, 

GnonARiN,  Kawanghis,  an  Indian  squaw, 

KaKINSIGH,  NlEl'AOK, 

Enhoak,  Kewightakin, 
Teatangoom . 


a  See  Yonckers ;  also  Philipsburfrh  Patent. 

b  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.  v.  64.  This  deed  Includes  the  southern  part  of  Greenburgh,  from  Um> 

northern  line  of  Yonkers  to  Dobb's  Feery. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


271 


A  schedule  or  particular  of  goods,  &c,  paid  to  the  grantors. 


130  fathom  of  white  wampum, 
12  guns, 

14  fathom  of  duiflls 

12  blankets, 
8  coats, 
6  kettles, 

6  fathom  of  stroud  water, 
16  shirts, 

25  lbs.  of  powder, 
20  bars  of  lead, 


10  spoons, 
2  knives, 

12  pair  of  stockings, 
15  hatches, 
10  hoes. 

10  earthen  jugs, 

10  iron  pots, 
4  1-2  vatts  of  beere, 
2  ankers  of  rimime, 
2  rools  of  tobacco.0 


The  above  sales  covered  the  present  township  of  Greenburgh,  and 
subsequently  formed  a  portion  of  Philipsburgh  manor. 

These  lands  remained  in  the  Philipse  family,  until  the  attainder  of 
Colonel  Frederick  Philipse,  A.  D.,  1779,  when  they  became  vested  by 
forfeiture  in  the  people  of  this  State.  Under  the  commissioners  they 
were  parcelled  out  for  small  sums,  to  the  Van  Tassels,  Van  Warts,  Odells, 
Lawrences,  Posts,  Archers,  Harts,  Ackers,  Dyckmans  and  Requas, 
former  tenants  of  the  manor  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of  1784.  Many  of 
their  descendants  still  occupy  the  patrimonial  estates  in  fee  simple. 

In  the  records  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  this  county  appears  the 
following  memoranda: 

"March  ye  2d,  1692-3,  Justice  Mott  did  sweare  John,  Charles  and 
Johannes  Yeruckson,  assessors  for  Weekersqueeke,  and  Barnt  Whitt, 
•Collector." 


The  earliest  entry  relating  to  town  officers  occurs  in  the  old  town  and 
manor  book,  entitled  "  the  town  and  manor  of  Philipsburgh  for  to  keep 
the  town  redesstors,  1742." 

The  first  Tuesday  in  April,  is  chosen  Abraham  Martlinghs  for  the 
clerk  of  the  town  and  manor  aforesaid,  at  the  town  meeting,  for  chussen 
all  other  assessors  in  the  town 

In  1742,  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  is  chosen  four  assessors  for  the 
manor  of  Philipsburgh,  viz. :  Joseph  Geddenie  and  Gerret  van  Wart, 
jun.  For  constable  and  collector  is  chosen  Jocqhem  van  Wart. 
Pound  master  is  Elbert  Airsse.  Frederick  Philipse  appears  to  have  been 
supervisor  in  1752.  The  first  independent  election  held  in  1778,  is  thus 
recorded.    "  Being  a  memorandum  of  all  the  public  officers  appointed 


a  Book  of  Put.  Alb.  v.  79. 


272 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


and  chosen  at  a  town  meeting  held  as  usual  on  the  manor,  the  7th  day 
of  April,  1778,  and  in  the  second  year  of  our  independency." 

Joseph  Paulding, — Supervisor. 
Joseph  Reqcaw, —  Town  Clerk. 
Peter  Bant, — Constable. 

VZl  ?t™ET'  SEIH  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 
James  Keqcaw,  )  " 

GERSHAM  SnERWOOD,)  A 

Thomas  Bcess,         >  Jissess°rs- 

Within  the  township  of  Greenburgh  are  located  several  pleasant  vil- 
lages. 

Hastings  occupies  a  romantic  situation  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hud- 
son, at  the  mouth  of  a  beautiful  glen.  The  country  rising  above  the 
margin  of  the  river  with  great  boldness,  is  luxuriantly  ornamented  with 
wood  A  steep  descent  leads  to  the  village  landing  and  hotel,  from  which 
extensive  views  are  obtained  of  the  Hudson.  The  winding  streams  that 
buries  itself  in  the  adjoining  ravine,  supplies  valuable  water  privileges. 

The  advantages  presented  by  the  river,  combined  with  the  healthful- 
ness  of  the  situation,  has  rendered  Hastings  a  favorite  resort  for  New 
York  citizens  during  the  summer  season. 

The  site  of  the  present  village  nearly  covers  the  old  Post  estate,  form- 
erly owned  by  Peter  Post,  who  occupied  it  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
The  house  (a  small  stone  edifice)  is  still  standing.  Immediately  subse- 
quent to  the  revolution,  this  building  was  used  as  a  tavern,  and  became 
celebrated  as  the  rendezvous  of  cock-fighters,  and  hard  drinkers.  Since 
that  period,  it  has  been  transformed  into  the  present  neat  cottage. 

On  the  east  side  of  Edgar's  Lane,  (a  continuation  of  the  Albany  Post 
Road,)  stands  the  mansion  of  the  late  Anthony  Constant,  Esq.,  formerly 
the  residence  of  William  Edgar.  It  is  a  fine  wooden  edifice,  sur- 
rounded by  rich  plantations  of  cedar,  fir  and  locust  trees;  and, com- 
mands delightful  views  of  the  river,  and  adjacent  hills.  Judge  Constant 
was  the  son  of  Col.  Joseph  Constant,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Silas 
Constant,  of  York  Town. 

A.  D.  1776,  a  skirmish  took  place  in  Edgar's  Lane,  between  a  body 
of  Hessians,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Wurtz,  and  a  troop  of  Sheldon's 
horse,  under  the  following  circumstances.  Col.  Sheldon  having  received 
information  from  his  spies,  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  an  incursion 
into  this  vicinity,  left  his  quarters  at  New  Castle,  and — led  by  Isaac  OdelL 
a  trusty  guide — followed  the  by-roads  to  this  place,  where  he  ascertained 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


273 


from  Peter  Post,  that  the  Hessians  had  not  yet  passed.  Enjoining  se- 
crecy upon  Post,  the  Colonel  ambuscaded  his  horse  in  the  adjoining 
cedars,  which  he  had  barely  done,  when  the  Hessians  rode  up  and 
demanded  of  Post  if  he  had  seen  the  rebels.  The  Hessians,  deceived 
by  his  answer,  were  proceeding  in  full  gallop  through  the  lane,  when  a 
shrill  whistle  rang  through  the  air  instantly  followed  by  the  impetuous 
charge  of  Sheldon's  horse.  Panic  stricken,  the  enemy  fled  in  every 
direction,  but  the  fresh  horses  of  the  Americans  carried  their  gallant 
riders  wherever  a  wandering  ray  disclosed  the  steel  cap,  or  the  brilliant 
accoutrements  of  a  Hessian.  A  bridle  path  leading  from  the  place  of 
ambush  to  the  river  was  strewed  with  the  dead  and  dying,  while  those 
who  sought  safety  in  the  water  were  captured,  cut  to  pieces  or  drowned. 
The  conflict,  so  short  and  bloody,  was  decisive.  One  solitary  horseman 
was  seen  galloping  off  in  the  direction  of  Yonkers,  and  he  alone,  wound- 
ed and  unarmed,  reached  the  camp  of  Col.  Emmerick  in  safety.  Here 
he  related  the  particulars  of  the  march,  the  sudden  onset  and  retreat. 

Astonished  and  maddened  with  rage,  Emmerick  started  his  whole 
command  in  pursuit.  Poor  Post  was  striped  for  his  fidelity,  and  after 
having  a  sufficient  number  of  blows  inflicted  upon  his  person,  left  for 
dead. 

The  late  John  Dusenberry,  of  Greenburgh,  used  to  relate  "  that  his 
father  lived  at  one  time  on  the  Edgar  farm  in  the  old  stone  house,  which 
was  still  standing  in  1847.  The  fight  between  Sheldon's  dragoons  and 
Wurtz's  chasseurs  took  place  in  the  road  north  of  Edgar's  house,  and 
between  it  and  the  old  ferry  house,  which  was  afterwards  occupied  by 
Livingston's  farm  house.  The  combat  commenced  in  the  road,  and  con- 
tinued easterly  in  the  fields  to  which  the  yagers  or  Hessians  fled."* 

The  lane,  half  a  mile  in  length,  has  been  since  used  as  a  race  course. 
The  former  residence  of  Van  Burgh  Livingston,  Esq.,  is  agreeably  situ- 
ated near  the  river,  a  short  distance  north  of  Hastings.  The  estate  is  at 
present  owned  by  Mr.  Stephen  Archer,  who  purchased  it  of  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston. 

The  remains  of  the  ancient  military  fort  at  Dobb's  Ferry,  is  situated  a 
little  south-west  of  the  Livingston  residence.  The  form  of  the  embank- 
ment is  somewhat  in  the  shape  of  a  horse  shoe.  From  its  elevated  posi- 
tion, it  overlooks  the  ferry  beneath,  and  the  magnificent  scenery  of  the 
Hudson  River.  This  fort  appears  to  have  been  a  post  of  great  importance 
during  the  revolutionary  war ;  for  it  not  only  commanded  the  passage  of 
the  river,  but  also  the  opposite  ferry  to  Paramus,  on  the  Jersey  shore. 

o  McDonald  MSS.,  in  possession  of  Geo.  H.  Moore,  Esq,,  of  N.  Y.  nist.  Soc.  [Taper  horse 
probably  fought  in  the  road  and  retreated  southerly  In  that  dlrecUon,  while  the  foot  fled  for 
a&fety  easterly  to  the  hills  and  woods.   F.  McD.] 


274 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"  On  the  19th of  Juh/,1781,"  (says  Thatcher,)  "the British  frigates  that 
passed  up  the  North  River,  a  few  days  since,  took  advantage  of  wind 
and  tide  to  return  to  New  York.  A  severe  cannonade  commenced  from 
our  battery,  at  Dobb's  Ferry,  where  the  river  is  about  three  miles  wide. 
They  were  compelled  literally  to  run  the  gaunlet ;  and  returned  the 
fire  as  they  passed,  but  without  effect.  On  board  the  Savage,  ship-of- 
war,  a  box  of  powder  took  fire ;  and  such  was  their  consternation,  that 
twenty  people  jumped  into  the  river,  among  whom  was  a  prisoner  on 
board,  who  informs  us  that  he  was  the  only  man  who  got  on  shore,  all 
the  rest  being  drowned.  He  reports,  also,  that  the  Savage  was  several 
times  hulled  by  our  shot,  and  was  very  near  sinking."0 

The  remains  of  a  second  redoubt  are  still  visible  on  the  property  of 
Frederick  W.  Paulding,  Esq.  The  village  of  Dobb's  Ferry,  one  mile 
north  of  Hastings,  is  prettily  situtated  on  the  rising  hills  of  Greenburgh, 
opposite  the  northern  termination  of  the  Palisades  and  the  village  of 
Tappan.  This  place  derives  its  present  name  from  the  ancient  family 
of  the  Dobbs,  who  have  been  long  settled  here,  and  also  from  the  fact 
that  they  were  the  early  ferrymen.  In  the  year  1698,  there  was  living  in 
this  vicinity,  "  Jan  Dobs  en  zyn  huys  vrou,"  (and  his  wife,)  Abigail,  both 
members  of  the  Dutch  church,  Sleepy  Hollow.  Thomas,  their  son,  was 
born  on  the  manor,  A.  D.  1 7 1 2. 

September  20,  1729,  occurs  a  record  in  the  Church  books  at  Sleepy 
Hollow,  of  a  marriage  between  William  Dobs,  born  in  Philadelphia,  and 
Lea  Van  Waert,  a  native  of  the  same  place.  They  were  perhaps  Swedes, 
originally  from  the  Delaware.  Jeremiah  Dobs,  former  proprietor  of  the 
ferry,  left  issue  by  Jane  le  Vines,  besides  two  daughters,  two  sons  Jere- 
miah and  Peter.    Several  sons  of  the  latter  are  still  living  in  Greenburgh. 

The  Indian  name  of  this  place  as  already  shown  was,  Weec-quaes- 
guck,  literally  "the  place  of  the  bark  kettle."  The  aboriginal  settlement 
appears  to  have  been  located  at  the  mouth  of  the  Weghqueghe  or  Wick- 
er's creek,  (William  Portuguese  creek).  This  beautiful  stream  arises 
from  two  distinct  springs,  situated  on  the  lands  of  E.  W.  Waldgrove  and 
Frederick  B.  Wilsie,  both  of  which,  running  nearly  west,  unite  soon  after 
crossing  the  Albany  post-road ;  here,  commingled,  they  flow  through  a 
rocky  glen  enclosed  between  high  wooded  banks.  Passing  under  the 
arch  of  the  Croton  acqueduct,  the  waters  again  appear  rushing  over  their 
stony  bed  until  their  further  progress  is  checked  by  the  mill  dam.  Here 
a  pipe  of  nine  hundred  feet  in  length  conveys  the  water  to  the  neighbor- 
ing mill,  affording  a  fall  of  thirty  feet  to  an  overshot  wheel. 

a  Thatcher's  Military  Journal,  259.  See  Heath's  Mem.  76,  294. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


275 


In  the  vicinity  of  the  upper  clock,  the  ravine  opens  and  displays  a 
splendid  view  of  the  Hudson  river.  The  road  passing  through  the  gap 
of  the  Greenburgh  hills  west  of  the  Saw  Mill  Valley,  follows  the  course 
of  the  ancient  Indian  path,  which  formerly  led  to  the  village  of  the  " Bark 
Kittle"  at  the  mouth  of  the  Weghqueghe,  or  Wysquaqua  Creek. 

The  lower  landing  and  ferry  are  situated  some  distance  south  of  the 
creek  at  the  foot  of  a  steep  bank.  Here  is  a  neat  hotel,  kept  by  Mr. 
Shadrach  Taylor,  for  the  convenience  of  passengers  by  the  ferry,  and  the 
daily  steamboats  that  touch  at  this  dock. 

Dobb's  Ferry  was  distinguished  during  the  Revolution,  as  the  scene 
of  active  military  operations.  To  this  fort,  October  9,  1776,  General 
Heath  ordered  Colonel  Sargent,  with  500  infantry,  40  light  horse,  Capt. 
Horton,  of  the  artillery,  with  two  12  pounders,  and  Captain  Crafts, 
with  a  howitzer,  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy  up  the  river.** 

To  this  place  the  British  army  retreated  after  the  battle  of  White  Plains, 
closely  followed  by  reconnoitering  parties  of  the  Americans.  On  the 
7th  of  November,  1776,  the  enemy  commenced  foraging  for  grain  and 
hay,  and  driving  in  cattle.6 

On  the  29th  of  January,  1777,  General  Lincoln's  division  of  the  Con- 
tinental army  was  ordered  to  Dobb's  Ferry." 

This  ferry  was  selected  by  General  Arnold  and  Major  Andre  as  the 
place  of  their  first  meeting.  "Andre's  letter  to  Sheldon,  (observes  Mr. 
Sparks,  in  his  Life  of  Arnold,)  when  divested  of  its  disguise,  will  be  seen 
to  have  no  other  object  than  to  communicate  the  intelligence  that  he 
should  be  at  Dobb's  Ferry  at  a  certain  time.  He  presumed  the  letter 
would  be  sent  to  Arnold,  who  would  understand  its  meaning,  and  con- 
duct his  plans  accordingly,  and  so  it  turned  out.  Arnold  left  home  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  10th,  went  down  the  river  in  his  barge  to  King's  Ferry, 
and  passed  the  night  at  the  house  of  Joshua  H.  Smith,  who  resided 
about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  Ferry,  near  the  road  leading  to 
Haverstraw.  Early  the  next  morning  he  proceeded  to  Dobb's  Ferry,  at 
which  place  Andre  had  arrived  according  to  his  appointment,  accompa- 
nied by  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson,  to  whom  the  secret  had  already  been 
intrusted  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  probably  at  the  suggestion,  or  at  least 
with  the  knowledge  of  Arnold.  An  accident  occurred  which  prevented 
the  interview,  and  was  near  putting  an  end  to  the  plot  itself.  ^Iien 
Arnold  was  approaching  the  point  of  destination  by  water,  he  was  fired 
upon  by  the  British  gun-boats  stationed  in  that  part  of  the  river,  and  so 


a  n>  ath  Mem.  69. 
b  [bid.  84. 
c  Ibid.  113. 


276 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNffY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


closely  pursued  that  his  life  was  in  danger,  and  he  was  on  the  point  of 
being  taken  prisoner.  By  some  oversight  the  boats  had  not  been  with- 
drawn, or  it  may  have  been  expected  that  Arnold  would  come  with  a 
flag,  which  appears  not  to  have  been  the  case. 

"  Having  landed  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  he  went  down  to  the 
Ferry,  where  he  remained  till  night.  Whether  Andre  and  Robinson 
were  at  the  landing  place  on  the  opposite  side,  or  whether  they  came  up 
from  New  York  in  a  vessel  and  remained  on  board,  has  not  been  ascer- 
tained; but,  at  any  rate,  no  meeting  took  place. 

"Not  forgetting  his  accustomed  caution,  Arnold  wrote  a  letter  to 
General  Washington  while  at  Dobb's  Terry.  His  passage  down  the 
river  had  been  in  so  public  a  manner,  that  it  could  not  fail  to  be  known, 
and  he  feared  suspicions  might  be  raised  concerning  his  motives  and  ob- 
jects. Filling  up  the  principal  part  of  his  letter  with  matters  of  some 
importance  appertaining  to  his  command,  he  said,  as  if  accidentally,  that 
he  had  come  down  to  that  place,  in  order  to  establish  signals,  which 
were  to  be  observed  in  case  the  enemy  ascended  the  river ;  and  also 
to  give  additional  directions  respecting  the  guard-boats,  and  to  have  a 
beacon  fixed  on  a  hill,  about  five  miles  below  King's  Ferry,  which  would 
be  necessary  to  alarm  the  country.  These  reasons  were  plausible,  and 
afforded  apparent  proofs  of  his  vigilance,  rather  than  grounds  for  sus- 
pecting any  sinister  design. 

"Being  foiled  in  this  attempt  to  mature  his  scheme  of  treachery,  he 
left  Dobb's  Ferry  a  little  after  sunset,  went  up  the  river  in  the  night,  and 
reached  his  quarters  at  Robinson's  House,  before  morning.  Andre  and 
Colonel  Robinson  returned  to  New  York." 

When  Arnold  left  Andre,  (the  day  previous  to  his  capture  at  Tarry- 
town,)  after  delivering  the  treasonable  papers,  "Andre  (continues  Mr. 
Sparks)  supposed  he  was  to  be  sent  on  board  the  Vulture,  as  will  appear 
by  the  following  extract,  which  he  wrote  after  his  capture.  'Arnold 
quitted  me,'  said  he  'having  himself  made  me  put  the  papers  I  bore  be- 
tween my  stockings  and  feet.  Whilst  he  did  it,  he  expressed  a  wish,  in 
case  of  any  accident  befalling  me,  that  they  should  be  destroyed ;  which 
I  said  of  course  would  be  the  case,  as,  when  I  went  into  the  boat,  I 
should  have  them  tied  about  with  a  string  and  a  stone.  Before  we  par- 
ted, some  mention  had  been  made  of  my  crossing  the  river,  and  going 
another  route;  but  I  objected  much  against  it,  and  thought  it  was  set- 
tled— that  in  the  way  I  came  I  was  to  return.' 

"  Arnold  left  him,  and  went  up  the  river  to  head-quarters.    Before  he 

a  Spark's  Life  of  Benedict  Arnold,  ISO,  181,  1S2.  An  account  of  the  second  lutervlew  will 
be  found  in  CortlauUtotvn. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBUKGH. 


277 


departed  from  Smith's  house,  he  urged  Smith  to  go  back  with  Andre-  to 
the  Vulture  as  soon  as  it  should  be  dark ;  yet  the  matter  seems  to  have 
been  undecided,  for  he  wrote  and  gave  to  Smith  two  passports  (dating 
them  '  Head  Quarters,')  one  authorizing  him  to  go  by  water,  and  the 
other  by  land. 

"  The  former  was  in  these  words:  'Joshua  Smith  has  permission  to 
pass  with  a  boat  and  three  hands,  and  a  flag,  to  Dobb's  Ferry,  on  public 
business,  and  to  return  immediately. '  "" 

After  the  trial  of  Andre  at  Tappan,  and  his  letters  and  those  of  Wash- 
ington, as  well  as  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  examination,  had  been 
received  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  then  in  New  York,  it  was  resolved  by 
Clinton  and  a  board  of  general  officers,  "  That  a  deputation  of  three 
persons  should  proceed  to  the  nearest  American  out-post,  furnished  with 
evidence  to  prove  Major  Andre's  innocence,  and  to  impart  information 
which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  thought  would  place  the  question  in  a  different 
light  from  that  in  which  it  had  been  viewed  by  the  American  board.  The 
persons  delegated  on  this  mission  were  General  Robertson,  Andrew 
Elliot,  and  William  Smith.  They  were  accompanied  by  Beverly  Robin- 
son as  a  witness  in  the  case  ;  and  were  fortified  in  their  estimation,  but 
weakened  in  reality,  by  a  long  explanatory  and  threatening  letter  from 
Arnold  to  General  Washington.  The  commissioners  went  up  the  river 
in  the  Greyhound  schooner,  with  a  flag  of  truce,  on  the  first  of  October. 
Notice  of  the  intended  visit  and  its  objects  had  been  already  communi- 
cated by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Washington  ;  and  when  the  vessel  an- 
chored at  Dobb's  Ferry,  General  Greene  was  there,  having  been  deputed 
by  Washington  to  hold  the  interview  on  his  behalf.  The  person  sent  on 
shore  by  the  British  commissioners  brought  word  back,  that  General 
Robertson  only  would  be  permitted  to  land,  and  that  General  Greene 
was  then  in  readiness  to  receive  him. 

The  conference  was  opened  by  Robertson,  who  paid  some  compli- 
ments to  the  American  general,  and  expressed  the  satisfaction  he  had 
in  treating  with  him,  on  an  occasion  so  interesting  to  the  two  armies  and 
to  humanity.  Greene  replied,  that  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  know  at 
the  outset  on  what  ground  they  stood :  that  he  was  not  there  in  the 
character  of  an  officer ;  that  he  was  allowed  by  General  Washington  to 
meet  him  as  a  private  gentleman,  but  that  the  case  of  an  acknowledged 
spy  admitted  of  no  discussion.  Robertson  said  his  design  was  to  state 
facts,  which  he  hoped  would  have  their  due  weight,  in  whatever  character 
he  might  be  supposed  to  speak. 


a  Sparks'  Life  of  Benedict  Arnold,  209-W. 


278 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


He  then  entered  largely  into  the  subject,  endeavoring  to  show,  first, 
that  Andre  landed  under  the  sanction  of  a  flag ;  secondly,  that  he  acted 
wholly  by  the  directions  of  Arnold ;  from  both  of  which  positions  it  was 
inferred,  that  he  could  not  in  any  just  sense  of  the  word  be  regarded  as 
a  spy.  The  facts  having  all  been  examined  by  the  board  of  officers,  and 
being  well  understood,  this  new  statement  of  them  made  no  change  in 
Green's  opinion  or  impressions ;  and  when  Arnold's  testimony  was  in- 
troduced, he  said  the  Americans  would  believe  Andre"  in  preference  to 
Arnold.  General  Robertson  said,  that  no  military  tribunal  in  Europe 
would  decide  the  case  of  Andre  to  be  that  of  a  spy ;  and  he  proposed  to 
refer  the  question  to  Count  de  Rochambeau  and  General  Knyphausen. 
Other  considerations  were  urged  by  him,  not  so  much  in  the  way  of 
argument  as  on  the  score  of  reciprocal  benefits  and  humanity.  He 
added  that  he  should  confide  in  General  Greene's  candor  to  represent  in 
the  fairest  light  to  General  Washington  the  arguments  he  had  used;  that 
he  should  stay  on  board  all  night,  and  hope  in  the  morning  to  take  back 
with  him  Major  Andre,  or  an  assurance  of  his  safety." 

"  The  British  commissioners  waited  till  morning,  as  General  Robert- 
son had  proposed ;  and  at  an  early  hour  they  received  a  note  from  General 
Greene,  stating  that  he  had  communicated  to  Washington  the  subject  of 
the  conference,  but  that  it  had  produced  no  change  in  his  opinion  and 
determination.  Thrs  intelligence  was  astounding  to  Robertson  ;  for  he 
had  written  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  the  evening  before,  that  he  was  per- 
suaded Abdre  would  not  be  harmed.  How  he  got  this  impression  is  not 
easily  discovered ;  since  he  represented  General  Greene  as  obstinately 
bent  on  considering  Andre  as  a  spy,  and  resisting  all  his  arguments  to 
the  contrary. 

Nothing  more  could  be  done  by  the  commissioners.  That  no  measure 
might  be  left  untried  however,  General  Robertson"6  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  General  Washington,  dated 

Greyhound  Schooner,  Flag  of  Truck, 
Dobb's  Ferry,  Oct.  2,  1780. 
Sir : — A  note  I  had  from  General  Greene  leaves  me  in  doubt  if  his  memory 
had  served  him  to  relate  to  you,  with  exactness,  the  substance  of  the  conver- 
sation that  had  passed  between  him  and  myself  on  the  subject  of  Major  Andre. 
In  an  affair  of  so  much  consequence  to  my  friend,  to  the  two  armies,  and  humanity, 
I  would  leave  no  possibility  of  a  misunderstanding,  and  therefore  take  the  liberty 
to  put  in  writing  the  substance  of  what  I  said  to  General  Greene.  I  offered  to 
prove  by  the  evidence  of  Colonel  Robinson  and  the  officers  of  the  Vulture,  that 

a  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  71,  2,  8. 
b  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  275-6. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


279 


Major  Andre  wont  on  shore  at  General  Arnold's  desire,  in  a  boat  sent  for  biin 
with  a  flag  of  truce ;  that  he  not  only  came  ashore  with  the  knowledge  and 
under  the  protection  of  the  General  who  commanded  in  the  district,  hut  that  he 
took  no  step  while  on  shore,  but  by  the  direction  of  General  Arnold,  as  will 
appear  by  the  enclosed  letter  from  him  to  your  Excellency.  Under  these  circum- 
stances I  could  not,  and  hoped  you  would  not,  consider  Major  Andre  as  a  spy, 
for  any  improper  phrase  in  his  letter  to  you. 

The  hu  ts  he  relates  correspond  with  evidence  I  offer,  but  he  admits  a  con- 
clusion which  does  not  follow.  The  change  of  clothes  and  name  was  ordered  by 
General  Arnold,  under  whose  direction  he  necessarily  was  while  within  his  com- 
mand. 

As  General  Greene  and  I  did  not  agree  in  opinion,  I  wished  that  distinguished 
gentlemen  of  knowledge  of  the  law  of  war  and  nations,  might  be  asked  their 
opinion  on  the  subject,  and  mentioned  Monsieur  Knyphauscn  aud  General 
Rochamheau.  I  related  that  a  Captain  Robinson  had  been  delivered  to  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  as  a  spy,  and  undoubtedly  was  such ;  but  that  it  being  signi- 
fied to  him  that  you  were  desirous  that  the  man  should  be  exchanged,  he  had 
ordered  him  to  be  exchanged. 

I  wished  that  an  intercourse  of  such  civilities  as  the  rules  of  war  admit  of 
might  take  off  many  of  its  horrors.  I  admitted  that  Major  Andre  had  a  great  share 
of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  esteem,  aud  that  he  would  be  infinitely  obliged  by  his 
liberation ;  and  that  if  he  was  permitted  to  return  with  me,  I  would  engage  to 
have  any  person  you  would  be  pleased  to  name,  set  at  liberty. 

I  added  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  never  put  to  death  any  person  for  a  breach 
of  rules  of  war,  though  he  had,  and  now  has,  many  in  his  power;  under 
the  present  circumstances  much  good  may  arise  from  humanity,  much  ill  from 
the  want  of  it,  if  that  could  give  any  weight.  I  beg  leave  to  add  that  jour 
favorable  treatment  of  Major  Andre,  will  be  a  favor  I  shall  ever  he  intent  to  re- 
turn to  any  you  hold  dear. 

My  mcmoiy  does  not  retain  with  the  exactness  I  could  wish,  the  words  of  the 
letter  which  General  Greene  showed  me  from  Major  Andre  to  your  Excellency. 
For  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  satisfaction  I  beg  you  will  order  a  copy  of  it  to  be  sent 
to  me  at  N.  Y.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  aud  humble  Servant, 
James  Robeetson. 

"  This  letter  could  have  produced  no  effect,  even  if  it  had  not  arrived 
too  late ;  for  it  touched  upon  no  points  which  had  not  already  been 
examined  and  decided.    The  commissioners  returned  to  New  York."a 

Andre  was  executed  at  1 2  o'clock  the  same  day. 

"  On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  August,  1781,  about  1 1  o'clock,  the  British 
and  American  guard  boats  met  in  the  river  near  Dobb's  Ferry,  when  a 
considerable  firing  ensued ;  the  Americans  had  one  man  badly  wounded, 
who  died  soon  after.  The  damage  sustained  by  the  enemy  was  not 
known."    August  7th,  1781,  in  the  morning,  about  two  o'clock,  the 


o  Spark's  LUe  oi  Arnold,  276. 


280 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


American  army  was  awakened  by  the  firing  of  cannon  at  Dobb's  Ferry. 
It  appeared  that  two  of  the  enemy's  gun  boats  had  come  upas  high  as  the 
ferry,  probably  to  endeavor  to  seize  some  vessels  or  boats.  On  finding 
they  were  discovered,  they  fired  four  cannon,  but  to  no  effect.  Four 
cannon  were  discharged  at  the  boats  from  the  battery,  on  which  they 
went  down  the  river  .a 

Besides  the  two  redoubts,  there  must  have  been  a  military  block  house 
erected  here;  for  on  the  17th  of  March,  1781,  we  find  Major  Graham 
ordered  out  with  a  detachment  of  150  men  for  its  relief,  on  which 
occasion,  the  garrison  on  both  shores  were  doubled6 

Washington's  diary  informs  us  that  on  the  4th  of  July,  1781,  Wash- 
ington "marched  and  took  a  position  a  little  to  the  left  of  Dobb's  Ferry, 
and  marked  a  camp  for  the  French  army  upon  our  left."  July  6,  the 
French  army  formed  "the  junction  with  the  American  army  on  the 
ground  marked  out."  "The  American  army  was  encamped  in  two  fines, 
with  the  right  resting  on  the  Hudson  River,  near  Dobb's  Ferry.  The 
French  army  stationed  on  the  hills  at  the  left,  was  a  single  line  reach- 
ing to  the  Bronks  river.  There  was  a  valley  of  considerable  extent 
between  the  two  armies." 

Washington's  object  in  taking  the  position  on  the  Hudson  River  near 
Dobb's  Ferry,  was  to  be  prepared  to  make  an  attack  on  New  York  city, 
and  also  from  the  apprehension  of  that  attack  to  induce  the  enemy  to 
withdraw  a  large  portion  of  his  forces  from  the  south.  In  this  he  was 
successful ;  and  thus  it  was  that  he  was  enabled  to  defeat  and  compel 
the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  and  end  the  war. 

By  Washington's  Orderly  Book,  July  6,  1781,  written  at  Dobb's  Ferry, 
Washington  "embraces  the  earliest  opportunity  of  expressing  his  thanks 
to  Count  de  Rochambeau  for  the  unremitting  zeal  with  which  he  has 
prosecuted  his  march  in  order  to  form  the  long  wished-for  junction  be- 
tween the  French  and  American  armies.  An  event  which  must  afford 
the  highest  degree  of  pleasure  to  every  friend  of  the  country,  and  from 
which  the  happiest  consequences  are  to  be  expected." 

The  attack  upon  New  York  depended  upon  a  large  augmentation  of 
the  American  army;  waiting  for  that,  Washington,  with  Rochambeau 
made  extensive  reconnoisances  on  the  west  as  well  as  the  east  side  of 
the  Hudson  River,  starting  from  the  headquarters  at  Dobb's  Ferry." 

The  strategy  to  induce  the  British  army  to  come  out  of  New  York  was 
various.    Among  other  movements  it  was  contemplated  to  land  a  large 


a  Heath's  Mem.  295. 
b  Heath's  Mem.  2T7. 

c  Washingtou's  Life  by  Washington  Irving,  vol.  17,  p.  304,  305,  306. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


28l 


force  at  Tubby  Hook,  to  take  by  strategy,  Fort  Washington,  and  thus 
induce  the  enemy  to  come  out  to  succor  that  important  point,  when  the 
American  army  would  rush  upon  the  enemy,  defeat  him  and  follow  him 
into  the  city. 

See  Washington's  address  to  Major-General  Lord  Sterling : — 


July  14,  1781.  > 

"  The  party  at  Dobb's  Ferry  being  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  work  there  ; 
they  are  not  to  withdraw  for  camp  duty." 

Washington,  with  a  considerable  body,  accompanied  by  the  distinguished 
French  officers,  about  to  make  a  most  interesting  recognoizance,  left 
Lord  Sterling  in  command  at  Headquarters,  Dobb's  Ferry,  to  defend 
which  a  work  was  to  be  erected. 

During  the  period  of  about  forty  days,  while  Dobb's  Ferry  was  the 
headquarters  of  the  army,  Washington  addressed  fifteen  dispatches  dat- 
ed at  that  place.  "  Light  troops  and  lancers  had  performed  their  duty 
in  scouring  the  neighborhood.  The  refugee  pests,  which  had  desolated 
the  country,  were  broken  up ;  most  of  the  refugees,"  Washington  says, 
"had  fled  and  hid  themselves  in  several  places." 

Irving,  referring  to  the  locations  of  the  two  armies  at  Dobb's  Ferry, 
says:  "The  French  encampment  made  a  gallant  display  along  the 
Greenburgh  hills.  Some  of  the  officers  took  a  pride  in  decorating  their 
tents,  and  forming  little  gardens  in  their  vicinity." 

Upon  the  suspension  of  hostilities,  May  3,  1783,  General  Washington, 
His  Fxccllency,  Governor  Clinton,  and  General  Sir  Guy  Tarlton,  (the 
British  commander,)  and  their  respective  suites,  met  here.  The  two  for- 
mer came  down  the  river  in  barges;  the  latter  ascended  the  river  in  a 
frigate.  Four  companies  of  light  infantry  performed  the  duty  of  guards 
on  this  memorable  occasion.6 

Near  the  junction  of  the  Albany  Post,  and  Saw  Mill  river  road,  is  sit- 
uated the  Presbyterian  church,  sometimes  called,  by  way  of  distinction, 
the  lower  Greenburgh  church.  This  society  was  organized  on  the  nth 
of  April,  1825.  Present  at  its  first  meeting  of  the  clergy,  the  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Robertson,  Rev.  Mr.  Weeks,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wells  of  New  Ro- 
chelle.  Of  the  members,  Perez  Jones,  Peter  Nodine,  James  Odell, 
Elizabeth  Lefurge,  Van  Burgh  Livingston  and  Harriett  Livingston. 

a  Ditto,  vol.iv,  p.  304. 

b  "The  tour  of  duty  having  fallen  to  our  regiment,  we  marched  from  Nelson's  point,  on  the 
9*U»,  crossed  the  river  at  King's  Ferry,  and  ou  the  25th,  encamped  near  the  block  house  at  this 
place."  August  6th ;  "  flags  were  passing  and  repassing  from  this  post  to  New  York  and 
back,  every  day."  Thatcher's  iiil.  Journal,  310. 


282  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


This  edifice  was  erected,  A.  D.  1827.  Principal  contributor,  Van 
Burgh  Livingston,  Elder  of  the  church. 

The  Episcopal  parish  of  Greenburgh  was  first  organized  by  the  Rev. 
Alexander  H.  Crosby,  in  1833.  St  John's  church,  Yonkers,  having  for 
nearly  seventy  years  previously,  constituted  the  only  benefice  in  the  ma- 
nor of  Philipsburgh.  On  the  31st  of  August,  1833,  the  church  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  and  title  of  "  The  Rector,  Church- wardens, 
and  Vestrymen  of  Zion  church,  in  the  town  of  Greenburgh."  "Joseph 
Howland  and  Oscar  Irving,  Church-wardens ;  Van  Burgh  Livingston, 
Anthony  Constant,  William  Waring,  Cornelius  M.  Odell,  Adam  Storms 
and  Everet  Brown,  Vestrymen."* 

Zion  church  stands  upon  the  highest  ground  in  the  village  of  Dobb's 
Ferry,  near  the  Albany  Post-road.  The  wonderfully  extensive  views 
which  this  elevated  spot  commands  on  every  side,  are  better  seen  than 
described.  This  edifice  has  been  almost  wholly  rebuilt  and  enlarged  to 
three  times  its  original  size,  during  the  past  year,  and  was  consecrated 
on  the  24th  of  July,  1854,  by  the  late  Rt.  Rev.  the  Provisional  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese. 


Zion  Church,  Lower  Greenburgh,  (Enlarged). 

LIST  OF  RECTORS. 
1833,  Rev.  Alex.  H.  Crosby,  A  M. 
183G,  Rev.  Wm.  Craigiiton,  D.  D. 

1851,  Rev.  W.  E.  Heyer. 

1852,  Rev.  Wm.  A.  McVickeb,  A.  M. 
18G0,  Rev.  I.  H.  Williams. 

  1865,  Rev.  Geo.  B.  Reese,  Present. 

a  County  Rec.  R.  Society,  Liber.  B.,  p.  17.  Day  of  election,  Easter  Tuesday. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


"  The  ground  which  it  occupies  was  the  gift  of  Van  Burgh  Livingston, 
Esq.  The  foundation  of  the  old  edifice  was  laid  as  we  have  seen  in 
1833,  and  the  church  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  on 
Tuesday,  the  20th  of  May,  1834,  by  Bishop  Onderdonk.  There  are 
two  or  three  interments  in  the  grave-yard,  surrounding  the  church,  of 
members  belonging  to  the  Noble,  Bowdoin  and  Irving  families. 

In  July,  1S66,  a  dwelling  house  with  about  an  acre  of  land  on  the 
south-east  of  the  church  property  and  immediately  adjoining,  was  pur- 
chased as  a  rectory,  for  $7,900. 

In  April,  1867,  the  vestry  received  a  deed  from  the  executors  of 
Robert  B.  Mintum,  of  certain  lots  in  the  village  of  Hastings,  where  a 
service  on  Sunday  afternoons  had  been  for  years  maintained,  to  enable 
them  to  erect  a  chapel,  nearly  $Soo  for  the  purpose  had  already  been 
donated  by  Admiral  Farragut,  being  the  first  fruits  of  his  prize  money. 
His  widow  has  since  presented  a  handsome  marble  font. 

The  corner  stone  of  Zion  chapel  was  laid  by  the  Rector  of  Zion 
church,  on  the  2d  of  Oct ,  1867,  and  the  building  was  occupied  for  Di- 
vine service  the  following  summer.  The  chapel  is  a  frame,  gothic  struc- 
ture, and  will  seat  300  persons,  and  cost  over  $5,000.  There  was  no 
debt  upon  it. 

In  the  year  1869,  the  Parish  church  was  again  enlarged,  by  the 
addition  of  a  recess-chapel  with  organ  and  vestry  room,  and  the  church 
was  repaired  throughout.    The  improvements  cost  $8,000,  all  paid  for. 

In  1878,  the  Rectory  was  remodelled  and  improved  at  an  expense 
of  $1,500. 

At  Dearman's,  now  Irvington,  was  erected  a  building  chapelwise,  so 
as  to  be  used  separately  as  a  school,  or  treated  as  a  church.  'When 
needed  for  worship,  the  whole  becomes  a  church. 

The  dedication  of  the  chapel  school  of  St.  Barnabas  took  place  on 
Saturday,  June  nth,  1853,  the  festival  of  St.  Barnabas.  The  following 
particulars  touching  the  origin  of  its  free  scholarship,  may  not  be  without 
interest  in  showing  how  a  good  scheme  prospers  under  God's  blessing. 

From  a  friend  interested  in  the  village  of  Irvington,  came  its  first  landed 
endowment,  viz :  The  two  village  lots,  (50  feet  by  100)  with  two  adjoin- 
ing gores,  on  which  the  building  stands;  the  gift  of  one  bearing  an 
honored  name,  the  grandson  and  name-sake  of  the  friend,  companion 
and  counsellor  of  Washington,  a  name  and  gift  now  perpetuated  in  the 
'John  Jay  Scholarship.'  A  second  bears  in  its  name  an  equal  national 
rank  and  character,  viz:  the  'Alexander  Hamilton  Scholarship,' 
through  the  kindness  of  the  grandson  and  name-sake  of  that  eminent 
leader  in  Washington's  counsels  and  framer  of  our  country's  policy.  A 


284 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


third  bears  also  the  name  of  the  '  John  Bard  Scholarship,'  the  first 
contributor  of  funds  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  the  school.  A  fourth 
scholarship  bears  the  well-known  name  of  its  earliest  country  contributor, 
a  name  as  world-wide  in  literary  reputation,  as  it  is  dear  to  his  friends  : 
the  'Washington  Irving  Scholarship.'  A  fifth  bears  the  name  of  a 
most  liberal  and  kind  contributor  to  all  good  works :  the  '  Robert  B. 
Minturn  Schotarship.'  A  sixth  that  of  the  'Franklin  C.  Field 
Scholarship,'  in  return  for  the  gift  of  two  village  lots.  And  a  seventh 
that  of  the  'Trinity  Church  Scholarship,'  in  memory  of  its  liberal 
grant  of  $1,000. 

To  these  free  scholarships,  the  nomination  under  the  rules  of  the 
school,  is  in  the  hands  of  those  whose  names  they  respectively  bear,  for 
life,  or  descending  to  heirs  according  to  the  amount  of  endowment. 

In  addition  to  the  above  private  scholarship,  nine  further  are  provided, 
as  "on  the  foundation,"  to  which  the  nomination  lies  jointly  in  the 
"Visitor,"  the  "Missionary"  and  the  "Principal"  of  the  school ;  the 
object  of  these  last  being  to  provide  gratuitous  instruction  for  such  as 
need  it  in  the  neighborhood,  without  the  reproachful  distinction  of  being 
received  in  forma  pauperis. 


Chapel  School  and  Parsonage  of  St.  Barnabas. 


LIST  OF  RECTORS. 

May  21,  1859,  Rev.  Wm.  McVickek,  D.D.,  resigned  May  4,  1867. 
Aug.  22,  1867,  Rev.  Wm.  Henry  Benjamin,  B.A.,  Present  incumbent. 

This  parish  was  incorporated  in  1858.  On  the  1st  of  May,  1S52,  the 
Rev.  Wm.  A.  McVicker,  D.D.,  was  appointed  by  Bishop  Wainright. 
missionary  to  Dearmans  now  Irvington  and  parts  adjacent.   The  corner 


RESIDENCE  OF  WASHINGTON  IRVING.  SUNSYSIDB. 


1,  985. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


stone  of  the  present  chapel  school  was  laid  in  August,  1S52,  and  the 
building  opened  for  divine  service  in  May,  1853.  On  the  1  ith  of  June, 
1864,  the  enlarged  church  building  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Potter. 

Immediately  in  the  vicinity  of  Dobb's  Ferry,  and  contiguous  to  the 
river,  is  the  residence  and  estate  of  James  A.  Hamilton,  Esq.,  son  of  the 
Hon.  Alexander  Hamilton.  The  house  which  commands  a  fine  view  of  the 
river,  contains  among  other  valuable  family  relics,  the  original  portrait  of 
General  Washington,  painted  by  Stewart  for  the  Hon.  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton j  after  his  death  it  remained  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Hamilton, 
upon  whose  decease  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  her  son — the  present 
owner.  The  Hamilton  estate  formerly  belonged  to  the  Odell  family. 
Jonathan  Odell,  father  of  the  destinguished  Colonel  John  Odell,  was  re- 
siding here  in  the  Autumn  of  1776,  when  the  British  army,  after  retiring 
from  White  Plains,  encamped  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  enemy,  upon  their  final  retreat  to  New  York,  arrested  Mr.  Odell 
and  four  of  his  neighbors  as  prisoners  of  war.  On  their  arrival  in  the 
city,  they  were  consigned  to  the  provost.  Here  four  of  them  died  of 
poison,  said  to  have  been  administered  in  their  food.  Jonathan  Odell 
escaped  through  the  kindness  of  a  friend,  who  daily  brought  him  pro- 
visions. Each  of  the  sufferers  had  sons  in  the  Continental  army,  which 
was  the  cause  of  this  inhuman  treatment. 

Bordering  the  river  111  the  same  vicinity,  about  two  miles  south  of 
Tarrytown,  a  winding  lane  leads  to  Sunny  Side,  the  residence  of  the  Hon. 
Washington  Irving.  "There  is  scarcely  (observes  Mr.  Downing,)  a 
building  or  place  more  replete  with  interest  in  America  than  the  cottage 
of  Washington  Irving,  near  Tarrytown.  The  legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow, 
so  delightfully  told  in  the  sketch  book,  has  made  every  one  acquainted 
with  his  neighborhood;  and  especially  with  the  site  of  the  present  build- 
ing there  celebrated  as  the  'Van  Tassel  House,'  one  of  the  most  secluded 
and  delightful  nooks  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  With  characteristic 
taste,  Mr.  Irving  has  chosen  this  spot — the  haunt  of  his  early  days,  since 
rendered  classic  ground  by  his  elegant  pen — and  made  it  his  permanent 
residence.  The  house  of  'Baltus  Van  Tassel,'  has  been  altered  and 
rebuilt  in  a  quaint  style,  partaking  somewhat  of  the  English  cottage 
mode,  but  retaining  strongly  marked  symptoms  of  its  Dutch  origin.  The 
quaint  old  weathercocks  and  finials,  the  crow  stepped  gables  and  the 
hall  paved  with  Dutch  tiles,  are  among  the  ancient  and  venerable  orna- 
ments of  the  houses  of  the  original  settlers  of  Manhattan,  now  almost 
extinct  among  us.  There  is  also  a  quaint  keeping  in  the  cottage,  and 
grounds  around  it,  that  assists  in  making  up  the  chain  of  the  whole  ;  the 
gently  swelling  slope  reaching  down  to  the  water's  edge,  bordered  by  pret- 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

tily  wooded  ravines,  through  which  a  brook  meanders  pleasantly,  and 
threaded  by  foot  paths,  ingeniously  contrived — so  as  sometimes  to  afford 
secluded  walks,  and  at  others  to  allow  fine  vistas  of  the  broad  expanse 
of  river  scenery."*1 

Over  the  porch,  is  the  following  inscription  : 

£rrrtc& 

JUtt0  1  650, 

H)a$l)t!t(jt0it  Jruing, 

JUttUl835. 

Geo.  Hakvey, 
Architect. 

Above  the  peaked  turret  of  the  portal,  glitters  a  horse  at  full  gallop, 
once  the  weathercock  of  the  great  Van  der  Hyden  palace  at  Albany; 
the  other,  upon  the  eastern  gable,  formerly  surmounted  the  Stadt  House 
of  New  Amsterdam. 

The  interrior  is  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  exterior  design  of  this 
quaint  and  venerable  edifice.  In  the  library  are  preserved  the  elbow 
chair  and  writing  desk  of  Diedrich  Knickerbocker. 

The  "  Van  Tassel  House"  occupies  the  site  of  "Wolfert's  Roost," 
which  was  built  by  Wolfert  Ecker,  an  ancient  Dutch  burgher  of  this 
town. 

In  1697,  we  find  recorded  the  name  of  Jan  Ecker,  first  accepted  dea- 
con of  the  Dutch  Church,  Sleepy  Hollow,  which  office  he  appears  to 
have  held  for  several  years.  By  his  wife  Magdelentje,  Jan  Ecker  left 
issue,  Wolfert,  Cornelis  and  others. 

The  will  of  Wolfert  Ecker,  bears  date  1753,  "wherein  he  bequeaths 
to  his  son  Stephen,  a  cow,  or  the  worth  thereof,  more  than  the  o,thers, 
for  his  birth  right ;  and  to  the  child  of  his  grand-son,  Wolfert  Ecker,  son 
of  Sybout,  twenty  shillings,  beside  other  bequests  to  the  remainder  of 
his  children,  viz.:  Sybout,  Abram  and  Maretje."&  A  branch  of  this 
family  still  resides  in  the  neighborhood.  From  the  Eckers,  this  property 
passed  by  marriage  to  the  gallant  family  of  the  Van  Tassels,  who  figure 
so  conspicuously  in  the  writings  of  Diedrich  Knickerbocker. 


a  Downincr's  Rural  Architecture,  385. 

b  Beo.  Bui  fogate'a  oiiic,  N.  Y.  lib.  xix.  29. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


287 


During  the  stormy  period  of  the  revolution,  it  belonged  to  "Jacob 
Van  Tassel,  or  Van  Taxel,  as  the  name  was  originally  spelt,  after  the 
place  in  Holland,  which  gave  birth  to  this  heroic  line."  The  following 
graphic  sketch  of  the  exploits  of  this  redoubtable  hero,  is  taken  from  the 
chrenicle  of  the  Roost : 

"The  situation  of  the  Roost  is  in  the  very  heart  of  what  was  the  debateablc 
ground  between  the  American  and  British  lines,  during  the  war.  The  British 
held  possession  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  island  of  Manhattan,  on  which 
it  stands.  The  Americans  drew  up  towards  the  highlands,  holding  their  head- 
quarters at  Peekskill.  The  intervening  country,  from  Crotou  River  to  Spiting 
Devil  Creek,  was  the  debateable  land,  subject  to  be  harried  by  friend  anil  foe, 
like  the  Scottish  borders  of  yore.  It  is  a  rugged  country,  with  a  line  of  rocky 
hills  extending  through  it  like  a  back  bone,  sending  ribs  on  either  side ;  but 
among  these  rude  hills  are  beautiful  winding  valleys,  like  those  watered  by  the 
Pocautico  and  the  Neperan.  In  the  fastnesses  of  these  hills,  and  along  these 
valleys,  exist  a  race  of  hard-headed,  hard-handed  stout-hearted  Dutchmen, 
descended  of  the  primitive  Netherlanders.  Most  of  these  were  strong  whigs 
throughout  the  war,  and  have  ever  remained  obstinately  attached  to  the  soil, 
and  neither  to  be  fought  nor  bought  out  of  their  paternal  acres.  Others  were 
tories,  and  adherents  to  the  old  kingly  rule  ;  some  of  whom  took  refuge  within 
the  British  lines,  joined  the  royal  bands  of  refugees,  (a  name  odious  to  the 
American  ear,)  and  occasionally  returned  to  harrass  their  ancient  neighbors. 

"  In  a  little  while,  this  debateable  land  was  overrun  by  predatory  bands  from 
either  side ;  sacking  heu-hoosts,  plundering  farm-houses,  and  driving  off  cattle. 
Hence  arose  those  two  great  orders  of  border  chivalry,  the  Skinners  and  the  Cow 
Boys,  famous  in  the  heroic  annals  of  Westchester  county.  The  former  fought, 
or,  rather,  marauded  under  the  American,  the  latter  undei  the  British  banner ; 
but  both,  in  the  hurry  of  their  military  ardor,  were  apt  to  err  on  the  safe  side, 
and  rob  friend  as  well  as  foe.  Neither  of  them  stopped  to  ask  the  politics  of 
horse  or  cow,  which  they  drove  into  captivity  ;  nor,  when  they  wrung  the  neck 
of  a  rooster,  did  they  trouble  their  heads  to  ascertain  whether  he  were  crowing 
for  Congress  or  King  George. 

"While  this  marauding  system  prevailed  on  shore,  the  Great  Tappan  Sea, 
which  washes  this  belligerent  region,  was  domineered  over  by  British  frigates 
and  other  vessels  of  war,  anchored  here  and  there,  to  keep  an  eye  upon  the 
river,  and  maintain  a  communication  between  the  various  military  posts.  Stout 
galleys,  also  armed  with  eighteen  pounders,  and  navigated  with  sails  and  oars, 
cruised  about  like  hawks,  ready  to  pounce  upon  their  prey. 

All  these  were  eyed  with  bitter  hostility  by  the  Dutch  yeomanry  along  shore, 
who  were  indignant  at  seeing  their  great  Mediterranean  ploughed  by  hostile 
prows;  and  would  occasionally  throw  up  a  mud  breast-work  on  a  point  or  prom- 
ontory, mount  an  old  iron  field-piece,  and  fire  away  at  the  enemy,  though  the 
greatest  harm  was  apt  to  happen  to  themselves,  from  the  bursting  of  their  ord- 
nance ;  nay,  there  was  scarce  a  Dutchman  along  the  river  that  would  hesitate  to 
fire  with  his  long  duck  gun  at  any  british  cruiser  that  came  withiu  his  reach,  a~ 
he  had  been  accustomed  to  fire  at  water  foul. 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"I  have  been  thus  particular  in  my  account  of  the  times  and  neighborhood, 
that  the  reader  might  the  more  readily  comprehend  the  surrounding  dangers  in 
this,  the  heroic  age  of  the  Roost. 

"  It  was  commanded  at  the  time,  as  I  have  already  observed,  by  the  stout  Jacob 
van  Tassel.  As  I  wish  to  be  extremely  accurate  in  this  part  of  my  chronicle,  I 
beg  that  this  Jacob  van  Tassel,  of  the  Roost,  may  not  be  coufounded  with  an- 
other  Jacob  van  Tassel,  commonly  known  in  border  story  by  the  name  of 
'clump-footed  Jack,'  a  noted  tory,  and  one  of  the  refugee  band  of  Spiting 
Devil.  On  the  contrary,  he  of  the  Roost  was  a  patriot  of  the  first  water ;  and,  if 
we  may  take  his  own  word  for  granted,  a  thorn  in  the  side  of  the  enemy.  As 
the  Roost,  from  its  lonely  situation  on  the  water's  edge,  might  be  liable  to  attack, 
he  took  measures  for  defence.  On  a  row  of  hooks,  above  his  fire  place,  reposed 
his  great  piece  of  ordnance,  ready  charged  and  primed  for  action.  This  was  a 
duck,  or,  rather,  goose-gun  of  unparalleled  longitude — with  which  it  was  said  he 
could  kill  a  wild  goose,  though  half  way  across  the  Tappan  Sea.  <*  Indeed,  there 
are  as  mauy  wonders  told  of  this  renowned  gun  as  of  the  enchanted  weapons  of 
the  hero  es  of  classic  story. 

"In  different  parts  of  the  stone  walls  of  his  mansion  he  had  made  loop-holes, 
through  which  he  might  fire  upon  an  assailant.  His  wife  was  stout-hearted  as 
himself,  and  could  load  as  fast  as  he  could  fire ;  and  then  he  had  an  ancient  and 
redoubtable  sister,  Nochie  van  Wurmur,  a  match,  as  he  said,  for  tiie  stoutest 
man  in  the  country.  Thus  garrisoned,  the  little  Roost  was  fit  to  stand  a  siege, 
and  Jacob  van  Tassel  was  the  man  to  defend  it  to  the  last  charge  of  powder. 

"He  was,  as  I  have  already  hinted,  of  pugnacious  propensities;  and,  not  content 
with  being  a  patriot  at  home,  and  fighting  for  the  security  of  his  own  fireside,  he 
extended  his  thoughts  abroad,  and  entered  into  a  confederacy  with  certain  of  the 
bold,  hard-riding  lads  of  Tarrytown,  Petticoat  Lane  and  Sleepy  nohow — who 
formed  a  kind  of  holy  brotherhood,  scouring  the  country  to  clear  it  of  skinners 
and  cow-boys,  and  ail  other  border  vermin.  The  Roost  was  one  of  their  rallying 
points.  Did  a  band  of  marauders  from  Manhattan  island  come  sweeping  through 
the  neighborhood,  and  driving  off  cattle,  the  stout  Jacob  and  his  compeers  were 
soon  clattering  at  their  heels ;  and  fortunate  did  the  rogues  esteem  themselves  if 
they  could  but  get  a  part  of  their  booty  across  the  lines,  or  escape  themselves, 
without  a  rough  handling.  Should  the  moss  troopers  succeed  in  passing  with 
their  cavalgada,  with  thundering  tramp  and  dusty  whirlwind,  across  King's 
Bridge,  the  holy  brotherhood  of  the  Roost  would  reign  up  at  that  perilous  pass, 
and,  wheeling  about,  would  indemnify  themselves  by  foraging  the  refugee  region 
of  Morrisania. 

"  When  at  home  at  the  roost,  the  stout  Jacob  was  not  idle ;  he  was  prone  to 
carry  on  a  petty  warfare  of  his  own,  for  his  private  recreation  and  refreshment. 
Did  he  ever  chance  to  espy,  from  his  look-out  place,  a  hostile  ship  or  galley 
anchored  or  becalmed  near  shore,  he  would  take  down  his  long  goose-gun  from 
the  hooks  over  the  fire-place,  sally  out  alone,  and  lurk  along  shore,  dodging 
behind  rocks  and  trees,  and  watching  for  hours  together,  like  a  veteran  mouser 
intent  on  a  rat  hole.     So  sure  as  a  boat  put  off  for  shore,  and  came  within  shot, 

a  The  goose -gnn  is  still  in  existence,  having  been  preserved  for  many  years  in  a  hollow 
tree.  It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Caleb  Brush,  of  Grove  street,  New  "York,  who  mar- 
ried the  celebrated  heroine,  Lauey  van  Tassel. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


2S9 


bang  went  the  great  goose-gun  j  a  shower  of  slugs  and  buck-shot  whistled  rW)out 
the  ears  of  the  enemy,  and,  before  the  boat  could  reach  the  shore,  Jacob  had 
scuttled  up  some  woody  raviue,  and  left  no  trace  behind. 

"About  this  time  the  Roost  experienced  a  vast  accession  of  warlike  importance, 
in  being  made  one  of  the  stations  of  the  water-guard. 

"  This  was  a  kind  of  aquatic  corps  of  observation,  composed  of  long,  sharp 
canoe-shaped  boats,  technically  called  whale-boats,  that  lay  lightly  on  the  water, 
and  could  be  rowed  with  great  rapidity.  They  were  manned  by  resolute  fellows, 
skilled  at  pulling  an  oar  or  handling  a  musket.  These  lurked  about  in  nooks 
and  bays,  and  behind  those  long  promontories  winch  run  out  into  the  Tappan 
Sea,  keeping  a  look-out,  to  give  notice  of  the  approach  or  movements  of  hostile 
ships.  They  roved  about  in  pairs,  sometimes  at  night,  with  muffled  oars,  glid- 
ing like  spectres  about  frigates  and  guard  ships  riding  at  anchor;  cutting  off  any 
boat  that  made  for  shore,  and  keeping  the  enemy  in  constant  uneasiness.  These 
mosquito  cruisers  generally  kept  aloof  by  day,  so  that  their  harboring  places 
might  not  be  disco vcied.  but  would  pull  quietly  along,  under  shadow  of  the 
6hore,  at  night,  to  take  up  their  quarters  at  the  Roost.  Hither,  at  such  time, 
would  also  repair  the  hard-riding  lads  of  the  hills,  to  hold  secret  councils  of  war 
with  the  "ocean  chivalry,"  and  in  these  nocturnal  meetings,  were  concerted 
many  of  those  daring  forays,  by  land  and  water,  that  resounded  throughout  the 
border." 

The  chronicle  here  goes  on  to  recount  divers  wonderful  stories  of  the 
wars  of  the  Roost,  from  which  it  would  seem  that  this  little  warrior  nest 
carried  the  terror  of  its  arms  into  every  sea  from  Spiting  Devil  Creek  to 
St.  Anthony's  Nose ;  that  it  even  bearded  the  stout  island  of  Manhattan, 
invading  it  at  night,  penetrating  to  its  centre,  and  burning  down  the 
famous  DeLancey  house,  the  conflagration  of  which  makes  such  a  bbze 
in  revolutionary  history.  Nay,  more ;  in  their  extravagant  daring,  these 
cocks  of  the  Roost  meditated  a  nocturnal  descent  upon  New  York  itself, 
to  swoop  upon  the  British  commanders,  Howe  and  Clinton,  by  surprise, 
bear  them  off  captive,  and,  perhaps,  put  a  triumphant  close  to  the 
war. 

"  This  doughty  Dutchman  (continues  the  sage  Diedrich  Knickerbocker)  was 
not  content  with  taking  a  share  iu  all  the  magnanimous  enterprises  concocted  at 
the  Roost,  but  still  continued  his  petty  warfare  along  shore.  A  series  of  exploits 
at  length  raised  his  confidence  in  his  prowess  to  such  a  height,  that  he  began  to 
think  himself  and  his  goose-gun  a  match  for  anything.  Unluckily,  in  the 
course  of  one  of  his  prowlings,  he  descried  a  British  transport  aground,  not  far 
from  shore,  with  her  stern  swung  towards  the  hind  within  point-blank  shot. 
The  temptation  was  too  great  to  be  resisted ;  bang  1  as  usual  went  the  great 
goose-gun,  shivering  the  cabin  windows,  and  driving  all  hands  forward.  Bang! 
bang  I  the  shots  were  repeated.  The  reports  brought  several  sharp-shooters  of 
the  neighborhood  to  the  spot :  before  the  transport  could  bring  a  gun  to  bear,  or 
land  a  boat,  to  take  revenge,  she  was  soundly  peppered,  and  the  coast  evacuated. 
She  was  the  last  of  Jacob's  triumphs.    He  fared,  like  some  heroic  spider,  that 


290 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER^ 


had  unwittingly  snared  a  hornet — to  his  immortal  glory,  perhaps,  but  to  the 
utter  ruin  of  his  web. 

"  It  was  not  long  after  this,  during  the  absence  of  Jacob  van  Tassel  on  one  of 
his  forays,  and  when  no  one  was  in  garrison  but  his  stout-hearted  spouse,  his 
redoubtable  sister  Nochie  van  Wurmcr,  and  a  strapping  negro  wench  called  Di- 
nah, that  an  armed  vessel  came  to  anchor  off  the  Roost  and  a  boat  full  of  men 
pulled  to  shore.  The  garrison  flew  to  arms— that  is  to  say,  to  mops,  broomsticks, 
shovels,  tongs,  and  all  kinds  of  domestic  weapons— for,  unluckily,  the  great 
piece  of  ordnance,  the  goose-gun,  was  absent  with  its  owner.  Above  all,  a  vig- 
orous defence  was  made  with  that  most  potent  of  female  weapons,  the  tongue. 
Never  did  invaded  hen-roost  make  a  more  vociferous  outcry.  It  was  all  in  vain. 
The  house  was  sacked  and  plundered,  fire  was  set  to  each  corner,  and,  in  a  few 
moments,  its  blaze  shed  a  baleful  light  far  over  the  Tappan  Sea.  The  invaders 
then  pounded  upon  the  blooming  Laucy  van  Tassel,  the  beauty  of  the  Roost, 
and  endeavored.to  bear  her  off  to  the  boat.  But  here  was  the  real  tug  of  war. 
The  mother,  the  aunt,  and  the  strapping  negro  wench,  all  flew  to  the  rescue. 
The  struggle  continued  down  to  the  very  water's  edge,  when  a  voice  from  the 
armed  vessel  at  anchor  ordered  the  spoilers  to  let  go  their  hold.  They  relin- 
quished the  prize,  jumped  into  their  boats,  and  pulled  off,  and  the  heroine  of  the 
Roost  escaped  with  a  mere  rumpling  of  the  feathers." 

"  Shortly  after  the  catastrophe  of  the  Roost,  Jacob  van  Tassel,  in  the 
course  of  one  of  his  forays,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  was  .sent 
prisoner  to  New  York,  and  was  detained  in  captivity  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  war."* 

The  present  owners  of  Sunny  Side  are  the  daughters  of  Peter  Ebene- 
zer  Irving,  Esq.,  eldest  brother  of  the  late  Honorable  Washington  Irving. 

The  family  of  Irving  is  from  Scotland,  in  the  northern  part  of  which 
kingdom  it  was  (as  an  ancient  record  quoted  by  Chambers  the  historian, 
and  by  Sir  Walter  Scott,  observes.)  "  an  ancient  and  principal  family." 
Very  frequent  mention  is  made  of  them  in  the  early  annals  of  that 
country ;  and  in  several  instances  they  are  spoken  of  by  the  above  named 
writers  as  possessing  a  distinguished  position  and  great  influence  among 
the  baronial  families  of  the  north-east  counties. 

An  old  and  curious  manuscript  history  of  this  family  is  preserved  by 
one  of  them  in  this  country,  entitled,  "The  original  of  the  Family  of 
Irvines,  or  Erivines,  written  by  Christopher  Irvine,  M.  A.,  State  Phy- 
sician and  History-grapher  to  his  majesty,  King  Charles  the  Second,  in 
Scotland,  and  gent  to  his  brother  Sir  Gerard  Irvine,  Bart.,  of  Castle 

a  Knickerbocker  Matmruu..  C'pon  pood  authority  McDonald  says  that  "  Jac >>>  van  Tassel 
was  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  lieutenant  of  militia,  etc.     W  hile  in  the  service  01 

„     '  ;   ..«   1  , 1  r   1  i    ,  1  tu-n  v,virs  mid  four  months. 


hou~i'  and  quarters  10.  me  omoer.s  ami  men,  eie.    111  nn-  niumu      ^  ,„...,..,,,....•,..  ... 

man  <>f  wa  r,  lying  In  the  river,  lauded  a  large  party  of  men,  and,  after  driving  th  •  guards  off, 
re  to  his  "house  and  out-liouses,  and  destroyed  or  tooR  away  all  his  .-;  >ek.  cattle,  grain, 
ure  and  farming  implements,  etc"    McDonald  MSS.,  in  possession  of  Geo.  Moore,  of 


set  lit 
furmt 

N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc'y 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


29I 


Irvine  in  the  kingdom  of  Ireland,  in  the  year  1660."  From  this  manu- 
script it  appears  that  the  oldest  branch  of  the  family  styled  the  "  Irvines 
of  Bonshaw,"  were  settled  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Eshe,  where  they 
continued  for  many  successive  generations  with  varying  fortunes.  From 
this  stock  are  descended  the  English  and  Irish  Irvines,  among  the  latter 
having  been  the  Rt.  Hon.  General  Sir  John  Irvine,  Commander-in-chief 
of  his  majesty's  forces  in  Ireland  in  the  year  1779. 

A  very  early  offshoot  of  this  parent  stock  were  the  "Irvines  0/ Drum." 
The  eldest  son  of  the  house  of  Bonshaw,  William,  having  been  knighted 
by  King  Robert  Bruce  ip  the  year  1296,  and  for  long  and  faithful  servi- 
ces in  the  field,  having  been  endowed  with  the  lands  of  Drum  on  the 
river  Dee  in  Aberdeenshire,  which  are  to  this  day  in  possession  of  his 
descendants.  The  castle  of  Drum  is  about  ten  miles  from  the  city  of 
Aberdeen,  and  is  now  inhabited  by  Alexander  Irvine,  Esq.,  the  lineal 
descendant  of  the  above  Sir  William.  Sir  William  Irvine  of  Drum  mar- 
ried the  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Keith,  Knight,  Lord  Marshall  of  Scot- 
land, and  of  Margaret  Hay,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Hay,  Lord  Hay,  first 
Constable  of  that  family.  The  manuscript  referred  to  observes,  that, 
"  The  king  gave  him  the  lands  of  the  forest  of  Drum,  and  he  himself 
having  carried  a  private  coat  of  arms  whilst  he  was  concealed  under  the 
name  of  the  Earl  of  Carrick;  he  likewise  gave  him  that,  with  permission 
for  him  and  his  descendants  forever  to  bear  it  as  their  armorial  bearing, 
with  this  motto,  "sub  sole,  sub  umbra  virens,"  alluding  to  the  family's 
great  fidelity  to  him  in  his  troubles.  The  badge  or  bearing  consists  of 
three  holly  leaves  banded  gules,  on  a  shield  argent."  The  history  relates 
the  vicissitudes  which  befell  this  family  with  much  minuteness,  and 
records  their  alliances  with  many  of  the  most  distinguished  families  of 
the  kingdom ;  Abernethy,  Forbes,  Ogilvie,  Douglas,  Leslie,  Dundas, 
etc.,  etc.  There  were  several  families  of  consideration  which  sprung 
from  these  alliances,  among  which  are  named  the  Irvines  of  King 
Caussie,  Cutts,  Glassil,  Easterclane,  Cornyhaugh,  Murthil,  and  Astain- 
ford — all  of  which  estates  were  in  the  north-eastern  counties  of  Scotland. 
During  the  civil  wars  they  suffered  severely  in  property,  and  have  since 
lost  much  of  their  former  influence;  although  still  retaining  a  position  of 
the  highest  respectability  among  the  gentry  of  that  part  of  Scotland. 

The  first  of  the  family  who  settled  in  America  was  William  Irving, 
the  son  of  Magnus  Irving,  who  was  born  in  1731 ;  and  who,  on  coming 
to  this  country  in  1763,  altered  the  orthography  of  the  family  name, 
changing  the  final  letter  from  e  tog,  to  accord  with  the  English  usage. 
He  was  married  at  Falmouth,  England,  in  1 761,  to  Sarah,  daughter  of 
John  Sanders,  Esq.,  of  Falmouth,  England.   This  gentleman  was  a  very 


292 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


successful  and  highly  respected  merchant  of  the  city  of  New  York,  com- 
manding universal  esteem  for  his  probity.  He  died  in  the  year  1807, 
leaving  five  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  eldest  son  was  William 
Irving,  a  merchant  of  New  York.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  gentle- 
men of  literary  taste,  and  was  concerned  with  his  brother,  Washington 
Irving,  and  Mr.  J.  K.  Paulding,  in  writing  Salmagundi.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  Congress  in  1812,  and  died  in  1821.  The  second  son  was 
Peter  Irving,  M.  D.,  who  died  in  1837.  The  third  son  was  Ebenezer 
Irving,  Esq.,  late  proprietor  of  Sunny  Side,  the  father  of  the  Rev.  rierre 
Paris  Irving,  Rev.  Theodore  Irving,  William,  Sanders,  and  of  Edgar 
Irving,  and  the  ladies  who  now  occupy  the  homestead.  The  fourth  son 
was  John  Treat  Irving,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the  bar,  and  for  many 
years  before  his  death,  (which  took  place  in  1835,)  first  judge  of 
the  city  and  county  of  New  York.  The  youngest  son  was  the  late 
Hon.  Washington  Irving,  whose  literary  fame  will  hand  his  name  down 
to  the  remotest  posterity.  This  distinguished  and  noble  man  was  born 
in  New  York  on  the  3d  of  April,  1783  and  died  at  Sunny  Side,  Novem- 
ber 2Sth,  1859.  Beside  all  his  literary  labors,  he  was,  for  several  years, 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the  Court  of  Spain.  He  was,  also,  for  many 
years  a  warden  of  Christ  church,  Tarrytown ;  and,  on  several  occasions, 
served  as  a  lay-delegate  to  the  Diocesan  Convention.  His  remains 
repose  beside  those  of  his  father  and  mother  in  the  Mount  Pleasant 
cemetery,  upon  the  slope  of  the  hill  just  north  of  the  old  Dutch  church 
of  Sleepy  Hollow :  "  near  the  sunniest  of  the  slope,  where  a  grove  of 
oak  and  yew  trees  commences  to  crown  the  hill,  is  the  burial-place  of 
the  Irving  family.  It  is  a  large,  square  lot,  bounded  by  a  low  fence  and 
a  thickly-grown  evergreen  hedge.  Near  the  centre  is  a  row  of  five 
graves,  while  a  few  feet  distant  is  another  row  of  five  more  graves,  all 
marking  the  resting  places  of  deceased  members  of  the  Irving  family." 
Between  these  two  rows,  and  connecting  them  in  one  continuous  row,  is 
the  grave  of  the  illustrious  and  beloved  Washington  Irving,  which  is 
marked  by  a  plain  white  marble  slab,  bearing  the  following  inscription : 

WASHINGTON, 
Son  of  William  and  Sarah  S.  Irving, 
died 
Nov.  28,  1S59. 
Aged  76  years,  7  mo.  and  25  da3'S. 

Immediately  north  of  Van  Tassel  house  is  the  residence  of  the  late 
Philip  R.  Paulding,  Esq.,  now  know  as  the  estate  of  the  late  Geo.  Merrit, 
delightfully  seated  on  a  bold  bank  of  the  Hudson ;  it  commands,  from 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREEN3URGH. 


293 


its  elevated  position,  the  noblest  prospects  of  the  river,  while  the  view  to 
the  east  is  terminated  by  the  lofty  hills  of  Greenburgh.  The  edifice  is 
constructed  of  Sing  Sing  marble,  after  the  designs  of  Alex.  J.  Davis, 
Esq. 

In  its  details,  both  externally  and  internally,  the  most  minute  at- 
tention has  been  paid  to  a  careful  correspondence  with  the  best  ex- 
amples of  the  Tudor  era. 

Among  the  most  remarkable  features  of  the  building,  deserves  to  be 
noticed  the  admirable  porte  cochere,  or  covered  entrance  for  carri- 
ages,and  a  superb  library  ornamented  with  a  lofty  ceiling  of  carved 
timber. 

The  Paulding  family  have  long  been  residents  of  this  town.  As  early 
as  1 7 1 2,  we  find  Joost  Pauldinck  accepted  deacon  of  the  Dutch  Church. 
The  name  of  Joost  Pauldinck  occurs  in  a  conveyance  from  William 
Odell  of  Rye,  A.D.,  1667. 

In  1709  Joost  Pauldinck  appears  to  have  been  residing  at  West- 
chester. The  father  of  the  present  proprietor  is  William  Paulding,  Esq., 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  1827.  The  patriot  John  Paulding, 
who  captured  the  British  spy,  Major  Andr£,  was  of  this  family. 

The  next  object  worthy  of  notice  is  the  elegant  and  secluded  villa  of 
the  late  Henry  Sheldon,  Esq.  This  building  is  in  the  rural  Gothic  style 
and  presents  a  very  beautiful  and  picturesque  exterior,  combined  with 
every  accommodation  and  convenience  of  internal  arrangement.  No 
pains  have  been  spared  in  laying  out  the  adjoining  grounds  and  planta- 
tions. 

A  small  stream  running  through  a  deep  and  woody  glen  has  been  ob- 
structed in  various  places  by  rock  work,  and  thus  forms  several  artificial 
cascades.  Some  close  walks,  winding  by  the  stream,  conduct  to  a  large 
fall  situated  at  the  glen's  mouth.  The  scenery  about  the  fall  is  extremely 
fine,  embracing  a  lovely  view  of  the  Hudson  river.  The  old  Van  Weert 
mill  has  been  transformed  into  a  Swiss  cottage  and  boat  house.  The 
Van  Weert  family  were  the  first  occupants  of  this  estate  under  the 
Philipses,  and  subsequently  became  its  possessors  in  fee.  In  1698  there 
appears  to  have  been  three  married  brothers  of  this  ancient  family  living 
in  Philipsburgh,  who  claimed  descent  from  the  illustrious  house  of  Van 
Weert  in  Holland,  viz.  Joacham  Van  Weert  and  Christyntje  his  wife, 
Gerredit  Van  Weert  and  Cathalyna  his  wife,  Jacob  Van  Weert  and 
Bieltitje  his  wife. 

Gerredit  Van  Weert  left  issue,  Jan  Van  Weert,  father  of  Isaac,  who 
sold  this  property  to  Mr.  Sheldon. 
The  village  of  Tarrytown  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the  lap  of  the  Green- 


294 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 


burgh  hills,  overlooking  the  Hudson  at  the  widest  point  of  the  Tappan 
Zee,  which  is  here  nearly  three  miles  across. 

Tarwe  town,  the  old  orthography  of  the  Dutch  word  tarwe,  (wheat) 
"  the  wheat  town,"  probably  so  called  from  the  abundant  culture  of  that 
grain  in  this  vicinity. 

Here  was  an  Indian  village  in  1659,0  styled  by  the  aborigines  Alip- 
conck,  that  is  the  place  of  elms.  It  seems  more  than  probable  that  this 
ancient  settlement  occupied  a  hill  at  the  south  end  of  the  present  village. 
This  opinion  is  somewhat  confirmed  by  the  circumstance  that  the  whole 
ground  is  covered  with  shells,  in  some  places  to  the  depth  of  two  or 
three  feet.  It  is  presumed  that  these  '.'  shell  beds"  generally  indicate 
the  site  of  Indian  habitations. 

Upon  the  same  spot  are  situated  the  remains  of  the  old  military  re- 
doubt from  whence  the  gallant  water  guard  cannonaded  the  Vulture 
sloop  of  war,  as  she  lay  grounded  on  the  ballast  reef.  The  site  of  the 
Indian  village  and  redoubt  belong  to  Mr.  Hart,  who  purchased  of  the 
Dutch  Church. 

The  Dutch  settlement  of  Tarwetown  commenced  soon  after  Philips 
purchase  in  1680.  The  first  dwellings  appear  to  have  been  erected 
near  the  water's  edge,  for  the  convenience  of  shipping,  which  found  here 
a  fine  natural  harbor.  Prior  to  1775  a  dock  had  been  constructed, 
and  several  houses  erected  near  it.  There  are  over  five  hundred  dwell- 
ings, one  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  one  Dutch  Reformed  church,  one 
Baptist,  one  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  one  colored  Methodist  church. 
Eour  hotels  and  taverns,  a  large  number  of  stores;  one  savings'  bank, 
one  banking  house,  and  several  young  ladies'  seminaries. 

In  1875  the  water  works  were  constructed,  a  large  reservoir  was  built 
on  the  hill  east  of  the  village — it  is  supplied  by  water  from  the  Adrec 
brook,  which  is  thrown  up  by  the  means  of  a  steam  pump  near  the  depot. 
There  is  a  fine  fire  department,  organized  by  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
In  1776,  the  village  consisted  of  twelve  dwelling  houses.  At  the  present 
day  steamboats  make  daily  trips  from  this  place  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  a  number  of  sloops  are  also  owned  here,  which  run  to  various 
places  on  the  river.6  Near  the  water's  edge,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  land- 
ing, is  situated  the  residence  of  General  William  Paulding.  This  house 
was  erected  previous  to  the  Revolution,  by  his  father  William  Paulding, 
Esq.  From  its  proximity  to  the  water  it  was  frequently  the  object  of 
the  enemy's  fire ;  the  marks  of  their  cannon  balls  are  still  visible  on  its 
walls. 

a  Visscher's  map  Nov.  Belgli. 

6  A  steam  terry  connects  this  place  -with  Nyack,  a  village  situated  on  the  opposite  side  or 
the  Hudson. 


IRVING  INSTITUTE. 


1,»5. 


THE  TOWN  CF  GREKNBURGH. 


295 


Upon  a  commanding  position,  north  of  the  village,  is  seated  the  old 
Irving  Institute  now  occupied  by  Prof.  Jackson  as  a  military  school.  It 
was  founded  in  1S38,  by  W.  P.  Lyon.  The  location  is,  perhaps,  the 
most  desirable  that  could  be  selected  for  the  purposes  of  education  in 
this  vicinity.  The  site  is  half  a  mile  from  the  village  landing,  and  about 
twenty-five  miles  distant  from  New  York,  with  which  there  is  daily  com- 
munication. The  edifice  is  a  commodious  brick  building  with  wings,  and 
a  large  rear  building  for  the  school.  The  grounds  embrace  several  acres, 
affording  abundant  opportunity  for  healthy  sports,  and  are  quite  retired 
from  the  village.  On  the  opposite  side  of  Pocantico  street  is  the  Irving 
Institute  formerly  kept  by  D.  S.  Rowe,  A.  M.,  now  under  the  charge  of 
his  son-in-law,  A.  Armagnac,  A.  M.,  as  principal,  aad  D.  A.  Rowe,  his 


Christ  Church,  Tarrytown. 


son,  as  vice-principal.  It  is  a  classical  and  commercial  boarding 
school. 

The  buildings  are  well  situated  on  high  ground  commanding  a  fine 
view ;  the  grounds  are  ample  and  attractive.  The  school  is  limited  in 
number  and  family  in  its  character,  its  discipline  is  good,  and  its  training 
moral  and  physical  well  attended  to. 

Christ  church,  Tarrytown,  is  a  neat  Gothic  edifice  of  brick,  pleasantly 
located  in  the  main  street. 

This  church  was  erected  in  1836,  and  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
Almighty  God  by  the  name  and  style  of  Christ's  church  Tarrytown,  Sep- 
tember, 1837.    The  whole  structure  is  valued  at  $8,000. 


296 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


On  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  aie  two  marble  slabs  bearing  the 
following  inscriptions: 

IN  IN 

memory  of  memory  of 

KATHARINE  KEMBLE,  MARIA*  PHILIPS, 

Born  October,  1765,  (Relict  of  Frederick  Philips, b) 

and  departed  this  life  the  of  Philipstowu,  Putnam  County, 

16th  day  of  July,  New  Yobk, 

A.  D.  1843,  who  departed  this  life  the  13th  day  of 

Sister  to  Mama  Philips.  November,  A.  D.  1839, 

"  In  death  they  aged  68  years. 


were  not   

divided."  Her  remains  rest  within  the  walls  of 

the  Tower  of  this  Church. 


The  memory  of  the  just  is 
blessed. — Prov.  x.  7. 


The  Rev.  William  Creighton,  D.D.,  first  incumbent,  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  J.  Selden  Spencer,  present  incumbent  in  1865.  The  rectory  adjoin- 
ing the  church,  was  built  in  1875.  There  are  costly  memorial  tablets 
in  the  church  to  Rev.  Dr.  Creighton  and  Washington  Irving.  The 
church  was  enlarged  and  beautified  in  1868. 

Upon  a  commanding  eminence,  nearly  in  front  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  stands  the  mausoleum  of  the  Cobb  family.  The  lower  portion 
consists  of  a  broad  marble  base,  containing  apartments  for  two  sarco- 
phagi, and  likewise  an  upper  receptacle  for  coffins,  the  whole  surmounted 
by  a  neat  obelisk."  . 

The  Second  Reformed  Dutch  church  is  situated  immediately  above 
the  former,  on  the  road  leading  to  Sing  Sing.  This  building  is  also  con- 
structed of  brick.  The  front  presents  a  colonnade  of  the  Ionic  order 
surmounted  with  a  wooden  tower  and  spire.  This  church  was  erected 
A.  D.  1837,  and  is  in  union  with  the  old  Dutch  church  at  Sleepy  Hol- 
low. 

Above  the  entrance  is  placed  the  following  inscription : 

"Reformed  Dutch  Ciiriion." 
Erected  A.  D.  1837, 
In  all  places  where  I  record 
my  name  I  will  come 
unto  thee  and  I  will  bless  thee. 

Exodus  xx :  24. 

a  Maria  Kemble  and  her  sister  were  nieces  of  the  Honorable  Viscount  Cage. 

b  Son  of  Philip  Philipse,  proprietor  of  the  Philipstowu  patent,  and  grandson  of  the  lion. 
Frederick  Philipse,  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Philipsburgh. 

c  This  structure  has  been  recently  erected  for  C'apt.  Nathan  Cobb,  now  a  resident  of  this 
village,  formerly  and  for  many  years  a  most  efficient  and  successful  commander  In  the  Liver- 
pool packet  line  from  Js'ew  York. — Irving  Banner. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH.  297 

The  first  pastor  of  this  church  was  the  Rev.  George  Dubois,  who  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Wilson,  who  was  called  in  1845,  and  Rev. 
John  Mason  Ferris,  in  1849.  The  "  First  Reformed  church,"  was  built 
in  1854,  a  division  having  been  made  in  1852;  Rev.  Mr.  Ferris  was 
installed,  January  11,  1852,  over  the  "Second  Reformed  church,"  (built 
1S37,)  and  in  July,  1852,  Rev.  Abel  T.  Stewart  was  called  to  the  First 
Reformed  Dutch  church,  ("  the  old  Dutch  church.")  Rev.  Mr.  Ferris 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  A.  Todd,  D.  D.,  in  the  year  1855,  who  is 
the  present  pastor  of  the  Second  Reformed  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart 
was  succeeded  in  the  First  Reformed  Dutch  church  by  Rev.  John  B. 
Thompson,  D.  D.,  who  was  called  in  1866,  and  he  by  Rev.  John  Knox 
Allen,  who  is  the  present  pastor. 

THE  ASBURY  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

About  1807  the  congregation  being  of  such  importance  necessitated 
the  building  of  a  church  for  the  growing  society.  The  first  class  was 
probably  formed  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Childs,  under  the  hill  below  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Cliff  House.  Mr.  Wm.  Requa  offered  a  plot  of  ground 
on  the  corner  of  Maine  street  and  Windel  Park  which  was  accepted,  and 
a  society  was  incorporated  to  build  a  church  on  this  spot.  They  met 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Wm.  Requa  to  take  the  proper  legal  measures.  The 
certificate  of  this  incorporation  was  filed  in  Westchester  County  Clerk's 
Office,  March  1st,  1808.  Under  this  the  church  existed  as  a  body 
corporate  until  about  the  year  1820  or  21,  when  the  annual  meeting  for 
the  election  of  trustees  seems  to  have  been  omitted  and  the  corporation 
ceased  to  exist.  About  August,  182 1,  a  reorganization  took  place  and 
the  name  given  to  the  new  corporation  was  "The  Trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Tarrytown  in  the  town  of  Greenburgh 
and  County  of  Westchester,"  which  was  filed  Nov.  14th,  182 1.  The 
present  title  of  the  church — "Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church" — 
was  probably  adopted  on  the  erection  of  it.  At  the  meeting  of  the  society 
first  named,  Mr.  Wm.  Requa  conveyed  lots  for  the  building  of  the  new 
church  on  the  corner  of  Main  street  and  Windel  Park,  and  on  which  the 
first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Tarrytown  was  subsequently  erected. 

"  It  was  a  pleasing  sight  to  see,  when  this  little  church  was  erected, 
the  good  old  members  wending  their  way  to  church  of  an  evening  with 
lighted  candles  in  their  hands.  What  a  methodistical  appearance  they 
presented  !  The  men  seated  on  one  side,  and  the  women  and  children 
on  the  other.  Look  at  these  men  with  their  plain  shad-bellied  coats  and 
white  collarless  cravats ;  and  the  women  in  plain  quakcr  garb.  Not  a 
ruffle,  nor  a  bow,  nor  a  flower  !  A  flower !  shades  of  all  saints  !  Talk  of 


298 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


flowers  in  a  Methodist  church  meeting.  Why,  that  was  the  "abomination 
of  desolation." 

In  this  unpretentious  building  not  only  did  the  first  Methodists  worship, 
but  that  also  of  the  present  flourishing  Episcopal  church  known  as 
"  Christ  church "  had  its  origin.  When  Mr.  Holmes  first  came  to 
Tarrytown  in  1833  he  found  no  place  of  worship  of  his  own  Church 
nearer  than  several  miles  from  the  village ;  he  referred  to  his  Bishop  for 
authority  to  lay-read  and  procure  a  place  in  which  to  do  it,  accordingly 
he  applied  to  the  trustees  of  the  Methodist  church  for  the  occasional  use 
of  the  building,  which  was  readily  granted — and  here  service  was  held  in 
the  afternoons  of  Sunday.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Creighton  officiated  in  the 
absence  of  Mr.  Holmes,  and  here  they  laid  the  foundation  of  their 
church  and  Sunday  school.  At  this  time  there  was  no  other  church  in 
the  place  except  the  old  Dutch  church  in  Sleepy  Hollow. 

In  the  year  1842,  the  name  of  Tarrytown  as  a  separate  charge  first 
appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  Conference.  In  the  year  1843,  Pleasant- 
ville  was  separated  from  Tarrytown.  In  1837,  the  increased  prosperity 
of  the  church,  demanded  a  new  and  more  suitable  edifice.  Accordingly, 
a  site  was  purchased  from  Dr.  Josh  Scribner,  in  Washington  Street.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  April  17,,  1837.  The  dimensions  of  the  build- 
ing were  40  x  60,  and  the  cost  $5,394.  The  church  was  dedicated,  and 
two  years  after  the  whole  church  debt  cancelled.  And  so,  after  an  oc- 
cupation of  about  thirty  years,  the  old  church  was  forsaken,  ^nd  has 
been  converted  into  a  dwelling. 

A  curious  entry  is  found  in  the  old  Trustee  minutes,  in  which  it  is 
ordered,  that  "hereafter,  (1840)  the  males  and  females  should  enter  the 
church  by  separate  doors,  and  sit  on  the  opposite  sides  of  the  aisles,  and 
that  the  seats  under  the  gallery  be  assigned  to  the  colored  members.'' 
These  regulations  were  posted  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church.  The  par- 
sonage was  built  on  a  lot  directly  north  of  the  church  in  1854,  at  a 
cost  of  $4,800. 

In  1857,  the  church  was  enlarged  twenty-five  feet  in  length;  and  in 
1865,  the  entire  indebtedness  of  $5,620  was  cancelled. 

In  the  time  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hermance,  a  few  brethren  living  in 
North  Tarrytown,  resolved  on  a  separation  from  the  old  Society — and 
so  occured  the  building  of  the  new  St.  Paul's  M.  E.  church,  in  that  part 
of  the  town." 

There  is  also  a  Baptist  church. 

Mr.  Christopher  Collins,  the  first  projector  of  the  Erie  canal  in  1805-6, 


a  Extracts  from  a  sermon  delivered  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  F.  Bottome,  on  the  anniversary  of 
the  church,  Dec.  20,  1878. 


THE  TOWN"  OF  GREENBURGH. 


was  for  several  years  a  resident  of  this  place,  and  lies  interred  in  the 
grave  yard  at  Sleepy  Hollow. 

Tanytown  is  far  famed  as  the  place  where  Major  Andre,  adjutant 
general  of  the  British  army,  was  captured  by  Paulding  and  his  associates 
upon  the  23rd  of  September,  1780.  The  circumstances  which  led  to 
the  arrest  of  the  spy  were  as  follows : 

Major  John  Andre  had  been  long  negotiating  with  the  American  gen- 
eral, Arnold,  to  put  the  British  general,  Clinton,  in  possession  of  West 
Point.  "  This  post,"  says  Major  General  Greene,  (who,  it  must  be  remem- 
bered, was  president  of  the  court  that  tried  Andre,)  "  is  a  beautiful  little 
place  lying  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  a  little  below  where  it 
breaks  through  the  chain  of  mountains  called  the  highlands.  Its  form 
is  nearly  circular,  in  half  of  its  circumference  defended  by  a  precipice  of 
great  height,  rising  abruptly  from  the  river,  and  on  the  other  by  a  chain 
of  rugged,  inaccessible  mountains.  It  is  accessible  by  one  pass  only 
from  the  river,  and  that  is  narrow  and  easily  defended ;  while  on  the  land 
side  it  can  be  approached  only  at  two  points — by  roads  that  wind  through 
the  mountains  and  enter  it  at  the  river  bank  on  the  north  and  south. 
Great  importance  had  always  been  attached  to  this  post  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  great  labor  and  expense  bestowed  upon  fortifying  it.  It  has 
been  well  called  the  "  Gibraltar  of  America."  The  North  river  had  long 
been  the  great  vein  that  supplied  life  to  the  American  army,  and  had 
the  enemy  obtained  possession  of  this  post,  besides  the  actual  loss  in 
men  and  stores,  the  American  army  would  have  been  cut  off  from  their 
principal  resources  in  the  ensuing  winter,  or  been  obliged  to  fall  back 
above  the  Highlands,  and  leave  all  the  country  below  open  to  conquest, 
while  the  communication  between  the  eastern  and  western  States  would 
have  been  seriously  interrupted  if  not  wholly  excluded.  Arnold  there- 
fore well  knew  the  bearing  of  this  post  upon  all  the  operations  of  the 
American  army;  and  afterwards  avowed  his  confident  expectation,  that 
had  the  enemy  got  possession  of  it,  the  contest  must  have  ceased,  and 
America  been  subdued. 

The  British  general,  Clinton,  also  appears  to  have  appreciated  the 
value  of  this  post,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  purchase  of  it  had  been 
arranged  with  Arnold  some  months  prior  to  the  detection  of  the  plot. 
It  was  when  Washington  marched  to  Kings-bridge,  with  a  view  to  the 
attempt  on  New  York,  and  when  he  had  mustered  under  him  every  man 
who  could  carry  a  musket,  that  he  placed  Arnold  in  command  of  a  corps 
of  invalids  at  West  Point. 

The  commander-in-chief  had  offered  him  a  command  suitable  to  his 
rank  and  reputation  in  the  army ;  but  he  made  the  unhealed  state  of  his 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

wounds,  and  some  other  causes,  the  pretext  for  declining  it — as  the 
negotiations  for  the  surrender  of  West  Point  had  already  commenced. 
Soon  after  the  relinquishment  of  the  enterprise  against  New  York,  a 
meeting  was  concerted  to  take  place  between  the  American  commander- 
in-chief  and  the  French  military  and  naval  commanders.  Hartford,  on 
the  Connecticut  river,  was  the  place  assigned  for  their  meeting;  the 
object  was  to  consult  on  their  future  joint  operations.  Upon  the  depar- 
ture of  Washington  for  this  meeting,  Greene  was  placed  in  command  of 
the  main  army.  This  was  on  the  17th  of  September,  1780.  On  the 
eighteenth,  Admiral  Rodney  arrived  in  New  York  with  such  an  over- 
whelming reinforcement  to  the  British  navy  as  must  have  set  the  con- 
sultations at  Hartford  all  at  nought.  From  that  time  Greene's  communica- 
tions to  the  President  of  Congress  are  full  of  the  hurried  preparations 
going  on  at  New  York  for  some  important  enterprise ;  little  did  he,  or 
any  other  person  suspect  to  what  point  that  enterprise  was  directed. 

It  appears  that  General  Greene  had  established  a  regular  communi- 
cation for  obtaining  intelligence  from  the  city  by  spies ;  and  his  corres- 
pondents in  that  place  were  at  loss  whether  the  expedition  was  intended 
for  Rhode  Island  or  Virginia.  To  one  or  other  of  these  places  the 
enemy  had  been  careful  to  throw  out  hints,  or  exhibit  appearances,  that 
the  expedition  was  directed. 

Yet  Green  was  not  deceived;  for  in  a  letter  on  the  21st  (just  two  days 
before  the  discovery  of  the  plot)  to  General  Washington,  he  writes, 

'  Colonel  communicated  the  last  intelligence  we  have  from 

New  York  ;  since  that,  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  least  inform- 
ation of  what  is  going  on  there.  Though  we  have  people  in  from  three 
different  quarters,  none  of  them  returning,  makes  me  suspect  some 
secret  expedition  is  in  contemplation,  the  success  of  which  depends  alto- 
gether upon  its  being  kept  a  secret." 

The  British  commander  had  now  become  sensible  that  no  time  was 
to  be  lost;  as,  most  probably,  on  the  return  of  Washington  from  Hart- 
ford, he  would  assume  the  command  in  person  at  West  Point,  or  confide 
it  to  Greene.  The  present,  therefore,  was  the  most  favorable  time  that 
would  ever  present  itself. a 

Andre'  was,  accordingly,  dispatched  in  the  Vulttire,  sloop  of  war,  to 
hold  a  personal  conference  with  General  Arnold.  The  Vulture  ascended 
the  Hudson  river  on  the  20th,  as  far  as  Teller's  Point,  and  came  to 
anchor  at  the  mouth  of  the  Haverstraw  bay.  Here  Andr£  eagerly  awaited 
some  opportunity  to  acquaint  Arnold  with  his  arrival.  An  occasion  for 
so  doing  presented  itself  the  next  day.  A  white  flag  was  displayed  at 
a  See  Barnuni's  Spy  Unmasked. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


Teller's  Point  by  some  of  the  country  people,  which,  being  interpreted 
as  they  wished,  the  captain  of  the  Vulture  sent  off  a  boat  with  a  Hag, 
which  was  fired  upon  as  soon  as  it  approached  the  shore.  This  gave 
Andre  the  opportunity  he  desired,  as  it  was  a  proper  subject  for  a  re- 
monstrance to  the  commanding  officer;  and  a  flag  with  a  letter  was 
accordingly  dispatched.  The  letter  was  dated  on  the  21st  Sept.;  it  was 
in  the  handwriting  of  Andre,  signed  by  the  captain  of  the  vessel,  and 
countersigned  "John  Anderson."  (Andre's  assumed  name.)  This  Hag 
was  sent  to  Verplank's  Point.  Arnold  arrived  just  as  the  boat  returned 
to  the  Vulture.  The  letter  was  handed  to  him,  and,  of  course,  fully 
understood ;  thereupon  he  hastened  to  prepare  Smith  for  a  visit  to  the 
enemy's  vessel  on  the  approaching  night.  Crossing  from  Verplank's 
to  Stony  Point  he  made  all  the  requisite  arrangements  respecting  the 
boat  that  Smith  would  want,  and  then  proceeded  to  his  quarters  to  re- 
move the  difficulty  which  had  occurred  respecting  boatmen.  The  guard 
boats  had  received  orders  not  to  stop  Smith,  and  he  also  possessed  the 
countersign  for  the  next  night,  which  was  the  word  "  Congress."  In  tlie 
morning  Smith  brought  his  tenant — Samuel  Colquhoun,  to  a  conference 
with  Arnold,  who  requested  him  to  accompany  his  landlord  on  a  visit 
that  night  to  the  Vulture"  The  man  at  first  refused,  but  at  last  con- 
sented to  go  with  his  brother,  Joseph  Colquhoun,  and  Smith.  They 
were  directed  by  Arnold  to  muffle  the  oars  ;  and,  thus  prepared,  about 
midnight,  the  boat  arrived  at  the  Vulture.  The  noise  made  by  the 
officer  on  watch,  and  the  sailors  in  their  hailing  the  boat,  was  heard  be- 
low, and  a  boy  sent  up  with  orders  that  the  man  should  be  shown  into 
the  cabin,  supposing  him  to  be  Arnold.  Smith  descended,  and  found 
his  old  acquaintance,  Beverly  Robinson.  A  letter  from  Arnold  was 
presented  to  the  Colonel,  in  which  he  said,  "This  will  be  delivered  to 
you  by  Mr.  Smith,  who  will  conduct  you  to  a  place  of  safety.  Neither 
Mr.  Smith  nor  any  other  person  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  your 
proposals  ;  if  they  (which  I  doubt  not)  are  of  such  a  nature  that  I  can 
officially  take  notice  of  them,  I  shall  do  it  with  pleasure.  I  take  it  for 
granted,  Colonel  Robinson  will  not  propose  anything  that  is  not  for  the 
interest  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  of  himself."  Smith  had  like- 
wise two  papers  signed  by  Arnold,  which  he  showed  to  Robinson;  one, 
a  permission  to  pass  and  repass  with  a  boat  to  Dobb's  Ferry,  the  other 
a  permission  to  Joshua  Smith,  Mr.  John  Anderson  and  two  sen-ants,  to 
pass  and  repass  the  guards  near  King's  Ferry  at  all  times.  By  these 
papers  Colonel  Robinson  understood  that  Arnold  expected  Andre  to 
come  on  shore.  Smith  was  left  with  the  captain  of  the  vessel  for  about 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  when  Robinson  returned  with  a  person  whom  he 


302       '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

introduced  as  Mr.  Anderson.  He  excused  himself  from  going  ashore, 
but  this  person  would  go  in  his  stead,  and  was  competent  to  the  trans- 
action of  the  business.  Andre,  although  in  his  uniform,  was  so  com- 
pletely enveloped  in  a  blue  great-coat,  that  Smith  (if  we  believe  his  as- 
sertions) did  not  suspect  his  real  name  or  character. 

Smith  and  Andre  descended  into  the  boat,  where  the  Colquhouns 
awaited  them.  They  were  landed  at  the  foot  of  a  mountain  called  the 
Long  Clove,  on  the  western  margin  of  the  river,  about  six  miles 
below  Stony  Point.  The  Vulture  lay  between  the  place  and  Teller's 
Point.  Here  Arnold  was  in  attendance  on  horseback,  with  another 
horse  brought  by  a  servant  of  Smith's.  It  was  perfectly  dark,  and 
Smith,  knowing  the  spot  designated  by  Arnold,  groped  his  way  up  the 
bank,  and  found  the  commander  of  West  Point  concealed  among  the 
trees  and  bushes.0 

Smith  was  sent  back  for  his  companion ;  and,  having  introduced  him, 
was  requested  to  retire  to  the  boat,  where  he  remained  ill  at  ease  and 
watchful,  while  the  Colquhouns,  conscience-free,  slept  soundly  through 
the  remainder  of  the  night.  The  conference  appeared  unnecessarily 
long  to  Mr.  Smith,  and  he  retraced  his  way  to  give  notice  of  the  ap- 
proach of  morning,  and  the  necessity  of  departing  before  daylight  ap- 
peared. 

The  conspirators  had  exhausted  the  night,  and  their  business  was  not 
yet  completed.  It  was  agreed  that  the  boat  should  be  dismissed  and 
sent  up  the  river.  Andre  consented  to  mount  a  led  horse  brought  to 
the  Clove  with  Arnold,  and  to  accompany  him  to  Smith's  house,  there 
to  remain  through  the  day,  and  to  return  to  the  sloop  of  war  next  night 
It  was  still  dark,  and,  as  Andre  asserts,  the  voice  of  the  sentinel  de- 
manding the  countersign,  was  the  first  indication  to  the  adjutant-general 
that  he  was  within  the  American  lines.  About  the  break  of  day,  the 
conspirators  arrived  at  Smith's  house.  He  had  proceeded  with  the 
boat  to  Crown  Island,  in  Haverstraw  creek,  and,  dismissing  the  Colqu- 
houns, joined  Arnold.  To  the  alarm  of  the  group,  a  cannonade  was 
very  soon  heard ;  and,  from  the  window,  Andre  beheld  that  the  Vulture 
was  in  peril  from  the  guns,  and  saw  her  obliged  to  weigh  anchor  and 
stand  down  the  river.  In  an  upper  apartment  in  Smith's  house,  the  spy 
and  the  traitor  viewed  this  unexpected  incident,  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton's 
adjutant  general,  no  doubt,  felt  for  a  time,  that  the  net  prepared  for 
others  was  closing  around  him.  It  is  to  be  supposed  that  the  com- 
mander of  West  Point  reassured  him,  and,  after  breakfast,  Smith  left 


a  Smith's  words  are,  "  hid  among  the  firs." 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


him  to  finish  "the  plot  of  treachery"  between  them;  it  was  understood 
that  Arnold  was  to  receive  a  stipulated  sum.  The  day  fixed  upon, 
Andre  was  to  return  to  New  York,  and  the  British  troops  (already  em- 
barked under  the  pretence  of  an  expedition  to  Chesapeake)  were  to 
be  ready  to  ascend  the  river.  Arnold  was  to  weaken  the  post  of  West 
Point  by  such  a  disposition  of  the  garrison  as  would  yield  it  an  easy 
prey  to  the  troops  brought  against  it. 

Every  preliminary  was  settled,  and  the  spy  furnished  with  all  the 
papers  explanatory  of  the  condition  of  the  post,  and  the  manner  in 
which  its  force  was  to  be  rendered  unavailable,  and  its  garrison  betrayed 
to  death  or  captivity.  Andre  required  to  be  put  in  safety  on  board  the 
Vulture;  to  this  Arnold  assented,  and,  although  a  different  route  was 
proposed,  yet  Andre  supposed  he  was  to  be  sent  on  board  the  attending 
sloop  of  war.  Before  Arnold  left  Smith's  house,  he  urged  him  to  go 
with  Andre  on  board  the  Vulture  as  soon  as  it  was  dark ;  but,  as  if  to 
provide  for  obstacles,  he  sent  two  passes  for  Smith ;  the  one  a  permis- 
sion to  go  "  with  a  boat,  three  hands  and  a  flag,  to  Dobb's  Ferry,  on 
public  business,  and  return  immediately ;  "  the  other,  to  pass  the  guards 
to  the  White  Plains,  and  return.    To  this  was  added  a  third,  as  follows: 

"  He  An  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
Sept.  22d,  1780. 

' '  Permit  Mr.  John  Anderson  to  pass  the  guards  to  the  White  Plains,  or  below, 
If  he  chooses ;  he  being  on  public  business  by  my  direction. 

"B.  Arnold,  M.  Oen." 

A  miserable  day  was  passed  by  the  spy  in  solitude,  and,  when 
evening  came,  Smith  positively  refused  to  go  on  board  the  Vulture ; 
neither  had  he  engaged  any  person  to  row  the  boat.  The  reason  he 
gave  was  an  attack  of  ague,  but  this  did  not  prevent  him,  as  will  be 
seen,  from  accompanying  Andre  on  horse-back  in  his  nocturnal  journey, 
or  from  crossing  the  river  with  him.  Thus  Andre  was  compelled  to 
take  the  route  Smith  chose,  which  was  to  cross  the  river,  and  proceed  in 
the  direction  of  White  Plains.  The  uniform  coat  of  the  adjutant  gen- 
eral was  left  at  Smith's  house ;  and  with  a  coat  of  Smith's,  covered  by  a 
dark  great-coat,  with  "a  wide  cape,  and  buttoned  close  to  the  neck," 
Andre  was  equipped  for  the  journey.  Accordingly,  in  the  morning,  he 
and  Smith  proceeded  to  King's  Ferry. 

On  the  way,  Smith  endeavored  to  draw  his  companion  into  conver- 
sation, but  without  success.  He  was  reserved  and  thoughtful.  On  the 
contrary,  Smith  accosted  several  of  his  acquaintances  on  the  road ;  and 
even  stopped  at  a  sutler's  tent,  and  joined  in  discussing  a  bowl  of  punch, 


3°4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


while  Andre  walked  his  horse  slowly  to  the  ferry  alone,  and  there  waited 
Smith's  arrival. 

As  they  passed  through  the  works  at  Verplanck's  Point,  Smith  rode 
up  to  Colonel  Livingston's  tent,  while  Andre,  and  a  servant  who  attend- 
ed him,  (a  negro  of  Smith's,)  rode  on.  To  the  Colonel's  inquiries,  Smith 
said  he  was  going  up  the  country,  and  took  charge  of  letters  for  General 
Arnold  and  Governor  Clinton.  He  excused  himself  from  stopping,  as  a 
gentleman  waited  for  him  whose  business  was  urgent.  He  then  over- 
took his  charge,  and  they  proceeded  until  between  eight  and  nine  at 
night,  when  they  were  hailed  by  the  sentinel  of  a  patrolling  party. 
This  was  near  Crompond,  and  about  eight  miles  from  Verplanck's  Point 
The  sentinel  ordered  them  to  stop,  and  Smith  dismounted,  gave  the 
bridle  of  his  horse  to  his  servant,  walked  forward,  and  inquired  who  com- 
manded the  party.  He  was  answered,  'Captain  Boyd,'  who,  overhear- 
ing the  conversation,  immediately  appeared.  The  captain  was  unusually 
inquisitive,  and  demanded  of  him  who  he  was,  where  he  belonged,  and 
what  was  his  business.  Smith  answered  these  questions  promptly,  add- 
ing that  he  had  a  pass  from  General  Arnold,  and  desired  not  to  be  de- 
tained. The  captain  was  not  yet  satisfied,  but  inquired  how  far  he 
meant  to  go  that  night ;  to  which  he  replied,  as  far  as  Major  Strang's  or 
Colonel  Drake's ;  but'  this  only  increased  the  embarrassment,  for  the 
captain  informed  him  that  Major  Strang  was  not  at  home,  and  Colonel 
Drake  had  removed  to  another  part  of  the  country. 

Captain  Boyd  then  said  that  he  must  sec  the  passport ;  and,  it  being 
dark,  they  went  to  a  house  at  a  small  distance  to  procure  a  light 
Andre  began  to  be  a  little  alarmed,  and  advanced  with  reluctance 
towards  the  house,  till  he  was  encouraged  by  Smith,  who  assured  him 
that  Arnold's  pass  would  certainly  protect  them. 

And  so  it  proved;  for  the  pass  was  expressed  in  positive  terms,  and 
there  was  no  room  to  doubt  its  genuineness  or  its  authority. 

The  captain  was  afterwards  more  bland  in  his  manner,  but  the  ardor 
of  his  curiosity  was  not  diminished.  He  took  Smith  aside,  and  begged 
to  be  informed  of  this  important  business  which  carried  him  down  so 
near  the  enemy's  lines,  and  induced  him  and  his  companion  to  travel  so 
dangerous  a  road  in  the  night.  As  an  apology  for  this  inquiry,  he  mani- 
fested a  good  deal  of  concern  for  their  safety ;  telling  him  that  the  cow- 
boys had  recently  been  out,  and  were  believed  then  to  be  far  up  the 
country — and  he  advised  him  by  all  means  not  to  proceed  till  morning. 
Smith  prevaricated  as  well  as  he  could,  saying  to  Captain  Boyd,  that 
he  and  his  fellow-traveler,  whom  he  called  Mr.  Anderson,  were  em- 
ployed by  General  Arnold  to  procure  intelligence;  that  they  expected  to> 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


meet  a  person  near  White  Plains  for  that  purpose,  and  that  it  was 
necessary  for  them  to  go  forward  as  expeditiously  as  possible. 

Upon  this  statement  Captain  Boyd  seemed  more  anxious  than  ever; 
magnified  the  perils  to  which  they  would  be  exposed  by  traveling  in  the 
night,  and  recommended  anew  that  they  should  turn  back  to  one  An- 
dreas Miller's,  who  lived  but  a  little  way  off,  and  at  whose  house  they 
might  lodge.  Smith's  courage  was  somewhat  damped  by  these  repre- 
sentations, and  he  went  and  told  the  tale  to  Andre,  counselled  with  him 
a6  to  the  steps  they  ought  to  take.  It  is  possible,  also,  that  he  had  fears 
of  exciting  suspicion,  if  he  hesitated  in  resisting  the  Captain's  zeal  ex- 
pressed so  earnestly  in  their  behalf.  Andre,  as  it  may  well  be  imagined, 
not  being  very  easy  in  his  present  situation,  was  for  going  on  at  all 
events.  When  Smith  found  his  fears  unheeded  and  his  eloquence  un- 
availing, he  called  in  the  aid  of  Captain  Boyd,  and  inquired  of  him 
which  was  the  safest  road  to  White  Plains.  Boyd  considered  both  roads 
perilous,  but  believed  the  one  through  North  Castle  the  least  so  ;  for  the 
lower  party,  or  cow-boys,  infested  the  Tarrytown  road,  and  had  lately 
done  mischief  in  that  quarter.  He  used  various  arguments  to  dissuade 
them  from  going  farther  that  night,  to  which  Smith  listened  with  open 
ears ;  and  he  resolved,  against  the  will  of  Andre,  to  trespass  on  the  hos- 
pitality of  Andreas  Miller. 

They  met  with  a  welcome  reception ;  but  coming  at  a  late  hour  to  an 
humble  dwelling,  their  accommodations  were  narrow  and  the  two  trav- 
elers were  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  same  bed. 

According  to  Smith's  account,  it  was  a  weary  and  restless  night  to 
his  companion.  The  burden  on  his  thoughts  was  not  of  a  kind  to  lull 
them  to  repose;  and  the  place  of  his  retreat  so  near  the  watchful  Cap- 
tain Boyd  and  his  guard,  was  hardly  such  as  would  impress  upon  him  a 
conviction  of  perfect  security. 

At  the  first  dawn  of  light  he  roused  himself  from  his  troubled  slumber, 
wakened  the  servant,  and  ordered  the  horses  to  be  prepared  for  an  early 
departure. 

Having  solicited  their  host  in  vain  to  receive  a  compensation  for  the 
civilities  he  had  rendered,  they  mounted  and  took  the  road  leading  to 
Pine's  Bridge,"  which  crosses  the  Croton  River  on  the  way  to  North 
Castle.  The  countenance  of  Andre  brightened,  when  he  was  fairly  be- 
yond the  reach  of  the  patrolling  party;  and,  as  he  thought,  he  left  behind 
him  the  principal  difficulties  in  his  route.  His  cheerfulness  revived,  and 
he  conversed,  in  the  most  animated  and  agreeable  strain,  upon  a  great 


a  Spark's  Life  of  Arnold,  214,  215,  216,  21T. 


306 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


variety  of  topics.  Smith  professes  to  have  been  astonished  at  the  sud- 
den and  extraordinary  change  which  appeared  in  him,  from  a  gloomy 
taciturnity  to  an  exuberant  flow  of  spirits,  pleasantry  and  gay  discourse. 
He  talked  upon  poetry,  the  arts,  and  literature;  lamented  the  war,  and 
hoped  for  a  speedy  peace."a  As  they  passed  Major  Strang's  house,  two 
miles  below  Yorktown  church,  they  were  observed  by  its  inmates,  who 
supposed  them  to  be  Continental  officers.  "In  this  manner  they  passed 
along  without  being  accosted  by  any  person,  till  they  came  within  two 
miles  and  a  half  of  Pine's  Bridge.  At  this  place  Smith  had  determined 
to  end  his  journey  in  the  direction  of  White  Plains.  The  Cow-boys, 
whom  he  seemed  anxious  to  avoid,  had  recently  been  above  the  bridge, 
and  the  territory  below  was  considered  their  appropriate  domain.  The 
travellers  partook  of  a  frugal  breakfast  together,  at  the  house  of  a  good 
Dutch  woman,  who  had  been  plundered  by  three  marauders,  but  who  was 
yet  enabled  to  set  before  them  a  repast  of  hasty  pudding  and  milk.6 
This  being  dispatched,  Smith  divided  his  small  stock  of  paper  money 
with  Andre,  took  a  final  leave,  and,  with  his  servant,  hastened  back  to 
Peekskill,  and  the  same  evening  to  Fishkill,  where  he  had  left  his  family 
four  days  before,  at  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law.  On  his  way,  he 
took  the  road  leading  to  Robinson's  house,  where  he  called  on  General 
Arnold,  and  dined.  He  gave  an  account  of  Andre's  progress,  and  men- 
tioned the  place  where  he  had  left  him,  with  which  Arnold  appeared  well 
pleased.  It  is  to  be  understood,  however,  that  Smith  had  not,  at  this 
time,  as  he  always  affirmed,  any  knowledge  of  Andre's  true  character, 
and  that  he  supposed  his  name  to  be  John  Anderson. 

The  Cozv-boys  were  a  set  of  people,  mostly,  if  not  wholly,  refugees, 
belonging  to  the  British  side,  and  engaged  in  plundering  cattle  near  the 
lines,  and  driving  them  to  New  York.  The  name  indicates  their  voca- 
tion. There  was  another  description  of  banditti,  called  Skinners,  who 
lived,  for  the  most  part,  within  the  American  lines,  and  professed  attach- 
ment to  the  American  cause;  but,  in  reality,  they  were  more  unprinci- 
pled, perfidious  and  inhuman  than  the  Cow-boys  themselves;  for  these 
latter  exhibited  some  symptoms  of  fellow  feeling  for  their  friends, — 
whereas,  the  Skinners  committed  their  depredations  equally  upon  friends 
and  foes. 

By  a  law  of  the  State  of  New  York,  every  person  refusing  to  take  as 
oath  of  fidelity  to  the  State  was  considered  as  forfeiting  his  property. 
The  large  territory  between  the  American  and  British  lines,  extending 

a  Ibid.  217. 

b  This  was  not  a  Dntch  woman,  as  the  historian  supposes  ;  but  Mrs.  Sarah  rnderhlll,  wife 
of  Isaac  rmlerhill,  of  Yorktown,  whose  grandson,  Edward  Borough  rnderhlll,  still  owns  tne 
iiouse.—  Editor. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


3°7 


nearly  thirty  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  embracing  Westchester 
county,  was  populous  and  highly  cultivated.  A  person  living  within 
that  space,  who  took  the  oath  of  fidelity,  was  sure  to  be  plundered  by 
the  Cmv-boys;  and  if  he  did  not  take  it,  the  Skinners  would  come  down 
upon  him,  call  him  a  tory,  and  seize  his  property  as  confiscated  by  the 
State.  Thus  the  execution  of  the  laws  was  assumed  by  robbers,  and 
the  innocent  and  guilty  were  involved  in  a  common  ruin. 

"It  is  true  the  civil  authority  endeavored  to  guard  against  these  out- 
rages, so  far  as  it  could,  by  legislative  enactments  and  executive  procla- 
mations ;  but,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  this  formidable  conspiracy 
against  the  rights  and  claims  of  humanity  could  be  crushed  only  by  a 
military  arm.  The  detachments  of  Continental  troops  and  militia, 
stationed  near  the  lines,  did  something  to  lessen  the  evil,  yet  they  were 
not  adequate  to  its  suppression,  and  frequently  this  force  was  so  feeble 
as  not  to  afford  any  barrier  to  the  inroads  of  the  banditti. 

"  The  Skinners  and  Cow-boys  often  leagued  together.  The  former 
would  sell  their  plunder  to  the  latter,  taking  in  exchange  contraband 
articles  brought  from  New  York.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  the  farce 
of  a  skirmish  to  be  acted  near  the  American  lines,  in  which  the  Skin- 
ners never  failed  to  come  off  victorious;  and  then  they  would  go  boldly 
to  the  interior  with  their  booty,  pretending  it  had  been  captured  from 
the  enemy  while  attempting  to  smuggle  it  across  the  lines. 

"  Such  was  the  social  condition  of  that  part  of  the  country  through 
which  Andre  was  now  to  pass  alone,  for  nearly  thirty  miles,  before  he 
could  be  perfectly  secure  from  danger ;  for,  although  every  step  dimin- 
ished the  chances  of  untoward  accidents,  yet  there  was  no  absolute 
safety  till  he  was  beyond  the  limits  of  this  ill-fated  neutral  ground. "a 

"But  Andre  had  the  American  general's  pass  to  produce  to  the  one, 
and  his  true  character  to  protect  him  from  the  other.  Still  he  could 
not  but  feel  that  his  situation  was  one  of  peril.  The  remarks  he  had 
heard  from  the  captain  of  the  patrol  on  the  preceding  night,  seems  to 
have  induced  the  adjutant-general  to  take  the  Tarrytown  road,  as  the 
one  most  frequented  by  the  Coiu-boys ;  for  it  was  understood  by  Smith 
that  he  would  proceed  toward  White  Plains.  Upon  what  apparently 
chance  circumstances  the  fate  of  individuals,  and  armies,  and  States,  ap- 
pears to  depend !  Had  this  bearer  of  ruin  to  thousands  proceeded  on  the 
road  at  first  intended,  he  probably  would  have  accomplished  the  treason 
in  safety  to  himself;  but  a  few  words  uttered  at  random  by  the  American 
officer,  to  Smith,  respecting  the  danger  of  the  road  nearest  the  Hudson, 


a  Sparka'  life  of  Arnold,  218,  19,  20,  21. 


3o8 


HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTLR. 


determined  the  spy  to  turn  that  way,  as  most  frequented  by  his  friends, 
— and  by  that  heaven-directed  turn,  impending  ruin  was  averted,  and 
the  lives  of  thousands  saved."  From  Pine's  Bridge,  the  adjutant-gen- 
eral of  the  British  army  followed  the  Crum  Pond  road,  which  passed  the 
house  of  Mr.  Staats  Hammond.  The  son  of  this  gentleman,  David 
Hammond,  of  North  Castle  was  living  in,  (1847.)  at  an  advanced  age. 
He  related,  that  on  the  day  Andre  was  taken,  he  was  standing  at  the 
door  of  his  father's  residence,  upon  the  Crum  Pond  road,  when  he  ob- 
served a  person  approaching  on  horseback,  leisurely  walking  his  horse. 
As  he  rode  up,  he  observed  the  stranger  to  be  closely  enveloped  in  a 
light  blue  swan's  down  cloak,  with  high  military  boots,  and  a  low-crowned 
and  broad  brimmed  hat  on  his  head.  The  animal  he  bestrode  was  a 
beautiful  bay,  bitted  with  a  handsome  double  snaffle  bridle;  the  mane 
particularly  about  the  head,  being  thickly  matted  with  burs.  The  stran- 
ger immediately  asked  for  a  drink  of  water.  It  deserves  to  be  noticed, 
in  connection  with  this  incident,  that  Mr.  Hammond's  father — who  was 
lying,  at  the  time,  badly  wounded  on  the  floor — caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
stranger,  whom  he  pronounced  to  be  a  spy,  from  the  fact  of  his  being 
enveloped  in  the  manner  described. 

David  Hammond,  having  procured  a  drinking  vessel,  accompanied  by 
his  sister,  led  the  way  to  the  adjoining  well.  Here  the  girl  drew  the 
water,  which  was  offered  to  the  stranger,  who  requested  David  to  hold 
the  bridle  whilst  he  drank.  After  satisfying  his  thirst,  he  turned  toward 
Mrs.  Hammond,  and  asked  the  distance  to  Tarrytown;  she  replied, 
"Four  miles."    "I  did  not  think  it  was  so  far,"  said  he. 

At  Chappequa,  in  the  vicinity  of  Underbill's  tavern,  the  spy  encoun^ 
tered  several  Quakers.  From  them  he  again  inquired  the  road,  at  the 
same  time  asking  whether  any  troops  were  out  below,  &c. 

At  the  foot  of  the  Chappequa  roads  the  adjutant-general  selected  that 
which  leads  to  the  river.  Following  this,  he  came  out  in  the  Albany 
post  road,  near  the  village  of  Sparta.  He  had  now  securely  passed 
about  eleven  miles  of  the  neutral  ground,  and  approached  within  a  few 
hundred  yards  of  the  Hudson  without  interruption,  and  probably  felt 
himself  beyond  the  reach  of  detection. 

A  little  north  of  Tarrytown,  the  road  crosses  a  small  brook,  (now 
called  the  Andre  brook.)  A  few  rods  from  this  spot  a  period  was  put  to 
the  journey  of  the  spy  and  the  progress  of  the  treason. 

On  this  fated  morning  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  had  by 
agreement  taken  their  arms,  and  proceeded  to  the  neighborhood  of  this 
brook  and  bridge,  to  prevent  cattle  from  being  driven  down  towards 
New  York,  and  to  seize  as  a  loyal  prize  any  such  cows  or  oxen  as  might 


JOHN  PAULDING'S  RESIDENCiS,  CORTLAND 


THE  TOWN  OF  GKEEN13URGH. 


be  destined  for  his  majesty's  troops  by  their  friends.  This  patriotic  band 
of  seven  had  volunteered  of  their  own  account  to  go  upon  this  expedition 
the  day  previous,  Sept.  22d,  17S0.  John  Yerks,  (who  was  still  living  in 
the  town  of  Mount  Pleasant,  in  1847,  aged  eighty-eight,)  says  that  he  pro- 
posed this  excursion  to  John  Paulding,  both  of  them  being  at  that  time 
stationed  in  North  Salem.  The  latter  at  first  objected;  but,  upon  further 
consideration,  volunteered  his  services,  provided  they  could  induce  a 
sufficient  number  to  accompany  them.  This,  Yerks  assured  him,  could 
be  easily  accomplished,  and  offered  to  procure  the  men ;  while  Paulding 
should  obtain  the  necessary  permit  from  the  commanding  officer.  Yerks 
had  in  the  meantime  enlisted  three  volunteers,  viz. :  Isaac  See,  James 
Romer  and  Abraham  Williams.  Paulding  soon  after  returned  with  the 
permit,  accompanied  by  his  friend,  Isaac  Van  Wart.  The  party  now 
consisting  of  six,  took  the  direct  road  for  Cross  river.  Here  they  were 
joined  by  David  Williams  from  Bedford.  From  Cross  river  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Pleasantville,  formerly  Clark's  Corner,  where  they  halted  for 
the  night.  From  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Mrs.  Powell,  (who  had  recently 
arrived  at  this  place  from  Morrisania,)  the  volunteers  ascertained  that 
the  British  horse  from  Long  Island,  New  Jersey  and  New  York  had  ad- 
vanced from  the  Island  into  the  neighborhood  of  Boar  hill,  Yonkers. 

Whilst  Andre  slept  at  Crum  Pond,  our  volunteers  turned  into  a  hay 
barrack,  (then  standing  a  few  yards  from  the  present  Methodist  church,) 
at  Pleasantville. 

Up  by  times  the  next  morning,  the  party  followed  the  windings  of  the 
Saw  Mill  valley  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Jacob  Romer,  where  they  obtained 
breakfast  and  a  basket  well  provided  for  their  dinner.  From  this  place 
they  marched  to  the  hill  immediately  above  Tarrytown.  Here  it  was 
agreed  that  three  of  the  number,  viz. :  Paulding,  Van  Wart  and  David 
Williams,  should  go  below,  whilst  the  remaining  four  should  watch  the 
road  above,  with  the  full  understanding,  (according  to  Yerks,)  that  what- 
ever might  be  taken  should  be  equally  divided  among  the  whole  band. 

The  upper  party  were  stationed  two  hundred  yards  east  on  the  hill 
above  the  lower  party,  the  latter  being  concealed  in  the  bushes  near  the 
post-road. 

At  Smith's  trial,  (which  was  by  a  court  martial,  and  commenced  the 
day  after  Andre's  examination,  Paulding  and  Williams  gave  the  follow- 
ing testimony.  Paulding  said,  "myself,  Isaac  Van  Wart  and  David 
Williams,  were  lying  by  the  side  of  the  road  about  half  a  mile  above 
Tarrytown,  and  about  fifteen  miles  above  King's  Bridge,  on  Saturday 
morning  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock,  on  the  23d  of  September.  We  had 
lain  there  about  one  hour  and  a  half,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  and  saw 


310    '  HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

several  persons  we  were  acquainted  with,  whom  we  let  pass.  Presently 
one  of  the  young  men  who  were  with  me,  said,  '  There  comes  a  gentle- 
man-like looking  man  who  appears  to  be  well  dressed  and  has  boots  on, 
and  whom  you  had  better  step  out  and  stop,  if  you  don't  know  him. 
(The  party  must  have  observed  Andre  rising  the  hill  out  of  Sleepy  Hol- 
low; when  first  observed,  he  was  walking  his  horse.)  On  that,  I  got  up 
and  presented  my  firelock  at  the  breast  of  the  person  and  told  him  to 
stand,  and  then  I  asked  him  which  way  he  was  going  ?  '  Gentlemen,' 
said  he,  '  I  hope  you  belong  to  our  party.'  I  asked  him  what  party.  He 
said  'the  lower  party.'  Upon  that,  I  told  him  I  did  Then  he  said,  'I 
am  a  British  officer  out  of  the  country  on  particular  business,  and  I  hope 
you  will  not  detain  me  a  minute ; '  and  to  show  that  he  was  a  British 
officer  he  pulled  out  his  watch,  upon  which  I  told  him  to  dismount. 
He  then  said,  '  My  God  !  I  must  do  anything  to  get  along,'  and  seemed 
to  make  a  kind  of  laugh  of  it,  and  pulled  out  General  Arnold's  pass, 
which  was  to  John  Anderson  to  pass  all  the  guards  to  White  Plains  and 
below;  upon  that  he  dismounted.  Said  he,  'Gentlemen,  you  had  best 
let  me  go,  or  you  will  bring  yourselves  into  trouble ;  for  your  stopping 
me  will  detain  the  General's  business,  and  said  he  was  going  to 
Dobb's  Ferry  to  meet  a  person  there,  and  get  intelligence  for  General 
Arnold.' 

"  Upon  that  I  told  him  I  hoped  he  would  not  be  offended,  that  we 
did  not  mean  to  take  any  thing  from  him.  And  I  told  him  there  were 
many  bad  people  who  were  going  along  the  road,  and  I  did  not  know 
but  perhaps  he  might  be  one."  Mr.  Paulding  said  further  that  he  asked 
the  unknown  gentleman  his  name,  and  he  answered,  "  John  Anderson." 
•That  on  seeing  General  Arnold's  pass  he  should  have  let  him  go,  if  he 
had  not  previously  said  he  was  a  British  officer ;  (there  was  yet  another 
circumstance  which  tended  greatly  to  increase  their  suspicions,  viz  :  that 
his  pass  was  for  White  Plains  and  not  the  Tarrytown  road;)  and  that 
when  he  pulled  out  his  watch,  he  understood  it  as  a  confirmation  of  that 
assertion,  and  not  as  offering  it  to  him. 

Mr.  Williams  confirmed  the  above  statement  with  these  particulars : 
"  We  took  him  into  the  bushes,  and  ordered  him  to  pull  off  his  tlothes,. 
which  he  did ;  but,  on  searching  him  narrowly,  we  could  not  find  any 
sort  of  writings.  We  told  him  to  pull  off  his  boots,  which  he  seemed 
indifferent  about ;  but  we  got  one  boot  off,  and  searched  in  that  boot, 
and  could  find  nothing.  But  we  found  there  were  some  papers  in  the 
bottom  of  his  stocking  next  to  his  foot,  on  which  we  made  him  pull  his 
stockings  off,  and  found  three  papers  wrapped  up.  Mr.  Paulding  looked 
at  the  contents,  and  said  he  was  a  spy.    We  then  made  him  pull  off  his 


CAPTURE  OP  ANDRi; 


THE  TOWN  OF  CREENBURGH. 


3" 


other  boot,  and  there  we  found  three  more  papers  at  the  bottom  of  his 
foot  within  his  stocking." 

The  following  letters  and  documents  were  found  in  the  stockings  of 
Major  Andre : — 

THE  ANDRE  PAPERS. 

[From  the  originals  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Beeckman,  (a)  of  Flatbush,  Long  Island.] 
a  Col.  Beeckman  Is  the  grandson  and  lineal  decendant  of  Governor  George  Clinton. 

No.  1.— Pass. 

[Endorsed,] 

Pass  from  General  Arnold,  dated  September  20,  17S0,  to  Joshua  Smith  and  Mr 
John  Anderson,  to  pass  the  guards  at  Kings  Ferry. 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
September  20,  1780. 

Permission  is  given  to  Joshua  Smith,  Esquire,  a  gentleman,  Mr.  John  Ander- 
son, who  is  with  him,  and  his  two  servants,  to  pass  and  repass  the  guards  near 
King's  Ferry  at  all  times. 

(Signed,)  B.  Arnold,  M.  Gen'l. 

No.  2. 

[Endorsed,]  Sept.  22,  1780. 

Pass  to  Joshua  Smith  to  pass  the  White  Plains. 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
September  22,  17S0. 

Joshua  Smith,  Esq.,  has  permission  to  pass  the  Guards  to  the  White  Plains, 
and  to  return,  being  on  public  business,  by  my  direction. 

(Signed,)  B.  Arnold,  M.  Gen'l. 


No.  3. 

[Letter  endorsed  to] 

"Thomas  Smith,  Esq.,  Haverstraw." 

Robinson's  House,  Sept.  2oth,  17S0. 
Deah  Brother  : — I  am  here  a  prisoner,  and  am  therefore  unable  to  attend  in 
person.  I  would  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  'would  deliver  to  Captain  Cairns,  of 
Lee's  Dragoons,  a  Britisn  Uniform  Coat,  which  you  will  find  in  one  of  the 
drawers  in  the  room  above  stairs.  I  would  be  happy  to  sec  you.  Remember  me 
to  your  family.  I  am.  affectionately,  yours, 

(Signed,)  Joshua  H.  Smith. 

Thomas  Smith,  Esq. 


No.  4. 

[Endorsed.]  Memo. 
Hennirut,  [a  word  not  intelligible.] 
Elijah  Hunter. 
Mr.  I.  Johnson,  B.  R  r. 

Mr.  J.  Stewart,  to  the  care  of  Joshua  Smith  Esq.,  to  be  left  at  Head  Q'rs. 
Isaac  Adams,  5  ,.  5  ,,  5. 


3i2  '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTSR. 

No.  5. 

[Endorsed, ]  AnK)ld,a  permission  to  Joshua  Smith 


21  Sep.  1780. 
to  Dobb's  Ferry, 

&c.  &c. 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
Sept.  21,  1780. 


Permission  is  granted  to  Joshua  Smith,  Esq.,  to  go  to  Dobb's  Ferry  with 
thfetTn  and  a'Boy  in  a  Boat  with  a  Flag  to  carry  some  Letters  of  a  pnvate 
Sure1  for  Gentlemen  in  New  York  and  to  Return  — el^  ^  ^ 

N.  B.-HCedhas  permission  to  go  at  such  hours  and  times  as  the  tide  and  his 


business  suits. 


Sept.  22,  1780. 


P***8*1        Pa*  to  Joshua  Smith  to  ^2^^  House, 

'  Sept.  22.  17S0. 

J08l.ua  Smith,  Esq.  has  peraissiou  to  pass  with  a  Boat  and  toe  baud,  a»d  a 

-  *—  b»taaS  '°d  10  retU™  nSSf  M.  Geo',. 
(Signed,)   

No.  7. 

[Endorsed,]  Arnold  to  John  Anderson-Pass.^  ^  ^ 

Head  Quarters,  Robinson's  House, 
Sept.  22,  1780. 

Permit  Mr.  John  Anderson  to  pass  the  Guards  to  the  White  Plains,  or  below, 
if  He  Choses,  He  being  on  Public  Business  by  my  »™^ou>,  M.  Gen'l. 

[In  Arnold's  hand-writing.] 
' '  Gustavus  to  John  Anderson ."  ^  

attack  to  the  best  advantage.    It  is,  ot  course,  in 
hand-writing:—  Nq  g 

[Endorsed,]  Artillery  Orders,  Sept.  5th,  1780 

W'st  Point,  Sept.  5,  1780. 

disposition 0, the corpsUto tah,  piace  ja 
Wchh  'Souh.  a»d  the  like  uumbe,  to  Redoubt  No.  4. 


THE  TOWS  OF  GRKENBURGH. 


313 


Capt.  Thomas  and  Company  to  repair  to  Fort  Arnold. 

Capt.  Simmons  and  Company  to  remain  at  the  North  and  South  Redoubts,  at 
the  East  side  of  the  River,  until  further  orders. 

Lieut.  Barber,  with  20  men  of  Capt.  Jackson's  Company  will  repair  to  Con- 
stitution Island ;  the  remainder  of  the  Company  with  Lieut.  Mason's  will  repair 
to  Arnold. 

Capt.  Lieut.  George  and  Lieut.  Blake  with  20  men  of  Capt.  Troadwcll's  Com- 
pany, will  repair  to  Redoubt  No.  1  and  2,  the  remainder  of  the  Company  will  be 
sent  to  Fort  Arnold. 

Late  Jones's  Company  with  Lieut.  Fisk  to  repair  to  the  South  Battery. 

The  Chain  Battery  Sherburn's  Redoubt,  and  the  Brass  Field  pieces  will  be 
manned  from  Fort  Arnold  as  Occasion  may  require. 

The  Commissary  and  Conductor  of  Military  stores  will  in  turn  wait  upon  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  Artillery  for  Orders. 

The  Artificers  in  the  Garrison,  (agreeable  to  former  Orders.)  will  repair  to 
Fort  Arnold,  and  their  receive  further  Orders  froai  the  Command'g  Officer  of 
Artillery,  J.  Bauman  Major  Comm't  Artillery. 

No.  10. 

[Endorsed,]  [In  the  Traitor's  own  hand.] 

Estimate  of  the  Forces  at  West  Point,  and  its  dependencies, 
Sept.  1780. 

Estimate  of  the  Forces  at  W'st  Point  and  its  dependencies,  Sept.  13th,  1780 
A  Brigade  of  Massachusetts  Malitia  and  two  Regiments  of  Rank  and 

file  New  Hampshire  Inclusion  of  166  Batteaux  Men  at  Verplanks 

and  Stoney  Points,  992 
On  command  and  Extra  Service  at  Fish  Kill?,  New  Windsor,  &c.  &c, 

who  may  be  called  in  occationally,  852 
8  Regiments  of  Connecticut  Militia  under  the  Com'd  of  Colonel  Well3 

on  the  lines  near  N.  Castle,  488 
A  Detachment  of  N.  York  Levies  on  the  lines,  115 

Militia  2447 
Colonel  Lamb's  Regiment  167 
Colonel  Livington  at  Verplank  and  Stony  Fts  80 

Continent  •  247 

Colonel  Sheldon's  Dragoons  od  the  lines  about  one-half  mounted  142 
Batteaux  Men  and  Artificers  250 


No.  11.  Total  3086 

[La  Arnold's  hand.] 

[Endorsed,] 

Estimate  of  Men  to  Man  the  Works  at  West  Point,  &c. 
Sep'r  1780. 

Estimate  of  the  Number  of  men  Necessary  to  Man  the  Works  at  West  Point 
and  in  the  Vicinity. 
Fort  Arnold  620 

 Putnam  450 

 Wyllys  140 

 Webb  140 


314  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCIIESTE" I 


N.  B. 


Redoubt  No.  1 

l,)V 

ditto 

2 

150 

ditto 

3 

120 

ditto 

4 

100 

ditto 

5 

139 

ditto 

6 

110 

ditto 

7 

78 

North  Redoubt 

120 

South  Redoubt 

130 

Total 

2438 

Yillcpance,  Engineer. 
The  Artillery  Men  are  not  Included  in  the  above  Estimate. 


o  0  3  o  =  S  r  2?  ^  3"  ~  0  o 
,3       0  —  2 -J;  -  -  =.  -  X  3  3. 

03" 


a  p 


p 


-   C-  VI 


uoj 

UOJ 

uoj; 

UOJ^ 
UOJ 
UOJ 

uoj; 

UOJ 
UOJ 

uoj; 
uoj 
uoj 

UOJ 

uoj; 
uoj 

3 

D 

ii 

MetaL 

~l  : 

1  e 

Garrison  Carnages 

551  : 

•  00 

01  • 

Garrison  Carriages 

col  - 

to' " 

m'  • 

Travelling  do. 

El  : 

■ 

CO  t-i  • 

«-*  1—  *>.  to 

Harrison  Carnages 

cn  1  to 

■  to 

m  St  ncked  ditto 

.1 

to  *> 

to  ■ 

1  o  Garrison  Carnage*- 

El 

to 

1—  to 

Ot 

Garrison  Carriages 

0,1 

00  to 

Stocked  ditto 

»l 

• 

1  : 

Travelling  t 

litto 
rriages 

Ml 

■  >-* 

Garrison  Ca 

col 

Travelling  ditto 

0.1 

:  »:  1  w 

Travelling  ditto 

0. 1 

Inches. 

Mortars. 

to 

to 

Inches. 

l-i 

i- 

*. 

Inches. 

; 

H 

0 

Total. 


»-»  -I  CO 


O  o  3 


30 

I  to  —  .-^og  • 
Co     o  <c  to  -*  — 

o.c.c.a.5 
see eg  gg 

lis 

'  II 


P3 

0  - 

1  i 

C  # 


01 


?0 


1/1 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


315 


"The  virulence  and  malice  of  Arnold's  treachery  are  no  where  more 
manifest  and  detestable  than  in  the  following  document.  See  how  the 
arch  fiend  exposes  the  weakness  of  the  forts — the  ease  with  which  they 
could  be  set  on  fire — the  facilities  of  approach — the  commanding 
heights  and  rising  grounds,  Szc.  The  whole,  too,  an  expose  intended  ex- 
pressly for  the  British ;  and  yet  endorsed  as  if  it  had  been  a  memoran- 
dum for  his  own  private  use,  and  for  General  Washington : 

No.  12. 
[In  the  traitor's  own  hand.] 

[Endorsed,] 

Remarks  on  works  at  Wt.  Point,  a  copy  to  be  transmitted  to  His  Excell'y  Gen- 
eral Washington. 
Sepr.  1780. 

Fort  Arnold  is  built  of  Dry  Fascines  and  "Wood,  is  in  a  ruinous  condition,  in- 
complete, and  subject  to  take  Fire  from  Shells  or  Canasses. 

Fort  Putnam,  stone,  wanting  great  repairs,  the  wall  on  the  East  side  broke 
down,  and  rebuilding  From  the  Foundation  at  the  West  and  South  side  have 
been  a  C'hevaux  de  Frise  on  the  Wst  side  broke  in  many  places.  The  East  side 
open,  two  Boom  Proof  and  Provision  Magazine  in  the  Fort,  and  slight  Wooden 
Barrack. — A  commanding  piece  of  ground  500  yards  West  between  the  Fort 
and  No.  4— or  Rocky  Hill. — 

Fort  Webb  Built  of  Fascines  and  Wood,  a  slight  Work  very  dry  and  liable  to 
be  set  on  fire  as  the  approaches  are  very  easy,  without  defences  save  a  alight  aba- 
thus. 

Fort  Wyllys  built  of  stone  5  feet  high  the  work  above  plank  filled  with  Earth 
and  stone  work  15  feet  the  Earth  9  feet  thick. — No  Bomb  Proofs,  the  Batteries 
without  the  Fort. 

Redoubt  No.  1.  On  the  south  side  wood  nine  feet  thick,  the  Wt.  North  and 
East  sides  4  feet  thick,  no  cannon  in  the  works,  a  slight  and  single  Abatters,  no 
ditch  or  pickctt.    Cannon  on  two  batteries.   No  Bomb  Proofs. 

Redoubt  No.  2.    The  same  as  No.  1.    No  Bomb  Proofs. 

Redoubt  No.  2.  A  slight  Wood  Work  3  Feet  thick  very  Dry  no  Bomb  Proofs, 
a  single  Abatters,  the  work  easily  set  on  fire — no  Cannon. 

Redoubt  No.  4.  A  Wooden  work  about  10  feet  high  and  four  or  five  feet 
thick,  the  West  side  faced  with  a  stone  wall  8  feet  high  and  four  thick.  No 
Bomb  Proof,  two  six  pounders,  a  slight  Abatters,  a  commanding  piece  of  ground 
500  yards  Wt. 

The  North  Redoubt  on  the  East  side  built  of  stone  4  feet  high,  above  the  stone 
wood  filled  in  with  Earth,  Very  Dry,  no  ditch,  a  Bomb  Proof,  three  Batteries 
without  the  Fort,  a  poor  Abatters,  a  Rising  piece  of  ground  500  yards.  So,  the 
approaches  Under  Covor  to  within  20  yards. — The  Work  easily  fired  with  Fag- 
gots diptd  in  Pitch,  &c. 

South  Redoubt  much  the  same  as  the  North  a  Commanding  piece  of  ground 
600  yards  due  East— 3  Batteries  without  the  Fort. 

"The  following  document  explains  itself: — 


316 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


No.  13. 
[In  Arnold's  hand-writing.] 

[Endorsed,] 

Copy  of  a  Council  of  War,  held  Sept.  6th,  1780. 
At  a  Council  of  War,  held  in  Camp  Bergen  County  Sept.  6th,  1780. 
Present — the  Commander-in-Chief. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  states  to  the  Council,  that  since  he  had  the  honor 
of  laying  before  the  General  Officers,  at  Morristown,  the  6th  of  June  last,  a  gen- 
eral view  of  our  circumstances,  several  important  events  have  occurred  which 
have  materially  changed  the  prospects  of  the  Campaign. 

That  the  success  expected  from  France,  instead  of  coming  out  in  one  body  and 
producing  a  Naval  Superiority  in  these  Seas,  has  been  divided  into  two  Divisions, 
the  first  of  which  only  consisting  of  seven  ships  of  the  line,  one  forty -four  and 
three  smaller  Frigates,  with  five  thousand  land  Forces,  had  arrived  at  Rhode 
Island. 

That  a  reinforcement  of  six  ships  of  the  line  from  England  having  reinforced 
the  Enenvy,  had  made  their  Naval  Force  in  these  seas  amount  to  Nine  Sail  of  the 
Line,  Two  Fifties,  two  forty-fours,  and  a  number  of  smaller  Frigates,  a  Force 
completely  superior  to  that  of  our  Allies,  and  which  has  in  consequence  held 
them  Blocked  up  in  the  harbor  of  Rhode  Island  till  the  2Sth  ult.,  at  which 
Period  the  British  Fleet  disappeared,  and  no  advice  of  them  has  since  been  re- 
ceived. 

That  accounts  received  by  the  Alliance  Frigate,  which  left  France  in  July,  an- 
nounce the  Second  Division  to  be  Confined  in  Brest  with  several  other  Ships  by 
a  British  Fleet  of  thirty-two  Sail  of  the  line,  and  a  Fleet  of  the  Allies,  of  Thirty- 
six,  or  thirty-eight  Ships  of  the  line  ready  to  put  to  sea  from  Cadiz  to  relieve 
the  Port  of  Brest. 

That  most  of  the  States  In  their  answers  to  the  requisitions  made  of  them,  give 
the  strongest  assurances  of  doing  every  thing  in  their  power  to  furnish  the  men 
and  supplies  required  for  the  expected  Co-operation.  The  effect  of  which,  how- 
ever, has  been  far  short  of  our  expectations,  for  not  much  above  one-third  of 
the  Levies  demanded  for  the  Continental  Battallious,  nor  above  the  same  pro- 
portion of  Militia  have  been  assembled,  and  the  Supplies  have  been  so  inade- 
quate that  there  was  a  necessity  for  dismissing  all  the  Militia,  whose  immediate 
services  could  be  dispensed  with  to  lessen  our  Consumption,  notwithstanding 
which  the  Troops  now  in  the  Field  are  severely  suffering  for  want  of  Provision. 

That  the  army  at  this  Post  and  in  the  vicinity  in  operating  Force  consists  of 
10,400  Continental  Troops  and  about  400  Militia,  besides  which  is  a  Regiment  of 
Continental  Troops  of  about  500  at  Rhode  Islsnd  left  there  for  the  assistance  of 
our  Allies,  against  any  attempt  of  the  Enemy  that  way,  and  two  Connecticut 
State  Regiments  amounting  to  800  at  North  Castle. 

That  the  Times  for  Service  for  which  the  Levies  are  Engaged  will  expire  the 
first  of  January  which,  if  not  replaced,  allowing  for  the  usual  Casualties,  will  re- 
duce the  Continental  Army  to  less  than  6000  men. 

That  since  the  state  of  the  Council  above  referred  to,  the  Enemy  have  brought 
a  detachment  of  about  3000  men  from  Charles  Town  to  New  York,  which  makes 
the  present  operating  Force  iu  this  Quarter  between  Ten  and  Eleven  Thousand 
men. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREEN ISURGH. 


317 


That  the  Enemies  Force  now  in  the  Southern  States  has  not  been  lately  ascer- 
tained by  any  distinct  accounts,  but  the  General  supposes  it  cannot  be  less  than 
7,000  (of  which  about  2,000  are  at  Savannah)  in  this  estiuiate  the  Diminution  by 
the  Casualties  of  the  Climate,  is  supposed  to  be  equal  to  the  increase  of  Force 
derived  from  the  Disaffected. 

That  added  to  the  loss  of  Charles  Town  and  its  Garrison  accounts  of  a  recent 
misfortune  are  just  arrived  from  Major  General  Oaten,  giving  advice  of  a  gen- 
eral action  which  happened  on  the  16th  of  August  near  Campden,  in  which  the 
army  under  his  Command  met  with  a  total  defeat,  and  in  all  probability  the 
whole  of  the  Continental  Troops,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  Militia  would  be 
cut  off. 

The  State  of  Virginia  has  been  sometime  exerting  itself  to  raise  a  Body  of 
3,000  Troops  to  serve  till  the  end  of  December,  1781,  but  how  far  it  has  succeed- 
ed is  not  known. 

That  Maryland  had  resolved  to  raise  2,000  Men  of  which  a  sufficient  number 
to  compose  one  Battallion  was  to  have  come  to  this  army.  The  remainder  to 
recruit  the  Maryland  line — but  in  consequence  of  the  late  advices,  an  order  has 
been  sent  to  march  the  whole  Southward. 

That  the  Enemies  Force  in  Canada,  Halifax,  St.  Augustine,  and  at  Penobscot, 
remains  much  the  same  as  stated  in  the  preceding  Council. 

That  there  is  still  reason  to  believe  the  Court  of  France  will  prosecute  its 
Original  intention  of  giving  effectual  succor  to  this  Country,  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances will  permit ;  and  it  is  hoped  the  second  Division  will  certainly  arrive  in 
the  course  of  the  fall. 

That  a  Fleet  greatly  superior  to  that  of  the  Enemy  in  the  West  Indies,  and  a 
formidable  land  Force  had  sailed  sometime  since  from  Martinique  to  make  a 
Combined  attack  upon  the  Islaud  of  Jamaica,  that  there  is  a  possibility  of  a  re- 
inforcement from  this  quarter  also,  to  the  Fleet  of  our  Ally  at  Rhode  Island. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  having  thus  given  the  Council  a  full  view  of  our 
present  situation  and  future  prospects,  requests  the  Opinion  of  each  member,  in 
writing,  what  plan  it  will  be  advisable  to  pursue,  to  what  objects  Our  Attention 
ought  to  be  directed  in  the  course  of  this  fall  and  winter,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  alternative  of  having  a  Naval  Superiority,  whether  any  offensive  opera- 
tions can  be  immediately  undertaken  and  against  what  Point,  what  ought  to  be 
our  immediate  preparations  and  dispositions,  particularly  whether  we  can  afford 
or  ought  to  send  any  reinforcements  from  this  army  to  the  Southern  States,  and 
to  what  amount  the  General  requests  to  be  favored  with  these  opinions  by  the 
10th  instant  at  farthest. 

"This  concludes  the  famous  "  Andre*  Papers."    A  more  remarkable 

set  of  documents  no  man  surely  ever  set  foot  on  before.    The  papers 

themselves  look  yellow,  are  much  crumpled  and  worn,  and  bear  evident 

marks  of  age."a 

**»*«»** 

"Upon  this,  we  made  him  dress  himself  and  I  asked  him  what  he  ' 
would  give  us  to  let  him  go.    He  said  he  would  give  us  any  sum  of 


a  New  York  Herald,  1S42. 


318  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

money.  I  asked  him  whither  he  would  give  us  his  horse,  saddle,  bridle, 
watch  and  one  hundred  guineas.  He  said  'Yes,'  and  told  us  he  would 
direct  them  to  any  place,  even  if  it  was  that  very  spot,  so  that  we  could 
get  them.  I  asked  him  whether  he  would  not  give  us  more.  He  said 
he  would  give  us  any  quantity  of  Dry  Goods,  or  any  sum  of  money,  and 
bring  it  to  any  place  that  we  might  pitch  upon,  so  that  we  might  get  it. 
Mr.  Paulding  answered,  'No,  if  you  would  give  us  two  thousand  guineas 
you  should  not  stir  one  step.'  I  then  asked  the  person  who  had  called 
himself  John  Anderson,  if  he  would  not  get  away  if  it  lay  in  his  power. 
He  answered,  'Yes,  I  would.'  I  told  him,  I  did  not  intend  he  should 
While  taking  him  along,  we  asked  him  a  few  questions;  and  we  stopped 
under  a  shade.  He  begged  us  not  to  ask  him  questions  and  said 
when  he  came  to  any  commander,  he  would  reveal  all.  He  was  dressed 
in  a  blue  over-coat  and  a  tight  body  coat  that  was  a  kind  of  claret  color, 
though  a  rather  deeper  red  than  claret.  The  button  holes  were  laced 
with  gold  tinsel,  and  the  buttons  drawn  over  with  the  same  kind  of  lace. 
He  had  on  a  round  hat  and  nankeen  waistcoat  and  breeches,  with  a 
flannel  waistcoat  and  drawers,  boots  and  thread  stockings.  According 
to  John  Yerks,  the  lower  party  were  observed  coming  up  the  hill, 
Paulding*  leading  the  horse,  upon  which  Andre  was  mounted.  As 
they  halted,  Paulding  exclaimed,  "we  have  got  a  prisoner,"  and  immedi- 
ately ordered  Andre  to  dismount.  He  then  asked  him  for  his  watch, 
at  the  same  time  warning  him  not  to  make  any  attempt  to  escape;  for  if 
he  did  he  was  a  dead  man.  After  a  short  interval,  Paulding  (who  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  master  spirit  upon  this  occasion,)  ordered  him  to 
remount.  They  then  led  him  off  in  the  direction  of  North  Castle,  the 
nearest  military  post,  where  Lieut.  Col.  Jameson  was  stationed  with  a 
detachment  of  Sheldon's  dragoons.  The  roads  being  carefully  avoided, 
the  party  went  with  all  speed  across  the  fields,  each  taking  their  turns 
at  the  bridle,  some  marching  on  either  side,  the  remainder  bringing  up 
the  rear.  During  their  progress  to  North  Castle,  the  prisoner  never  spoke 
unless  some  question  was  asked;  and  then  said  but  little  in  reply.  On 
their  route  the  party  stopped  for  a  short  time  at  Jacob  Romers,6  (in  the 

a  Paulding  had  effected  his  escape,  only  three  days  previous,  from  the  New  York  Sugar 
House,  in  the  dress  of  a  German  vager.  General  Van  Cortlandt  states  that  Paulding  wore 
this  dress  on  the  day  of  the  capt  ure,  which  tended  to  decieve  Andre,  and  led  him  to  exclaim, 
in  answer  to  their  reply,  "  Thank  God,  I  am  once  more  among  friends." 

b  Mr.  J.  S.  Lee,  of  Beekman  Town,  relates  the  following  anecdote  :  *•  When  they  captnred 
Andre,  tlvv  brought  him  up  the  old  Bedford  road  (now  changed)  till  they  came  to  a  springof 
water  near" the  eai  rh-worksthat  were  cast  up  to  defend  the  river  at  the  foot  of  Kaackeont,  a 
very  high  hill,  having  a  commanding  view;  thence  they  took  the  lields  across  to  the  old 
White  Plains'  road  (near  where  the  county  house  now  stands)  to  a  small  tavern  kei-tby  Isaac 
Reed  and  his  wife  Pollv,  (now  known  as  the  Landrine  House) ;  here  they  called  for  some- 
thing to  eat;  but  Aunt  Polly's  curiosity  was  excited  at.  the  sight  of  the  stranger,  and  she 
asked,  '  Who  have  you  there? '  'None  of  your  business.'  they  repli.  d,  'Get  us  something  to 
eat,  In  a  harry. '  Sii 1  flew  aronnd.  and  roon  prepared  some  eggs  and  bacon,  and  then  again 
repeated  her  question, 'Who  have  you  there?  '   They  replied,  'O,  never  mind  now.'  Soon 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH.  319 


vicinity  of  the  present  poor-house,)  where  the  captors  took  break- 
fast. The  party  again  resumed  their  march,  and  within  a  short  time 
arrived  at  North  Castle.  Here  they  delivered  up  their  prisoner  to  Jame- 
son, with  all  the  papers  that  had  been  taken  from  his  stockings.0  The 
prisoner  was  confined  here  in  a  small  cottage,  at  present  attached  to  the 
barn  of  Mr.  Sands.  Further  details  concerning  the  spy  will  be  found  in 
the  respective  towns.6 

Upon  the  delivery  of  their  prisoner,  the  seven  patriots  returned  to 
their  different  quarters,  little  imagining  the  importance  of  their  prize.  A 
little  more  than  a  month  afterwards,  (General  Washington  having  re- 
commended the  captors  to  Congress,)  they  received  the  following  vote  of 
thanks  from  that  body : 


In  Congress,  November,  3,  1780. 
"Whereas,  Congress  have  received  information  that  John  Paulding,  David  Wil- 
liams and  Isaac  van  Wart,  three  young  volunteer  militia  men  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  did,  on  the  23d  day  of  September  last,  intercept  Major  John  Andre, 
adjutant  general  of  the  British  army,  on  his  return  from  the  American  line  in 
the  character  of  a  spy;  and  notwithstanding  the  large  bribes  offered  them  for  bis 
release,  nobly  disdaining  to  sacrifice  their  country  for  the  sake  of  gold,  secured 
and  conveyed  him  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  district,  whereby  the  danger- 
ous and  traitorous  conspiracy  of  Benedict  Arnold  was  brought  to  light,  the  in- 
sidious designs  of  the  enemy  baffled,  and  the  United  States  rescued  from  impend- 
ing danger : 

Resolved,  That  Congress  have  a  high  sense  of  the  virtuous  and  patriotic  con- 
duct of  the  said  John  Paulding,  David  Williams  and  Isaac  van  Wart.  In  tes- 
timony whereof,  Ordered,  that  each  of  them  receive  anuually  out  of  the  public 
treasury  two  hundred  dollars  in  specie,  or  an  equivalent  in  current  money  of 
these  States,  during  life,  and  that  the  board  of  war  procure  for  each  of  them  a 


after  they  had  left,  one  returned  and  said,  '  Aunt  Polly,  can  you  keep  a  secret  for  an  hour?  ' 
She  thought  she  could.  He  then  replied,  'We  have  a  spy ;  but  don't  mention  it  to  any  one  for 
an  hour,  and  then  we  shall  l>e  sale  away.'  As  soon  asthey  were  gone,  she  felt  an  intense 
longing  just  to  tell  Sirs.  Col.  Hammond,  living  about  a  mile  away.  So  she  hurried  about, 
caugnt  the  old  horse,  and  gave  him  a  feed  of  oats,  to  consume  the  time;  and  then  thought 
that  by  the  time  she  was  dressed,  the  hour  would  would  have  expired.  But  long  before  it 
had,  she  was  ready ;  and,  mounting on  the  old  horse,  with  a  large  poke  bonnet,  went  living  to 
Col.  Hammond's.  Sirs.  Hammond  saw  her  coming,  and  ran  to  inquire  the  cause.  She 
replied  by  taking  olT  her  bonnet  and  waving  it  around  her  head,  crying:  1  Hurrah  I  hurrah  ! 1 
'What,  for  God's  sake,  is  the  matter7  '  asked  Sirs.  Hammond.  '  Hurrah  1  They  have  taken  a 
— -spy!'  At  which  she  dismounted;  and  the  two  old  ladies,  taking  each  other's  hands, 
duueed  for  joy  around  the  old  horse.  This  attracted  the  attention  of  a  neighboring  tory  who 
was  passing,  and  h'>  asked  what  it  meant?  They  replied  a  spy  had  been  captured.  This 

was  very  ra>h.  :ij  t'i  ■  parly  were  not  more  than  2  or  3  miles  away  ai  Hi  •  1        011  theii  journey 

tovCol.  Jameson's  h  ad  quarters,  at  North  Castle.  But  Aunt  Polly's  curiosity  got  tb,;  belter 
Other  judgement." 

o  It  is  a  curious  fact  mentioned  by  Sparks  in  his  Biography  of  Arnold,  that  the  last  canto  of 
Andre's  humorous  satire,  called  thr?  ••  Cow-chase,"  was  printed  on  the  very  dav  of  his  cap- 
ture. It  will  be  found  in  Rivingtou's  Royal  Gazette,  for  Sept.  Sid,  17-0.  It  ends  with  the  fol- 
lowing stanza : 

"  And  now  I've  closed  my  epic  strain, 
I  tremble  as  I  show  it, 
Lest  this  same  warrior-drover,  Wayne, 
Should  ever  catch  the  poet." 

—[Sparks'  Biog.  Arnold,  228. 

0  See  North  Castle,  S.  Salem. 


320 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


silver  medalon — one  side  of  which  shall  be  a  shield  with  this  inscription,  "  Fi- 
delity" and  on  the  other,  the  following  motto,  "Yincit  amor  patriae  "  and  for- 
ward them  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  who  is  requested  to  present  the  same, 
with  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  and  the  thanks  of  Congress  for  their  fidelity  and 
the  eminent  service  they  have  rendered  their  country. 

The  State  also  gave  each  a  farm. 

The  Westchester  County  Bank,  at  Peekskill,  has  commemorated  this 
important  event  on  its  bills,  by  a  beautiful  vignette  picture  representing 
the  arrest  of  the  spy.  He  is  in  the  act  of  supplicating  his  captors  to  let 
him  escape,  the  discovered  papers  are  in  the  hands  of  one  of  them,  and 
the  stern  eyes  of  the  others  evince  the  determination  to  listen  to  no  sug- 
gestions but  those  of  patriotism.  The  form  and  features  of  Andre  are  ad- 
mirably depicted,  and  a  miniature  hangs  in  his  bosom  exquisitely  finished. 
This  was  a  likeness  of  Miss  Honora  Sneyd,  to  whom  he  was  devotedly 
attached.*1  The  picture  had  been  painted  by  himself  from  the  living 
features  of  the  object  of  his  affections.  In  1775,  he  was  taken  prisoner 
by  General  Montgomery,  at  St.  Johns,  Canada ;  a  few  months  after- 
wards, in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  he  observes,  "  I  have  been  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Americans,  and  striped  of  every  thing  except  the  picture  of  Hon- 
ora, which  I  concealed  in  my  mouth.  Preserving  that,  I  think  myself 
fortunate."6  To  this  touching  incident  Anna  Seward  refers  in  her  poem 
upon  Andre. 

' '  Shade  of  my  love 
'Tis  free !    These  lips  shall  resolute  enclose 
The  precious  soother  of  my  ceaseless  woes." 

The  above  vignette  suggested  the  following  stanzas : 

"  Before  their  country's  foe  they  stand, 

Each  with  a  stern  and  searching  eye ; 
Grasped  with  a  firm  and  honest  hand, 

The  hostile  records  open  lie ; 
They  read,  and  as  each  noble  brow 

Wears  the  quiet  shadow  of  resolve, 
The  true  and  just  exhibit  now, 

The  secret  which  they  dared  to  solve. 

Away  with  gold !    It  has  no  power 

To  turn  the  true  heart  from  its  quest ; 
The  ordeal  of  this  solemn  hour 

Gives  firmness  to  the  patriot's  breast ; 
And  as  the  tempter's  art  is  tried, 

a  This  lady  died  of  consumption  only  a  few  months  before  Andre  suffered  at  Tappan.  She 
had  married  another  gentleman  four  years  after  her  engagement  to  Andre,  which  had  been 
dissolved  by  parental  affection.— [See  Letters  about  the  Hudson,  published  by  Freeman.  A 
Hunt,  1837 

b  See  Sparks'  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  171. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


321 


He  finds  each  suplication  vain ; 
The  weary  prisoner  turns  aside, 
To  hide  his  laboring  bosom's  pain. 

Tumultuous  thoughts  upon  his  mind, 

In  quick  succession  wildly  crowd, 
As  urged  by  the  resistless  wind, 

Spreads  o'er  the  sky  the  tempest's  cloud. 
Why  bends  his  sad  and  languid  glance 

Where,  near  his  heart,  that  picture  lies, 
Affection's  fond  inheritance. 

With  sunny  smile  and  loving  eyes ! 

Alas !    Upon  that  face  no  more 

The  eager  gaze  of  hope  can  turn, 
The  dream  of  early  love  is  o'er, 

And  ne'er  again  its  fires  will  burn ; 
A  shade  is  gathering  o'er  each  tress, 

A  gloom  is  lingering  on  the  brow. 
And  all  its  budding  loveliness 

Is  stained  with  tears  of  anguish  now,. 

Brave,  yet  devoted !    On  thy  head 

The  bolt,  by  others  forged,  shall  fall; 
And  history  on  thy  name  shall  shed 

Of  fate,  the  wormwood  and  the  gall ; 
Yet  wert  thou  noble — and  thy  soul 

The  battle  and  the  storm  withstood, 
Till  bending  to  a  stern  control, 

'Twas  by  a  traitor's  lure  subdued. 

Peace  to  thy  shade,  ill-fated  one ! 

Though  in  the  abbey's  lengthened  aisle, 
Scarce  lit  by  the  day's  meridian  sun, 

Thy  marble  bust  may  sadly  smile, 
Yet  is  there  darkness  on  thy  name, 

Though  gentle  pity  mourns  for  thee, 
While  patriots  bless  the  holy  flame, 

Which  kept  thy  captor's  spirit  free. 
'  — [  WestcJiester  and  Putnam  Republican. 

A  remarkable  incident  is  said  to  have  befallen  the  celebrated  white- 
wood  tree  near  which  the  spy  was  captured.  It  was  struck  by  lightning 
on  the  same  day  that  the  intelligence  of  General  Arnold's  death  arrived 
at  Tarrytown.  This  tree  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the  ancient  forest,  be- 
ing twenty-six  feet  in  circumference,  and  its  stem  forty-one  feet  in  length. 
At  the  present  day  not  a  vestige  remains  of  "  Major  Andre's  Tree,"  as 
it  was  familiarly  called.  It  is  thus  beautifully  described  by  the  author 
of  the  Sketch  Book ;  "This  tree  towered  like  a  giant  above  all  the  other 


322 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER.  , 


trees  of  the  neighborhood,  and  formed  a  kind  of  landmark.  Its  limbs 
were  knarled  and  fantastic,  large  enough  to  form  trunks  for  ordinary  trees, 
twisting  down  almost  to  the  earth,  and  rising  again  into  the  air.  It  was 
connected  with  the  tragical  story  of  the  unfortunate  Andr£,  who  had 
been  made  a  prisoner  hard  by,  and  was  univ  ersally  known  by  the  name  of 
'  Major  Andre's  Tree '  The  common  people  regarded  it  with  a  mixture 
of  respect  and  superstition,  partly  out  of  sympathy  for  the  fate  of  its  ill- 
starred  namesake,  and  partly  from  tales  of  strange  sights,  and  doleful 
lamentations  told  concerning  it."  It  was  while  passing  beneath  this 
whitewood  tree  that  Ichabod  Crane,  in  his  midnight  career  toward 
Sleepy  Hollow,  "suddenly  heard  a  groan,  his  teeth  chattered,  and  his 
knees  smote  against  the  saddle.  It  was  but  the  rubbing  of  one  huge 
branch  upon  another,  as  they  were  swayed  about  by  the  breeze.  He 
passed  the  tree  in  safety,  but  new  perils  lay  before  him.  About  two 
hundred  yards  from  the  tree,  a  small  brook  crossed  the  road,  and 
ran  into  a  marshy  and  thickly  wooded  glen,  known  by  the  name  of 
"Wiley's  Swamp."  A  few  rough  logs  laid  side  by  side,  served  for  a 
bridge  over  this  stream.  On  that  side  of  the  road  where  the  brook  en- 
tered the  wood,  a  group  of  oaks  and  chestnuts,  matted  thick  with  wild 
grape  vines,  threw  a  cavernous  gloom  over  it.  To  pass  this  bridge  was 
the  severest  trial.  It  was  at  this  identical  spot  that  the  unfortunate  An- 
dre was  captured ;  and  under  the  covert  of  these  chestnuts  and  vines 
were  the  sturdy  yeomen  concealed,  who  surprised  him.  This  has  ever 
since  been  considered  a  haunted  stream,  and  fearful  are  the  feelings  of 
the  schoolboy  who  has  to  pass  it  alone  after  dark."a 

"According  to  Debrett,  Burke,  and  other  genealogical  authorities, 
John  Andre. was  descended  from  a  French  refugee  family  settled  in  England 
at  Southampton  in  the  County  of  Hants,"6  "  His  mother  whose  name 
was  Mary  Louise  Andr6  Girardot,  though  of  French  parentage,  was 
born  at  London.  His  fadier,  a  native  of  Geneva,  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land ;  but  it  would  seem  that  a  very  considerable  portion  of  his  life  must 
have  been  passed  at  London,  where  he  carried  on  an  extensive  business  in 
the  Levant  Trade,  and  where  also,  in  1780,  sev  eral  of  his  brothers  had 
their  abode.  Of  these  Dr.  Andree,  of  Halton  Gardens,  was  apparently  the 
only  one  who  preserved  what  is  said  to  have  been  an  earlier  method  of 
spelling  the  family  name.  Notwithstanding  the  establishment  of  a  part 
of  the  Andre  family  in  England  its  connections  upon  the  continent  would 
appear  to  have  been  the  most  numerous  and  the  most  permanent."' 

a  See  Sketch  Boot.  Beauties  of  Irving.  Ac,,  Ac, 

6  The  Arms  of  Andre  or  Andree,  are  Ar.,  two  mallets,  in  chief  az.  and  a  galley,  her  oars 
In  action,  in  base  sa.  (  -f-t.  a  millrind  az. 
c  Life  of  .Major  Andre!  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


323 


Among  these  was  the  Swedish  Minister,  Monsieur  Andre,  uncle  to 
Major  Andre ;  another  was  the  "  celebrated  Johann  Andre,  author  of 
the  opera  of  '  The  Potter,'  who  was  born  at  Offenbach  in  1741,  and  who 
died  in  17 no."0 

Though  as  yet  opportunity  is  wanting  to  verify  the  supposition,  there 
is  strong  reason  to  believe  that  a  near  connection  existed  between  the 
immediate  family  of  Major  Andre  and  the  once  celebrate  St.  Andre  of 
Southampton —  a  character  whose  career  is  scarcely  to  be  paralleled 
even  in  the  pages  of  Gil.  Bias.  This  person  came  over  to  England  from 
his  native  Switzerland,  at  a  very  early  age  and,  probably,  towards  the 
close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  By  his  own  account,  his  origin  was 
perfectly  respectable,  and  even  distinguished  ;  and  in  his  later  days  he 
would  assert  that  by  right  he  was  possessed  of  a  title."6  Major  John 
Andre  was  born  either  in  London  or  Southampton,  A.  D.  175 1.  He 
was  first  placed  in  school  at  Hackney,  under  a  Mr.  Newcombe  ;  whence 
after  a  time  he  was  withdrawn  and  sent  for  several  years  to  Geneva  to 
complete  his  education.  He  was  master  of  many  things  that  in  those 
days  very  rarely  constituted  a  part  of  a  gentleman's  education,  and  which, 
indeed,  even  in  these  are  to  be  found  rather  in  exceptions  than  the  rule. 
The  modern  European  languages — French,  German,  Italian,  &c,  are 
said  to  have  been  possessed  by  him  in  singular  perfection  j  while  in 
musie,  painting,  drawing  and  dancing,  he  particularly  excelled.  When 
we  consider  that  with  these  accomplishments  was  joined  a  nature  always 
ambitious  of  distinction,  a  mind  stored  with  the  belles  lettres  of  the  day, 
and  endowed  not  only  with  a  taste  for  poetry,  but  with  considerable 
readiness  in  its  composition  ;  added  to  his  person  which,  though  slender, 
was  remarkably  active  and  graceful,  we  need  not  wonder  that  his  at- 
tractions were  such  as  to  win  the  favor  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact.  At  the  university  of  Geneva  he  was  remarked  for  a  diligent 
student,  and  for  an  active  and  inquiring  mind ;  and  in  special  was  dis- 
tinguished by  his  proficiency  in  the  schools  of  mathematics  and  of 
military  drawings.  To  his  skill  in  this  last  branch,  his  subsequent  rapid 
advancement  in  the  army  was  in  great  part  attributable."  In  1767  or 
1 768. when  about  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  count- 
ing house  of  his  father.  Nor  did  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred 
at  the  house  in  Clapton  (called  the  Manor  house)  in  April,  1769,  make 
at  the  time  any  material  difference  in  the  nature  of  his  avocations. 

What  family  was  left  by  the  elder  Andre1  can  only  be  gathered  from 
the  fact  that  in  1780,  besides  his  widow,  there  still  remained  a  second 
a  Ditto. 

b  Life  of  Major  Andre  hy  Wlnthrop  Sarpent. 
c  Life  of  Major  Andre  by  Wiutlirop  Sargent. 


324  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER  - 

son,  William  Lewis,  who  was  eight  years  behind  his  brother :  and  three 
daughters,  Louisa  Catherine,  Mary  Hannah  and  Anne.  The  last  is 
said  to  have  been  distinguished  for  a  poetical  talent.a  Of  these  sisters, 
Louisa  Catherine  was  born  1754,  and  Mary  Hannah  about  1752,  accord- 
ing to  the  inscriptions  in  the  church  yard  at  Bath-Hampton,  where  they 
are  buried ;  the  last  of  these  two  dates  going  far  to  fix  that  of  Major 
Andre's  birth  as  of  1751. 

In  1780,  also,  there  were  yet  living  at  London,  two  brothers  of  the 
elder  Andre :  Mr.  David  Andre,  of  New  Broad  street,  and  Mr.  John 
Lewis  Andre,  of  Warnford  Court,  Throgmorton  street,  who  were  known 
to  the  community  as  respectable  Turkey  merchants,  and  who  doubtless 
still  carried  on  at  the  old  place,  the  business  in  which  their  brother  had 
prospered  well,  but  which  their  nephews  had  declined.6 

In  1769,  while  at  the  head  of  his  mother's  house  at  Buxton,  Mat- 
lock, he  first  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Seward."  It  is  almost  cer- 
tain that  he  formed  with  another  lady  a  friendship  that  left  its  coloring 
on  the  whole  of  his  future  life.**  This  was  Miss  Honora  Sneyd,  daughter 
of  Edward,  the  younger  son  of  Ralph  Sneyd,  Esq.,  of  Bishton,  in  Staf- 
fordshire. This  lady  in  1773,  married  Richard  Lovell  Edgeworth. 
Upon  finding  that  his  attentions  to  Miss  Sneyd  were  unavailing,  Mr.  An- 
dre quitted  his  profession  and  entered  the  British  Army  in  America. 
His  first  commission  was  dated  March  4th,  1771. 

The  regiment  which  Andre  joined  was  the  Seventh  Foot,  or  Royal 
English  Fusiliers;  one  of  the  oldest  corps  in  the  line,  and  dating  its 
formation  in  the  year  1685.  The  rank  of  ensign  does  not  exist  in  a 
fusilier  regiment,  the  grade  being  supplied  by  a  second  lieutenant ;  it  was 
in  this  latter  capacity  that  he  seems  to  have  first  served.  In  April,  1773, 
the  regiment  had  been  embarked  for  Canada,  where  it  performed  garri- 
son duty  at  Quebec  for  several  months,  until  it  was  sent  to  Montreal, 
and  variously  posted  in  Lower  Canada.  Before  leaving  England  to 
join  it,  however,  it  is  asserted  that  Andre  paid  a  final  visit  of  farewell  to 
Miss  Seward  and  to  the  scenes  of  his  former  happiness.  During  his 
stay,  we  are  told,  Miss  Seward  had  made  arrangements  to  take  him  to 
see  and  be  introduced  to  her  friends,  Cunningham  and  Newton — both 
gentlemen  of  a  poetical  turn.e 

Whilst  these  two  gentlemen  were  awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  guests, 

a  Ditto. 

b  Life  of  Major  Andre-  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 

c  Ditto.  Anna  Seward,  the  eulogist  of  Major  Andre',  was  born  at  Lyam,  in  Derbyshire  in 
174".  The  Bishops  Palace  at  Lichfield,  in  which  her  father— who  was  a  Canon  of  the  Cathe- 
dral there— was  the  headquarters  of  the  literary  world  of  that  region,  and  of  the  better  classes 
of  society  generally. 

d  Life  of  Andre,  by  Sargent. 

e  Lifo  of  Major  Andre  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


32.5 


of  whose  intentions  they  had  been  apprised,  Mr.  Cunningham  mentioned 
to  Newton  that,  on  the  preceding  night,  he  had  a  very  extraordinary 
dream,  which  he  could  not  get  out  of  his  head.  He  had  fancied  him- 
self in  a  forest;  the  place  was  strange  to  him;  and,  whilst  looking  about, 
he  perceived  a  horseman  approaching  at  great  speed,  who  had  scarcely 
reached  the  spot  where  the  dreamer  stood,  when  three  men  rushed  out 
of  the  thicket,  and,  seizing  the  bridle,  hurried  him  away,  after  closely 
searching  his  person.  The  countenance  of  the  stranger  being  very  in- 
teresting, the  sympathy  felt  by  the  sleeper  for  his  apparent  misfortune 
awoke  him;  but  he  presently  fell  asleep  again,  and  dreamt  that  he  was 
standing  near  a  great  city,  amongst  thousands  of  people,  and  that  he 
saw  the  same  person  he  had  seen  seized  in  the  wood,  brought  out  and 
suspended  to  a  gallows.  When  Andre  and  Miss  Seward  arrived,  he  was 
horror-struck  to  perceive  that  his  new  acquaintance  was  the  antitype  of 
man  in  the  dream." 

In  the  3d  November,  1775,  he  was  taken  prisoner  with  the  garrison 
by  the  Americans  under  General  Montgomery  at  St.  John' s  in  Canada. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  year  1776  most  of  the  prisoners  made  by 
either  side  in  Canada  were  exchanged  and  Andre  thus  obtained  his 
freedom  by  their  means,  through  whom  he  had  lost  it.  The  skeleton  of 
the  Seventh  was  transferred  from  that  Province  to  New  York;  recruits 
and  new  clothing  were  sent  out  from  England ;  and  in  the  end  of  Decem- 
ber, the  regiment,  including  the  men  lately  discharged  from  Pennsylvania, 
marched  into  town  with  tolerably  full  ranks.  Andre  did  not,  however, 
long  remain  in  it;  on  the  18th  January,  1777,  he  received  a  captaincy 
in  the  Twenty-sixth,  which  had  been  so  augmented  that  each  company 
consisted  of  sixty-four  men,  exclusive  of  commissioned  officers.  But  a 
staff  appointment  was  his  legitimate  sphere,  and  there  was  for  the  time 
none  such  vacant.  He  therefore  remained  on  line  duty.  His  regiment 
was  fortunately  not  one  of  those  that  Tryon  led  in  April,  1777,  to  Dan- 
bur)'  ;  otherwise  he  might  have  met  Benedict  Arnold  face  to  face  and 
shared  in  the  questionable  glories  of  what  Clinton  honestly  confesses  to 
have  been  "a  second  Lexington."6  In  the  beginning  of  the  summer  he 
was  named  aide-de-camp  to  Major-General  Grey.  In  Grey's  retirement 
Andre,  with  the  provincial  rank  of  Major,  was  appointed  aide  to  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  the  son  of  Admiral  George  Clinton,  once  Governor  of 
New  York,  who  was  second  son  of  the  ninth  earl  of  Lincoln.  Andre's 
conspicuous  merit  and  aimable  character  had  soon  made  him  the  most 
important  person  of  Clinton's  staff,  and  won  the  admiration  of  all  who 


a  Ainsworth's  Magazine, 
b  Clinton  US. 


326  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

had  business  with  the  General.  He  would  promptly  inform  them  whether 
or  not  he  could  engage  in  their  affairs,  if  he  declined,  his  reasons  were 
always  polite  and  satisfactory;  if  he  consented,  the  applicant  was  sure  of 
an  answer  from  Sir  Henry  within  twenty-four  hours.    Clinton's  con- 
fidence was  evidenced  in  the  spring  of  1 779  by  his  appointment  of  Andre, 
with  Colonel  West  Hyde  of  the  Guards,  as  commissioner  to  negotiate 
with  the  Americans  an  exchange  of  prisoners."    The  following  extract  is 
from  the  Pennsylvania  Packet,  1780-1781  :     "Major  Andre  had  ye 
address  to  insinuate  himself  so  much  unto  ye  favour  of  his  commander- 
in-chief  that  he  was  said  to  have  gained  an  absolute  ascendency  over 
this  officer.  The  consequence  was  that  he  disposed  of  all  his  offices  and 
favours  and  drove  out  from  Sir  Henry's  family  all  his  former  favourites,  &c 
Letter  from  a  Carolina  Exile.  When  Major  Stephen  Kemble,  the  brother- 
in-law  of  General  Gage  resigned  the  adjutant-major-generalcy,  it  was  forth- 
with bestowed  upon  Andre,  and  thenceforth  all  the  business  at  headquarters 
of  the  Department  passed  through  his  hands.  It  was  thus  at  the  beginning 
of  the  Fall  in  1779,  that  he  commenced  the  virtual  discharge  of  the  Adju- 
tant-gen eralcy  in  which  he  continued  till  his  death."    It  was  in  March 
or  April,  1779,  that  General  Arnold,  commanding  at  Philadelphia,  had, 
under  the  feigned  name  of  Gustavus,  begun  a  secret  correspondence 
with  Clinton;  who  committed  the  matter  to  the  hands  of  Andre.  The 
latter  wrote  over  the  signature  of  John  Anderson;  and  was  replied  to  as 
"  Mr.  John  Anderson,  merchant,  to  the  care  of  James  Osborn,  to  be  left 
at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Odea's,  Ntw  York."    Though  at  the  outset  the  Eng- 
lish had  no  clue  to  their  correspondent's  identity,  the  character  and  val- 
ue of  his  information  soon  led  them  to  suspect  it;  and  it  is  supposed  by 
some,  that  this  letter  to  Mr.  Arnold  was  written  with  the  view  of  mak- 
ing clear  to  her  husband  the  character  of  its  author,  and  to  invite  a  re- 
turn of  confidence.    This  may  possibly  have  been  the  case ;  but  all  my 
investigations  show  that  the  lady  had  not  any  suspicion  of  the  dealings 
between  the  parties,  or  was  ever  intrusted  by  either  side  with  the  least 
knowledge  of  what  was  going  on.     Equally  false,  in  my  judgment,  is 
the  charge  that  she  tempted  her  husband  to  treason.     Her  purity  and 
elevation  of  character,  have  not  less  weight  in  the  contradiction  of  this 
aspersion,  than  the  testimony  of  all  chiefly  concerned  in  the  discovery 
and  punishment  of  the  crime.    "After  the  fall  of  Charleston  in  1780, 
we  are  told  that  there  was  an  opinion  current  in  the  American  line  that 
Andre  had  been  present  within  its  line  during  the  siege,  as  a  spy."  It 
is  but  just  to  add,  that,  if  this  story  of  Andre's  having  been  a  spy  at 
Charleston,  received  credence  in  respectable  quarters,  it  was  afterwards 


a  Life  of  Major  Andre  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


327 


questioned  by  gentlemen  of  equal  character  in  our  service."  "The  se- 
cret correspondence  with  Arnold  begun  in  1779,  had,  at  an  early  stage, 
been  intrusted  by  Clinton  to  Andre's  exclusive  management. 

The  information  received  was  valuable  and  often  highly  important, 
nor  was  it  long  questionable  from  what  quarter  it  came.  In  an  elabo- 
rately disguised  hand  Arnold  wrote  over  the  signature  of  Gustavus, — a 
pseudonym  perhaps  suggested  by  the  romantic  story  of  Gustavus  Vasa, 
in  whose  love  of  military  glory,,  undaunted  boldness,  and  successful  re- 
volt against  the  unwonted  lords  of  his  native  land,  he  might  persuade 
himself,  his  own  character  found  a  counterpart.  On  the  other  part,  the 
fictitious  name  of  Anderson  was  but  a  transparent  play  upon  Andre's 
own.  The  accuracy  and  nature  of  the  intelligence  soon  gave  Clinton 
concern  to  know  with  certainty  its  author;  and  once  satisfied  in  his 
mind  that  this  was  no  other  than  Arnold,  he  took  his  cue  from  cir- 
cumstances, and  delayed  the  final  consummation  until  a  period  when  the 
loss  of  a  correspondent  so  valuable  would  be  compensated  by  weightier 
gains  than  the  individual  defection  of  an  officer  of  rank.  Thus  he  con- 
tinued to  receive  the  most  momentous  revelations  of  our  affairs;  and  it 
may  possibly  have  been  that  through  these  means  a  knowledge  was  ac- 
quired of  the  condition  of  Carolina,  that  led  to  the  fall  of  Charleston.'' 
"On  August  3d,  1780,  Arnold  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  West 
Point  and  its  dependencies;  and  it  was  forthwith  concerted  that  his 
treason  should  be  fully  developed  with  the  greatest  possible  advantage  to 
the  British." 

The  moment  was  a  truly  favorable  one,  the  English  were  weary  of 
the  continued  strife,  and  really  anxious  for  peace  with  America  on  al- 
most any  terms  that  might  not  involve  Independency.  On  the  other 
hand,  too,  America  was  tired  with  the  war.  Various  letters  now  passed 
between  Andre  and  Arnold  and  an  interview  concerted.  On  Sept.  19th, 
Colonel  Williams  of  the  18th,  then  billeted  at  Kepp's  House  on  the 
East  River,  gave  a  dinner  to  Clinton  and  his  staff  as  a  parting  compli- 
ment to  Andre.  How  brilliant  soever  the  company,  how  cheerful  the 
repast,  its  memory  must  have  ever  been  fraught  with  sadness  to  both 
host  and  guests.  It  was  the  last  occasion  of  Andre's  meeting  his  com- 
rads  in  life.  Four  short  days  gone,  the  hands  then  clasped  by  friendship 
were  fettered  with  hostile  bonds;  yet  nine  days  more,  and  the  darling  of 
the  army,  the  youthful  hero  of  the  hour,  had  dangled  from  a  gibbet. 

It  was  recollected  with  peculiar  interest  that  when  at  this  banquet  the 

o  It  Is  curious  that  so  long  before  as  l'Tfi,  Col.  Gedwltz,  of  our  army,  entered  Into  negotia- 
tions trlth  the  enemy  almost  Identical  with  those  now  conducted  by  Arnold.  The  delivery 
of  the  forts  on  the  North  River  was  the  ultimate  design  of  either  traitor.  Gedwitz  was  guilty ; 
but  he  was  acquitted  because  the  court  did  not  think  his  offence  merited  death. 


328 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


song  came  to  his  turn,  Andre  gave  the  favorite  military  chanson  at- 
tributed to  Wolfe,  who  sung  it  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  where  he  died  : 

"  Why,  soldiers,  why 
Should  we  be  melancholy,  boys  ? 
Why,  soldiers,  why, 
Whose  business  'tis  to  die  I 
For  should  next  campaign 
Send  us  to  Him  who  made  us,  boys, 
We're  free  from  pain : 
But  should  we  remain, 
A  bottle  and  kind  land-lady 
Makes  all  well  again.  "a 

The  circumstances  relative  to  Major  Andre's  arrest  has  already  been 
related. 

"On  Friday  the  29th  September,  1780,  just  one  week  since  he  had 
started  from  Smith's  house  for  New  York,  Andre  was  brought  before  a 
Board  of  Enquiry  convened  by  General  Washington.  It  was  assembled 
in  an  old  Dutch  church  in  Tappan,  now  pulled  down,  and  consisted  of 
the  following  officers  :  Major-Generals,  Greene,  Sterling,  St.  Claire,  La 
Fayette,  Howe  and  Steuben;  Brigadiers,  Parsons,  Clinton,  Knox, 
Glover,  Patterson,  Hand,  Huntington  and  Starke.  Greene  was  presi- 
dent, and  John  Lawrence  the  judge -advocate-general.  Before  this  court 
Andre  made  the  following  statement : 

ANDRE'S  STATEMENT. 

"  On  the  20th  of  December  I  left  New  York  to  get  on  board  the  Vulture,  in 
order  (as  I  thought)  to  meet  General  Arnold  there  in  the  night.  No  boat,  how- 
ever, came  off,  and  I  waited  on  board  until  the  night  of  the  21st.  During  the 
day,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  from  the  Vulture  to  complain  of  the  violation  of  a 
military  rule  in  the  instance  of  a  boat  having  been  decoyed  on  shore  by  a  flag, 
and  fired  upon.  The  letter  was  addressed  to  General  Arnold,  signed  by 
Captain  Sutherland,  but  written  in  my  hand,  and  countersigned  'J.  Anderson, 
secretary.'    Its  intent  was  to  indicate  my  presence  on  board  the  Vulture.  In 

the  night  of  the  21st,  a  boat  with  Mr.           and  two  hands  came  on  board,  in 

order  to  fetch  Mr.  Anderson  on  shore ;  and,  if  too  late  to  bring  me  back,  to 
lodge  me  until  the  next  night  in  a  place  of  safety.    I  went  into  the  boat,  larded, 

and  spoke  with  Arnold.    I  got  on  horseback  with  him  to  proceed  to  

house;  and,  on  the  way,  passed  a  guard  I  did  not  expect  to  see;  havh.g  Sir 
Henry  Clinton's  directions  not  to  go  within  an  enemy's  post,  or  to  quit  my  own 
dress.  In  the  morning  A.  quitted  me,  having  himself  made  me  put  the  papers 
I  bore  between  my  stockings  and  feet.  Whilst  he  did  it,  he  expressed  a  wish 
that,  in  case  of  any  accident  befalling  me,  they  should  be  destroyed ;  which,  I 
said,  of  course  would  be  the  case,  as  when  I  went  into  the  boat  I  should  have 


a  Lite  of  Major  Andre  by  Wintnrop  Sargent. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


329 


Item  tied  about  me  with  a  string  and  a  stone.  Before  we  parted,  some  mention 
had  been  made  of  my  crossing  the  river,  and  going  by  another  route ;  but,  I  ob- 
jected much  against  it,  and  thought  it  was  settled  that  in  the  way  I  came  I  was 
to  return. 

"Mr.  ,  to  my  great  mortification,  persisted  in  his  determination  of  carrying 

mc  by  the  other  route  ;  and,  at  the  decline  of  the  sun,  I  set  out  on  horse-back, 
passed  Kiug's  Ferry  and  came  to  Crompond,  where  a  party  of  militia  stopped  us 

and  advised  we  should  remain.    In  the  morning  I  came  with  as  far  as 

within  two  miles  and  a  half  of  Pine's  Bridge,  where  he  said  he  must  part  with 
me,  as  the  Cow-boys  infested  the  road  thenceforth.  I  was  now  near  thirty  miles 
from  Kingsbridge,  and  left  to  the  chance  of  passing  that  space  uudiscovered.  I 
got  to  the  neighborhood  of  Tarrytown,  which  was  far  beyond  the  points  de- 
scribed as  dangerous,  when  I  was  taken  by  three  volunteers,  who,  not  satisfied 
with  my  pass,  rifled  me,  and,  finding  papers,  made  me  a  prisoner. 

"I  have  omitted  mentioning  that,  when  I  found  myself  within  an  enemy's  post, 
I  changed  my  dress." 

The  proceedings,  as  published  by  Congress,  being  rather  a  manifesto 
than  a  report  of  a  trial,  make  no  mention  of  this  statement.  It  gives, 
however,  what  is  doubtless  designed  for  an  abstract  of  its  contents  and 
of  his  oral  replies  to  interrogations.    The  italics  are  from  the  pamphlet : 

"That  he  came  ashore  from  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war  in  the  night  of  the  21st 
September  hist,  somewhere  under  the  Ilaverstraw  mountain.  That  the  boat  he 
came  on  shore  in.  carried  no  flag ;  and  that  he  had  on  a  surtout  coat  over 
hia  regimentals,  and  that  he  wore  his  surtout  coat  when  he  was  taken.  That  he 
met  Gen.  Arnold  on  the  shore,  and  had  an  interview  with  him  there.  He  also 
said  that  when  he  left  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war,  it  was  understood  that  he  was 
to  return  that  night ;  but  it  wras  then  doubted  ;  and,  if  he  could  not  return,  he 
was  promised  to  be  concealtd  on  shore,  in  a  place  of  safety,  until  the  next  night, 
when  he  was  to  return  in  the  same  manner  he  came  on  shore ;  and  when  the 
next  day  came,  he  was  solicitous  to  get  back,  and  made  enquiries  during  the 
course  of  the  day,  how  he  should  return  ;  when  he  was  informed  he  could  not 
return  that  way,  and  must  take  the  route  he  did  afterwards.  He  also  said  that 
the  first  notice  he  had  of  his  being  within  any  of  our  out-posts  was,  being  chal- 
lenged by  the  sentry,  which  was  the  first  night  he  was  on  shore.  He  also  said, 
that  the  evening  of  the  22d  September  iust.,  he  passed  King's  Ferry,  between  our 
posts  of  Stony  and  Verplank's  Points,  in  the  dress  he  is  at  present  in,  and  uhich, 
he  said,  is  not  his  regimentals,  and  which  dress  he  procured  after  he  lauded  from 
the  I  ulture,  and  when  he  was  within  our  posts,  and  that  he  was  proceeding  to 
New  York,  but  was  taken  on  his  way  at  Tarrytown,  as  he  has  mentioned  in  his 
letter,  on  Saturday  the  23d  September  inst.  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning." 

The  six  papers  from  Arnold  being  produced,  he  acknowledged  they 
were  found  in  his  boots;  the  pass  to  John  Anderson  was  also  owned 
and  the  fact  that  he  had  assumed  that  name.  Anderson's  letter  to  Shel- 
don, of  September  7th,  {Anti.  page  262)  was  also  read.  He  avowed 
himself  its  author;  but  though  it  went  to  prove  his  intention  not  to  en- 


33° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ter  our  lines,  he  observed  that  it  could  not  affect  the  present  case,  as  he 
wrote  it  in  New  York  under  Clinton's  orders: 

"The  Board  having  interrogated  Major  Audre  about  his  conception  of  his  com- 
ing on  shore  under  the  sanction  of  a  flag  he  said  tltat  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  suppose  he  came  on  shore  under  tliat  sanction  ;  and  added,  that  if  he  came  on 
shore  under  that  sanction,  he  certainly  might  have  returned  under  it. 

"Major  Andre  having  acknowledged  the  preceding  facts,  and  being  asked 
whether  he  had  anything  to  say  respecting  them,  answered,  He  left  them  to  ope- 
rate with  the  Board." 

It  was  probably  in  connection  with  this  point  of  a  flag  that  Greene 
asked  the  question: — "When  you  came  on  shore  from  the  Vulture, 
Major  Andre,  and  met  General  Arnold,  did  you  consider  yourself  act- 
ing as  a  private  individual,  or  as  a  British  officer  ?  "  "I  wore  my  uni- 
form," was  the  reply,  and  undoubtedly  esteemed  myself  to  be  what  in- 
deed I  was,  a  British  officer."  It  will  be  recollected  that  it  was  not  as 
an  officer  he  was  acting  and  clad  when  he  was  arrested.0 

His  personal  examination  being  now  concluded  the  prisoner  was  re- 
manded into  custody. 

"  The  Board  having  considered  the  letter  from  His  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, respecting  Major  Andre,  Adjutant-General  to  the  British  army,  the  con- 
fession, of  Major  Andre  and  the  paper  produced  to  them,  Report  to  nis  Excel- 
lency the  Commander-in-Chief,  the  following  fact  which  appear  to  them  concern- 
ing Major  Andre. 

"  First,  That  he  came  on  shore  from  the  Vulture,  sloop-of-war,  in  the  night  of 
the  21st  September  inst.  on  an  interview  with  General  Arnold,  in  a  private  and 
secret  manner. 

Secondly,  That  he  changed  his  dress  within  our  lines,  and  under  a  feigned  name, 
and  in  a  disguised  habit,  passed  our  works  at  Stony  and  Verplanck's  Points  the 
evening  of  the  22nd  September  inst.  and  was  taken  the  morning  of  the  23rd  Sep- 
tember inst.  at  Tarrytown  in  a  disguised  habit,  being  then  on  his  way  to  Xew 
York,  and,  when  taken,  he  had  in  his  possession  several  papers,  which  con- 
tained intelligence  for  tlie  enemy. 

"The  Beard  having  maturely  considered  these  facts,  Do  also  Report  to  His 
Excellency  General  Washington,  that  Major  Andre;  Adjutant-General  to  the 
British  army  ought  to  be  considered  as  a  spy  from  the  enemy  ;  and  that,  agree- 
able to  the  law  and  usage  of  nations,  it  is  their  opinion,  he  ought  to  suffer  death." 

"  Intelligence  of  the  finding  of  the  court  and  of  his  fate  were  com- 
municated to  Andre  through  two  officers  from  Greene,  one  of  whom  was 
his  aide,  Major  Burnet.  The  sentence  was  listened  to  with  a  composure 
that  his  informants  vainly  strove  to  emulate.  The  prisoner  had  steeled 
himself  to  encounter  death :  "  I  avow  no  guilt,"  he  said,  "  but  I  am 
resigned  to  my  fate."  Yet  he  shrunk  from  the  idea  of  the  halter.  "  Since 


a  I  have  this  anecdote  from  Mr.  Spark's,  who  received  It  from  La  Fayette  himself. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


331 


it  was  his  lot  to  die,"  he  said,  "  there  was  still  a  choice  in  the  mode 
which  would  make  a  material  difference  to  his  feelings,  and  he  would 
be  happy,  if  possible,  to  be  indulged  with  a  professional  death ;  and  he 
seems  to  have  at  once  verbally  petitioned,  probably  through  Hamilton, 
that  Washington  would  consent  to  his  being  shot  probably  anticipating 
no  refusal  to  his  request  he  retained  for  some  time  a  tranquility  of  spirit 
approaching  even  to  cheerfulness. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  originally  fixed  for  his  death  Andre  made  a 
moving  appeal  for  a  change  of  its  mode. 

ANDRE  TO  WASHINGTON. 

Tappan,  1st  October,  1780. 
Sir:— Buoy'd  above  the  terror  of  death  by  the  consciousness  of  a  life  devoted 
to  honorable  pursuits  and  stained  with  no  action  that  can  give  me  remorse,  I 
trust  that  the  request  I  make  to  your  excellency  at  this  serious  period,  and  which 
is  to  soften  my  last  moments,  will  not  be  rejected. 

Sympathy  towards  a  soldier  will  surely  induce  your  excellency  and  a  military 
tribunal  to  adapt  the  mode  of  my  death  to  the  feelings  of  a  man  of  honor.  Let 
nie  hope,  Sir,  that  if  aught  in  my  character  impresses  you  with  esteem  toward 
me,  if  aught  iu  my  misfortunes  marks  me  the  victim  of  policy  and  not  of  resent- 
ment, I  shall  experience  the  operation  of  those  feelings  in  your  heart  by  being 
informed  that  I  am  not  to  die  on  the  gibbet ;  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  ex- 
cellency's most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

John  Andke,  Adj.-Qen.  to  the  Britixh  Army. 

"This  was  probably  the  second  and  last  letter  written  by  Andre  to 
"Washington  ;  the  latter  being  unable  to  grant  the  request  was  unwilling 
to  wound  the  writer  by  a  refusal,  therefore  did  not  reply. 

Letters  of  farewell  to  his  mother  and  his  nearest  friends  were  written, 
and  the  condemned  man's  calmness  was  still  evinced  in  the  exercise  of  his 
pen.  On  this  same  evening  he  sketched  from  memory,  as  a  memento  for  a 
friend  in  New  York,  the  striking  view  of  the  North  River  that  had  pre- 
sented itself  to  him  as  he  looked  from  the  window  of  Smith's  house,  and 
figured  the  position  of  the  Vulture  as  she  rode  at  anchor  beyond  his 
reach.  Tradition  also  assigns  to  this  occasion  the  composition  of  some 
last  verses,  that  were  long  cherished  on  the  lips  of  the  common  people. 
The  morning  of  Tuesday,  October  the  2d,  1780,  found  him  with  his 
mortal  duties  all  performed  and  not  afraid  to  die. 

The  prisoner's  board  was  supplied  from  Washington's  own  table ;  on 
this  day  his  breakfast  was  sent  him  as  usual,  from  the  General's  quarters. 
He  ate  with  entire  composure,  and  then  proceeded  to  shave  and  dress 
with  particular  care.  He  was  fully  arrayed  in  the  habits  of  his  rank  and 
profession,  with  the  exception  of  sash  and  spurs,  sword  and  yorget.  The 
toilet  completed,  he  laid  his  hat  on  the  table  and  cheerfully  said  to  the 


332 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTEk. 


guard  officers  deputed  to  lead  him  forth,  "I  am  ready  at  any  moment, 
gentlemen,  to  wait  on  you."  Though  his  face  was  of  deadly  paleness, 
its  features  were  tranquil  and  calm;  his  beauty  shone  with  an  unnatural 
distinctness  that  awed  the  hearts  of  the  vulgar,  and  his  manners  and  air 
were  as  easy  as  though  he  was  going  to  a  ball-room  rather  than  the 
grave. 

The  spot  fixed  for  the  closing  scene  was  in  an  open  field  belonging  to 
the  owner  of  the  house  where  he  was  detained,  and  on  an  eminence  that 
commands  an  extended  view.  It  was  within  a  mile,  and  in  open  sight 
of  Washington's  quarters.  Here  the  lofty  gibbet  was  erected,  and  the 
shallow  grave  of  three  or  four  feet  depth  was  digged.  The  office  of  hang- 
man, always  an  odious  employment,  was  perhaps  on  this  occasion  more 
than  usually  so.  None  of  our  soldiers  undertook  it.  One  Strickland,  a 
tory  of  Ramapo  Valley,  was  in  our  hands  at  the  time.  His  threatened 
fate  may  have  been  hard ;  his  years  were  not  many ;  and  by  the  price  of 
freedom  he  procured  to  take  on  himself  the  necessary  but  revolting  char- 
acter. Under  an  elaborate  disguise,  he  probably  hoped  to  go  through 
the  scene  if  not  unnoticed,  at  least  unknown. 

Besides  the  officers  that  were  always  in  the  chamber,  six  sentinels 
kept  watch  by  night  and  by  day,  over  every  aperture  of  the  building; 
if  hope  of  escape  ever  rose  in  Andre's  breast  it  could  not  have  developed 
into  even  the  vaguest  expectation.  To  the  idea  of  suicide  as  a  means  of 
avoiding  his  doom,  he  never  descended.  The  noon  of  this  day  was  ap- 
pointed for  the  execution,  and  at  half  an  hour  before,  the  cortege  set 
forth.  Andre  walked  arm  in  arm  between  two  subalterns;  each,  it  is 
said,  with  a  drawn  sword  in  the  opposite  hand  A  captain's  command 
of  thirty  or  forty  men,  marched  immediately  about  these,  while  an  outer 
guard  of  five  hundred  infantry,  environed  the  whole  and  formed  a  hol- 
low square  around  the  gibbet,  within  which  no  one  save  the  officers  on 
duty,  and  the  Provost- Marshal's  men,  were  suffered  to  enter.  An  im- 
mense multitude  was,  however,  assembled  on  all  sides  to  witness  the  spec- 
tacle ;  and  every  house  along  the  way  was  thronged  with  eager  gazers,  that 
only  of  Washington's  excepted.  Here  the  shutters  were  drawn  and  no 
man  was  visible  but  the  two  sentries  who  paced  to  an  fro  before  the 
door.  Neither  the  chief  himself,  nor  his  staff,  were  present  with  the 
troops;  a  circumstance  which  was  declared  by  our  people,  and  assent- 
ed to  by  Andre,  as  evincing  a  laudable  decorum.  But  almost  every 
field-officer  in  our  army,  led  by  Greene,  headed  the  procession  on  horse- 
back, and  a  number  followed  the  prisoner  on  foot ;  while  the  outer 
guard,  stretching  in  single  file  on  either  side,  in  front  and  rear,  prevented 
the  concourse  from  crowding  in.    In  addition  to  all  those  who  came  in 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


333 


on  the  country  side,  it  is  unlikely  that  many  of  the  army  who  could  con- 
trive to  be  present  missed  the  sight.  Every  eye  was  fixed  on  the  pris- 
oner; and  every  face  wore  such  an  aspect  of  melancholy  and  gloom, 
that  the  impression  produced  on  some  of  our  officers  was  not  only  affect- 
ing but  awful. 

Keeping  pace  with  the  melancholy  notes  of  the  dead  march  the  pro- 
cession marched  along ;  no  member  of  it  apparently  less  troubled  than 
he  whose  conduct  was  its  cause  and  whose  death  was  its  object. a  In 
the  beautiful  Orientalism  of  Sir  William  Jones,  "  he  dying  only  smiled, 
while  all  around  him  grieved."  His  heart  told  him  that  a  life  honorably 
spent  in  the  pursuit  of  glory  would  not  leave  his  name  to  be  enrolled 
among  those  of  the  ignoble  or  guilty  many :  and  his  face  bespoke  the 
serenity  of  an  approving  and  undismayed  conscience.  From  time  to 
time,  as  he  caught  the  eye  of  an  acquaintance — and  especially  to  officers 
of  the  Court  of  Enquiry — he  tendered  the  customary  civilities  of  recog- 
nition, and  received  their  acknowledgements  with  composure  and  grace. 
It  seems  that  up  to  this  moment  he  was  persuaded  that  he  was  not  to 
be  hanged,  but  to  be  shot  to  death ;  and  the  inner  guard  in  attendance 
he  took  to  be  the  firing  party  detailed  for  the  occasion.  Not  until  the 
troops  turned  suddenly,  at  a  right  angle  with  the  course  they  had  hither- 
to followed,  and  the  gallows  rose  high  before  him,  was  he  undeceived. 
In  the  very  moment  of  wheeling  with  his  escort,  his  eye  rested  on  the 
ill-omened  tree,  and  he  recoiled  and  paused.  "  Why  this  emotion,  sir?" 
asked  Smith,  who  held  one  of  his  aims.  "  I  am  reconciled  to  my  fate," 
said  Andre,  clenching  his  fist  and  convulsively  moving  his  arms;  "but 
not  to  the  mode  of  it."  "  It  is  unavoidable,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  He 
beckoned  Tallmadge,  and  inquired  anxiously  if  he  was  not  to  be  shot : 
"Must  I  then  die  in  this  manner?"  Being  told  that  it  was  so  ordered, 
"  How  hard  is  my  fate  ! "  he  cried  ;  "  but  it  will  soon  be  over." 

Ascending  the  hill  side,  the  prisoner  was  brought  to  the  gibbet,  while 
the  outer  guard  secured  the  ceremony  from  interruption.  During  the 
brief  preparations,  his  manner  was  nervous  and  restless — uneasily  rolling 
a  pebble  to  and  fro  beneath  the  ball  of  his  foot,  and  the  gland  of  his 
throat  sinking  and  swelling  as  though  he  choked  with  emotion.  His 
sen-ant  who  had  followed  him  to  this  point  now  burst  forth  with  loud 
weeping  and  lamentations,  and  Andre  for  a  little  turned  aside  and 
privately  conversed  with  him.  He  shook  hands  with  Tallmadge,  who 
withdrew.  A  baggage  wagon  was  driven  beneath  the  cross-tree  into  which 

o  Benjamin  Abbott,  a  drum-major,  who  beat  the  dead  march  on  this  occasion,  died  at 
Nashua,  N.  II.,  in  1S51,  aged  92.  Peter  Besancon  who  followed  La  Fayette  hither  from 
France,  and  who  died  at  Warsaw,  New  York,  in  1S55.  was  probably  the  last  surviving  spec- 
tator. 


334 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTEK. 


he  leaped  lightly,  but  with  visible  loathing ;  and  throwing  his  hat  aside, 
removed  his  stock,  opened  his  shirt-collar,  and  snatching  the  rope  from 
the  clumsy  hangman,  himself  adjusted  it  about  his  neck.  He  could  not 
conceal  his  disgust  at  these  features  of  his  fate;  but  it  was  expressed  in 
manner  rather  than  in  language.  Then  he  bound  his  handkerchief  over 
his  eyes. 

The  order  of  execution  was  loudly  and  impressively  read  by  our  Ad- 
jutant-General Scammel,  who  at  its  conclusion,  informed  Andre  he 
might  now  speak,  if  he  had  anything  to  say.  Lifting  the  bandage  for  a 
moment  from  his  eyes,  he  bowed  courteously  to  Greene  and  the  attend- 
ing officers,  and  said  with  firmness  and  dignity: — 

"All  I  request  of  you,  gentlemen,  is  that  you  wall  bear  witness  to  the 
■world  that  I  die  like  a  brave  man."  His  last  words  murmured  in  an  un- 
dertone were, — "  It  will  be  but  a  momentary  pang." 

Every  thing  seemed  now  ready,  when  the  commanding  officer  on  duty 
suddenly  cried  out, — "His  arms  must  be  tied!" 

The  hangman,  with  a  piece  of  cord,  laid  hold  of  him  to  perform  this 
order;  but  recoiling  from  his  touch,  Andre  vehemently  struck  away  the 
man's  hand,  and  drew  another  handkerchief  from  his  pocket  with  which 
his  elbows  were  loosely  pinioned  behind  his  back.  The  signal  was  given  ; 
the  wagon  rolled  swiftly  away,  and  almost  in  the  same  instant  he  ceased 
to  live.  The  height  of  the  gibbet,  the  length  of  the  cord,  and  the  sud- 
den shock  as  he  was  jerked  from  the  coffin-lid  on  which  he  stood,  pro- 
duced immediate  death. 

From  an  eye  witness,  we  have  the  following  account  of  Andre's  execu- 
tion. 

"  During  the  whole  transaction,  he  appeared  as  little  daunted  as  Mr. 
John  Rogers  is  said  to  have  done  when  he  was  about  to  be  burnt  at  the 
stake ;  but  his  countenance  was  rather  pale.  He  remained  hanging,  I 
should  think,  from  twenty  to  thirty  minutes;  and  during  that  time,  the 
chambers  of  death  were  never  stiller  than  the  multitude  by  which  he  was 
surrounded.  Orders  were  given  to  cut  the  rope  and  take  him  down, 
without  letting  him  fall.  This  was  done,  and  his  body  carefully  laid  on 
the  ground.  Shortly  after,  the  guard  was  withdrawn,  and  spectators 
were  permitted  to  come  forward  and  view  the  corpse;  but  the  crowd 
was  so  great  that  it  was  some  time  before  I  could  get  an  opportunity. 
When  I  was  able  to  do  this,  his  coat",  vest  and  breeches,  were  taken  off, 
and  his  body  was  laid  in  the  coffin,  covered  by  some  under-clothes. 
The  top  of  the  coffin  was  not  put  on.  I  viewed  the  corpse  more  care- 
fully than  I  had  ever  done  any  human  being  before.  His  head  was 
very  much  on  one  side,  in  consequence  of  the  manner  in  which  the  hal- 
ter drew  upon  his  neck.  His  face  appeared  to  be  greatly  swolen,  and 
very  black,  much  resembling  a  high  degree  of  mortification.    It  was,  in- 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


335 


deed,  a  shocking  sight  to  behold.  There  were  at  this  time  standing  at 
the  foot  of  the  coffin,  two  young  men,  of  uncommon  short  stature;  I 
should  think  not  more  than  four  feet  high.  Their  dress  was  the  most 
gaudy  that  I  ever  beheld.  One  of  them  had  the  clothes,  just  taken 
from  Andre,  hanging  on  his  arm.  I  took  particular  pains  to  learn  who 
they  were,  and  was  informed  that  they  were  his  servants  sent  up  from 
New  York  to  take  his  clotfies;  but  what  other  business  I  did  not  learn. 
I  now  turned  to  take  a  view  of  the  executioner,  who  was  still  stand- 
ing by  one  of  the  posts  of  the  gallows.  I  walked  nigh  enough  to  him  to 
have  laid  my  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  and  looked  him  directly  in  the 
face.  He  appeared  to  be  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  his  beard  of 
two  or  three  weeks  growth,  and  his  whole  face  covered  with  what  appeared 
to  me  to  be  blacking  taken  from  the  outside  of  a  greasy  pot.  A  more 
frightful  looking  being  I  never  beheld ;  his  whole  countenance  bespoke 
him  to  be  a  fit  instrument  for  the  business  he  had  been  doing.  Wishing 
to  see  the  closing  of  the  whole  business,  I  remained  upon  the  spot  until 
scarce  twenty  persons  were  left;  but  the  coffin  was  still  beside  the  grave, 
which  had  previously  been  dug.  I  now  returned  to  my  tent,  with  my 
mind  deeply  imbued  with  the  shocking  scene  I  had  been  called  to  wit- 
ness." 

Every  authentic  account  that  we  have,  shows  how  much  our  officers 
regretted  the  necessity  of  Andre's  death,  and  how  amply  they  fulfilled 
his  parting  adjuration.  "  The  tears  of  thousands,"  says  Thacher,  "fell  on 
the  spot  where  he  la)-,  and  no  one  refrained  from  proclaiming  his  sympathy. 
Many  wept  openly  as  he  died ;  among  whom,  it  is  recorded,  (apparently 
on  the  testimony  of  Laune)  was  La  Fayette.  Certainly  the  marquis 
bore  witness  to  the  infinite  regret  with  which  the  fate  of  such  a  noble 
and  magnanimous  character  inspired  him.  It  was  believed  in  the  army 
that  Washington's  soul  revolted  at  the  task,  and  that  he  could  scarcely 
command  the  pen  when  he  subscribed  the  fatal  warrant  An  American 
officer  who  was  present,  and  who  brought  the  news  to  Burgoyne's  troops 
detained  at  Winchester,  asserted  that  our  General  shed  tears  on  the 
execution,  and  would  fain  have  changed  its  mode. 

The  sorrow  and  indignation  of  Andre's  friends  gave  occasion  to  many 
unfounded  charges.  At  Southampton,  where  his  family  connections  ex- 
tended, it  was  reported  that  Clinton  solicited  "as  a  singular  favor,"  after 
his  dear  friend  and  companion  should  be  hung,  the  body  might  be  sent 
to  him.  But  Washington  refused.  Clinton  then  sent  again,  that  since> 
the  sentence  was  to  bury  the  body  under  the  gallows,  it  might  be  taken 
up  and  brought  to  New  York,  there  to  be  interred  with  the  military 
honors  due  to  so  brave  and  accomplished  a  young  man.  This,  Washing- 
ton also  refused. 

This  silly  tale  is  sufficiently  exposed  by  Sir  Henry's  own  statement 
that  he  knew  not  of  his  Adjutant's  being  hanged  till  the  arrival  of  Laune 


33^  HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


with  his  master's  baggage,  told  him  all  was  over.  When  the  burial  at 
the  gibbet's  foot  was  about  to  be  made,  the  man  had  demanded  Andre's 
uniform,  which  was  accordingly  removed  and  given  him.  The  corpse 
was  then  laid  in  the  earth,  and  no  monument  but  the  usual  cairn  such  as 
rose  over  the  spot  where  Gustavus  fell  at  Lutzen  "for  liberty  of  con- 
science," marked  the  solitary  grave.  The  surrounding  field  was  cultiva- 
ted, but  the  plough  still  shunned  the  place;  for  it  was  customary  in  this 
region  for  the  laborers  in  the  tillage  to  spare  the  soil  that  covered  a  sol- 
dier; and  as  early  as  1778,  the  fields  of  Long  Island  were  noticed  to  be 
checkered  over  with  patches  of  wild  growth  that  showed  where  men  lay 
who  were  slain  in  the  battle  there. 

With  generous  sensibility,  Colonel  William  S.  Smith  of  our  army,  em- 
braced the  opportunity,  of  purchasing  the  watch  that  the  captors  had 
taken.  It  was  sold  for  their  benefit,  at  thirty  guineas.  He  bought  it ;. 
and  mindful  of  the  tender  affection  with  which  Andre  had  been  heard  to 
speak  of  his  mother  and  sisters  in  England,  sent  it  in  to  Robertson  to 
be  transmitted  to  these  ladies.  The  unfortunate  man's  will  testifies  with 
what  regard  his  whole  domestic  circle  was  held.  It  was  sworn  to  before 
Carey  Ludlow,  Surrogate  of  New  York,  and  admitted  to  probate  Octo- 
ber 12th,  1780. 

MAJOR  ANDRE'S  WILL. 

"The  following  is  my  last  will  and  testament,  and  I  appoint  as  executors  there- 
to Mary  Louisa  Andre,  my  mother ;  David  Andre,  my  uncle ;  Andrew  Girardot, 
my  uncle;  John  Lewis  Andre,  my  uncle;  to  each  of  the  ahove  executors  I 
give  fifty  pounds.  I  give  to  Mary  Hannah  Andre,  my  sister,  seven  hundred 
pounds.  I  give  to  Louisa  Catherine  Andre,  my  sister,  seven  hundred  pounds, 
I  give  to  William  Lewis  Andre,  my  hrothcr,  seven  hundred  pounds.  But  the 
condition  on  which  I  give  the  ahove  mentioned  sums,  to  my  afore  said  hrothcr 
and  sisters,  are  that  each  of  them  shall  pay  to  Man'  Louisa  Andre,  my  mother, 
the  sum  of  ten  pounds  yearly,  during  her  life.  I  give  to  Walter  Ewer,  Jr.,  of 
Dyer's  Court,  Aldermanhury,  one  hundred  pounds.  I  give  to  John  Ewer,  Jr.,  of 
Lincoln's  Inn,  one  hundred  pounds.  I  desire  a  ring,  value  fifty  pounds,  to  be 
given  to  my  friend,  Peter  Boissier,  of  the  11th  Dragoons.  I  desire  that  Walter 
Ewer,  Jr.,  of  Dyers  Court,  Aldermanhury,  have  the  inspection  of  my  papers,  let- 
ters and  manuscripts;  Imean  that  he  have  the  first  inspection  of  them,  with  liberty 
to  destroy  or  detain  whatever  he  thinks  proper,  audi  desire  my  watch  to  be  giv- 
en him.  And  I  lastly  give  and  bequeath  to  my  brother  John  Lewis  Andre,  the 
residue  of  all  my  effects  whatsoever.  Witness  my  hand  and  seal,  Statcn  Island, 
in  the  Province  of  New  York,  North  America,  7th  June,  1777. 

JOHN  ANDRE, 
Captain  in  the  2Gtii  Regiment  of  Foot. 

N.  B. — The  currency  alluded  to  in  my  will  is  sterling  money  of  Great  Britain. 
I  desire  nothing  more  than  my  wearing  apparel  to  be  sold  at  auction." 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


337 


"  It  may  well  be  supposed  that  the  news  of  the  execution  was  received 
at  New  York  in  sorrow  and  anger.  Joshua  Smith  says: — "No  lan- 
guage can  describe  the  mingled  sensations  of  sorrow,  grief,  sympathy 
and  revenge,  that  agitated  the  whole  garrison ;  a  silent  gloom  overspread 
the  general  countenance;  the  whole  army,  and  citizens  of  the  first  dis- 
tinction, went  into  mourning."  Miss  Seward  also  mentions  the  signs  of 
grief  the  troops  displayed  in  their  apparel;  and  in  November  a  London 
account  censures  Clinton  for  not  employing  the  heated  animosity  of  his 
men  to  strike  an  avenging  blow.  "The  troops  at  New  York  on  hear- 
ing of  his  execution  raised  such  an  outer)'  for  vengence,  and  to  be  led  to 
the  attack  of  Washington's  camp,  that  the  Commander-in-Chief  could 
hardly  keep  them  within  the  bounds  of  discipline ;  and  many  letters  men- 
tion, that  as  Sir  Henry  had  an  army  at  least  equal  to  Washington's,  he 
ought  to  have  indulged  them — for  the  determined  spirit  with  which  they 
were  actuated,  would  have  made  them  invincible  against  any  superior- 
ity. On  this  account  the  military  critics  say,  "he  has  given  another  con- 
vincing proof  that  he  is  a  General  who  does  not  know  when  to  act.  Af- 
ter this,  few  rebel  prisoners  will  be  taken.  The  universal  cry  of  the  sol- 
diers at  New  York  is,  '  Remember  Andre  !'  " 

But  if  Clinton  would  not  expose  his  men  to  the  doubtful  enterprise, 
he  was  not  unmindful  either  of  the  fame  or  the  last  wishes  of  his  friend 
By  public  orders,  his  memory  was  released  from  any  imputation  that 
might  arise  from  the  manner  of  his  death  : 

Head-Quarters  New  York, ) 
8th  Oct.  1780.  j 

"The  Commander-in-Chief  does,  with  infinite  regret,  inform  the  army  of  the 
death  of  the  Aujutant-Gcneral,  Major  Andre. 

"  The  unfortunate  fate  of  this  officer  calls  upon  the  Commander-in-Chief  to 
declare  his  opinion  that  he  ever  considered  Major  Andre  as  a  gentleman — as  well 
as  in  the  line  of  his  military  profession,  of  the  highest  integrity  and  honor,  and 
incapable  of  any  base  action  or  unworthy  conduct. 

Major  Andre's  death  is  very  severely  felt  by  the  Commander-in-Chief,  as  it  as- 
suredly will  be  by  the  army;  and  must  prove  a  real  loss  to  his  country,  and  to 
his  Majesty's  service." 

How  far  the  army  felt  their  loss  maybe  gathered  from  Simcoe's  orders 
to  his  own  regiment  (the  Queen's  Rangers)  by  the  officers  and  men  of 
which  Andre  was  personally  known.  He  commanded  them  to  wear,  for 
the  future,  black  and  white  feathers  as  mourning  for  a  soldier  "  whose 
superior  integrity  and  uncommon  ability  did  honor  to  his  country  and 
human  nature,  &c."a 


a  Simcoe's  Mil.,  Jour.  152. 


338 


HISTORY    OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


It  is  to  the  pervading  interest  that  attached  itself  to  Andre's  story,  and 
the  romantic  character  of  his  career,  that  the  origin  of  the  ghost -stories 
about  him  may  be  attributed.  There  is  yet  another  connected  with  him: 

"  Miss  H.  B.,  was  on  a  visit  to  Miss  Andre,  and  being  very  intimate 
with  the  latter,  shared  her  bed.  One  night  she  was  awakened  by  the 
violent  sobs  of  her  companion,  and  upon  entreating  to  know  the  cause, 
she  said :  '  I  have  seen  my  dear  brother,  and  he  has  been  taken  prisoner.' 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  inform  the  reader  that  Major  Andre  was  then 
with  the  British  army  during  the  heat  of  the  American  war.  Miss  B., 
soothed  her  friend,  and  both  fell  asleep,  when  Miss  Andre  once  more 
started  up,  exclaiming,  '  They  are  trying  him  as  a  spy;'  and  she  described 
the  nature  of  the  court,  the  proceedings  of  the  judge  and  prisoner,  with 
the  greatest  minuteness.  Once  more  the  poor  sister's  terrors  were 
calmed  by  her  friend's  tender  representations,  but  a  third  time  she  awoke 
screaming  that  they  were  hanging  him  as  a  spy  on  a  tree  and  his  regi- 
mentals, with  many  other  circumstances  !  There  was  no  more  sleep  for 
the  friend  ;  they  got  up,  and  entered  each  in  her  own  pocket-book  the 
particulars  stated  by  the  terror-stricken  sister,  with  the  dates ;  both 
agreed  to  keep  the  soruce  of  their  own  presentiment  and  fear  from  the 
poor  mother,  fondly  hoping  they  were  built  on  the  fabric  of  a  vision. 
But,  alas  !  as  soon  as  news,  in  those  days,  could  cross  the  Atlantic,  the 
fatal  tidings  came ;  and  to  the  deep  awe,  as  well  as  sad  grief  of  the  young 
ladies,  every  circumstance  was  exactly  imparted  to  them  as  had  been 
shadowed  forth  in  the  fond  sister's  sleeping  fancy,  and  had  happened  on 
the  very  day  preceding  the  night  of  her  dream.  The  writer  thinks  this 
anecdote  has  not  been  related  by  Miss  Seward,  Dr.  Darwin,  or  the  Edge- 
worths,  father  and  daughter,  who  have  all  given  to  the  public  many  intre- 
esting  events  in  the  brilliant  but  brief  career  of  Majoy  AndreV' 

It  is  creditable  to  the  British  Government  that  in  consideration  of  the 
magnitude  of  Andre's  attempted  service,  and  the  disastrous  fate  with 
which  his  efforts  were  crowned,  nothing  was  wanting  to  testify  either  its 
care  for  his  fame  or  its  respect  for  his  wishes.  On  the  13th  November, 
Captain  St.  George,  Clinton's  aide,  delivered  that  General's  despatches 
of  the  1 2th  October,  to  Lord  George  Germain: 

"The  unexpected  and  melancholy  turn  which  my  negotiations  with  General 
Arnold  took  with  respect  to  my  Adjutant-General,  has  filled  my  mind  with  the 
deepest  concern.  He  was  an  active,  intelligent  and  useful  officer,  and  a  young 
gentleman  of  the  most  promising  hopes.  Therefore,  as  he  has  unfortunately  fal- 
len a  sacrifice  to  his  great  zed  for  the  King's  service,  I  judged  it  right  to  consent 
to  his  wish,  intimated  to  me  in  his  letter  of  the  29th  Sept.,  of  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  enclose  j'our  lordship  a  copy,  that  his  company  which  he  purchased 
should  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  his  mother  aud  sisters.  But  I  trust,  my  lord,  that 
your  lordship  will  think  Major  Andre's  misfortune  still  calls  for  some  further 
support  to  his  family ;  and  I  beg  leave  to  make  it  my  humble  request  that  you 
will  have  the  goodness  to  recommend  them  in  the  strongest  manner  to  the  King, 
for  some  beneficial  and  distinguishing  mark  of  His  Majesty's  favor."0 

a  MSS.  Sir  H.  Clinton  to  Lord  O.  Gsrmaki,  (Ssparate,)  New  York,  12th  Oct.  1TS0,  S.  P.  O. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH.  339 

What  was  asked,  was  granted  The  King  is  said  to  have  instantly 
ordered  a  thousand  guineas  from  the  privy  purse,  to  be  sent  to  Mrs.  An- 
dre, and  an  annual  pension  of  ^300  to  be  settled  on  her  for  life,  with 
reversion  to  her  children  or  the  survivor  of  them;  and  after  knighthood 
was  proffered  on  the  24th  of  March,  1781,  in  memory  of  his  brother's 
services,  the  dignity  of  a  baronetcy  of  Great  Britain,  was  conferred  upon 
Capt.  William  Lewis  Andre,  of  the  26th  Foot,  and  his  heirs,  male,  forever.* 
A  stately  cenotaph  in  Westminster  Abbey  also  preserved  the  remem- 
brance of  the  life  and  death  of  Major  Andre.  To  this  Arnold  was  once 
observed  to  lead  his  wife,  and  to  peruse  with  her  the  inscriptions  that  re- 
ferred to  the  most  important  scenes  in  his  own  careeer.'' 

Forty  years  later,  the  pomp  and  ceremony  with  which  the  remains  of 
the  brave  Montgomery  were  publicly  brought  from  Canada  to  New  York 
called  the  attention  of  the  British  Consul  at  that  city  to  the  fact,  that 
the  dust  of  another  who  too  had  borne  the  King's  commission,  and 
whose  first  captivity  had  graced  Montgomery's  first  triumph,  still  filled 
an  unhonored  grave  in  a  foreign  land.  He  communicated  with  the  Duke 
of  York,  Commander  of  the  Force,  and  it  was  decided  to  remove  Andre's 
corpse  to  England.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Demarat,  who  owned  the  ground, 
gave  ready  assent  to  the  Consul's  proposals.  "  His  intention  had  be- 
come known,"  says  an  American  writer,  and  "  some  human  brute — some 
Christian  dog — had  sought  to  purchase  or  rent  the  field  of  Mr.  Demarat, 
for  the  purpose  of  extorting  money  for  permission  to  remove  these  relics. 
But  the  good  man  and  true,  rejected  the  base  proposal,  and  offered  every 
facility  in  his  power."  On  Friday,  August  10,  1821,  at  eleven  a.  m., 
the  work  was  commenced — not  without  fear  that  it  would  be  in  vain  j  for 
vague  whispers  went  around  that  years  before,  the  grave  was  despoiled. 
At  the  depth  of  three  feet,  the  spade  struck  the  coffin-lid,  and  the  perfect 
skeleton  was  soon  exposed  to  view.  Nothing  tangible  remained  but  the 
bones  and  a  few  locks  of  the  once  beautiful  hair,  together  with  the  leather 
cord  that  had  bound  the  queue,  and  which  was  sent  by  Mr.  Buchanan, 
to  the  sisters  of  the  deceased.  An  attentive  crowd  of  both  sexes,  some 
of  whom  had  probably  beheld  the  execution,  was  present. 

"  The  farmers  who  came  to  witness  the  interesting  ceremony,  gener- 
ally evinced  the  most  respectful  tenderness  for  the  memory  of  the  unfor- 
tunate dead,  and  many  of  the  children  wept.  A  few  idlers,  educated 
by  militia  training  and  Fourth  of  July  declamation,  began  to  murmur 

a  A  tombstone  in  Bathhampton  church-yard,  near  Bath,  has  this  inscription  :  "Sacred  to  the 
memory  of  Louisa  Catharine  Andre",  late  of  the  Circus,  Bath :  Obit,  Dec.  25,  1S35,  aired  81. 
Also,  of  Mary  Hannah  Andr£,  her  sister,  who  died  March  3,  1845,  aged  93  years."  Sir  Wil- 
liam Lewis  Andre,  the  brother,  married,  and  surviving  his  son  of  the  same  name,  who  was  a 
director  of  the  London  Assurance  Company,  died  at  Dean's  Leaze,  Hants,  11th  Nov.,  lS02,when 
the  title  became  extinct. 

b  Life  of  Audre',  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 


34°  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

that  the  memory  of  General  Washington  was  insulted  by  any  respect 
shown  to  the  remains  of  Andre  ;  but  the  offer  of  a  treat  lured  them  to 
the  tavern,  where  they  soon  became  too  drunk  to  guard  the  character  of 
Washington.  It  was  a  beautiful  day,  and  these  disturbing  spirits  being 
removed,  the  impressive  ceremony  proceeded  in  solemn  silence."'1 

If  this  anecdote  is  true,  these  ruffling  swaggerers  were  all  who  did  not 
cheerfully  encourage  the  proceedings.  Ladies  sent  garlands  to  decorate 
the  bier;  even  the  old  woman  who  kept  the  turnpike-gate,  threw  it  open 
free  to  all  that  went  and  came  on  this  errand;  and  six  young  women  of 
New  York,  united  in  a  poetical  address  that  accompanied  the  myrtle 
tree  they  sent  with  the  body  to  England. 

The  bones  were  carefully  uplifted,  and  placed  in  a  costly  sarcophagus 
of  mahogany,  richly  decorated  with  gold,  and  hung  with  black  and  crim- 
son velvet;  and  so  borne  to  New  York,  to  be  placed  on  board  the 
Phaeton  frigate  which — by  a  happy  significancy,  so  far  as  her  name  was 
concerned — had  been  selected  for  their  transportation  to  England.  Two 
cedars  that  grew  hard  by,  and  a  peach  tree — bestowed  by  some  kind 
woman's  hand,  to  mark  the  grave,  (the  roots  of  which  had  pierced  the 
coffin  and  twined  themselves  in  a  fibrous  network  about  the  dead  man's 
skull,)  were  also  taken  up.  The  latter  was  replanted  in  the  King's  gar- 
dens, behind  Carlton  House. 

In  gratitude  for  what  was  done,  the  Duke  of  York  caused  a  gold 
mounted  snuff-box  of  the  wood  of  one  of  the  cedars  that  grew  at  the 
grave,  to  be  sent  to  Mr.  Demarat;  to  whom  the  Misses  Andre  also  pre- 
sented a  silver  goblet,  and  to  Mr.  Buchanan  a  silver  standish. 

A  withered  tree,  a  heap  of  stones,  mark  the  spot  where  the  plough 
never  enters,  and  whence  Andre's  remains  were  removed.  The  sarco- 
phagus came  safely  across  the  sea ;  and  forty-one  years  and  more,  after 
they  had  been  laid  by  the  Hudson,  its  contents  were  re-interred  in  a 
very  private  manner,  hard  by  the  monument  in  Westminster  Abbey. 
The  Dean  of  Westminster  superintended  the  religious  offices,  while 
Major-General  Sir  Herbert  Taylor  appeared  for  the  Duke  of  York,  and 
Mr.  Locker,  Secretary  to  Greenwich  Hospital,  for  the  sisters  of  the  de- 
ceased. 

In  the  south  aisle  of  the  Abbey,  wherein  sleeps  so  much  of  the  great- 
ness and  the  glory  of  England,  stands  Andre's  monument.  It  is  of  stat- 
uary marble,  carved  by  Van  Gelder.  It  presents  a  sarcophagus  on  a 
moulded  panelled  base  and  plinth;  the  panel  of  which  is  thus  inscribed: 


a  So  repeats  Mrs.  Childs,  (letters  from  New  York,)  who  broujrlit  to  the  scene  a  solemn  con- 
viction that  Uulro's  death  was  a  '•  cool,  deliberate  murder,"  and  whose  account  of  what  she 
$aw  and  beard,  is  tinctured  with  this  feeliug. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


341 


"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Major  Andre,  who,  raised  by  his  merit,  at  an  early 
period  of  life,  to  the  rank  of  Adjutant-General  of  the  British  forces  in  America, 
and,  employed  in  an  important  bat  hazardous  enterprise,  fell  a  sacrifice  to  his 
zeal  for  his  King  and  Country,  on  the  2d  of  October,  1780,  aged  twenty-nine, 
universally  beloved  and  esteemed  by  the  army  in  which  he  served,  and  lamented 
even  by  his  foes.  His  gracious  Sovereign,  King  George  EEL,  has  caused  this 
monument  to  be  erected." 

On  the  plinth,  these  words  are  added: — 

"  The  remains  of  Major  John  Andre  were,  on  the  10th  of  August.  1821,  removed 
from  Tappan  by  James  Buchanan,  Esq.,  His  Majesty's  counsel  at  New  York, 
under  instructions  from  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  and  with  the 
permission  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  finally  deposited  in  a  grave  contiguous  to 
this  monument,  on  the  28th  of  November,  1821." 

The  monument  stands  seven  and  a  half  feet  high  in  relief  against  the 
wall,  beneath  the  north  window  of  the  south  aisle.  The  projecting  fig- 
ures of  the  sarcophagus  represent  a  group  in  which  Washington  and  An- 
dre are  conspicious ;  the  former  in  the  act  of  receiving  from  the  flag  of 
truce  a  letter,  which  is  variously  said  to  signify  that  in  which  the  prisoner 
petitioned  to  be  shot,  and  more  reasonably  the  demand  of  Clinton  for 
his  release.  Brittania  with  a  very  lugubrious  lion  reposes  on  the  top  of 
the  cenotaph.  On  the  whole,  the  work  is  not  a  triumph  of  the  sculp- 
tor's art."° 

The  site  of  Major  John  Andre's  capture  is  marked  by  a  handsome 
monument;  the  corner  stone  of  which  was  laid  on  the  4th  of  July,  1853, 
by  Col.  James  A.  Hamilton,  son  of  the  Hon.  Alexander  Hamilton,  who 
at  the  age  of  twenty,  belonged  to  the  military  family  of  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, as  one  of  his  aids;  and  who  remained  in  the  army  during  the  Rev- 
olutionary war,  always  attached  to  the  staff  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
and  possessed  of  his  affection  and  confidence. 

The  following  public  notice  was  issued  on  the  occasion: — 

CELEBRATION  OF  THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY  AT  TARRY- 
TOWN. 

Monument  Commemorating  the  Capture  of  Andre. 

The  "Monument  Association"  will  celebrate  the  4th  of  July,  1S53.  by  laying 
the  corner  stone  of  a  Monument  to  be  erected  commemorating  the  Capture  of 
Major  Andre. 

The  different  Military  Companies  and  Civic  Societies  throughout  Westchester 
and  the  adjacent  Counties  have  been  invited,  and  are  expected  to  be  present,  and 
join  the  ceremonies  of  the  occasion. 


a  Life  of  Major  Andre  by  Wlnthrop  Sargent,  N.  Y.,  D.  Appleton  4  Co.,  549  *  551  Broadway, 


342 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


We  have  not  received  the  Programme  of  the  Exercises,  as  was  promised  last 
week  :  We  are  authorized,  however,  to  say,  that  the  Corner  Stone  will  be  laid 
by  Col.  James  A.  Hamilton,  of  Greenburgh;  and  that  the  Oration  on  the  occa- 
sion, will  be  delivered  by  J  AS.  T.  BRADY,  of  New  York. 


CELEBRATION 

OF 

THE    FOURTH    OF  JULY 

AT  TARRYTOWN. 

The  "  Monument  Association  " 

Will  celebrate  the  Seventy-sixth  Anniversary  of  American  Independence,  on 
Monday,  July  4th,  1853,  at  Takhytowx,  by 

Laying  the  Corner  Stone  of  the 
MONUMENT 

To  be  erected  for  the  purpose  of  designating  the  spot  where 
Major  Andke  was  captured  ! 
The  day  will  be  ushered  in  by  firing  a  National  Salute,  and  ringing  of  the 
different  Church  Bells.    A  Salute  will  also  be  fired  at  noon  and  sunset. 


PROGRAMME: 
1st  Division. 
Escort, 

Westchester  County  Cavalry — Rockland  County  Cavalry, 
Aid— Grand  Marshal — Aid. 
Major-General  Ward  and  Staff — Brigadier-General  Lockwood  and  Staff. 

Band. 

Jefferson  Guards,  Lockwood  Guards, 

Scrugham  Guards. 

Band. 

Kemble  Guards  and  other  Companies. 
Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Revolution  in  Carriages. 
Surviving  relatives  of  Paulding  Williams  and  Yau  Wart  in  Carriages. 

Aid. 

Solomon's  Lodge  No.  196,  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  Yisiting  Brethren. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


343 


Westchester  Lodge  No.  77,  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Visiting'  Brethren. 

Committee  of  Reception,  in  Carriages. 

Orators  of  the  Day,  and  Reader  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  Carriages. 

Sleepy  Hollow  Tent,  No.  182,  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Rechabites, 

and  Visiting  Brethren. 

North  River  Division,  No.  168,  of  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  Visiting  Brethren. 

Inspectors  of  State  Prison,  in  Carriages. 

Officers  of  the  Association,  in  Carriages. 

Committee  of  Arrangements,  in  Carriages. — Clergy,  in  Carriages 

2d  Division. 

Military  Escort.  Deputy-Marshal  and  Aid. 

Band. 

Order  of  United  Americans. 
Paulding  Chapter  No.  10. — Westchester  Chapter  No.  31. — Adams  Chapter  No.  19. 

Band. 

Ringgold  Chapter,  No.  46. — Republican  Chapter,  No.  36. — Oneacta  Chapter, 
No.  50.—  Tappan  Chapter,  No.  40. 
Judiciary  of  the  County. 
Members  of  the  Bar.    Medical  Profession.    Members  of  the  Press. 
Citizens  generally. 

ORDER   OF  MARCH. 

Capt.  JACOB  STORM,  Grand  Marshal. 

The  Procession  will  form  on  Beekman  Street,  with  the  right  on  Courtlandt 
Street,  opposite  the  Irving  House,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  move  at  the  signal 
of  a  gun.  It  will  then  march  down  Courtlandt  Jtreet  to  Main  Street,  up  Main 
Street  to  Washington  Street,  through  Washington  Street  to  Franklin  Street,  up 
Franklin  Street  to  Broadway,  and  up  Broadway  to  the  site  of  the  Monument  on 
the  "Andre  Ubottnd,"  where  the 

CORNER  STONE  WILL  BE  LAID  BY 

COL.  JAMES  A.  HAMILTON, 

With  an  appropriate  Address. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremonies  of  laying  the  Corner  Stone,  the  line  will 
again  form  and  proceed  to  the  grounds  selected  for  the  Oration,  &c. 


344 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES. 
Music,  -         -         -         -         -         -          By  the  Band. 

Prayer,    -         -         -         -       By  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Sanford,  D.  D. 

Reading  of  the  Declaration,  ...   Rev.  J.  It  Ferris. 

Music,     -         -         -         -         -         -  By  the  Band. 

ORATION. 

BY  JAMES  T.  BRADY,  ESQ.,  OF  NEW  YORK. 
Music  by  the  Band. 
BENEDICTION. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangments  will  be  designated  by  a  Bute  Ribbon  tied  on 
the  left  breast.  Committee  of  Reception,  by  a  White  Ribbon.  Officers  of  the 
Association,  by  a  Thi-colob  Rosette. 

The  above  Committees  are  requested  to  meet  the  Grand  Marshal  at  his  quar- 
ters at  the  Irving  house,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  precisely. 

Seats  will  be  reserved  for  Ladies. 

COMMITTEE  OF  ARRANGEMENTS. 

James  W.  Sceibner,  N.  Holmes  Odell. 

Amos  R.  Clark,  Wm.  F.  Van  Wart, 

Allen  Newman,  Bela  S.  Squires  <* 

The  following  lines  were  penned  for  the  occasion : 

COMMEMORATION  OF  THE  CAPTURE  OF  ANDR& 

BY  ELFRIDE 

In  the  still-shadowed  woodlands  fair  Liberty  wandered 

Desponding  and  lonely, — lamenting  her  lot ; 
Hope  lingered  beside  her, — but  hushed  wat  nis  carol, 

And  'mid  the  deep  darkness  his  torch  iliekered  not! 
The  calm  brow  of  Nature  in  beamy  was  beaming, 

But  the  traitors  slunk  sullen  from  sunlight  away, — 
Speeding  on  their  dark  fcrrana,  as  honest  men  seeming, ^- 

What  arm  shall  tiaa  threatening  thunderbolt  stay  ? 

Very  near  a  lew  champions  of  Liberty  then  ! 

Bravt,  oravc  were  their  spirits,  and  strong  every  hand, 
WhLo  wisdom  and  prudence  the  victory  won, 

The  rescue  from  woe  of  this  God-favored  land! 
While  Liberty  witnessed  in  silence  the  scene, 


a  Westchester  Herald,  28th  Jane,  1S53 


ANDRE'S  MUNI  MENT,  (OLD.) 


i,  345. 


THE  TOWN  OK  GREENBURGH. 


345 


And  smiled  when  the  children  so  faithful  were  found, 
"Here  raise  thou  an  altar,"  she  whispered  to  Fame, — 
"  Henceforth  this  green  hill-side  is  consecrate  ground !  " 

But  where  is  that  altar  that  ourselves  should  erect? 

Lo  1  Gratitude  roused,  as  a  laggard  appears ! 
Let  us  mold  here  a  monument  worthy  to  hear 

Their  record  still  hallowed  by  Fredom's  own  tears! 
In  years  that  are  gone  from  the  lips  of  our  sires, 

We  have  heard  that  which  hiddeth  our  spirits  to  thrill : 
But  '  they're  passing  away,'  and  our  children  shall  come 

To  ask  of  these  things  when  our  own  hearts  are  chill : 

It  is  meet  then  that  marble,  enduring  and  pure, 

Should  emblem  the  deeds  of  the  noble  and  brave! 
From  this  spot  ou  earth's  bosom  shall  heavenward  rise, 

A  pile  from  whose  brow  their  green  laurels  shall  wave. 
"  To  the  Captors  of  Andre?  "  it  sacred  shall  be,— 

"Who  knew  no  temptation,  no  doubt,  and  no  fear! 
This  silently  eloquent  pillar  shall  tell 

Of  the  good,  brave  and  true,  who  are  crowned  fore'er! 

"  The  Captors  of  Andre ! "  three  strong-hearted  braves  I 

Fame  writes  them,  a  Paulding,  Williams,  Van  Wart, 
The  Sons  of  Westchester,  guard  proudly  their  graves, 

And  their  mem'ry  is  green  in  each  patriot  heart. 
Here,  here  was  it  wrought,  that  good  deed  of  our  sires, 

For  Freedom  a  noble  and  earnest  endeavor ! 
Their  laurels  shall  bloom,  and  Posterity's  tears 

Like  dew  shall  keep  fragrant  those  laurels  forever!" 

The  monument  is  a  plain  shaft  of  native  dolomite,  and  bears  the  fol- 
fowing  inscription : — 

ON  THIS  SPOT 

The  23d  day  of  September,  1780,  the  Spy, 

MAJOR  JOHN  ANDRE, 

Adjutant-General  of  the  British  Army,  was  captured  by 
John  Paulding,  David  Williams  and  Isaac  Van  Wart, 
All  natives  of  this  county. 

HISTORY  HAS  TOLD  THE  REST. 

The  people  of  Westchester  County  have  erected  this 
Monument,  as  well  to  commemorate  a  great  Event, 
as  to  testify  their  high  estimation  of  the  integrity 
and  Patriotism  which,  rejecting  every  temptation, 
rescued  the  United  States  from  most  Imminent  per- 
il, by  baffling  the  arts  of  a  Spy  and  the  plots  of  a 
Traitor. 

 Dedicated  October  7,  1853. 

o  Westchester  Herald. 


34^  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ANDRE'S  CAPTORS'  MONUMENT. 

A  Monument  Association  has  been  organized  in  the  village  of  Tar- 
rytown, Westchester  County,  to  perpetuate  and  keep  in  order  the  mon- 
ument erected  at  that  place  to  the  memory  of  the  captors  of  Major  An- 
dre. The  incorporators  are  Messrs.  N.  Holmes  Odcll,  A.  R.  Clark,  S. 
P.  Swartwout,  Jacob  B.  Odell,  S.  Requa,  W.  T.  Lockwood,  J.  S.  Millard 
and  H.  E.  Paulding.  They  have  met  and  fully  organized  by  electing 
the  following  officers:  President — A.  R.  Clark;  Vice-President — J.  B. 
Odell;  Secretary — W.  T.  Lockwood;  Treasurer — J.  S.  Millard.  The 
marble  monument  which  stands  on  Broadway,  in  the  village,  was  dedi- 
cated on  the  23d  of  September,  1853,  when  Horatio  Seymour  was  pres- 
ent and  took  part  in  the  ceremony,  and  Henry  J.  Raymond  delivered 
the  oration.  On  the  23d  of  September  next,  the  anniversary  of  the  cap- 
ture will  be  observed  by  the  society  with  a  centennial  celebration.  In 
the  meantime  they  will  have  the  monument  re-set,  the  grounds  about  it 
cleaned  up  and  otherwise  improved. 

Beside  the  capture  of  Andre,  there  are  several  revolutionary  incidents 
which  deserve  to  be  noticed  in  connection  with  Tarrytown.  One  of 
these  was  the  surprisal  of  a  large  corps  of  British  refugees,  which  took 
place  in  the  tavern  of  Elizabeth  Van  Tassel.  Major  Hunt,  having  re- 
ceived intelligence  of  the  advance  of  the  party,  at  once  determined  upon 
their  surprisal,  particularly  as  the  late  murderers  of  his  brother  were 
known  to  be  among  the  number.  In  company,  therefore,  with  John 
Archer,  and  a  few  volunteers,  Major  Hunt  proceeded  from  Westchester 
to  Tarrytown,  so  arranging  the  march  as  to  arrive  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
tavern  about  dusk.  After  darkness  had  fairly  set  in,  Hunt,  with  his 
party,  surrounded  the  house:  at  this  moment  their  unsuspecting  enemies 
were  engaged  in  playing  cards.  Major  Hunt,  having  armed  himself 
with  a  huge  club,  now  gave  the  signal  for  the  attack,  when  the  whole 
party  simultaneously  rushed  in,  headed  by  the  Major,  who  exclaimed,  as 
he  raised  his  weapon,  "  Clubs  are  trumps,  gentlemen."  During  the  des- 
perate struggle  that  ensued,  Archer  attempted  to  kill  several  of  the  refu- 
gees ;  and  was  only  prevented  from  so  doing  by  Major  Hunt,  who,  arrest- 
ing his  arm,  observed — "  Sir,  the  highest  sense  of  honor  in  a  soldier  is 
to  protect  the  lives  of  his  prisoners."  After  a  short  but  ineffectual  re- 
sistance, the  refugees  surrendered,  and  were  led  off  in  triumph  to  the 
American  quarters. 

In  the  summer  of  1779,  a  strong  detachment  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Emmerick,  advanced  upon  Tarrytown  so  rapidly,  that  the  Continen- 
tal guard,  quartered  at  Requa's  house,  were  completely  taken  by  sur- 
prise ;  four  of  them  were  killed  upon  the  spot,  and  the  remainder,  con- 


1, 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


347 


sisting  of  ten  or  twelve,  taken  prisoners.  On  this  occasion,  Isaac  Mart- 
lingh,"  a  one-armed  man,  and  Polly  Buckhout,  were  also  killed ;  the 
latter,  supposed  accidentally,  from  the  circumstance  of  her  wearing  a 
man's  hat . 

T.  M. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Isaac  Martlingh, 
who  was  iuhuuiuuly 
slain  by 
Nathaniel  Underbill,  May,  20, 
A.  D.  1TT9, 
In  the  39th  year 
of  hit)  age. 

The  Pennsylvania  Packet,  1780-1781,  contains  the  following: — 

"Fishkill,  March  9th,  1780.  A  few  days  ago,  (probably  the  end  of 
February  or  beginning  of  March,)  a  small  party  of  our  troops  stationed 
on  the  lines  at  Tarrytown,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Badlem,  having 
been  informed  where  Captain  Ogden,  a  noted  partizan  of  the  enemy,  of 
Emmerick's  corps,  resided,  went  off  in  the  morning  and  completely  sur- 
prised that  gentleman  in  bed;  having  previously  taken  his  horse  out  of 
the  stable  and  saddled  him.  They  brought  him  off  undiscovered  tho'  the 
enemy  had  their  main  regiment  about  him,  one  hundred  yards  distant. 
We  hear  he  had  his  parole  given  him  in  order  to  effect  his  exchange  for 
Captain  Williams,  who  had  for  a  long  time  been  prisoner  in  New  York." 

In  the  spring  of  1782,  a  small  party  of  refugees  under  the  command 
of  Lieut.  Akerly,  captured  three  American  militia-men  named  Yerks, 
Van  Wart,  and  Strong,  near  the  residence  of  the  present  Gilbert  Under- 
bill, situated  in  Tarrytown.  Strong  was  hung,  on  the  spot,  by  his  in- 
human captor. 

The  following  letter  occurs  in  the  book  of  Military  Returns.6 

PunursBCEGn,  Oct.  23,  1775. 

Mi:.  William  Pacldixg, 
Sir: — I  send  you  a  list  of  the  officers  chosen  in  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  in 
the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the  room  of  those  who  decline : 

Far  Tarrytown.  East  Company. 

Gload  Kequa,  ('apt.  Benj.  Vermilyea,  Capt. 

Cornelius  van  Tassel,  2d  Lieut.  Gilbert  Dean,  first  Lieut. 

Sicbout  Acker,  Ensign.  William  Forshee,  2d  Lieut, 


Upper  Company. 
Josias  Arsor,  2d  Lieut. 
We  have  likewise  returned  you  the  commission  of  those  who  decline : 

George  Comb. 
JosEPn  Young, 
James  Hammond. 


o  The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  upon  this  individual's  grave  stone  iu  Sleepy  nollow 
Church- vard  :— 
b  Military  Heturns,  Alb.  xxvL  140. 


348  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

In  1776,  the  committee  addressed  the  following  letter  to  General 

Washington:  ,  „n 

Saturday  Mousing,  J  err  Id,  1/70. 

Sir  ._0n  being  informed  yesterday  afternoon,  that  two  ships  of  war  had  gone 
into  the  North  River,  and  passed  by  all  ^^ifl^^^i?^ 
vention  immediately  sent  an  express  to  the  commanding  officer 
Highlands,  advising  him  thereof.  Last  evening  advice  arrived  that  t*  o  frigates 
and  two  or  three  tenders  were  at  anchor  at  Tarrytown,  whereupon  the  conven- 
ient on  sentthe  inhabitants  a  snpply  of  powder  and  ball  and  took  mvmedia  e 
measures  for  reinforcing  the  inhabitants  along  that  shore.  Tins  morning  the  con- 
vent on  were  informed,  that  the  frigates  and  tenders  still  lay  there  at  anchor  and 
tint  several  barges  were  busy  in  sounding  the  river ;.  another  detachmer,  of  the 
SrhTheen  directed  to  guard  the  stores  in  that  neighborhood,  in  which  are 
sundry  effects  belonging  to  the  public. 

The  convention  will  endeavor  to  prevent  their  making  incursions  into  the 
country,  and  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  Excellency,  the  propriety  of  keeping  a 
J,  guard  at  King'sBridge,  the  destruction  of  which  they  apprehend  to  be  an 
obiect  with  the  enemy. <* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  esteem, 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 
by  order 

To  his  Excellency  Ges.  Washisgtos. 

July  1 6th,  1776.    A  letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,  then  stationed  at 

Tarrytown,  was  read.  , 

The  Colonel  therein  informs  the  convention,  that  the  ships  of  war 
have  left  that  harbor,  and  are  sailing  up  the  river  with  a  fair  wind,  towards 
the  Highlands.  Thereupon  it  was  resolved,  that  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt 
and  Mr  Z  Piatt*  be  directed  to  repair  immediately  to  the  Highlands," 

Upon  the  9th  of  October,  a  body  of  1 100  British  troops  embarked  on 
board  batteaux  at  Peekskill  and  the  same  night  proceeded  to  Tarrytown, 
where  they  landed  at  daybreak,  and  occupied  the  heights  adjoining.' 

Tuly  xrth  1781,  (remarks  Thatcher,  in  his  Military  Journal,)  two  of 
the  British  frigates,  and  several  smaller  vessels,  passed  up  the  North  Riv- 
er as  far  as  Tarrytown,  in  defiance  of  our  cannon,  which  were  continu- 
ally playing  upon  them.  Their  object  appears  to  be,  to  seize  some  of 
our  small  vessels  which  are  passing  down  the  river  with  supplies  for  our 

"one  small  sloop  loaded  with  bread  for  the  French  army,  has  fallen  in- 
to their  hands.* 

f  IXiS^-O^W^erto^  service,  grandfather  of  Lewis  C  Piatt,  Esq. 

((  Claim's'  HVclV;/  yh  rcuni. 
e  Thatcher's  Journal,  868. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


349 


Greenburgh  is  a  small  hamlet  situated  three  miles  south-east  of  Tarry- 
town,  consisting  of  a  church,  a  store,  a  few  scattered  houses,  and  one  tavern 

This  place  is  delightfully  located  in  the  Saw-mill  valley,  through  which 
flows  the  lovely  Nepera,  (Saw-mill). 

Upon  the  west  side  of  the  valley,  towers  Beaver  hill,  frowning  in  sol- 
emn majesty  on  the  quiet  scene  below. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Greenburgh,  (situated  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  Saw  Mill)  was  first  organized  about  the  year  1790,  under  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Townley.  This  individual  labored  here  for 
about  twelve  years,  after  which  time  he  removed  to  Somers,  and  sub- 
sequently to  Peekskill.a 

Upon  the  departure  of  Mr.  Townly,  services  were  performed  here,  by 
the  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith,  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  church  of 
Tarrytown  and  Unionville. 

Mr.  Smith  was  succeeded  by  the  late  Rev.  George  Bourne,  who  served 
the  churches  of  Greenburgh  and  Dobb's  Ferry,  with  great  acceptance. 

During  this  period,  the  church  was  connected  with  the  old  Westches- 
ter Presbytery,  a  congregational  body,  long  since  extinct.  Upon  the 
1 2th  of  June,  1S25,  it  was  received  into  union  with  the  First  Presbytery 
of  New  York,  and  re-organized.  It  is  at  present  connected  with  the 
Bedford  Presbytery.  This  church  appears  to  have  been  first  incorpo- 
rated upon  the  25th  of  April,  1790,  on  which  occasion,  John  Martine, 
Elijah  Tompkins,  Archer  Read,  Thomas  Almond,  and  Abraham  Odell 
were  elected  trustees."6 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  AT  GREEN- 


BURGH,« 

Install  or  call.                 Ministers.  Vacated  by. 

Ministers  f  1790,  Rev.  John  Townley,  resig. 
under  the    j  1802,  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith,                     supply,  resig. 

Westchester  ]  1820,  Rev.  George  Bourne,  resig. 

Presbytery,   ^  1825,  Rev.  David  Remington,  resig. 

Sept.  19.  1820,  Rev.  C h est er  Long,  resig. 

Dec.    1,  is;!',',  Rev.  Mark  Mead,  resig. 

1834,  Rev.  John  White,  resig. 

1835,  Rev.  Hosea  Ball,  resig. 
July  16,  1838,  Rev.  George  Walker,  resig. 
Oct.  8,  1841,  Rev.  Sami  ei.  Kellogg,  resig. 
June  10,  1843,  Rev.  Elias  S.  Soheno  resig. 
June  20,  1852,  Rev.  J.  L.  Howell,  resig. 
Oct.  1860,  Rev.  William  Mickle,  resig. 
Oct.  14,1807,  Rev.  Thornton  M.  Niven,  Jr.,  present. 


First  elders  of  the  church,  Archibald  Reid,  George  Combs  and  Staats  Ham- 
mond.    First  deacons,  William  Brown  and  Isaac  See. 

a  The  Rev.  John  Townley  died  March  1st,  1S12,  aged  ~%  years.  His  remains  and  those  of 
nls  wife  and  daughter,  are  interred  in  the  burying  ground  attached  to  this  church. 

b  Religious  s-ic.  Co.  Id  e.  Lib.  A.  •->•'  a  second  incorporation  occurs  May  IT,  I;*)*;  a  fourth, 
6th  of  June.  is::.-,. 

«  The  ministers  of  this  church  have  for  a  long  time  officiated  alternately  between  the  two 
churches  of  Greenburgh  and  White  Plains 


35° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  present  beautiful  church  was  dedicated  Sept,  26,  1869. 

In  the  cemetery  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  rest  the  remains  of  Isaac 
Van  Wart  one  of  the  three  captors  of  Major  John  Andre,  who  for  many 
years  was  an  efficient  church  officer  and  acted  as  chorister  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death. 

A  marble  monument  consisting  of  a  base  and  pyramid  is  inscribed  on 
its  four  sides,  with  the  following  epitaph  :— 

(North  Side.) 

Here  reposes 
the  mortal  remains 
of 

Isaac  Van  Wart, 
an  elder  in  the  Greenburgh  Church 
•who  died 
on  the  23d  of  May,  1828, 
in  the 
69th  year  of  his  age. 
Having  lived  the  life,  he  died  the  death,  of  a 
Christian. 


(South  Side.) 

The  Citizens 
of  the 

County  of  Westchester, 
erected  this  tomb 
in  testimony  of  the  high  sense 

they  entertained  for  the 
virtuous  and  patriotic  conduct 
of  their  fellow  citizen 
as  a  memorial  sacred  to 
public  gratitude. 

(Upon  the  East  Side.) 

Vincit  Amor  Patriae. 
Nearly  half  a  century 
before  this  monument  was  built, 
the  conscript  fathers  of  America 
had  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  voted  that 

Isaac  Van  Wart, 
was  a  faithful  patriot,  one  in  whom 
the  love  of  country  was  invincible, 
and  this  tomb  bears  testimony 
that  the  record  is  true. 


THK  VAJTWART  MONUMENT  AND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHUBCH,  GREENBURGH. 


,M0, 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


(West  Side.) 

Fidelity  — On  the  23d  of  September,  1780,  Isaac  Van  Wart,  accompanied  by 
John  Paulding  and  David  Williams,  all  farmers  of  the  County  of  Westchester, 
intercepted  Major  Andre,  on  his  return  from  the  American  lines,  in  the  charac- 
ter of  a  spy  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  large  bribes  offered  them  for  his  release, 
nobly  disdained  to  sacrifice  their  country  for  gold,  secured  and  carried  him  to 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  district,  whereby  the  dangerous  and  traitorous 
conspiracy  of  Arnold  was  brought  to  light,  the  insidious  designs  of  the  enemy 
baffled,  the  American  army  saved,  and  our  beloved  country  free,"  &c. 

We  extract  the  following  from  the  Westchester  Herald,  on  occasion 
of  raising  of  this  monument,  June  n,  1829. 

On  Thursday  last,  being  the  day  appointed  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements 
for  the  ceremony  of  erecting  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Isaac  Van 
Wart,  one  of  the  captors  of  the  British  spy,  Andre,  a  large  coucourse  of  our  fellow, 
citizens  assembled  at  the  spot  where  repose  the  remains  of  the  departed  patriot, 
at  the  burial  place  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Saw- Mill 
River,  in  Greenburgh.  The  day  was  very  fine  and  pleasant,  and  by  12  o'clock, 
there  was  supposed  to  be  present  upwards  of  two  thousand  spectators,  who  had 
convened  to  participate  in  the  last  respects  to  the  memory  of  their  esteemed  fel- 
low citizen ;  among  whom  were  to  be  seen  a  few  of  the  aged  and  venerable  men 
who  had  passed  through  the  scenes  and  perils  of  the  Revolution.  About  12 
o'clock,  a  procession  was  formed  under  the  direction  of  Major  John  Sing,  mar- 
shal of  the  day,  the  whole  in  the  inverse  order  of  their  rank : — 

1st.  Captain  Denslow's  company  Light  Infantry,  of  the  12th  regiment,  with 
the  band  attached  to  that  regiment,  and  the  first  regiment  Light  Infantry,  formed 
the  military  escort  on  the  kft.    The  left  in  front. 

2d.    The  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  of  the  15th  brigade. 

3d.    Captain  Wrarner's  company  of  cavalry  on  foot. 

4th.  Citizens  of  the  county. 

6th.  Mr.  F.  Kain,  the  architect  and  his  workmen,  with  their  implements  to 
complete  the  work. 
6th.  The  invited  guests. 
7th.  The  clergy  of  the  county. 

8th  and  last,  the  surviving  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  the  commit- 
tee of  arrangements  and  General  William  Hammond  and  suite. 

The  column  was  marched  in  this  inverse  order  to  solemn  music  with  arms  re- 
versed, until  arrived  at  the  church-yard,  when  the  procession  opened  to  the  right 
and  left,  fronting  inward.  The  officers  and  soldiers  presenting  arms.  The  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  preceded  by  General  Philip  Van  Cortlandt, 
now  the  senior  surviving  officer  of  the  Continental  army.  These  passed  through 
the  line,  conducted  by  General  Hammond  and  suite,  and  the  Marshal  of  the  day, 
to  the  place  reserved  for  them  on  the  right  of  the  monument,  and  the  whole  pro- 
cession having  passed  through  in  this  order,  the  military  escort  formed  a  square 
about  the  whole  in  the  church-yard.  At  this  spot,  the  column  was  met  by  a 
large  procession  of  the  ladies  of  the  county,  under  the  direction  of  S.  Simpson, 
Esq.,  who  acted  as  assistant  marshal  of  the  day,  issuing  from  the  church,  at  the 


35 2  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

head  of  which,  supported  upon  the  arm  of  a  friend,  was  the  venerable  widow  of 
the  deceased,  followed  l>y  his  surviving  sister,  also  supported;  and  next  cauie  the 
female  children  and  grand-children  of  the  deceased,  a  goodly  number ;  after 
whom,  followed  a  large  train  of  matrons  and  misses,  amounting  to  four  or  five 
hundred  in  number.  The  whole  of  this  interesting  group  having  assembled 
within  the  yard,  and  about  the  monument,  the  Rev.  David  Remington,  pastor 
of  the  church  to  which  the  deceased  belonged,  addressed  the  throne  of  Grace,  in 
a  very  solemn  and  appropriate  manner;  after  which,  '  Colonel  Ward,  a  the  orator 
of  the  day,  was  conducted  to  the  platform  prepared  for  the  occasion,  where  he 
delivered  the  following  address.  (It  was  afterwards  printed  at  the  request  of  the 
committee  of  arrangements). 

Friends !    Fellow  citizens ! 
and  Soldiers ! 

We  have  assembled  on  an  interesting  occasion,  a  solemn,  not  a  melancholy 
one.  We  have  come  to  this  spot,  to  discharge  a  part  of  our  duty,  to  one  who 
has  paid  the  debt  of  nature — to  bring  with  us,  as  it  were,  each  a  stone  from  our 
quarries,  fitted  and  prepared  to  build  a  monumental  pile,  to  a  departed  patriot ; 
one  who  fell  not  in  the  hour  of  battle,  contending  for  our  liberties,  but  who  lived 
to  see  our  country  prosperous  and  happy,  delivered  from  all  her  troubles,  and 
then  gathered  like  a  shock  of  corn  ripe  for  the  harvest.  It  might  be  asked,  if  in- 
sensible dust  and  ashes  can  be  benefited  by  monumental  honors  ?  No !  But  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  living  to  make  and  preserve  memorials  of  the  virtuous  and 
distinguished  dead  ;  for  these  memorials  contain  lessons  of  instructiou  that  are 
constantly  before  our  eyes. 

The  man  to  whose  memory  we  are  now  erecting  a  tomb  stone,  was  on-  of  us,  a 
citizen  of  Westchester  county ;  his  name  requires  no  lineal  honors,  no  armorial 
bearings,  to  make  it  dear  and  precious  with  us.  We  knew  him,  and  that  was 
sufficient;  but  for  those  who  did  not  know  him  personally,  (for  his  circle  of  ac- 
quaintance was  not  a  large  one,)  we  put  his  fame  on  his  character  as  a  patriot, 
and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that  he  lived  and  died  a  Christian.  For  his  pa- 
triotism, it  is  enough  to  say,  that  Isaac  Van  Wart  was  one  of  the  captors  of  An- 
dre. For  proofs  of  his  exemplary  life,  and  for  his  firm  belief  in  our  holy  reli- 
gion, to  you  my  friends  I  appeal  as  witnesses.  Some  of  you  have  known  him  in 
the  noonday  and  evening  of  life,  have  heard  him  breathe  the  patriot's  prayer, 
"O  God  save  my  country,"  have  seen  his  practical  example  of  virtuous  conduct, 
his  piety,  his  devotion,  and  his  humble  submission  to  the  will  of  Heaven, 

The  capture  of  Andre,  fellow  citizens,  formed  an  important  epoch  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  Revolution.  This  event  took  place  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  of 
Sept.,  1780,  and  what  is  well  worthy  of  observation,  within  three  miles  of  the 
spot  where  we  are  now  assembled;  and  within  a  few  miles  of  the  place  where  the 
man,  whose  perishable  remains  we  are  now  paying  the  last  tribute  of  respect, 
was  born,  brought  up  and  died.  It  occurred,  too,  when  our  country  was  in  the 
deepest  distress.  It  will  be  recollected,  that  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  had 
then  but  recently  been  taken  by  the  enemy,  with  the  loss  of  our  whole  army,  un- 
der the  command  of  General  Lincoln,  amounting  to  upwards  of  five  thousand 
men— together  with  all  the  magazines  of  military  and  naval  stores,  the  shipping 


a  TUe  present  General  Aaron  Ward,  of  Siug  Sing. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


353 


in  the  liarbor,  and  four  hundred  pieces  of  ordinance.  General  Gates  had  also 
been  defeated  at  Camden  in  North  Carolina,  seven  hundred  of  our  troops  having 
been  killed  in  battle,  and  one  thousand  three  hundred  wounded  and  made  prison- 
ers, and  the  whole  of  his  forces  routed  and  dispersed.  The  Eastern  States  had 
likewise  been  overrun  by  the  enemy,  with  fire  and  sword  And  to  add  to  the  gen- 
eral gloom  which  now  overspread  the  United  States,  the  small  army  that  was  left 
was  reduced  to  the  greatest  distress  and  misery  ;  and  nothing,  it  is  believed,  but 
the  wisdom  and  prudence  of  the  immortal  Washington,  could  have  kept  it  to- 
gether ;  for,  in  the  language  of  a  committee  appointed  by  Congress,  to  visit  it, 
the  soldiers  were  unpaid  for  months  together — seldom  having  more  than  six  days 
provision  in  advance  ;  and  on  several  occasions,  for  several  successive  days,  en- 
tirely without  meat.  The  medical  department  having  no  supplies  whatever  for 
the  sick,  and  every  department  of  the  army  being  alike  without  money,  and  not 
even  the  shadow  of  credit  left.  Discontent  to  an  alarming  extent,  at  the  same 
time  among  the  officers  and  soldiers,  on  account  of  the  depreciated  currency  of 
the  country.  The  pay  of  a  private  for  a  year,  would  not  subsist  his  family  for  a 
single  week ;  nor  would  the  pay  of  an  officer  procure  forage,  or  even  oats,  for 
his  horse. 

And  in  addition  to  these  evils  which  fell  so  heavily  upon  the  army,  others  not 
less  deplorable,  had,  by  reasou  of  the  embarrassed  state  of  the  country,  fallen 
upon  the  community  at  large.  For  the  aged  and  infirm,  who  had  retired  to  en- 
joy the  fruits  of  their  industry,  found  their  subsistence  reduced  to  a  scanty 
pittance  :  and  the  widow  and  the  orphan  were  obliged  to  accept  a  dollar,  where 
hundreds  were  their  due. 

At  this  moment  when  all  was  dark,  our  hopes  for  a  successful  termination  of 
the  war  well  nigh  gone,  when  the  east  and  the  south  were  in  gloom  and  doubt, 
and  fear— which  "  betrays  like  treason," — was  setting  on  many  an  honest  face, 
Major  Andre  was  sent  from  the  British  army,  whose  General  then  wished  to  finish 
the  war  at  a  blow,  to  tamper  with  the  low  principles  of  Benedict  Arnold;  and  by 
the  strength  of  bribery  and  corruption,  to  pluck  up  his  shallow-rooted  patriotism 
at  once.  The  treason  had  so  far  prospered,  that  the  delivery  of  West  Point  and 
the  army  there  stationed,  was  agreed  upon.  The  plan  to  effect  the  purpose  was 
drawn  up ;  nay,  more,  the  victims  of  deceit  and  slaughter,  were  marked  out, 
perfidy  and  destruction  had  sharpened  their  daggers  for  the  march,  when  it 
pleased  Divine  Providence  to  make  three  of  our  fellow  citizens  instruments  in 
*  His  hand  for  good. 

They  arrested  the  spy  on  his  return  to  the  camp.  On  this  event,  perhaps, 
hung  the  destinies  of  qur  country;  if  not  that,  certainly  the  lives  of  thusands, 
and  long  years  of  war  were  involved  in  it.  The  spy  was  taken,  and  conducted 
to  the  lines  of  the  American  army ;  the  immeasurable  power  of  gold  was  tried  upon 
Van  Wart  and  his  associates — it  would  not  do ;  rewards  beyond  their  knowledge 
of  wealth  were  offered  them,  if  they  would  give  up  their  prisoner — but  offered 
them  in  vain.  Their  virtues,  to  the  honor  of  human  nature,  to  the  honor  of  re- 
publican principles,  to  the  honor  of  our  country,  stood  the  test — nobly  stood  it. 
The  spy  was  tried,  and  expiated  his  offence  against  the  laws  of  nations  by  his 
death,  and  our  country  was  saved. 

During  the  whole  of  this  excitement,  so  momentous  and  alarming,  we  have  to 
thank  God  that  our  country  was  stained  by  one  act  of  treason  only ;  and  to  al- 


354 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


leviate  our  grief  and  mortification  for  this  act,  we  have  to  offer  the  incorruptible 
integrity  of  three  militia  men  in  the  common  walks  of  life,  (where  virtue  always 
resides,)  in  whose  breasts  all  ordinary  springs  of  action  were  absorbed  by  the 
love  of  liberty,  and  whose  enthusiastic  ardor  in  the  cause  was  regulated  and 
guided  by  prudence  and  firmness ;  and  we  have  it  to  say,  too,  that  if  one  proud, 
envious,  canker-hearted  General  had  his  price,  our  soldiers  were  above  purchase ! 
— that  if  treason  found  its  way  to  the  stronghold  and  the  citadel,  it  was  in  the 
end  crushed  at  the  outposts.  To  commemorate  this  event,  that  posterity  should 
not  lose  sight  of  it — that  future  ages  should  understand  it  by  full  and  satisfactory 
proof — that  our  countrymen  know  how  to  respect  and  value  patriotism  as  well 
as  to  practice  it — that  they  were  as  ready  to  render  justice  to  the  merits  of 
a  private  soldier,  as  to  the  officer  highest  in  rank — and  to  show,  too,  that  our 
Revolution  was  achieved  by  principles  of  the  highest  order,  we  have  assembled 
to  erect  this  monument.  Such  an  act  is  in  conformity  with  the  usages  of  the 
wisest  of  nations  in  every  period  of  history,  and,  whenever  neglected,  has  been 
a  source  of  censure  and  regret ;  such  an  act  is  in  conformity  with  the  habits  of 
our  own  country,  for  it  is  consonant  to  a  sense  of  gratitude  in  ever}-  bosom.  Monu- 
ments are  now  rising  to  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution  in  every  part  of  the  United 
States.  Montgomery,  Warren,  De  Kalb  and  others,  are  now  remembered  by  a 
grateful  people;  and  on  the  banks  of  our  majestic  Hudson  has  lately  been  placed 
a  tasteful  monument  to  the  great  and  good  Kosciusko,  who  dispensed  honors  and 
rewards  for  the  freedom  of  man.  This  last  tribute  of  respect  has  sprung  from  the 
purest  of  all  sources— from  the  bosoms  of  the  youthful  soldiers  of  our  national 
military  school,  whose  pursuits  lead  them  to  search  histor}',  and  to  canvass  every 
military  character  for  models  of  the  patriot  soldier. 

The  time,  fellow  citizens,  is  fast  coming,  when  the  actors  in  our  revolutionary 
scenes  will  live  but  in  the  remembrance  of  the  few,  and  in  the  annals  of  our 
country;  more  or  less  of  their  number  are  daily  passing  to  their  ete  rnal  rest. 
Within  a  few  days  past,  the  citizens  of  this  county  and  of  this  nation  were  called 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  one  of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  that  valiant  band 
— the  great, -the  illustrious  John  Jay,  the  American  Fabricius :  and  even  while  I 
am  speaking,  there  are  only  here  and  there  one  of  the  men  of  that  age  to  be  seen ; 
and  he,  with  whitened  locks  and  solemn  demeanor,  standing  on  the  confines  of 
eternity— and  taking,  as  it  were,  a  farewell  of  us  and  of  all  the  present  genera- 
tion, i 

Illustrious  relics  of  a  patriotic  age  !  ye  shall  not  be  forgotten  when  you  shall 
have  passed  away.  Monuments  shall  arise  to  your  fame,  written  over  with  the 
story  of  your  deeds.  You  have  lifted  your  warning  voices  to  us  to  be  virtuous 
and  united,  and  they  shall  be  heard  ;  your  principles  shall  not  be  lost— your  ex- 
amples shall  have  their  influence — your  very  monuments  shall  have  a  tongue 
that  shall  never  be  silent  in  teaching  us  how  to  live  and  how  to  die.  The  vir- 
tuous of  one  generation  are  monuments  for  the  next,  and  so  onward  in  the  pro- 
cession of  ages.  We  know  that  our  country  is  yet  in  its  youth,  and  is  still  form- 
ing its  habits  and  fixing  its  principles;  and  I  thank  God,  that  among  her  best 
habits  is  that  of  cherishing  the  memory  of  her  benefactors.  The  deed  that  we 
are  now  doing,  my  friends,  in  gratitude  and  modesty,  is  not  to  be  done  for  this 
day  alone.    In  some  distant  period,  when  the  traveller  shall  inquire  of  our  des- 

o  The  late  General  Philip  Van  Cortlaudt. 


THK  TOWN  OF  GREENBURGH. 


355 


cendants,  "Whose  monument  is  this?"  they  shall  answer,  with  pleasure  and 
prule,  "  This  is  the  grave  of  Isaac  Van  Wart,  who  was  an  incorruptible  patriot 
and  a  good  Christian.  He  lived  with  our  ancestors,  and  was  one  of  them,  and 
they  appreciated  his  services ;  and  to  perpetuate  his  memory,  erected  this  tomb 
Stone,  and  gave  it  in  charge  to  us  to  keep  it  from  profanation.  Nearly  half  a 
cent  my  before  this  monument  was  built,  the  Conscript  Fathers  of  America  had 
in  the  Senate  chamber,  voted  he  was  a  faithful  patriot — one  in  whom  the  love  of 
country  was  invincible — and  this  monument  bears  testimony  that  the  record  is 
true. 

Air.  Francis  Ivaiu  then  gave  the  finishing  stroke  to  the  monument,  after  which 
the  military  escort  divided  into  three  sections;  each  division  fired  one  round. 
The  procession  was  again  formed,  by  the  marshal  in  the  same  order  as  before. 
The  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  on  the  right,  passed  the  line,  the 
same  honors  being  paid  to  them  by  the  military ;  and  the  whole  returned  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  E.  Mead,  from  whence  they  had  started." 

During  the  American  war,  this  section  of  the  neutral  ground  was  fre- 
quently harrassed  by  incursions  of  the  enemy. 

On  one  occasion  a  large  body  of  British  Cow-boys  (who  had  been  up 
the  country  in  prosecution  of  their  trade,)  were  returning  laden  with 
spoil,  when  they  received  a  severe  check  in  the  vicinity  of  Smith's  tav- 
ern, from  a  small  force  of  American  volunteers.  The  attack  is  said  to 
have  been  commenced  by  an  individual  named  John  Dean.  The 
neighborhood,  alarmed  by  the  firing,  immediately  turned  out  to  his  as- 
sistance. 

November  17th,  1777,  the  British,  under  Captain  Emmerick,  made 
an  excursion  from  their  quarters,  to  the  Saw-Mill  Valley,  and  complete- 
ly surprised  the  Van  Tassels,  who  were  residing  near  Captain  Romer's, 
burnt  their  houses,  "stripped  the  women  and  children  of  the  necessary 
apparel  to  cover  them  from  the  severity  of  a  cold  winter's  night,"  and  led 
off  in  triumph,  the  two  brothers,  Peter  and  Cornelius  Van  Tassel.*1 

In  retaliation  for  this  inhuman  outrage,  the  patriots  fitted  up  an  ex- 
pedition at  Tarrytown,  under  the  command  of  Abraham  Martlingh, 
which  proceeded  down  the  Hudson  River,  passed  the  enemy's  guard- 
boats  in  safety,  and  succeeded  in  setting  fire  to  General  Oliver  de  Lan- 
cey's  house  on  New  York  island,  after  plundering  it  of  its  contents. 
The  whole  party  returned  to  Tarrytown  in  safety.  This  enterprise  was 
conducted  in  the  very  face  of  the  British  army. 

Three  young  lads  named  Vincent,  Smith  and  Lawrence,  were  over- 
taken by  a  party  of  Totten's  refugee  corps,  a  little  south  of  Rowland's 
mill;  two  were  killed  on  the  spot,  Vincent  recovered  from  his  wounds, 
but  remained  a  cripple  for  life.  Major  David  Hunt,  of  the  Continental 
army,  afterwards  conveyed  him  to  Paulus  Hook,  where  he  was  notice! 
o  See  Gen.  Parson's  Letter,  Mamaroueck. 


35^  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

by  several  members  of  Congress,  who  afterwards  obtained  a  pension  for 
the  sufferer.  This  is  said  to  be  the  first  pension  granted  by  the  United 
States  Government. 

A  short  distance  south  of  Greenburgh  village,  is  situated  the  resi- 
dence of  the  late  Samuel  Howland,  Esq.  It  is  embosomed  in  trees,  and 
stands  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Saw-Mill  river;  in  its  rear,  rise  bold  and 
majestic  hills  covered  with  luxuriant  woods.  The  building  itself  is  a 
very  handsome  structure  of  wood,  in  the  modern  style.  The  river,  arrest- 
ed by  the  mill-dam,  forms  in  front  of  the  house  an  extensive  sheet  of 
water,  which  adds  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  this  romantic  spot. 

The  former  possessors  of  the  estate  were  the  Odea's,  who,  in  1816, 
sold  the  property  to  Joseph  Howland,  Esq.,  father  of  the  present  pro- 
prietor. 

Chatterton  height,  the  battle-field  of  1776,  lies  on  the  north-east  cor- 
ner of  this  town.  We  have  reserved  a  description  of  the  battle  for  the 
town  of  White  Plains,  with  which  place  it  is  generally  associated,  al- 
though more  properly  belonging  to  Greenburgh. 

The  Chatterton  family,  from  whom  the  hill  derives  its  name,  have 
long  been  residents  in  the  town  of  Greenburgh.  A  member  of  this  fam- 
ily was  settled  on  the  hill  as  early  as  1731.  In  A.  D.  1750,  we  find 
Michael  Chatterton  purchasing  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  David  and  Nathan 
Purdy. 

Chatterton  bridge  which  crosses  the  Bronx  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  was 
first  erected  in  1736. 

Cornelius  Chatterton,  one  of  the  earliest  magistrates  of  Eastchester, 
was  an  ancestor  of  this  family. 

Hart's  Corners,  formerly  Barne's  Corners,  is  another  small  hamlet  in 
Greenburgh,  situated  about  three  miles  south  of  White  Plains,  in  a  fine 
valley,  the  neighborhood  of  which  is  rendered  extremely  beautiful  by  the 
inequality  of  the  ground  and  surrounding  scenery.  The  settlement  is 
composed  of  one  church,  several  dwellings  and  stores.  The  Bronx  Riv- 
er Powder  Manufactory,  and  Railroad  depot  adjoin  it  on  the  east.  This 
place  derives  its  name  from  Robert  Hart,  of  Rye,  who  emigrated 
hither  sometime  during  the  Manorial  period,  and  in  1784,  purchased  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Forfeitures,  600  acres  of  the  Phillipsburgh  lands, 
for  which  tradition  says  he  gave  one  shilling  per  acre.  His  sons  were 
John,  Monmouth,  Isaac  and  Joshua.  Monmouth  owned  300  acres  at 
old  Hart's  Corners.  By  his  wife  Mary  Gedney.  he  had  John — commonly 
called  Old  John — Elijah,  Peter  of  Mt.Kisco,  Monmouth,  heir  of  his  father 
and  a  daughter  Zinthy,  who  married  Jacob  Purdy. 

The  Methodist  church ,  stands  on  the  summit  of  the  high  ridge  west 


THE  TOWN  OF  GREEN13URGH. 


357 


of  the  hamlet,  it  was  erected  A  D.  i832.a  The  burying  ground  lies 
near  the  Railroad. 

A  fine  line  of  hills  extend  south  from  Hart's  Corners  to  the  foot  of 
Thirty  Deer  ridge  in  Yonkers,  watered  on  the  east  and  west  by  the  two 
branches  of  the  Spraine,  called  by  the  Indians  Armenperal.  These  hills 
were  formerly  so  covered  with  thick  woods  as  to  be  almost  impassable, 
and  abounded  in  deer,  wolves,  bears,  wild-cats  and  rattle  snakes.  Deer 
were  numerous  as  late  as  1760. 

One  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  place  was  John  Tompkins  of  East- 
chester,  who  purchased  a  large  tract  upon  these  hills  in  1731.  For 
some  time  after  this  purchase,  Mr.  Tompkins  was  in  the  constant  prac- 
tice of  spending  the  week  here,  and  returning  to  his  family  on  a  Satur- 
day. During  the  whole  of  this  period  he  was  surrounded  by  Indians, 
but  they  never  once  offered  to  molest  him.  A  small  hill  to  the  south-east 
of  the  present  Mr.  John  Tompkins,  still  bears  the  name  of  Indian  hill, 
and  the  adjoining  spring  is  called  Indian  spring.  Two  descendants  of 
the  original  proprietor,  John  and  James  Tompkins,  yet  occupy  a  large 
portion  of  the  estate. 

A  little  west  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Hart's  Corners  stands  the 
residence  of  Jackson  Odell,  son  of  the  distinguished  Colonel  John  Odell. 
This  gentleman,  during  the  early  part  of  the  Revolution  served  in  the 
capacity  of  a  guide  to  the  American  army,  and  subsequently  received  a 
colonel's  commission  from  Congress.  He  was  the  second  son  of 
Jonathan  Odell,  Esq.,  by  his  wife  Margaret  Dyckman,  and  descended 
from  a  common  ancestor  with  the  late  General  Jacob  Odell  of  Yonkers. 
Col.  Odell  died  26th  of  October,  1835. 

At  one  period  of  the  war  the  house  was  occupied  as  headquarters  by 
the  French  commander,  Count  de  Rochambeau,  General  Washington 
having  encamped  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Spraine.  On  several  occa- 
sions large  tables  were  arranged  for  the  military  staffs  of  Generals  Wash- 
ington and  Rochambeau,  in  the  adjoining  stables,  the  mangers  serving 
as  a  repository  for  their  hats  and  swords. 

Mrs.  Churchill,  daughter  of  Mr.  Taylor,  former  proprietor  of  the  place, 
remembers  to  have  danced  with  the  celebrated  Marshal  Berthier,  at  that 
time  one  of  the  aids  of  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  in  the  parlor  of  the 
present  mansion. 

It  was  near  this  house  that  General  Washington  appointed  one  of  the 
daily  markets  to  be  opened  for  the  supply  of  the  army  in  1781,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  following  document : 

a  For  incorporation  of  this  church  see  Religions  Soc.  Lib.  B.  7 ;  drat  trustees,  rnderhlll 
Tompkins,  Stopheu  Levlnoss,  Gilbert  Tompkins,  Joseph  Forster,  John  Crawford,  and  Elijah 
Tompkins. 


358 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"By  His  Excellency,  George  Washington,  &c. 
a  proclamation." 

"Be  it  known  that  every  day  during  ye  time  ye  army  remains  in  its  present 
position  from  day  to  day-break  till  noon,  two  market-places  will  be  open  for  ye 
supply  of  ye  army.  One  near  His  Excellency's  head  quarters  in  ye  field,  just 
bac  k  of  ye  house  and  near  the  quarters  of  ye  Adjutant  and  Quartermaster-Gen- 
erals' ;  the  other  in  the  French  camp  near  the  house  of  Henry  Taylor,  which  is 
ye  head-quarters  of  His  Excellency  the  Count  de  Eochambeau.  &c,  &c. 

"Given  at  head-quarters  near  Dobb's  Ferry,  this  10th  day  of  July,  1781. 

George  Washington. 

"  By  His  Excellency's  command, 

Jon.  Trumbull,  Jr.,  Sec."a 

The  French  officers  at  this  time  were  Count  de  Rochambeau,  Com- 
mander-in-chief; Chevalier  de  Chastellux,  Major-General;  M.  de  Choicy, 
Brigadier  of  the  forces ;  Charles  and  Alexandre,  Chevaliers  de  Lamothj 
Charles  was  Adjuant-General ;  Duke  de  Louzun ;  Lieutenant-General 
Baron  de  Viomenil ;  Count  de  Vio  Menil ;  Count  de  Lauberbiere ; 
Count  de  Baular;  Major-General  and  Chevalier  de  Beville.  Two  Broth- 
ers Berchier,  Sub-Lieutenant  after  General  of  Cavalry  Killamaire,  and 
Count  de  Fersen,  Count  Charles  de  Dumas  and  Count  Matthieu  Dumas. 

The  summits  of  the  Greenburgh  hill  command  a  variety  of  beautiful 
prospects,  in  which  long  reaches  of  the  East  River,  Bronx  valley  and 
Scarsdale,  form  the  principal  features.  In  the  south-east  corner  of 
Greenburgh  is  situated  Greenville,  where  there  is  a  Dutch  Reformed 
church,  and  a  few  scattered  dwellings. 

The  Dutch  Church  of  this  place  was  first  organized  in  1842,  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  V.  M.  Hulbert  of  Yonkers,  and  incor- 
porated on  the  3d  of  December,  1842,  by  the  title  of  the  "  Minister, 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Green- 
ville, in  the  town  of  Greenburgh."  First  elders,  John  Dusenberry  and 
Charles  Dusenberry ;  first  deacons,  Ichabod  Smith  and  Benjamin  Car- 
penter. 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS. 

Mit.  Hulbert  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Abel  T.  Stewart. 

A.  T.  Stewart,  dismissed  from  Greenville  and  Bronxville,  July  23d,  1852. 

Joseph  A  Collier,  installed  over  Greenville  and  Bronxville  "  1st  Sabbath  of 
October,"  1852.  Dismissed  May  14, 1855. 

Aaron  Marckli/us,  installed  over  Greenville  and  Bronxville,  July  17,  1S56, 
and  dismissed  August  24,  1859.  During  his  pastorate  Bronxville  was  set  off,  and 
thenceforth  Greenville  had  its  own  pastor. 

C  R.  V.  Romonat,  installed  over  Greenville  only,  Feb.  29, 1860.  Dismissed 
April  16,  1861. 

JonN  H.  PiTonER,  installed  Dec.  10,  1861.    Dismissed  April  15,  1873. 
Richard  L.  Schoonmaker,  installed  May  19,  1874.   Is  still  pastor. 

a  McDonald  MSS.  In  possession  of  Geo.  H.  Moore,  Lib.  of  X.  Y.  Hist.  Soc 
6  Upcott  Cuttings,  vol.  iv,  1770,  1777,  17S0,  vol.  viii,  voL  vi,  17S0. 


THE  TOWN  OF  GRF.ENBL'RGH. 


359 


"The  township  of  Greenburgh  is  situated  27  miles  north  of  New 
York,  135  south  of  Albany,  and  5  miles  west  of  White  Plains  :  bounded 
north  by  Mount  Pleasant,  east  by  White  Plains  and  Scarsdale,  South  by 
Yonkers,  and  west  by  the  Hudson.  Saw  Mill  creek,  (Nepera),  runs 
south  on  the  west  part,  Bronx  creek,  (Aquehung,)  along  the  east  line, 
and  there  are  some  branches  also  which  supply  mill  seats." 

The  general  surface  of  this  town  is  hilly,  but  not  mountainous.  It  is 
richly  and  beautifully  interspersed  with  hills,  valleys  and  streams  of 
water.  The  hills  are  most  of  them  good  and  suitable  for  cultivation 
The  soil  in  general  is  gravelly  clay,  and  sandy  loam,  producing  all  kinds 
of  fruit  and  grass  in  plenty. 

There  are  some  valuable  quarries  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  that 
yield  great  quantities  of  beautiful  building  stones.  The  forests  are 
principally  of  oak,  chesnut,  hickery,  ash  and  walnut.  Among  the  mineral 
productions  may  be  mentioned  the  Dolomitic  marble,  which  occurs  in 
various  places;  also  several  localities  of  fieldspar,  especially  in  the 
vicinity  of  Tarrytown. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 


Harrison,  sometimes  called  "  The  Purchase "  and  "  Harrison's  Pre- 
cint,"  is  situated  three  miles  east  of  the  village  of  White  Plains,  distant 
thirty  miles  from  New  York,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  miles 
from  Albany ;  bounded  northerly  by  North  Castle,  east  and  southerly 
by  Rye,  west  by  Mamaroneck,  White  Plains  and  North  Castle.  Its 
length  north  and  south  is  about  nine  miles,  and  its  medial  width  near 
three  miles;  but  like  most  of  the  other  towns  in  this  county,  its  form  is 
irregular — having  no  right  lines  for  its  boundaries.  Prior  to  1702  this 
town  formed  a  part  of  Rye,  but  was  organized  as  a  separate  township 
on  the  seventh  of  March,  1788. 

The  first  proprietor  of  this  land  of  whom  anything  is  known,  was 
Shanarocke  or  Shanarockwell,  Sagamore  of  Poningoe,  who  with  other 
Indians  in  1661  conveyed  to  John  Budd,  of  Southhold,  Long  Island, 
"  one  track  of  land  lying  on  the  mayn  called  Apawammeis  " — "  also 
range,  feeding  and  grasse  for  cattell,  twenty  English  miles  tiort/naard  in- 
to the  country."  In  fact,  the  Indian  territory  of  "  Weecquaesqueck," 
which  included  Poningoe,  was  to  the  northward  an  unknown  and  limit- 
less forest  waste  commonly  styled  "  2 he  Wilderness"  held  principally  by 
roaming  clans  of  the  great  Mohegan  or  "  Enchanted  wolf  tribe." 

In  1666  Sanarocke  and  others  conveyed  to  John  Budd  a  tract  of 
land,  between  Blind  Brook  and  Mamaroneck  River  extending  north  six- 
teen miles  (English  miles)  from  Westchester  path  up  into  the  country. 
Under  these  and  other  purchases  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  subsequently 
claimed  the  whole  territory,  consisting  of  all  that  tract  of  land  since  known 
as  Harrison's  Purchase — situated  above  Westchester  Path  between  Blind 
Brook  and  Mamaroneck  River,  and  extending  as  far  north  as  Rye  Pond; 
361 


362  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

a  demand  which  the  Governor  of  New  York  refused,  as  we  shall  see 
presently,  to  sanction. 

From  Shanarocke  the  territory  ranging  north  of  Westchester  Path 
appears  to  have  passed  into  the  possession  of  Pathunck  or  Pathung, 
Indian  sachem,  who  styles  himself,  '  the  true  owner  and  proprietor  there- 
of; for  upon  the  first  day  of  February,  A.D.  1695,  we  find  the  latter  con- 
veying the  present  township  to  John  Harrison,  in  the  following  manner: 

INDIAN  DEED  FOR  HARRISON. 
"This  indenture,  made  the  24th  day  of  January,  and  in  the  seventh  year  of 
the  reign  of  William  the  Third  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  «fcc,  &c.,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  1695, 
witnesseth,  that,  I,  underwritten  Pathungo,  the  true  owner  and  proprietor  of  a 
certain  part  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying,  and  being  in  the  county  of  West- 
chester, and  province  of  New  York,  by  these  pressnts,  further  manifested  to 
Christian  people,  to  whom  this  deed  of  conveyance  may  any  ways  concern : 
know  ye  that  I,  the  said  Pathungo,  the  true  owner  and  proprietor  of  the  above 
named  tract  or  parcel  of  laud,  upon  good  reasons  and  consideration  moving  here- 
unto, but  more  especially  for  a  valuable  consideration  of  £40  current  money  in 
hand  paid  before  the  ensealing  of  these  presents,  hath  granted,  bargained,  made 
over,  confirmed  and  sold,  and  do  by  these  presents  grant,  bargain,  make  over 
and  confirm,  and  fully,  freely,  and  thereby,  unto  John  Harrison,  of  Flushing,  in 
Queens  county,  on  Nassau  Island,  in  the  province  aforesaid,  all  that  aforesaid 
tract  or  parcel  of  land  aforesaid,  being  butted  and  bounded,  as  followeth— that 
is  to  say,  vvestwardly  upon  a  certain  river,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Mamarranack  River,  and  so  stretching  eastward)}'  to  a  certain  brook 
called  by  the  name  of  Blind  Brook,  southwardly  by  the  lands  of  John  Budd,  as 
appears  by  certain  marked  trees,  near  unto  Westchester  old  road,  and  north- 
wardly to  certain  ponds  called  by  the  name  of  Rye  Ponds,  together  with  all 
rights,  members,  jurisdictions,  ways,  commodities,  advantages,  together  with  all 
meadows,  woods,  underwoods,  liberties,  franchises,  privileges,  and  singular  ap- 
purtenances to  the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land  belonging  or  in  any  ways  apper- 
taining, to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  laud,  according  to  the  butts 
and  bounds  above  mentioned',  and  recited  to  the  only  proper  use  or  uses  of  him, 
the  said  John  Harrison,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever ;  and  the  said  Pathungo,  for 
himself,  his  heirs,  successors,  and  assigns,  that  at  the  time  of  the  signing  and 
ensealing  of  these  presents,  hath  full  power  and  lawful  authority  the  land  and 
premises  to  sell  and  confirm,  and  that  the  same  is  truely  acquitted  and  discharged 
and  sufficiently  saved  and  kept  harmless  of  and  from  all  mannerof  former  bargains, 
sales,  grants,  or  any  other  incumbrances  whatsoever,  had  made,  done,  or  suffered 
to  be  done  by  the  said  Pathungo,  his  heirs,  successors,  or  assigns,  or  any  other 
person  or  persons  whatsoever,  by,  from,  or  under  him,  Christian  or  Indian, 
whereby  the  said  John  Harrison,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  or  may  be  annoyed 
or  ejected  out  of  the  possession  thereof;  and  the  said  Pathungo,  for  himself,  his 
heirs,  successors,  and  assigns,  all  the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  with  every 
part  and  parcel  thereof,  unto  the  above  said  John  Harrison,  his  heirs,  executors, 
administrators  and  assigns,  against  all  manner  of  Indians,  shall  and  will  warrant. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON.  363 

and  forever  defend,  by  these  presents.  In  witness  whereof,  the  said  Pathungo 
huth  set  his  hand  and  seal  this  day  aud  j'ear  first  above  written. 

Pathungo,  his  inarke. 
Sigued,  sealed,  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  us,  Charles  Morgan,  his  inarke, 
Nicolas  Haight  and  James  Clement.  Moreover,  before  signing  and  sealing  here- 
of, the  said  Patbungo  doth  reserve,  liberty  for  his  use.  such  whitevood  trees  as 
shall  be  found  suitable  to  make  canoes  of  .  This  may  certify  any  whom  it  may 
concern,  that  on  the  first  day  of  Feburary,  1695-6,  appeared  before  me,  Thomas 
Willett,  Esq.,  one  of  his  Majesties'  justices  for  the  province  of  New  York, 
Pathungo,  the  within  mentioned  Indian  who  did  then  and  there  acknowledge 
the  within  conveyance  or  deed  of  sale  to  be  his  free  aud  voluntary  act  and  deed, 
as  witness  1113-  hand.  Thomas  Willet. 

This  may  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  we  Indians,  whose  names  are 
now  underwritten,  do  own  to  have  received  full  satisfaction  of  the  within  men- 
tioned John  Harrison  for  all  the  within  mentioned  tract  of  land  being  butted  and 
bounded  as  within  specified.  As  witness  hereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands 
aud  seals  this  15th  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  1095-6. 
Betty  Pathungo,  her  marke, 
Pathungo  Wappatoe  his  marke, 

EUAS  JoZES  PvTrtTTNOO  A^KAMME,  her  marke, 

Chbishoau  PATnuN'oo,  her  inarke, 
PoitiGE,  his  marke. 

Elaas  Arc-wash,  Arawaska's  wifes,  Hannah,  her  marke,  Ingen. 
Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of  James  Mott,  Samuel  Paxmer, 
Joseph  Hop.ton,  the  inarke  of  Akabaska.<* 

The  white-wood  trees,  referred  to  in  the  above  deed  by  the  sachem 
Pathung,  are  the  Liriodendron  tulipifera  of  Linnaeus,  from  the  trunk  of 
which  the  Indians  manufactured  their  canoes  ;  hence  it  was  commonly 
called  by  them  "canoe  wood." 

"  Whoever  (remarks  Mr.  Downing)  has  once  seen  the  tulip  tree  in  a 
situation  where  the  soil  was  favorable  to  its  free  growth,  can  never  for- 
get it ;  with  a  clean  trunk,  straight  as  a  column  for  forty  or  fifty  feet,  sur- 
mounted by  a  fine  ample  summit  of  rich  green  foliage.  It  is,  in  our 
estimation,  decidedly  the  most  stately  tree  in  North  America.  When 
standing  alone,  and  encouraged  in  its  lateral  growth,  it  will  indeed  often 
produce  a  lower  head — but  its  tendency  is  to  rise;  and  it  only  exhibits  it- 
self in  all  its  stateliness  and  majesty,  when,  supported  on  such  a  noble 
columnar  trunk,  it  towers  far  above  the  heads  of  its  neighbors  of  the 
park  or  forest.  Even  when  at  its  loftiest  elevation,  its  large  specious 
blossoms — which,  from  their  form,  one  of  our  poets  has  likened  to  a 
chalice — 

 "Through  the  verdant  maize. 

The  tulip  tree 

Its  golden  chalice  oft  triumphantly  displays — Fickering. 
a  Iudlau  deeds  warrants  of  survey,  Albany  Rue.  Lib.  i.  4. 


364 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


jut  out  from  amid  the  tufted  canopy  in  the  month  of  June,  and  glow  in 
richness  and  beauty.  This  tree  was  introduced  into  England  about  1668, 
and  is  now,  we  are  informed,  to  be  found  in  almost  every  gentleman's 
park  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  so  highly  is  it  estimated  as  an  orna- 
mental tree  of  the  first  class."*1 

We  hope  that  the  numerous  specimens  of  this  noble  tree  yet  standing 
in  Westehester  county,  may  be  sacredly  preserved  from  the  barbarous 
infliction  of  the  axe,  which  has  heretofore  despoiled  without  mercy  so 
many  of  our  majestic  forest  trees. 

The  next  notice  of  the  purchase  occurs  in  the  following  warrant  for 
its  survey,  A.  D.  1695-6. 

By  his  Excellency  the  Governor  in  Council,  &c. — You  are  hereby  required  to 
survey  and  lay  out  for  John  Harrison,  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  Westchester 
county  which  he  hath  purchased  by  virtu«  of  a  license,  bearing  date  the  second 
day  of  August  last  past,  bounded  to  the  south  by  the  trees  of  Mr.  Budd's  pur- 
chase, west  by  Mamaroneck  river,  eastwardly  by  Blind  brook,  and  north  by  Rye- 
pond,  and  this  shall  be  to  you  a  sufficient  warrant. 

Benjamin  Fle-toter  to  Anthony  Graham. 

Surveyor  General,  by  order  of  Council. 

Upon  the  25th  of  June,  1696,  the  Indian  purchase  was  confirmed  by 
royal  letters  patent  under  the  great  seal,  to  William  Nicolls,  John  Harri- 
son and  others. 

The  patentees  yielding  and  paying  therefore  the  annual  quit  rent  of 
twenty  shillings,  on  the  festival  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  commonly  called  Lady  Day,  after  the  following  manner- 

ROYAL  PATENT  FOR  HARRISON'S  PURCHASE. 

William  the  third  by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and 
Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come 
sendeth grating,  Whereasowr  Loving  Subjects  William  Nicolh,  Esq.,  Captains 
Ebenezer  Wilson,  David  Jamison,  John  Harrison  and  Samuel  Height,  have  by 
their  Petition  Presented  unto  our  Trusty  and  well  beloved  Benjamin  Fletcher, 
our  Captaiue  Gencrall  and  Governor  in  Cheife  of  our  Province  of  New  Yorke 
and  Territoryes  Depending  thereon  in  America,  &c.  Prayed  our  grant  and  Cori- 
firmacon  of  a  certaine  Tract  of  Land  in  our  County  of  Westchester  beginning  at  a 
certaine  White  ash  Tree  marked  with  three  notches  standing  in  the  East  side  of 
Mamerraneck  Jtiver  and  thence  by  marked  Trees  it  rmms  South  sixty-five  De- 
grees and  thirty  minutes  Easterly  fifty-six  chains  to  a  black  oake  one  of  the  mark- 
ed Trees  of  Joseph  Budd's  Purchase  standing  neere  Westchester  Path  marked 

a  Downiriff's  Landscape  Gardening,  p.  19",  8,  9.  There  is  a  fine  specimen  of  this  noble  tree 
on  the  property  of  Elbert  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  I'elham. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


365 


-willi  three  Notches  and  thence  by  the  marked  Trees  of  Joseph  BudcTs  Purcliase 
Standing  ncer  Westchester  Path  aforesaid  to  an  Elm  Tree  of  the  West  side  of 
blind  brooke  and  a  white  ash  on  the  East  side  of  the  said  brook  marked  with  three 
Notches  and  thence  by  the  East  side  of  the  said  brooke  to  the  head  thereof  to  a 
Chesnut  Tree  marked  with  three  Notches  and  the  Letters  E  W  and  II,  thence 
North  to  a  whitewood  Tree  marked  and  thence  by  marked  Tree  "West  to  Rye 
Ponds  thence  including  the  said  Ponds  South  to  the  head  of  Mamerraneck  River 
which  Rutins  on  the  West  side  of  Browns  Point  and  thence  by  Mamerraneck 
River  and  the  East  Bounds  of  Richbells  Patent  to  the  Place  where  began  Bound- 
ed East  by  blinde  Brooke  and  vacant  land  North  by  Vacent  L<md  West  by  Mam- 
erroncck  River  and  South  by  Budd  and  Jones  Morgans  Purchase,  which  Rea- 
sonable request  Wee  being  Willing  to  Grant,  Know  Yee  that  of  our  Speciall 
Grace  Certaine  knowledge  and  meere  mocon  we  have  given  Granted.  Ralifycd 
and  Confirmed  and  by  these  Presents'do  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successours,  Give, 
Grant.  Ratifye  and  Continue  unto  our  said  loving  Subjects  William  Nicolls, 
Ebcnezer  Wilson,  David  Jamison,  John  Harrison  and  Samuell  Height  all  the 
aforerecitcd  Certaine  Tract  of  Land  within  our  said  County  of  Westchester  and 
within  the  Limites  and  Bounds  aforesaid  together  with  all  and  Singular  the 
weeds  underwoods  Trees  Timber  feedings  Pastures,  Meadows  Marshes,  Swamps 
Ponds  Pools  Waters  Watercourses  Rivers,  Rivoletts  Runns  brooks  Streams  fish- 
ing fouling  hunting  and  hawking  and  all  other  Profites,  benefits  Priviledges  Lib- 
ertys  Advantages  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  aforere- 
citcd Certaine  Tract  of  Land  within  the  Limites  and  Bounds  aforemenconed  be- 
longing or  in  any  wayes  appertaining  To  have  and  to  hold  all  the  aforesaid  Cer- 
tain Tract  of  Land  together  with  all  and  Singular  the  Woods,  Underwoods, 
Trees,  Timber,  feedings,  Pastures  Meadows  Marshes  Swamps  Ponds  Pools 
Waters  Watercourses  Rivers  Rivoletts,  Runns,  Brooks  Streams  fishing  fouling 
hunting  and  hawking  and  all  other  Profites  bencfites,  Priviledges  Libertys  Ad- 
vantages Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  aforerecitcd  Cer- 
taine Tracts  of  Land  within  the  Limites  and  Bounds  aforesaid  belonging  or  in 
any  ways  appertaining  unto  them  the  said  William  Nicolls,  Ebenezer  Wilson 
David  Jamison  John  Harrison  and  Samuell  Height  their  Heirs  and  Assignes  to 
the  only  Propper  use  benefite  and  behoofe  of  them  the  said  William  Nicolls, 
Ebenezar  Wilson,  David  Jamison,  John  Harrison  and  Samuel  Height  the  ir  Heirs 
and  Assignes  forever  without  any  Lett,  Hindrance,  Molestacon  or  Right  to  be 
had  or  Reserved  upon  Pretence  of  Joynt  Tennancy  or  Survivorship  any  thing 
Containrd  in  this  our  Grant  to  the  Contrary  in  any  wayes  notwithstanding  To  be 
holdcn  of  us  our  Heirs  and  Successours  in  free  and  Comon  Soccage  as  of  our 
Mannour  of  East  Greenwich  in  our  County  of  Kent  within  our  Realme  of  Eng- 
land Yeclding  Rendring  and  Paying  therefore  yearly  and  every  Year  unto  us  our 
Heirs  and  Successours  the  Annual  and  Yearly  Rent  of  twenty  Shilling,  f'urrt 
money  of  our  said  Province  at  our  City  of  New  Yorke  on  the  feast  day  of  the 
Annunciation  of  our  blessed  Yirgin  Mary  in  Lieu  and  Steade  of  all  other  Rents, 
Dues  Dutyes  Services  and  Demands  whatsoever.    In  testimony  whereof  we  have 
Caused  the  Great  Seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed  Witncsse  our 
Trusty  and  well  beloved  Benjamin  Fletcher  our  Captain  Gencrall  and  Govcmour 
in  Chief  of  our  Province  of  New  Yorke  and  the  Territoryes  and  Tracts  of  Land 
Depending  thereon  in  America  &  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same  our  Lieut  and 


366  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Militia  and  of  all  the  forces  by  Sea  and  Land  within 
our  Colony  of  Connecticutt  and  of  all  the  ports  and  Places  of  Strength  within 
the  same  at  our  Fort  in  New  Yorke  the  twenty  fifth  day  of  June  in  the  eighth 
year  of  our  Reigue  annoq  Don  1696.    Ben  ffletcher.    By  his  Excelt  Command 

David  Jamison  D.  Seery. 

I  do  hereby  certify  the  aforegoing  to  be  a  true  Copy  of  the  Orignal  Record. 
Words  East  side  30th  Line  page  3G  written  on  a  razure.  Compared  therewith  by 
me.  Lewis  A.  Scott, 

Secretary  ,0 

"  By  this  summary  measure,"  says  Baird,  "  the  people  of  Rye  were 
despoiled  of  a  most  important  part  of  their  rightful  possessions.  It  was 
a  loss  felt  by  each  proprietor,  for  each  had  an  interest  in  the  undivided 
lands,  to  the  distribution  of  which  he  looked  forward  as  a  provision  for 
his  children.  The  only  show  of  reason  for  this  act  of  spoliation,  was  in 
the  fact,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  were  as  yet  without  a  patent  for 
their  lands  under  the  Government  of  New  York.  In  1685,  Governor 
Dongan  had  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  and  Bed- 
ford, requiring  them  to  appear  before  him,  and  prove  their  title  to  the  lands 
upon  which  they  were  seated.  This  summons,  it  appears,  had  not  been 
obeyed.  The  sympathies  of  the  people  were  with  the  colony  from  which 
they  came,  and  to  which  they  yet  hoped  permanently  to  belong.  Their 
rights,  besides,  had  been  amply  recognized  by  Connecticut,  and  they  doubt- 
less saw  no  propriety  in  the  requirement  to  obtain  a  patent  from  New 
York."6  The  whole  transaction,  Baird  attributes  to  the  unscrupulous 
conduct  of  Governor  Fletcher,  who  he  declares  was  notorious  for  the 
extravagance  with  which  he  disposed  of  the  public  lands. 

"The  people  of  Rye,"  continues  Baird,  "  when  they  heard  of  Harri- 
son's design,  doubtless  used  every  means  within  their  reach  to  pre- 
vent its  execution.  One  of  their  number,  the  grandson  of  the  original 
purchaser  of  Budd's  Neck,  was  especially  earnest  in  opposing  the  grant, 
on  the  ground  that  it  conflicted  with  the  rights  acquired  by  his  ancestor. 
Harrison's  petition  to  the  Council  represented  that  he  had  bought  '  a 
tract  of  vacant  and  unappropriated,  uncultivated  land  in  ye  County  of 
Westchester,  bounded  on  the  north  by  Rye  Pond,  and  on  the  east  by 
Blind  Brook,  on  the  west  by  Mamaroneck  River,  and  on  the  south  by 
the  land  of  Joseph  Budd.  At  a  Council  held  at  his  Majesty's  fort  in 
New  York  the  13th  of  February,  1695-96/  Harrison's  petition  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Attorney  General,  Major  Austin  Graham,  Surveyor-Gen- 
eral, Justice  Theals,  Joseph  Purdy  and  Joseph  Horton,  or  any  three  of 

a  Received  for  William  Nicolls,  Esq.,  and  fith  Book  of  Patent,  (Albany,)  No.  vi,  p.  36-3S.  The 
Allan  11  necordx,  say  5th  of  June,  1695.  The  orignal  document  Is  in  the  possession  of  Andrew 
Carpenter,  of  Harrison's  Purchase. 

6  Hist,  of  Rye,  1600-1ST0,  by  Rev.  Charles  W.  Baird. 


THE  TOWN  OK  HARRISON. 


367 


them,  '  to  inquire  into  the  manner  of  circumstances  of  said  land,  and 
make  report.'  Their  report,  dated  February  17th,  states  that  'Hum- 
phrey Underbill  appeared  in  behalf  of  Joseph  Budd,  son  and  heir  to 
John  Budd  deceased,  and  produced  an  Indian  Grant  dated  December 
8,  1 66 1,  alleging  that  the  same  did  contain  the  lands  mentioned.'  The 
committee  found  the  deed  to  contain  a  description  of  '  a  tract  of  land 
called  Apawanis,  bounded  on  the  east  by  Mackquam  River,  on  the  south 
by  the  sea  against  Long  Island,  on  the  west  by  Pocecottsewack  River, 
and  on  the  north  by  marked  trees  near  Westchester  Path  ;  together  with 
range  for  feeding  and  range  for  cattle,  and  to  fell  trees  twenty  miles 
north.' 

This  land,  they  say,  is  altogether  disclaimed  by  Harrison ;  the  tract 
purchased  by  him  lying  north  of  said  marked  trees.  Underhill  was 
asked  whether  he  had  any  other  objection  to  advance,  and  replied  that  he 
had  at  home  an  Indian  deed  which  justified  Budd's  claim  to  the  soil  for 
sixteen  miles  north  of  the  marked  trees;  but  he  did  not  bring  it  along 
with  him,  for  it  was  old  and  spoiled,  being  dated  in  1666 ;  but  he  had  a 
copy  of  the  deed,  which  he  gave  to  Colonel  Heathcote,  who  left  it  be- 
fore the  Governor  and  Council.  The  committee  could  not  examine  this 
paper,  but  humbly  referred  the  matter  to  the  Council.0 

The  document  which  Underhill  thus  unfortunately  failed  to  produce 
was  undoubtedly  the  deed  of  April  29th,  1666,  by  which  Shanarocke  and 
others  conveyed  a  tract  between  Blind  Brook  and  Mamaroneck  River, 
extending  '  sixteen  English  miles  from  Westchester  Path  up  into  the 
country.' 

And  it  was  also,  as  we  have  seen,  to  all  appearance  the  same  tract 
which,  four  years  earlier,  June  2,  1662,  the  purchasers  of  Peningo 
Neck,  Disbrow,  Coe,  and  Studwell,  had  bought  together  with  Budd. 
Both  parties,  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  in  general  and  the  proprietor  of 
Budd's  Neck,  were  now  to  lose  a  territory  for  which,  had  they  claimed 
it  jointly  and  without  dispute  among  themselves,  they  could  certainly 
have  made  a  stronger  plea.  As  it  was,  no  regard  seems  to  have  been  paid 
by  the  Council  to  either  claim.  The  lands  were  granted  to  Harrison, 
and  the  people  of  Rye,  'revolted'  back  to  Connecticut. 

The  individuals  to  whom  this  grant  was  made,  were  William  Nicolls, 
David  Jamison,  Ebenezer  Wilson,  John  Harrison, f>  and  Samuel  Haight. 
Nicolls  was  a  member  of  Colonel  Fletcher's  Council;  Jamison  was 
clerk  of  the  Council ;  Wilson  was  Sheriff  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and 
a  prominent  merchant.    All  these  men  stood  high  in  the  governor's 


a  County  Records  at  White  Plains,  vol.  B.  pp.  259-261. 

b  In  his  petition  for  a  patent,  he  signs  his  name  John  Harrison. 


368 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


favor,  and  were  largely  concerned  in  the  land  grants  which  he  made."  Of 
course  the  humble  farmers  of  Peningo  Neck  had  no  influence  to  weigh 
against  the  interests  of  a  company  so  powerfully  manned. 

Under  this  grievance,  the  town  of  Rye  seceded.  It  renounced  the 
authority  of  the  provincial  government,  and  returned  to  the  colony  of 
Connecticut.  We  do  not  greatly  wonder  at  the  secession.  The  pro- 
vocation was  great,  and  the  temptation  strong.  It  is  more  surprising 
that  the  Connecticut  Government  shpuld  have  received  the  rebellious 
town.  But  there  was  much  bitter  feeling  just  at  this  time  between  the 
two  colonies,  growing  out  of  the  unsettled  state  of  the  question  as  to 
their  boundaries.  We  shall  see  in  the  next  chapter  what  passed  between 
the  colonial  governments  relative  to  this  secession.  Meanwhile,  for  four 
years  Rye  was  a  part  of  Connecticut.  From  1697  to  1700,  inclusive, 
the  inhabitants  designated  themselves  as  living  in  Rye,  '  in  the  county 
of  Fairfield,  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut.'6  They  applied  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  at  Hartford  for  the  settlement  of  any  matters  in  dispute,  and 
the  Court  seems  to  have  considered  and  disposed  of  such  applications 
precisely  as  in  the  case  of  any  town  east  of  Byram  River. 

We  have  a  curious  account  of  the  state  of  feeling  among  the  good 
people  of  Rye  during  this  interval.  It  occurs  in  a  letter  of  Colonel 
Heathcoate,  wnitten  after  a  visit  to  Rye,  the  object  of  which  was  to  per- 
suade the  malcontents  to  submit  with  a  good  grace.  Colonel  Heathcoate 
writes  to  the  Governor  and  Council : — 

Westchester,  Feb'y  19,  1696-97. 
"Gentlemen, — I  had  long  crc  this  given  you  an  account  of  my  Rye  Expedi- 
tion, had  I  not  at  my  coming  here  been  kept  Prisoner  a  Fortnight  or  three  weeks 
by  reason  of  the  weather  and  a  nimble  distemper ;  *  *  *  *  from  which  so  soon 
as  I  was  disengaged  I  proceeded  and  called  a  meeting  of  ye  Inhabitants,  taking 
particular  care  to  have  the  Ringleaders  summonsed;  and  enquired  of  them  the 
reason  of  the  Revolt.  The}*  told  me  that  the  grant  to  Harrison  and  his  associ- 
ates was  so  great  an  Injury  to  'em,  that  their  town  was  nothing  without  it,  and 
that  they  had  as  good  loose  all  as  that ;  and  a  great  Deal  of  Stuff  to  that  effect. 
I  asked  them  why  they  did  not  take  out  a  patent"  when  it  was  tendered  them. 
They  said  they  never  heard  that  they  could  have  one.  I  told  them  that  their 
argument  might  pass  with  such  as  knew  nothing  of  ye  matter,  but  that  I  knew 

a  Jamison  is  stat  ed  to  have  been  'first  in  Col.  Fletcher's  confidence  and  favor,  above  all 
others,  and  cunched  himself  by  the  grants  of  land  sold  by  Col.  Fletcher,  he  having  a  share 
for  brokerage.'  (Documents,  etc.  Colonial  History  of  New  York,  vol.  iv.  p.  400.)  He  after- 
wards became  Chief  Just  ice  of  New  Jersey,  and  later,  Attorney-General  of  New  York.  Nicols, 
a  man  of  great  influence  and  highly  connected,  was  an  ardent  supporter  of  Fletcher.  Cap- 
tain Ebenezer  Wilson  was  a  prominent  merchant  of  New  York,  sheriff  of  the  city  at  the  time, 
and  afterwards  rnavor.   (Document*,  etc.,  vol.,  iv„  pp.  S7T,  B6S  ;  25  *rq., ;  "«"!>,  7S3,  etc) 

6  Some  twenty  deeds  ou  record,  within  these  years,  are  thus  dated.  Those  entered  immedi- 
atelv  before  and  after  are  dated  '  In  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  Province  of  New  York.* 
(Town  Records  of  Kye,  vol.  B.  pp.  72-16S.) 

c  The  granting  of  patents  was  a  favorite  mode  of  raising  money  with  the  Provincial  Gov- 
ernors of  New  York.  New  England  men  ever  regarded  it  as  a  most  unjust  exaction.  Sir 
Edmund  Andros,  who  was  made  "Governor  of  New  York  and  New  England,  in  li"SS-St>,  de- 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


3% 


better ;  for  that  to  my  certain  knowledge  they  might  have  had  a  patent  had  they 
not  rejected  it ;  and  that  it  was  so  far  from  being  done  in  haste  or  in  the  Dark, 
that  not  a  hoy  in  the  whole  Town,  nor  almost  in  the  County,  hut  must 
have  heard  of  it ;  and  that  I  must  always  be  a  witness  against  them,  not  only  of 
the  many  messages  they  have  had  from  the  Government  about  it,  hut  likewise 
from  myself.  At  which  they  began  to  be  divided  amongst  themselves,  some  say- 
ing, It  was  true  ;  others,  that  those  the  Crown  had  employed  had  proved  false  to 
'em.  After  a  great  deal  of  time  spent  in  argument  on  this  and  other  subjects,  I 
endeavored  to  make  them  sensible  of  ye  risque  they  run  in  this  affair.  Bui  they 
seemed  Deaf  to  all  I  could  say,  arguing  that  the  Government  of  Connecticut  had 
taken  them  under  their  Protection,  and  shewed  me  a  blind  sort  of  a  Paper  from 
under  Kemblell's  rt  hand  to  yt  effect.  When  I  found  I  could  do  no  good  with 
the  herd,  I  talked  separately  with  some  of  ye  Hottest  of  'em  ;  which  seemed  to 
take  some  Impression  ;  and  I  desired  them  to  talk  with  their  neighbors,  and  lett 
me  know  their  minds  against  I  came  y'  way  again,  that  I  might  be  able  to  serve 
them  before  it  was  run  so  far  that  it  would  be  out  of  my  Power. 

'  I  told  them  as  to  the  last  purchase,  wherein  I  was  concerned,  if  that  gave 
them  any  dissatisfaction,  I  would  not  only  quit  my  claim,  but  use  my  interest  in 
getting  them  any  part  of  it  they  should  desire.  Their  answer  was,  they  valued 
not  that ;  it  was  Harrison's  patent  that  was  their  ruin. 

'I  intend,  God  willing,  before  my  return  to  Yorke,  to  throw  one  journey  more 
away  upon  them,  tho'  I  despair  of  Successe  therein.  However  my  utmost  En- 
deavors shall  not  be  wanting  therein.  I  am,  Gentlemen,  in  much  sincerity,  your 
most  obed'  and  affect11'  scrv' 

Caleb  Heatiicote.'6 

The  inhabitants  of  Rye  obtained  no  redress.  For  four  years  they  en- 
joyed the  happiness  of  belonging  once  more  to  the  'land  of  steady 
habits.'  And  then  in  1700,  the  king's  order  in  Council  placed  them 
back  within  the  jurisdiction  they  had  renounced,  'forever  thereafter  to  be 
and  remain  under  the  government  of  the  Province  of  New  York.'  The 
people  acquiesced  in  this  decision ;  and  the  following  action  of  the  town  is 
the  record  of  the  last  protest  made  against  an  unrighteous  procedure  to 
which  they  were  obliged  in  the  end  to  submit: — 

'At  a  lawful  towne  meeting  held  in  Rye,  September  the  29,  1701,  Deliverance 
Browne,  senior,  is  chosen  to  goe  down  to  New  York  to  make  the  town's  aggriev- 
ances  knowne  unto  the  Governor  and  Council,  and  alsoe  to  make  inquiry  con- 


clared,  on  arriving  here,  that  the  titles  of  the  colonists  to  their  lands  were  of  no  value  at  alt. 
Indian  deeds,  he  said,  were  110  better  than  the  scratch  of  a  bear's  paw.  'Not  the  fairest  pur- 
chases and  the  most  ample  conveyances  from  the  natives,'  remarks  Trumbull,  -  no  dangers, 
disbursements,  nor  labors  in  cultivating  a  wilderness,  and  turning  it  into  orchards,  gardens, 
and  pleasant  fields,  no  grants  by  charter,  nor  by  legislatures  constituted  by  them,  DO  declara- 
tions of  pretending  kings,  nor  of  Ins  then  present  majesty,  were  pleas  of  any  validity  or  con- 
sideration with  Sir  Edmund  and  his  minions.  The  purchasers  and  cultivators,  after  fifty  ami 
sixty  years'  improvement,  were  obliged  to  take  out  patents  for  their  estates.  For  these.  In 
some  Instances,  a  fee  of  fifty  pounds  was  demanded.  Writs  of  intrusion  were  issued  against 
persons  of  principal  character  who  would  not  submit  to  such  impositions,  and  their  lands  were 
patented  to  others.'    (History  of  Connecticut,  1,  373.) 

a.  I.e.,  Kimberli/'s;  see  page  94. 

b  N  Y.  Col.  MSS.,  Albany  :  vol.  xli.  p.  36. 


37° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


cerning  the  Claim  that  John  Harrison  makes  to  our  Lands,  and  to  use  what 
methods  he  shall  see  good  for  securing  the  towne's  interest. '« 

'  At  a  lawful  towne  meeting  held  in  Rye,  February,  1702-3,  the  towne  hath 
by  a  major  vote  chosen  Capt.  Theale  and  George  Lane,  senior,  and  Isaac  Den- 
ham,  to  forwarne  any  person  or  persons  that  shall  lay  out  any  Lands  within  the 
towne  bounds  without  the  towne's  approbation  or  order  :  that  is  to  say,  within 
the  township  of  Rye.'6 

The  purchase  was  owned  in  common  by  the  five  patentees,  who  soon 
divided  it  up  among  themselves  in  equal  shares. 

The  following  advertisement  appeared  in  the  New  York  Gazette  and 
Weekly  Mercury,  Monday,  March  18.  1771  : — 

'If  any  person  has  in  his  keeping  the  Partition  Deed  that  was  made  between 
the  Patentees  of  Harrison's  Purchase,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  will 
uotify  where  he  may  be  applied  to,  by  a  Letter  to  the  Printer  hereof,  he  will 
afford  a  great  Pleasure  to  the  Proprietors,  and  may  expect  a  handsome  Reward 
for  his  Trouble.  The  Patentees  were  Harrison,  Nicolls,  Haight,  Wilson,  and 
William  Jamison.  The  deed  must  have  been  made  about  the  Year  1700,  and  is 
likely  to  be  among  some  old  Papers  about  Flushing,  on  Long  Island.' 

The  deed  appears  to  have  come  to  light  hereupon  with  very  little  delay — an 
early  proof  of  the  advantage  of  newspaper  advertisement — for  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  June,  1771,  the  recovered  document  was  admitted  to  be  recorded  j  and 
we  have  it  in  full  in  the  Records  of  the  town  of  Rye,  vol.  D.  pp.  2S0-2S3.  It 
sets  forth  that  the  tract  of  land  in  question  was  bought  by  John  Harrison  in 
1G95,  with  funds  belonging  to  his  four  associates  equaily  with  himself,  and  that 
the  purchase  was  made  in  their  behalf  also  'in  a  joint  and  equal  right  and  in- 
terest, and  not  otherwise,'  to  be  held  by  the  five  purchasers  '  as  tenants  in  com- 
mon, without  any  right,  claim  or  demand  of  survivorship  by  reason  of  joint 
tenancy  upon  the  death  of  all  or  any  of  the  said  parties.'  The  Deed  is  dated 
November  10,  1700,  and  is  signed  by  W.  Nicolls,  Ebenezer  Wilson,  David  Jami- 
son, Samuel  Haight,  and  John  Harrison.  The  following  statement  is  prefixed  to 
Harrison's  signature : — 

'  This  may  satisfy  whom  it  may  concerne  that  I  underwritten  dcth  assign  over 
all  my  right,  title  and  interest  of  this  deed  to  Major  William  Lawrence,  his 
heirs  aud^assigns  forever  ;  as  witness  my  hand  this  twenty-third  day  of  May, 
1702.  John  Harrison'* 

Little  is  left  on  record  relative  to  the  Harrison  family,  who  have  given 
name  to  this  township.  John  Harrison,  of  Boston,  was  a  freeman  of 
that  place  in  1644;  and  had  a  son,  John,  born  in  1652.  In  1655,  John 
Harrison  appears  to  have  been  a  freeholder  of  Newtown,  Long  Island, 
from  whence  he  removed  to  Flushing.  This  individual  was  the  father 
of  John  Harrison,  the  above  mentioned  patentee,  also  of  Samuel  Harri- 
son. The  latter  left  two  daughters,  co-heiresses ;  Hannah,  the  oldest, 
married  Joshua  Cornell,  father  of  the  present  John  Cornell,  of  North 

a  Town  and  Proprietors'  Meeting  Book,  No.  C.  p.  20. 
6  Ibid  p  13. 

c  Baird's  History  of  Rye,  1C60-1S70. 


THE  TOWN  OK  HARRISON. 


371 


Castle  ;  and  Sarah,  who  married  Gilbert  Palmer,  father  of  John  Palmer. 
"John  Harrison  sold  his  interest  in  the  Purchase  to  William  Lawrence, 
in  1702.  Ebenezer  Wilson  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  conveyed  their  inter- 
est to  Philip  Rokeby,  June  12,  1708."  Rokeby  having  married  Elizabeth 
Wilson  daughter  and  only  heir  at  law  of  said  Ebenezer  and  Margaret. 
By  will  dated,  June  17,  1709,  Philip  Rokeby  devised  all  his  estate  to  his 
wife  Elizabeth.6  Elizabeth  Rokeby  afterwards  married  David  Compton. 
The  latter  by  power  of  Attorney  on  the  30th  day  of  Jan.  17 18,  conveyed 
to  Elizabeth  Compton  and  Ebenezer  Wilson."  By  will  dated,  April  3, 
1744,  Elizabeth  Compton  devised  all  her  real  estate,  etc  ,  to  Sarah  and 
Mary  Canon,  children  of  John  and  Jerusha  Canon,  remainder  over, 
etc.d  Sarah  Canon  died  within  age  and  without  issue,  whereas  her  sister 
Mary  Canon,  married  John  Pintard,  had  a  son  named  also  John  Pin- 
tard,  and  died  aged  fifty-three,  leaving  no  other  children.  By  his  last 
will  dated  March  16,  1842,  John  Pintard  devised  all  his  real  and  per- 
sonal property  to  Andrew  Warner,  in  trust  for  his  daughter,  Louise  H. 
Servoss.  Testator  died,  June  21,  1844.  By  deed  dated,  March  19, 
1859,  Andrew  Warner  conveyed  all  his  said  trust  estate  to  Louise  H. 
Servoss.6  Louise  H.  Servoss  by  her  last  will  dated,  Febuary,  1865,  de- 
vises all  her  real  estate,  etc.,  to  her  son  and  executor,  the  present  Elias 
Boudinot  Servoss,  Esq./  of  Harlem,  N.  Y.  Thus  after  a  lapse  of  one 
hundred  and  eighty-one  years,  we  find  Mr.  Servoss  representing  all  the 
legal  rights  of  Ebenezer  Wilson,  one  of  the  five  patentees  of  the  pur- 
chase. William  Nicolls,  Esq.,  probably  parted  with  his  share  soon  after 
1702. 

"  The  only  one  of  the  original  patentees  who  retained  his  portion  was 
Samuel  Haight,  the  ancestor  of  a  prominent  family  of  the  town,  in  whose 
possession  it  remained  until  a  comparatively  recent  day.  Samuel  Haight, 
like  Harrison,  himself  and  Lawrence,  was  a  native  of  Flushing,  L.  I., 
and  belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends.  Indeed,  nearly  all  the  settlers 
of  this  purchase  came  from  Flushing,  and  other  towns  of  Long  Island ; 
and  most  of  these  were  of  the  same  religious  persuasion.  It  appears  to 
have  been  from  the  first  a  '  Quaker '  settlement ;  and  from  the  fact  that 
one  of  the  original  patentees  was  a  leading  member  of  that  body,  we  are 
led  to  believe  that  such  was  designed  to  be  the  character  of  the  enter- 
prise from  the  first.?    A  few  of  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  bought  land  in 

a  Deed,  June  12, 170S,  received  in  New  York,  June,  1715,  Lib.  xxvili,  p.  163. 
b  Will  dated,  June  17,  1709.  Proved  N.  Y.,  Auk.  27,1711. 

c  Power  of  Attorney,  Jan.  30,  1718.   Received,  Sept.  17, 1S17,  N.  Y.  Lib.  cxxill,  p.  87. 
d  Will  dated,  April  3, 1744.   Proved,  Oct.  12,  1745. 
«  This  deed  was  received  in  New  York,  May  S,  1871. 

/  W  ill  dated,  Feb.,  lsfio.    Received  in  Surrogates  office,  N.  Y.,  May  8, 1871.   Letters  Test, 
granted  to  her  executor,  E.  Boudinot  Servoss,  Nov.  8, 1871. 
g  Baird's  Uist.  of  Rye,  p.  103. 


372 


HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


this  section ;  but  in  no  such  number  as  removed  to  the  White  Plains 
and  other  purchases."0 

In  1740,  occurs  a  deed  of  sale  from  James  de  Lancey  and  Lewis 
Johnston,  to  Godfrey  Haines,  of  Rye,  which  recites  Caleb  Heathcote's 
purchase  in  a  certain  patent  granted  to  John-Harrison  and  others.  Caleb 
Heathcote  appears  to  have  purchased  two  hundred  acres  from  David 
Jameson,  one  of  the  patentees  in  17 12. 6 

"Roger  Park,  of  Rye,  had  acquired  lands  in  Harrison's  purchase, 
which  are  owned  by  some  of  the  name  at  the  present  day,  as  early  as 
1740."  Rev.  James  Wetmore  owned  a  farm  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
purchase.  William  Horton  owned  lands  on  '  Brown's  Point,'  near  St. 
Mary's  Pond,  in  1757. d  Gilbert  Bloomer  owned  in  1743,  a  farm  which 
he  then  sold  to  Thomas  Carpenter,  situated  where  Mr.  Charles  Park  has 
lately  bought.  "e 

This  beautiful  section  of  Westchester  county,  which  possesses  so  many 
attractions  and  advantages,  has  become  the  home  of  many  substantial 
citizens,  who  go  daily  to  the  city. 

Harrison  Station  on  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  Rail  Road,  is 
located  at  the  intersection  of  the  road  with  the  great  thoroughfare,  which 
under  the  name  of  Harrison  Avenue  and  North  Street,  traverses  the  en- 
tire township.  There  is  a  good  hotel  and  post  office,  and  a  scattered 
settlement,  including  many  handsome  private  residences  of  New  York 
business  men.  The  distance  to  the  latter  place  is  twenty-two  miles,  some 
twenty-two  trains  running  daily,  and  time  estimated  at  forty-eight  minutes. 

At  the  junction  of  North  Street  and  Locust  Avenue,  is  situated  the 
beautiful  stone  residence  of  William  Mathews,  Esq. 

The  Cromwells  were  possessed  of  considerable  landed  property  in  this 
township  at  a  very  early  period.  The  old  homestead  is  located  on  the 
south-east  side  of  Rye  pond,  on  the  road  leading  to  the  Purchase,  from 
North  Castle,  quite  close  to  the  brook  which  still  bears  their  name. 

The  several  branches  of  the  Cromwell  family  in  America  claim  descent 
from  the  same  parent  stock  as  that  of  the  Protector  Oliver  CfomwelL 
It  is  presumed  that  the  ancestor  of  the  American  line  was  CoL  John 
Cromwell,  son  of  Sir  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  cousin  of  the  Protector. 

The  following  notice  of  Col.  John  Cromwell,  occurs  in  Noble's  life  of 
the  protector. 

"This  gentleman  was  early  in  the  army.  In  1624  he  went  over  as  a 
captain  in  the  first  regiment  of  foot,  in  the  forces  sent  over  by  King 

a  Ban  d's  Hist,  of  Rye,  p.  103. 

6  County  Records  Lib.  c.  260. 

<i  Hand's  Hist,  of  Rve,  p.  103.  Rye  Records,  c  170. 

d  Ditto.   Rve  Records,  d.  116,  ITS. 
«  Baird's  Hist,  of  Rye,  p.  103. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON.  373 

James  I,  for  the  recovery  of  the  palatinate  j  after  this  he  was  a  colonel 
of  an  English  regiment  in  the  service  of  the  United  States.  Happening 
to  be  in  England  whilst  his  sovereign,  King  Charles  I,  was  a  prisoner  to 
the  Parliament  army,  and  hearing  his  relation,  Oliver,  (afterwards  lord 
Protector,)  say,  'I  think  the  king  the  most  injured  prince  in  the  world,' 
and  putting  his  hand  to  his  sword,  continued,  'but  this  shall  right  him;' 
supposed  that  his  zeal  was  real,  and  therefore  expressed  himself  satisfied 
that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  go  those  lengths  which  many  others 
wished  to  go.  For  these  reasons,  when  that  unfortunate,  misguided 
monarch  was  (after  a  pretended  trial)  condemned  to  die,  and  the  Prince 
of  Orange  taking  vast  pains  to  save  him,  or  at  least  to  stay  the  execu- 
tion, sent  over  such  relations  of  the  leading  men  in  the  army,  as  he 
thought  could  influence  them,  applied  to  this  gentleman,  he  very  readily 
undertook  the  task  with  the  greatest  expectation  of  succeeding  in  so  de- 
sirable a  business  ;  wherefore  taking  credential  letters  from  the  States  ; 
which  letters,  with  the  King's  and  Prince  of  Wale's  signet,  and  both  con- 
firmed by  the  States,  offering  Oliver  his  own  terms  in  case  he  would  pre- 
vent the  fatal  sentence  from  being  carried  into  execution,  he  hastened 
to  England.  He  found  his  cousin  Oliver,  the  Lieutenant-General  at 
home. 

It  was  with  difficulty  he  gained  admittance,  as  he  kept  his  cham- 
ber and  ordered  himself  to  be  denied.  Upon  his  introduction  to  Oliver, 
after  the  usual  compliments  between  relations,  he  began  to  mention  the 
the  horrid  crime  intended  to  be  committed ;  and  after  a  very  free  har- 
rangue  upon  the  atrocity,  the  indelible  stain  it  would  be  to  the  nation, 
and  in  what  a  light  it  was  beheld  upon  the  continent,  added,  '  that,  of  all 
men  living,  he  thought  he  would  never  have  had  any  hand  in  it,  who,  in 
his  hearing,  had  protested  so  much  to  the  King.'  Oliver  replied,  it  was 
not  him,  but  the  army;  and  though  he  did  once  say  such  words,  yet 
now  times  were  altered,  and  Providence  seemed  to  order  things  other- 
wise, adding  that  he  had  prayed  and  fasted  for  the  King,  but  no  return 
that  way  was  yet  made  to  him.  Upon  which  the  Colonel  stepped  a  lit- 
tle back  and  hastily  shut  the  door,  which  made  Oliver  supposed  he  was 
going  to  be  assassinated ;  but  the  other,  taking  out  his  papers,  said  to 
him,  'Cousin,  this  is  no  time  to  trifle  with  words,  see  here: — it  is  now  in 
your  own  power  not  only  to  make  yourself,  but  your  family,  relations, 
and  posterity  happy  and  honorable  for  ever;  otherwise,  as  they  have 
changed  their  name  before,  from  Williams  to  Cromwell,  so  now  they 
must  be  forced  to  change  it  again ;  for  this  act  will  bring  such  an  ignominy 
upon  the  whole  generation  of  them,  that  no  time  will  be  able  to  deface. 
After  a  pause  Oliver  said,  'Cousin,  I  desire  you  will  give  me  till  night 


374 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


to  consider  it,  and  do  you  go  to  your  own  inn  and  not  to  bed  till  you 
hear  from  me.' 

"The  Colonel  retired,  and  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  received 
a  message  that  he  might  go  to  rest  and  expect  no  other  answer  to  carry 
to  the  Prince ;  for  the  council  of  officers  had  been  seeking  God,  as  he 
had  also  done,  and  it  was  resolved  by  them  all  that  the  King  must  die. 
With  this  unhappy  message  he  returned  to  Holland  again,  where  he  con- 
tinued in  that  service  for  many  years,  perhaps  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  By  a  letter  dated  Nov.  J",  1653,  from  Jongeshall  to  William, 
Earl  of  Nassau,  it  appears  that  Col.  John  Cromwell  was  then  in  Hol- 
land. Through  the  ill  behavior  of  his  wife  Abigail,  he  was — from  the 
most  affluent  circumstances — reduced  to  the  brink  of  ruin.  By  his  wife 
(continues  Noble,)  Col.  Cromwell  had  a  daughter  Joan,  baptized  Sept. 
28,  1634,  and  perhaps  other  children."" 

In  1686,  we  find  John  Cromwell6  of  the  town  of  Westchester  and 
Mary  his  wife,  selling  lands  to  Thomas  Hunt,  Sen,  of  the  West  Farms. 
These  lands  were  situated  upon  Long  Neck,  afterwards  known  as  Crom- 
well's Neck,  and  now  styled  Castle  Hill  Neck. 

John  Cromwell  (the  supposed  son  of  Col.  John  Cromwell,)  left  issue 
by  his  wife  Mary,  John,  from  whom  the  present  Oliver  Cromwell,  and 
Jeremiah  of  West  Farms  are  descended,  and  James  Cromwell,  who  was 
living  in  17 17.  The  latter  by  his  wife  Anne  Godfrey  had  two  sons, 
John  and  James.  The  oldest  son  John  Cromwell  was  residing  upon  the 
property  in  Harrison  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
for  his  name  occurs  in  General  Washington's  military  map  of  the  county, 
dated  1778,  as  the  occupant  of  the  homestead."  The  present  William 
Cromwell  of  Harrison  is  the  grandson  of  the  above  named  John  Crom- 
well. d 

From  an  early  period,  the  Thomas  family  have  resided  in  the  eastern 
part  of  this  town.  The  first  member  who  purchased  land  here,  was  the 
Hon.  John  Thomas,  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Thomas,  for  many  years 
Rector  of  St.  George's  church,  Hempstead,  Long  Island  (wjio  was 
ordained  deacon  and  priest  by  the  Bishop  of  London  in  1704  and  in- 
ducted rector  Dec.  27,  1704,  and  had  resided  in  Philadelphia  three 
years  as  second  minister  and  school  master  of  Christ  church  in  that  city 

a  Noble's  Life  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  vol.  L  584-8. 

b  John  Cromwell  (the  supposed  son  of  Col.  John,)  is  said  to  have  emigrated  from  Holland 
during  the  time  the  Dutch  held  the  province. 

c  John  Cromwell  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  British  and  conveyed  to  New  York. 

d  A  singular  circumstances  (illustrative  of  the  stroug  family  likeness  which  still  exists  be- 
tween the  English  and  American  branches.)  occurred  in  the  village  of  Westchester  a  few  years 
since.  Oliver  Cromwell,  a  resident  blacksmith  of  that  place,  was  accosted  by  a  friend,  who 
at  the  same  moment  presented  him  a  likeness  of  the  Protector;  the  former  (unable  to  read) 
Involuntarily  exclaimed  as  he  gazed  upon  the  portrait,  "  why  there  is  our  old  blacksmth  him- 
self." 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


375 


whence  he  returned  to  England.)  Concerning  this  individual,  Dr.  Car- 
michael  in  his  history  of  St.  George's  church,  observes,  "  that  he  com- 
menced his  ministrations  there,  in  the  spring  of  1705,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  society  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts.  In  a  letter 
addressed  to  the  secretary  of  that  society,  Oct.  18th,  1724,  he  says, 
"Good  sir,  give  my  humble  duty  to  the  Honorable  Society,  and  assure 
them  of  my  utmost  fidelity,  as  far  as  lame  limbs  and  a  decrepit  state  of 
health  will  permit.  My  heart  is  warm  and  sound,  though  lodged,  God 
knows,  in  a  crazy,  broken  carcase;  nay,  more,  pray  tell  them  that 
Epaminondas  like,  I  shall  fight  upon  the  stumps  for  that  purest  and  best 
of  Churches,  as  long  as  God  indulges  me  with  the  least  ability  do  it." 
"After  this,"  continues  Dr.  Carmichael,  "we  find  no  more  letters  from 
Mr.  Thomas  to  the  Society,  whose  distinguished  ornament  he  was,  and 
presume  from  other  circumstances,  that  he  died  near  about  that  time ; 
but,  in  the  Society's  Annual  Report,  printed  in  London,  Feb.  16th,  1827, 
we  have  discovered  the  following  touching  memento,  viz.,  a  gratuity  of 
^50,  to  Mrs.  Thomas,  is  voted,  the  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas, 
missionary  at  Hempstead,  in  New  York,  in  consideration  of  his  long  and 
faithful  services,  upwards  of  twenty  years."*1 

His  eldest  son,  was  the  Hon.  John  Thomas,  (already  alluded  to)  first 
Judge  of  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  for  many  years  a  representa- 
tive in  the  general  assembly  of  the  province.  This  distinguished  gentle- 
man was  a  warm  whig,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  scenes  that  pre- 
ceded the  Revolution,  on  which  account  he  was  particularly  obnoxious 
to  the  enemy.  Judge  Thomas  was  seized  in  his  bed  by  a  party  of  Brit- 
ish troops,  at  10  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  March  22d,  1777,  and 
conveyed  to  New  York  where  he  was  committed  to  the  provost. 
Here  he  lingered  until  the  2d  of  May,  1777,  when  (between  four 
and  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  that  day,)  death  released  him 
from  his  sufferings.  His  remains  were  interred  the  following  Saturday 
evening,  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock  in  Trinity  church  yard.6  "The 
following  is  a  brief  summary,"  says  Dr.  Thatcher,  of  the  systematic 
method  adopted  and  practiced  for  "the  destruction  of  American  prison- 
ers," as  taken  from  the  New  London  Gazette,  from  General  Washing- 
ton's letter  of  complaint  to  General  Howe,  and  from  the  verbal  state- 
ment of  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  have  returned  from  New  York  by 
exchange.  They  were  crowded  into  the  holds  of  prison  ships,  where 
they  were  almost  suffocated  for  want  of  air,  and  into  churches,  and  open 
sugar  houses,  etc,  without  covering  or  a  spark  of  fire.    Their  allowance 


a  Carnilchaers  IIlsU  of  St.  GeorRe'8  church,  p.  2S. 
6  Extracted  from  James  l'raukliu'3  Bible. 


376 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  provisions  and  v/ater  for  three  days,  was  insufficient  for  one ;  and  in 
some  instances,  they  were  four  days  entirely  destitute  of  food.  The  pork 
and  bread,  for  they  had  no  other  sustenance,  and  even  water  allowed 
them  were  of  the  worst  possible  quality,  and  totally  unfit  for  human  be- 
ings. A  minute  detail  of  their  dreadful  sufferings,  would  only  serve  to 
harrow  up  the  feelings  of  surviving  friends.  As  a  gross  outrage  against 
the  principles  of  humanity,  suffice  it  to  say,  that  in  consequence  of  the 
most  barbarous  treatment,  not  less  than  fifteen  hundred  American  sol- 
diers, died  within  a  few  weeks,  brave  young  men,  the  pride  and  shield  of 
our  country.  After  death  had  released  the  sufferers,  their  bodies  were 
dragged  out  of  the  prisons  and  piled  up  without  doors,  till  enough  were 
collected  for  a  cart  load,  when  they  were  carted  out  and  tumbled  into  a 
ditch,  and  slightly  covered  with  earth."a 

By  his  wife  Abigail,  the  Hon.  John  Thomas  left  issue,  (beside  four 
daughters,)  John  Thomas,  High  Sheriff  of  Westchester  county,  in  1778,* 
William  Thomas  and  Major  General  Thomas  Thomas,  of  Harrison. 
The  latter  individual  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  whigs  of  the  north, 
a  distinguished  military  officer,"  Sheriff  of  the  county,  (in  177S)  and  one 
of  the  first  members  of  the  State  Legislature.  The  following  notice  of 
his  capture  by  the  Queen's  rangers  in  1777,  is  thus  related  by  Lieuten- 
ant Col.  Simcoe. 

"  Before  the  troops  went  into  winter  quarters,  it  was  necessary  that 
sufficient  boards  should  be  procured  to  hut  those  who  were  to  remain  in 
the  vicinity  of  King's  Bridge,  and  the  light  troops  were  of  the  parties 
who  collected  them.  Lieut.  Colonel  Simcoe  proposed  to  General  Tryon, 
who  commanded  the  British,  to  take  down  Ward's  house,"*  and  the  build 
ings  in  its  vicinity ;  and  that,  while  a  covering  party  should  halt  there, 
he  would  attempt  to  surprise  Col.  Thomas,  (a  very  active  partizan  of  the 
enemy,)  and  a  post  of  dragoons,  nearly  twenty  miles  beyond  it.  Gen- 
eral Tryon  acquiesced  in  the  proposal,  and  directed  it  to  be  put  in  exe- 
cution, but  seemed  very  doubtful,  whether  so  wary  a  person  as  Thomas 
could  be  circumvented.  Lieut.  Colonel  Simcoe  marched  all  night,  with 
Emmerich's  and  the  Queen's  rangers,  and  surrounded  Thomas'  house  by 
daybreak.  Pie  never  lay  at  home  before  that  night,  and  had  done  so  in 
consequence  of  the  British  troops  in  general  being  gone  into  winter  quar- 
ters, and  one  of  his  own  spies  being  deceived,  and  made  to  believe  that 
the  Queen's  rangers  were  to  march  to  Long  Island.  One  shot  was  fired 
from  the  window,  which,  unfortunately  killed  a  man  by  the  side  of  Lieut. 

a  James  Thatcher's  Military  Journal.  Feb.  1T7T.  B.  77. 

6  This  gentleman  Was  the  last  W<jh  Sheriff  of  the  county  before,  and  the  first  appoint*11 
after,  the  war. 

c  General  Thomas  was  elected  chairman  of  Public  Safety,  in  177C 
</  See  East  Chester. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


377 


Colonel  Simcoe.  The  house  was  immediately  forced ;  and,  no  resistance 
being  made,  the  officers  shut  the  doors  of  the  different  rooms,  to  prevent 
the  irritated  soldiers  from  revenging  their  unfortunate  comrade.  The 
man  who  fired,  was  the  only  person  killed ;  but  Thomas,  after  Lieut. 
Colonel  Simcoe  had  personally  protected  him  and  ensured  his  safety, 
jumped  out  of  the  window,  and,  springing  over  some  fences,  would  have 
certainly  escaped,  notwithstanding  most  of  Emmcrick's  riflemen  fired  at 
him,  had  not  an  hussar  leaped  after  him  and  cut  at  him  with  his  sword, 
(which  he  crouched  from,  and  luckily  escaped,)  when  he  surrendered. 
The  cavalry  proceeded  on  to  the  enemy's  picquet,  at  a  mile  distance. 
They  had  been  alarmed  by  the  firing,  and  were  formed.  They  fired  their 
carbines  (by  which  Captain  Ogden,  of  Emmcrick's,  was  wounded,)  and 
fled ;  they  were  pursued,  but  to  no  purpose.  The  troops  returned  to 
General  Tryon,  who  was,  in  person,  at  Ward's  house,  and  who  was  much 
pleased  at  this  mischievous  partizan  being  taken.  This  march  was 
above  fifty  miles."0 

General  Thomas  was  subsequently,  paroled  and  ultimately  exchanged. 
Upon  his  death,  which  took  place  in  1824,  the  Thomas  property  in  this 
town  passed  by  will  to  the  heir  of  his  sister,  Charity  Thomas,  who  married 
James  Ferris  of  Throckmorton's  Neck.  Their  grandson  Thomas  Ferris, 
is  the  present  proprietor.  Of  this  family  is  the  Hon.  Charles  G.  Ferris, 
late  member  of  Congress  from  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  remains  of  the  Thomas  family  are  interred  within  a  neat  inclos- 
ure,  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  estate.  Here  are  a  number  of 
memorials  inscribed  as  follows: 

Sacred 
to  the  memory 
of 

Major  General 
THOMAS  THOMAS, 
who  died  on  the  29th  May, 

A.  D.  1824, 
in  the  79th  year  of  his  age. 
As  a  soldier  of  the  devolution  of  1776, 
he  aided  in  achieving 
the  independence  of  the 
Uuited  States : 
as  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  New  York, 
he  assisted  in  laying  the 
foundation  of  those  institutions 
that  are  intended  to  perpetuate  the 

.   Republic. 

o  Simcoe'a  Military  Journal,  Bartlett  &  Welford,  N.  Y.,  p.  92,  93. 


37S 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Sacred 


Sacred 
to  the  inemery  of 
Charles  Floyd  Thomas 
son  of  Thomas  Thomas, 
and  Catharine  Thomas, 
who  died  on  the  2d  of 
January,  A.D.  1802, 
in  the  24th  year  of  his  age. 


to  the  memory  of 
Catharine  Thomas, 


•widow  of 


Thomas  Thomas, 


who  died  the  15th  day  of 


January,  A.D.  1825, 


in  the  79th  year  of  her  age. 


Sacred  to  the  memory 


of 

Nancy  Thomas, 

daughter  of 
Thomas  Thomas, 
and  Catharine  Thomas, 
who  died  in  February,  1795, 
aged  19  years. 


Also  of  Gloriana  Thomas, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Thomas, 

and  Catharine  Thomas, 
who  died  Dec.  19,  A.D.  1779, 
aged  7  years. 


Any.  one  who  is  familiar  with  the  origin  of  family  names  in  England 
must  know  that  there  are  many  persons  with  such  patronymics  as  Field, 
Wood,  Hill,  &c,  who  are  in  no  way  related  to  each  other.  Apparently 
the  former  of  these  has  been  hereditary  in  the  Flushing  family  since  the 
conquest,"  indicating  a  (so-called)  Norman  descent.  Lancashire  seems 
to  have  been  the  English  cradle  of  this  race.  It  is  stated  in  i4  Burke's 
Commoners,"  under  the  head  of  Delafield,  that  Hubertusde  la  Feld  held 
lands  there,  (presumibly  for  military  services)  in  the  Third  of  William 
I.  and  that  others  of  the  name  were  proprietors  in  the  same  bounty  dur- 
ing the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  centuries.  In  the  "Concher  book  of 
Whalley  Abbey  "  which  has  been  published  by  the  Chatham  Society  is 
a  deed  of  Adam,  son  of  Henry  Delffeld  of  a  house  and  lands  at  Falenge 
in  Rochdale,  Lancashire,  and  a  quit  claim  of  the  same  by  Adam's  son 
Robert.  These  documents  are  not  dated ;  but  from  surrounding  cir- 
cumstances the  time  of  their  execution  can  be  approximately  fixed  as 
the  middle  of  the  thirteenth  century.  It  was  most  certainly  before  the 
fourteenth,  for  the  Abbey  was  at  the  date  of  these  documents  at  Stanlaw, 
where  it's  buildings  were  mostly  burnt  in  12S9,  and  in  1296  all  it's  com- 
munity had  removed  to  Whalley.  Rochdale  stands  near  the  Yorkshire 
border,  and  the  high  road  from  it  to  Halifax  passes  Sowerby  in  this 

a  See  Freeman's  Norman  Conquest 


THE  TOWN  OK  HARRISON. 


379 


county,  which  is  some  ten  miles  from  the  former  town.  Sowerby  was 
in  the  great  manor  of  Wakefield,  which  was  thirty  miles  in  length.  The 
rolls  of  this  manor  exist  from  about  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth 
century.  From  the  earlier  part  of  them,  to  about  1650  the  dehTelds,  or 
Fields,  are  repeatedly  mentioned.  The  first  entry  in  1306,  is  of  a  suit 
of  Richard  delffeld  of  Sowerly  vs.  Robert,  son  of  William  de  Satton- 
stall.  In  1307  Thomas  delffeld  of  Sowerby  was  a  juror,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  Richard,  son  of  Roger  delffeld,  held  that  same  position. 
Sowerby  was  a  "  graveship "  and  different  members  of  the  family,  at 
various  times,  held  the  office  there  of  "  prepositus,"  who  was  the  chief 
official,  as  the  name  implies.  It  is  highly  probable  that  Adam  delffeld 
settled  at  Sowerby,  after  selling  his  estate  at  Falenge.  This  is  partly 
confirmed  by  the  reappearance  at  Sowerby,  shortly  after,  of  this  rather 
unusual  Christian  name.  Adam  delffeld  is  mentioned  there-  in  1333, 
and  a  little  later  there  were  two  of  the  name, — Adam,  son  of  Richard 
delffeld  in  1336,  and  Adam  son  of  Thomas  delffeld  in  1349.  In  this 
last  year  an  Adam  delffeld  was  chosen  "propositus."  In  1350  there 
was  an  Adam,  son  of  Thomas;  and  a  Thomas,  son  of  Adam. 

Down  to  1 410  the  family  name  is  always  as  above.  From  that  date 
to  1450,  it  is  sometimes  with,  and  sometimes  without  the  prefix,  after 
which  date,  this  last  is  finally  dropped,  and  it  is  simply  ffeld  till  1570,  or 
so,  when  the  modern  spelling  came  in  and  it  is  written  ffield,  or  ffeild. 
The  family  has  disappeared  from  Sowerby,  but  on  their  old  estate,  the 
name  survives  in  "  Field  House,"  the  residence  of  Col.  Stansfeld,  built 
about  a  century  and  a  half  since.  Adjoining  it  is  "old  Field  House," 
once  the  home  of  the  family,  and  erected  probably  in  the  sixteenth 
century.  An  addition  in  the  rear,  of  a  later  period,  has  on  it  the  date 
1630.  It  is  a  large  edifice  resembling  the  manor  houses  of  that  time, 
now  somewhat  modernized  and  divided  up,  giving  shelter  to  half  a  dozen 
families.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  this  building  formerly  stood 
on  higher  ground  a  more  ancient  one,  called  "  Upper  Field  House," 
which  was  pulled  down  about  fifty  years  since  by  Col.  Stansfeld's  father. 
"  Field  House,"  Sowerby,  is  mentioned  in  the  Wakefield  Manor  rolls  as 
early  as  1440,  and  in  1500  there  appear  to  have  been  there,  two  build- 
ings of  the  name,  one  of  which  is  distinguished  as  "  Nether  Field  House." 

From  Sowerby  the  family  spread  itself  around  the  neighborhood,  and 
during  the  latter  half  of  the  14th,  15th  and  16th  centuries  they  are  found 
at  various  places  within  a  radius  of  twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  and  mostly  at 
or  near  Halifax,  Bedford  and  Wakefield. 

William  Field,  the  father  of  the  emigrant,  resided  at  Sowerby,  where 
his  two  eldest  children  were  born ;  but  removed  to  North  Ouram,  a 


38o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


place  but  a  few  miles  distant,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Halifax, 
in  1593,  4,  or  5.  Sir  Richard  Sattonstall,  who,  in  connection  with  Win- 
throp,  got  up  the  well  known  expedition  to  New  England  in  1630,  then 
resided  at  an  estate  called  Rookes'  in  Hipperholme,  a  township  adjoin- 
ing North  Ouram.  Many  of  his  neighbours  were  among  the  1700  per- 
sons who  formed  this  party.  Among  them  were  the  Rev.  Richard 
Denton,  curate  of  Coley  chapel,  whose  ministry  embraced  Hipperholme, 
and  North  Ouram,  and  Matthew  Mitchell,  who  was  a  witness  to  the  will 
of  Susan  Field,  mother  of  Robert,  in  1622-3.  Both  of  these  settled  at 
Hempstead,  L.  I.,  in  1643  or  4.  No  list  of  the  members  of  the  Win- 
throp  and  Sattenstall  expedition  exists,  but  there  is  every  reason  to  sup- 
pose that  Robert  Field  was  of  the  party.  For  the  next  few  years  the 
records  of  the  New  England  colonists  are  extremely  meagre  and  hisa 
movements  cannot  be  traced,  but  shortly  after  the  settlement  of  Rhode 
Island,  viz.:  in  1638,  his  name  appears  among  the  inhabitants  of  New- 
port, and  he  is  also  mentioned  there  in  the  three  following  years.  In 
the  list  of  1638  we  find  John  Hicks,  as  well  as  Robert  Field,  at  New- 
port; and  they  are  again  found  together  among  the  original  patentees  of 
Flushing,  L.  I.,  in  1645.  There  can  be  no  moral  doubt,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, that  the  two  residents  of  Newport,  and  the  two  patentees  of 
Flushing,  were  the  same  individuals. 

The  right  of  the  family  to  the  arms  they  bear, — sable,  a  chevron  be- 
tween 3  garbs  argent, — was  finally  acknowledged  by  the  heralds  in  1558. 
when  a  crest  was  granted  to  John  Field  of  East  Ardsley,  near  Wakefield, 
who  has  been  styled  "  the  protocopsmican  of  England."  The  three 
wheat-sheaves  on  a  black  shield,  was  borne  by  the  Fields  from  about  the 
time  when  coat-armour  was  introduced  in  England,  viz.:  the  13th  cen- 
tury, as  is  shown  by  the  account  of  the  movements  in  Madley  church,  to 
be  found  in  "Richard  Symond's  Diary,"  published  by  the  Camden  So- 
ciety. 

The  Field  family  were  also  among  the  early  settlers  of  Harrison  Pur- 
chase. Anthony  Field  having  removed  from  Flushing,  Long  Island,  to 
this  town,  in  1725.  The  name  of  the  ancient  family  is  of  frequent  oc- 
curence in  Doomsday  book  and  is  there  often  interchanged  with  Lea,  a 
word  bearing  the  same  signification. 

Benjamin  the  son  of  Anthony  married  for  his  first  wife,  Hannah,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Brown  of  Hushing;  they  were  married  at  Flushing,  Nov.  30, 
1 69 1,  and  left  with  other  sons,,  the  aforesaid  Anthony,  who  married  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  William  Burling  of  Flushing.    Their  descendants  are 

a  He  must  not  be  confused  with  Robert  Field  of  Roston,  who  married  Mary,  daughter  ol 
Christopher  Stanley,  and  had  a  large  family  of  children,  bom  from  1044  to  16(55. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


38l 


very  numerous  in  the  county.  Anthony's  brother  Robert,  born  in 
Flushing,  Sept.  7,  1707,  removed  to  Greenwich,  Connecticut,  and  he 
married  his  second  wife  Abegail,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sutton.  They 
had  a  son  Uriah,  who  married  Mary  Quimby,  at  Harrison  Purchase, 
January  18,  1764.  This  forms  the  other  branch  of  the  Westchester 
family. 

Benjamin  married  Hannah  Brown,  and  left,  with  other  sons,  Anthony 
— who  removed  from  Flushing  to  this  town  in  1725.  He  was  the  father 
of  six  sons;  Thomas,  Samuel,  Benjamin,  William,  Moses  and  John; 
whose  descendants  are  very  numerous  in  the  county. 

Brown's  Point,  now  a  part  of  the  town  of  Harrison,  but  bordering 
on  White  Plains,  appears  to  have  been  held  at  first,  as  a  tract  distinct 
from  other  purchases.  The  point  was  formed  by  the  junction  of  Ma- 
maroneck  River,  which  has  its  principal  source  in  St.  Mary's  Lake,  and 
Buckhout's  saw  mill  stream,  which  has  its  origin  near  Rye  Pond  in  the  » 
northern  part  of  the  town. 

On  the  west  side  of  Purchase  Street,  and  near  its  junction  with  the 
White  Plains  road,  is  situated  the  "  Ophir  Farm,"  once  the  property  of 
Mr.  Benjamin  Halladay.  Near  the  junction  of  Purchase  Street  and 
Harrison  Avenue,  is  located  the  Harrison  post  office.  In  this  small 
hamlet  is  a  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  "As  early  as  1843,  the  Rev. 
H.  A.  Mead,  local  elder,  commenced  preaching  here  in  a  school-house, 
and  in  a  private  dwelling.  The  church  was  built  in  1855-6.  This  church 
is  connected  with  the  village  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  White 
Plains  ;  Mr.  Mead  still  continues  in  charge."a 

In  the  vicinity  of  Harrison  Avenue  is  the  old  Thomas'  estate.  The 
small  settlement  of  Purchase,  commenced  by  the  Friends  as  early  as 
17 19,  and  frequently  called  Rye  Woods,  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town,  on  the  south-east  side  of  Rye  Pond.  It  con- 
tains two  meeting  houses  belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  a  store 
and  a  post  office,  upon  the  road  from  Rye  to  Bedford ;  passing  through 
this  place,  are  several  substantial  farm  houses. 

The  Friends. 

From  Flushing,  probably,  the  Society  of  Friends  spread  at  a  very 
early  day  to  this  place.  Rye  was  in  regular  communication  with  Long 
Island,  in  1739;  a  ferry  was  established  between  it  and  Oyster  Bay, 
Long  Island.  This  ferry  continued  in  use  till  the  latter  part  of  the 
century.  A  map  of  Rye  in  1797  shows  the  house  at  the  ferry  near  the 
mouth  of  Byram  River.6     It  must  have  been  a  place  of  frequent  resort 

a  Baird'a  1 1 1  -t  .  of  Rye,  p.  358. 
t>  BalrU's  Utstory  of  Rye. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


as  a  store  was  kept  at  the  house  by  the  ferry,  and  which  was  well  patron- 
ized by  the  farmers  on  King  street  and  the  Plains,  and  was  quite  l 
resort  for  their  wives  and  daughters,  for  the  purchase  of  "calicoes, 
ribbands,  fans,  gloves,  necklaces,  looking  glasses,  etc,"  which  were  kept 
for  sale  here. 

The  first  Friends  Meeting  House  was  erected  here  in  1727,  upon 
ground  given  for  that  purpose  by  Anthony  Field,  "who  had  removed 
hither  two  years  before  from  Flushing,  Long  Island,  and  who  owned  the 
adjoining  farm."  6 

This  seems  to  have  been  the  favorite  settlement  of  the  Friends.  They 
were  shamefully  persecuted  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts;  from 
there  driven  to  Rhode  Island,  from  whence  they  had  to  fly  to  Long 
Island.  Even  there  they  could  find  no  rest,  for  the  Governor  of  New 
York  issued  an  order  forbiding  them  to  worship  even  in  a  barn.  So 
they  crossed  by  means  of  the  ferry  to  Rye,  and  settled  principally  in 
Harrison ;  here  they  were  hemmed  in  by  their  old  enemies,  the  Dutch 
on  the  Hudson  River,  and  the  unforgiving  and  intolerant  Puritans  on 
the  East.  They  thus  extended  up  this  narrow  strip  of  country,  and  the  * 
family  names  of  the  first  settlers  can  be  traced  for  over  one  hundred 
miles  north. 

Samuel  Haight,  of  Flushing,  one  of  the  five  patentees  of  Harrison 
Purchase,  was  a  Friend.  When  after  a  lapse  of  twenty  years  or  more  a 
considerable  emigration  from  Long  Island  to  the  Purchase  took  place, 
it  consisted  mainly,  if  not  wholly,  of  families  of  Friends. 

In  1706  they  appear  to  have  begun  to  settle  in  Rye,  for  Mr.  Muirson, 
Missionary  of  the  Gospel  Propagation  Society,  tried  to  win  them  over  to 
his  faith,  but  failed.  Mr.  Bridge,  his  successor,  reported  seven  families 
of  Quakers  in  his  parish  in  17 10,  and  four  or  five  families  inclining  to 
them. 

One  of  these,  probably,  was  the  family  of  Captain  John  Clapp,  who 
came  to  Rye  as  early  as  1705.  In  17 18  he  was  called  a  reputed 
Quaker. 

From  Mr.  Bridge's  account,  it  seems  that  in  the  winter  of  1 7  fo,  an 
attempt  was  made  by  certain  persons  to  form  themselves  into  a  society 
in  the  neighborhood  of  his  parish.  He  called  them  Cale's  followers,  or 
Canting  Quakers.  Mr.  Bridge  in  17 12,  records  his  success  in  disputing 
with  these  people.  (They  could  not  have  been  true  Quakers).  They 
have  never,  he  says,  held  a  public  meeting  since  in  these  parts.  Five 
years  afterwards,  however,  he  writes,  "  The  Quakers  come  frequently  in 


a  Balrd'S  Hist,  of  Hve. 
b  Ibid. 


THE  TOWN  OK  HARRISON. 


333 


great  nilmbers  from  Long  Island  and  other  places,  to  hold  their  meet- 
ings in  the  out  parts  of  my  parish.  It  is  my  constant  care,  he  adds,  to 
watch  their  movements,  and  to  prevent  their  seducing  any  of  my 
parish  oners." 

The  Friends  seem  to  have  met  with  much  acceptance  at  Mamaroneck, 
for  they  built  a  Friends'  meeting  house  there  in  1739,  on  land  bought 
of  Sylvanus  Palmer.  It  stood  opposite  the  Munro  place,  where  there  is 
still  a  Friends'  burying  ground.  About  1774  this  meeting  house  was 
removed  to  its  present  site." 

The  half  year  meetings  of  Friends  in  this  region  had  been  held  at  this 
meeting  house  in  Mamaroneck.  A  proposition  was  made  on  the  eighth 
day  of  the  twelfth  month  (December),  1727,  to  remove  the  meeting  to 
Rye  meeting  house,  and  discontinue  the  meetings  at  Robert  Sneathings 
(apparently  in  Rye).    This  was  done. 

The  first  meeting-house  built  in  Westchester  County,  existed  as  early 
as  1723.  In  that  year  mention  is  made  of  "The  Quaker  meeting-house 
in  Westchester  village."  6  A  monthly  meeting  was  appointed  by  the 
yearly  meeting  of  Friends,  at  Flushing,  Long  Island,  to  be  held  at  West- 
chester, New  York,  on  the  ninth  day  of  fourth  month,  1725.  Not  long 
after  we  hear  of  occasional  meetings  being  held  at  Mamaroneck  and 
Rye,  in  private  houses.  One  on  the  13th  of  May,  1726,  to  be  held 
every  other  month  at  the  house  of  Jas.  Mott;  and  another,  1727,  was  at 
Robert  Sneathings/ 

"  In  1742,  on  the  '  eleventh  day  of  first  month,  (January.)  the  monthly 
meeting  was  transferred  from  Mamaroneck,  to  the  '  Meeting- House  in 
Rye  Woods'  This  meeting  was  now  held  at  three  places  on  the  main ; 
alternately  at  Westchester,  Mamaroneck,  and  Purchase ;  and  subject  to 
it,  meetings  had  by  this  time  been  established  at  New  Milford,  the  Ob- 
long, and  Nine  Partners  f  and  in  1 744,  on  the  eighth  day  of  ninth  month, 
(September,)  a  proposition  was  made  to  establish  a  quarterly  meeting  'on 
this  side,'  i.  e.,  on  the  main.  Accordingly,  the  yearly  meeting,  still  held 
at  Flushing,  on  the  thirteenth  of  fourth  month,  (April,)  1745,  appointed 
a  quarterly  meeting  to  be  held  at  the  Purchase."* 

"  In  1745,  on  the  eleventh  day  of  fifth  month,  the  meeting  appointed 
Thomas  Franklin,  '  to  get  seats  to  be  made  rising  in  the  upper  part  of 


a  Baird's  History  of  Rye. 

6  '  Entering  of  tile  Highways,'  a  book  of  record  In  the  County  Clerk's  office,  White  Plains, 
pair.'  ., 

c  Rye  Records,  Vol.  B.  pp.  227-30. 

d  A  meeting  was  commenced  at  North  Castle  in  1764,  and  was  held  once  a  fortnight  in  win- 
ter. The  North  Castle  meeting-honse  was  built  in  179S,  in  about  1S75  it  was  given  up  and  sold. 

«  Records  of  the  Society  in  Harrison.  Baud's  Hist  of  Rye,  p.  354.  An  addition  was  made 
to  Friends  of  Meeting-House,  at  (he  Purchase  In  17C0. 


384 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  Meeting-House  at  ye  Purchase.'  "a  It  was  here  that  the  wounded 
soldiers  were  brought,  immediately  after  the  Battle  of  White  Plains,  on 
the  28th  of  October,  1776,  and  laid  out  on  the  floor  or  lower  seats.  It 
was  probably  for  the  double  purpose  of  protecting  the  wounded,  and 
securing  the  communications  of  the  army  at  the  White  Plains ;  in  that 
direction,  Major  Brigadier  General  Samuel  Holden  Parson,  had  a  post 
near  the  head  of  Rye  Pond,  October  29,  1776.  "In  1778,  the  monthly 
meeting  was  held  in  King  Street,  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Clapp,  on  the 
thirteenth  day  of  eighth  month,  (August).  The  reason  for  this  change 
was,  the  Meeting-house,  at  Purchase,  being  made  use  of  '  for  a  hospital 
for  the  sick  of  the  army.'  September  10th,  '  the  Meeting-house  is  not 
yet  to  be  had.'  October  8th,  the  meeting  is  held  as  formerly,  in  the 
Purchase  Meeting-House. 

On  the  eleventh  of  February,  1779,  it  is  represented  at  the  monthly 
meeting,  that  several  young  men  of  the  society  are  now  prisoners,  and 
are  likely  to  be  brought  under  great  suffering  by  refusing  to  bear  arms 
and  to  do  other  military  service.  '  Those  in  authority  are  willing  to  re- 
lease them,  providing  they  can  make  it  appear  that  they  are  members ; 
a  committee  is  appointed  to  assure  the  authorities  of  their  membership.' 

In  1782,  a  record  is  made  concerning  the  sufferings  of  Friends  con- 
nected with  this  Monthly  Meeting,  in  consequence  of  their  testimony 
against  war.  The  total  amount  of  loss  on  this  account  is  stated  to  be 
fourteen  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds. 

In  1784,  on  the  fourteenth  of  Tenth  Month  (October),  the  following 
action  was  taken  :  'The  Meeting-House  in  the  Parchase  having  been 
used  for  a  Court  of  Judicature,  and  being  likely  to  be  used  for  that  pur- 
pose again,  a  committee  is  appointed  to  apply  to  those  in  authority  to 
prevent  such  use. 

In  1797,  the  meeting  house  was  enlarged  to  its  present  size  by  an 
addition  on  the  east  side. 

In  1827  a  separation  took  place  in  the  Society  of  Friends  at  the 
Purchase.  The  '  Orthodox '  Friends  erected  a  meeting  house  near  the 
old  building  which  is  held  by  the  other  branch — termed  '  Hicksites' 
from  Elias  Hicks,  whose  opinions  they  were  understood  to  approve."6 

Near  the  old  meeting  house  is  the  graveyard,  where  the  founders  of 
the  community  and  several  generations  of  their  descendants  rest. 

The  oldest  memorial  bears  the  following  inscription : 

R.  W. 

  March  31,  1731. 

a  Records  of  the  Society  in  narrison.   Baird's  Hist,  of  Rye,  p.  364. 
b  Baird's  Hist,  of  Rye,  i>.  3M. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


3S5 


In  the  Halstead  plot  is  the  following  epitaph  to  the  memory  of  Charity 
H  uggerford,  the  wife  of  the  celebrated  partisan  officer  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  viz.,  Major  William  Lainey  Huggerford: — 

The  Remains  of 
CHARITY  HUGGERFORD 
lies  here, 
Called  to  the  eternal  world 
the  10th  day  of  July,  1807, 
In  the  52d  year  of  her  age. 

In  this  cemetery  are  also  interred  the  mortal  remains  of  Cornelius 
Oakley,  one  of  the  distinguished  Westchester  guards  to  General  Wash- 
ington during  the  Revolutionary  War.11 

The  Friends  in  Harrison  are  not  so  numerous  as  they  once  were;  but 
are  still  a  respectable  and  influential  community.  They  are  a  peaceable 
and  quiet  people,  frugal  and  simple  in  their  habits  and  manners,  strictly 
moral,  careful  of  their  poor,  and  abhor  all  kinds  of  oppression. 

The  old  meeting-house  still  stands  unadorned,  in  a  small  woods;  near 
by  is  the  grave-yard  where  most  of  the  families  of  this  community  rest.6 

REGULATIONS  ADOPTED  BY 
PURCHASE  .MONTHLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 

HELD  SIXTH  MONTH,    IOTH,    1 8  74, 

RESPECTING  INTERMENT  IN  THEIR  BURIAL-GROUNDS. 

Applications  lor  Interments  in  the  Burial  Grounds  belonging  to  the  Purchase 
Monthly  Meeting,  must  be  made  to  one  or  more  members  of  t lie  Funeral  Com- 
mittee, one  of  which  should  be  most  convienient  to  the  late  residence  of  the  de- 
ceased. Should  no  manifest  objection  appear,  they  may  grant  the  necessary 
permit,  signed  by  them  and  subject  to  the  conditions  hereinafter  stated. 

As  our  Burial  Grounds  are  fast  filling  up,  the  Committee  are  authorized  to  re- 
fuse Permits  for  Interment  of  the  body  of  any  person  who  was  not  a  member  of 
our  Society,  and  had  not  a  Husband  or  Wife,  Parent  or  Child,  Brother  or  Sister, 
interred  within  the  Grounds. 

The  Funeral  must  be  conducted  under  the  care  and  direction  of  the  Funeral 
Committee,  and  the  order  established  by  Friends  for  such  occasions  must  be  con- 
formed to. 

Extravagant  expenses  and  floral  decorations  are  to  be  avoided. 
No  Clergyman  is  to  be  employed  or  called  upon  to  perform  any  Religious  Ser- 
vices whatever. 

No  Grave-Stones  are  to  be  placed  in  these  Grounds  containing  any  inscription, 
exri  pt  the  name  of  the  deceased,  with  the  name  of  Husband  or  Wife,  or  Parents, 
when  desired ;  and  the  date  of  Birth  and  Death,  and  shall  not  exceed  sixteen 
inches  in  width,  five  inches  in  thickness,  and  the  necessary  height  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground,  to  receive  the  aforesaid  inscription  legibly. 

a  Miss  Sarah  Oikloy  a  daughter  of  the  above  mentioned  Oonieilus  residing  with  Nathaniel 
Valentine  at  Tuckahoe,  Oct  80, 1»49.  Informed  Mr.  .McDonald"  that  about  a  year  ago  '1850)  she 
weut  with,  other  relations  to  the  Quaker  burying  ground  In  Purchase  where  they  identified 
the  grave  of  their  father,  Ac.  Th  v  then  had  a  plain  stone  prejiared  and  put  up:  such  as  the 
Quakers  allow.  &c. — McDonald  MS->.  in  possession  of  Moore  of  Xcw  York  Hist.  Soc, 

6  Records  of  the  Society  lu  Harrison,  and  Balrd's  History  of  Rye. 


386 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


NAMES  OF  FUNERAL  COMMITTEE. 

Elnattian  Carpenteb,  Purchase.        William  C.  Field  King  Street. 
Ellwood  Birdsall,  "  Edmund  Field,  " 

Thomas  Sutton,  "  Samuel  Comley,  " 

Robert  Barnes,  "  William  Burling.  New  Rochelle. 

Elias  Barnes,  North  Streot.  David  Brett,  Mamaroneck. 

William  S.  Carpenter,  North  Street. 

Within  a  short  distance  of  the  Purchase  lies  Rye  Pond,  a  beautiful 
sheet  of  water  covering  over  two  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  ground.  In 
this  pond  vast  quantities  of  pickerel  are  annually  taken  with  hook  and 
line,  and  pleasant  sport  is  afforded  to  those  who  are  fond  of  trolling." 
Its  waters  abound  also  with  almost  every  other  variety  of  fresh  water  fish. 
The  best  place  for  fishing  is  said  to  be  a  flat  rock  near  the  centre  of  the 
pond. 

Rye  Pond  has  an  outlet  on  the  west  which  passes  into  the  little  pond 
of  the  same  name,  and  from  thence  into  Bronx's  River.6 

The  principal  proprietors  of  the  land  bordering  the  pond,  are  Ezra 
Carpenter  on  the  south,  Thomas  Clapp  on  the  east,  and  Oliver  Mat- 
thews on  the  north. 

The  late  Thomas  Clapp  of  this  town  left  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
on  the  west  side  of  the  pond  for  the  education  of  poor  children  at  the 
Purchase. 

A  little  south-west  of  this  place  is  situated  the  farm  and  residence  of 
the  Hon.  Joseph  H.  Anderson,  late  member  of  Congress  for  the  seventh 
district.  The  house  commands  a  very  fine  and  extensive  prospect  of 
the  Sound  and  surrounding  country.  Joseph  H.  Anderson  is  the  son 
of  Jeremiah  Anderson,  Esq.,  who  for  many  years  represented  this  coun- 
ty in  Assembly. 

"Upon  the  23d  of  October,  1776,  Col.  Tyler's,  Huntington's  and 
Throop's  regiments  of  Gen.  Parson's  brigade,  and  of  Gen.  Heath's  divi- 
sion moved,  and  took  post  at  the  head  of  King  Street,  near  Rye  Pond." 

"On  the  4th  of  December,  1781,"  says  General  Heath,  "Captain 
Sackett,  of  the  New  York  levies  near  Harrison  Purchase  below  the  lines, 
having  gone  a  small  distance  from  his  detachment  on  the  morning  of 
the  2d,  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  the  enemy.  The  enemy  after- 
ward attacked  Lieutenant  Mosher  to  whom  the  command  of  the  de- 
tachment fell.  Lieutenant  Mosher  and  the  detachment  behaved  with 
great  bravery,  repulsed  the  enemy,  killed  one  of  them  and  two  horses, 
and  wounded  eight  of  the  enemy,  among  them  a  Captain  Kipp,  said 

a  No  Ashing  la  allowed  in  the  ponds  with  any  kind  of  net  or  seine. 
6  Kye  Pond  is  the  principal  source  of  ihu  Bronx. 

c  Heath's  Mem.  "5,  7(1.  From  a  return  of  militia  officers  for  Harrison"?  Prerir.ct,  February 
9,  17T6.  it  appears  that  John  Thomas,  minor,  was  chosen  Captain.  Gilbert  Dusenberry  First 
Lieutenant;  William  Woodward,  Second  Lieutenant,  aud  Jauies  Miller,  juu.  ensign. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HARRISON. 


387 


mortally.  Colonel  Holmes  and  Captain  Kipp  had  their  horses  killed 
under  them,  the  levies  had  not  a  man  killed  or  wounded."" 

The  above  engagement  took  place  in  the  vicinity  of  Merritt's  tavern. 
Mosher's  command  consisted  of  only  eighteen  men,  while  the  British 
horse  under  Colonel  Holmes  numbered  over  seventy.6 

We  believe  the  whole  period  of  the  American  war  cannot  produce 
such  another  instance,  in  which  the  enemy  were  repulsed  by  so  small  a 
force.  General  Washington  himself  often  spoke  of  this  brilliant  affair, 
and  praised  the  gallantry  of  the  brave  Mosher." 

The  surface  of  this  town  is  mostly  level ;  soil,  loam,  fertile  and  well 
cultivated,  drained  by  Blind  Brook  (Mockquams)  and  Mamaroneck  River, 
running  south  into  Long  Island  Sound,  supplying  mill  seats  in  abund- 
ance/' The  south  line  of  the  town  is  about  one  mile  from  the  Sound, 
and  the  northeast  corner  touches  upon  the  west  line  of  Connecticut. 
The  growth  of  wood  consists  principally  of  oak  of  all  kinds,  chestnut, 
much  hickory,  ash  and  elm,  &c,  &c. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  town  records  relate  to  the  election  of 
town  officers  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  and  immediately 
subsequent : — 

"On  Tuesday,  the  2d  of  April.  1776,  the  freeholders,  inhabitants  of  Harrison's 
Precinct,  met  at  the  place  appointed  by  law,  and  made  choice  of  the  following 
town  officers  - — 

Samuel  Havilaud,  Supervisor, 

William  Miller,  Town  Clerk, 

Joshua  Hunt,  } 

John  IIaioht,  >  Assessors, 

Wellsey  Dt  senp.ery,  ) 

Joseph  Carpenter,  Highway  Master  for  lower  part, 
David  Halstead,  "  "         the  middle, 

Stephen  Field,  Highway  Master  for  the  upper, 
William  Ascough,       "  *'  Brown's  Point, 

William  Woodward,  "  "         North  street, 

Job  Hadden,  "  "         West  and  Haight  streets, 

all  to  the  usual  bounds. 

Tuom as  fST*'  }  FenCe       damage  Viewers, 
Thomas  Park,  Pownder," 


o  Heath's  Mem.  p.  324. 

h  a  full  narrative  of  this  memorable  event  has  been  published  In  almost  every  country  In 
Europe,  showing  what  a  handful  of  infantry  can  do,  opposed  to  a  strong  force  of  horse. 
Seven  of  Moslur's  party  were  from  the  farm  of  General  Pierre  van  Cortlandt,  Cortlaudtown. 

c  On  the  east  side  of  "the  road  leading  from  the  Purchase  to  Rye,  lies  the  grave  of  an  old 
veteran  by  the  name  of  John  Peter  Follow,  who  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  120.  He  requested 
that  the  following  epitaph  might  be  inscribed  on  his  tomb  stone  :— 
"  Here  lies  as  good  a  soldier 
as  ever  fought  in  Flanders." 

Also,  in  the  same  vicinity.  Louis  Burling,  a  colored  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who  served  as 
a  private  in  col.  Samuel  Pell's  regiment. 

d  Upon  the  Mockquams,  or  Blind  BrooK,  Is  situated  the  grist  mill  of  the  late  Gen.  Thomas. 


388 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


At  a  town  meeting  held  this  first  day  of  April,  1783,  in  Harrison's 
Precinct,  State  of  New  York,  the  following  town  officers  were  chosen  to 
serve  the  ensuing  year : — 

"  IsAiAn  Maynard,  Supervisor, 

Stephen  Field,  Town  Clerk, 

James  Miller,  Constable  and  Collector, 

TnoMAs  TnoMAS,  ) 
William  Woodward,  [■  Assessors, 
Thomas  Carpenter,  ) 

Henry  Dfsenbery,  Pownder, 

JonN  Cromwell,  Overseer  of  the  Highway  for  upper  part  of  Precinct; 

Richard  Barnes,  for  the  middle  part, 

JosEpn  Carpenter,  for  the  lower  part, 

Roger  Purdy,  for  North  street, 

Job  Haddon,  Jr.,  for  the  west  part  of  the  patent, 

£££  Ho™'  \  FeDCe  -d  Dam^  YieWer9- 


THE  TOWN 


OF 

LEWISBORO. 


Lewisboro  is  situated  eighteen  miles  north-east  of  the  village  of  White 
Plains,  distant  fifty  miles  from  New  York,  and  one  hundred  and  nine- 
teen from  Albany — bounded  north,  by  North  Salem ;  east,  by  the  State 
of  Connecticut ;  and  south  and  west  by  the  towns  of  Poundridge  and 
Bedford ;  and  west  by  Somers. 

This  town  prior  to  1808,  was  called  Lower  Salem,  and  afterward 
South  Salem,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  northern  or  upper  town  of  that 
name,  and  was  incorporated  on  the  18th  of  March,  1791.  In  1840,  the 
name  was  again  changed  to  Lewisboro,  in  compliment  to  John  Lewis, 
Esq.,  a  liberal  benefactor  of  its  common  schools. 

The  earliest  sale  of  lands  in  this  town,  is  to  be  found  in  the  Indian 
deed  to  Master  Roger  Ludlow,  of  Fairfield,  Connecticut,  who  purchased 
of  the  former,  all  their  lands  between  the  two  rivers  Norwalk  and  Soak- 
atuck,  from  the  sea  a  day's  walk  into  t/ie  country. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  1640,  "An  agreement  made  between  the  Indians  of 
Norwalk  and  Roger  Ludlow;  by  which  the  Indians  of  Norwalk,  for  aud  in  con- 
sideration of  eight  fathoms  of  wampum,  six  coates,  tenn  hatchets,  tenn  hoes, 
tenn  knifes,  tenn  sissors,  tenn  jewseharpes,  tenn  fat  home  tobackoe,  three  kettles  of 
sixe  hands  about,  tenn  looking-glasses ;  have  granted  all  the  lands,  meadows, 
pastures,  trees,  whatsoever  there  is,  and  grounds  betweene  the  twoe  Rivers,  the 
one  called  Norwalke,  the  other  Soakatuck,  to  the  middle  of  saved  Rivers,  from 
the  sea  a  days  walke  in  the  country,  to  the  sayed  Roger  Ludlowe,  and  his  heirs 
and  assignes  for  ever;  and  that  noe  Indian  or  other  shall  challenge  or  claim  any 
ground  within  the  sayed  Rivers  or  limits,  nor  disturbe  the  sayed  Roger,  his  heirs 


39° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


or  assignes,  within  the  precincts  aforesaid.  In  witness  whereof,  the  parties  there- 
unto have  interchangeably  sett  their  hands." 

The  mark 

Witness 


ROGER  LUDLOW. 


Tnos.  Ludlowb. 

The  mark  of 
The  mark 


lOMAKEEGO. 


TOKAXEKE. 


The  mark  of 


K*  Adam  Peosewamexes. 


Mahaceemo,  Sachem. 


About  two  months  later  Captain  Patrick  purchased  of  Mahackem  and 
other  Indians,  all  the  meadows  and  uplands  adjoining  and  lyinge  on  the 
west  side  of  Norwake  River  and  as  far  up  in  the  country  as  an  Indian 
can  go  in  a  day  from  sun-risinge  to  sun-setting,  &c.b 

An  agreement  betwixt  Daniel  1  Patrick  and  Mahackem,  and  Naramakeand  Pe- 
menate  Hewnompom  Indiana  of  Norwake  and  Makentouh  the  said  Daniel  Patricke 
hath  bought  of  the  sayed  three  iudians,  the  ground  called Sacunyte napucke,  also 
Meean  worth,  thirdly  Asumsowis,  fourthly  all  the  land  adjoyninge  to  the  afore- 
mentioned, as  farr  up  in  the  cuntry  as  an  indian  can  goc  in  a  day,  from  sun  ris- 
inge  to  sun  settinge ;  and  two  Islands  neare  adjoininge  to  the  sayed  carantf  nay 
ueck,  all  bounded  on  the  west  side  with  noewanton  on  the  east  side  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  River  of  Norwake,  and  all  trees,  meadows,  waters  and  naturell  adjuncts 
thereunto  belonginge,  for  him  and  his  forever;  for  whith  lands  t  lie  saved  indians 
are  to  receive  of  the  sayed  Danicll  Patricke,  of  wampum  tenii  fathoms,  hatchetta 
three,  howea  three,  whenehipps  come;  sixe  glasses,  twelfe  tohackoe  pipes,  three 
knifes  ,tenn  drills,  tenn  needles ;  this  as  full  satisfaction,  for  the  aforementioned 
landc,  and  for  the  peaceable  possession  of  which  the  aforementioned  inahache- 
mill  doth  promise  and  undertake  to  silence  all  opposcrs  of  this  purchase,  if  any 
should  in  his  time  act.  to  witnesse  which,  on  both  sides,  hands  are  interchange- 
ably hereunto  sett,  this  20th  of  April,  1640. 


pommate 

his 


Trftnesses 
.lohiffeap 
John.  How 

fH 

marke. 


marke 


marke  naramake. 


o  Records  of  Norwalk,  in  hook  of  Deeds,  A.D.  1CT2. 
b  Copied  from  original  in  Norwalk  Rec 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


391 


Upon  the  first  of  July,  1G50,  Anshowshack  and  Chachonmcr  survivingc  pro- 
prietors of  the  lands  lying  on  the  other  side  of  Norwake  River,  confirmed  Cap- 
taine  I  'at  ricke's  purchase  to  Mstr  Stephen  Goodier  of  New  Haven,  merchant, 
for  two  coates,  &  fowre  fathom  of  wampam. 
These  having  bee"  left  unpaid  by  the  sayed  Captaiue  Patricke  of  Greenwich." 
Witnesses,  ^ 


Upon  the  15th  of  February,  1651,  Runckinheage  and  other  Indians"  convey  to 
the  Planters  of  Norwake  for  and  in  consideration  of  thirtie  Fathum  of  Wampum, 
Tenn  Kettles,  Fifteen  Coates,  Tenn  payr  of  Stockings,  Tenn  Knifes,  Tenn 
Hookes,  Twenty  Pipes,  Tenn  Muckes,  and  Tenn  Needles,  all  their  lands  called 
and  known  by  the  name  of  Runckinheage,  llooaton,  or  by  whatsoever  name  or 
names  the  same  is  called  or  known,  lying  and  bounded  on  the  East  upon  ye  land 
purchased  of  Captain  Patricke,  so  called,  on  the  West  bounded  with  the  Brook 
called  Pampaskeshanke,  which  said  brook  and  passage,  the  Bounds  west,  ex- 
tendeth  up  into  the  Country  by  marked  Trees;  and  so  far  as  the  said  Runckin- 
heage and  the  rest  above  mentioned  hath  any  Right  and  proprietie ;  and  the 
aforesaid  land  bounded  with  the  Brook  called  as  aforesaid  Pampaskeshanke, 
from  the  aforesaid  passage  and  path  down  along  to  the  sea;  and  the  aforesaid 
Land  bounded  on  the  south  with  the  sea;  and  on  the  north  with  the  Moahakes 
(Query  Mohawks)  Country;  with  all  the  Islands,  Trees,  pastures,  meadirge, 
Water,  water  courses.  Rights,  members,  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,"  &c. 
"  In  witness  whereof  the  above  said  parties  have  for  themselves,  and  every  one  of 
them,  sett  their  hand,  the  day  and  year  at  our  written  to  this  present  indenture. 
Signed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 

Stephen  Beckwith, 
Samuel  Lumes, 
Samuel  Ely. 


Joshua  Attwate, 
Thomas  Kimbeut.iek. 


The  mark 


his 

RrNCKIN  —  ITEAGE. 

mark. 

his 

PlAMIKTN  S 

mark. 

his 

Corkus  ()■■{)  KrxoK, 
mark, 
his 

Sasse  &  a  Kiown. 
mark, 
his 

WAM   ^  PASSUM. 

mark, 
his 

Sassa  }  —  A  Krs. 
mark. 


his 
Magi  §  se. 


mark, 
his 


Winna  PUOKE. 


mark, 
his 


Towne  Tn  Town. 


mark, 
his 


Pro  N  dax. 
mark. 

his 

POKAJSAKE.  §§ 

mark. 


Rrxo  lm  Kemunalt. 


Recorded,  Feb.  ye  24th,  1708-9. 


Pr.  John  Copp,  Recorder.* 


•Nowalk,  ReC.  16T2. 


392 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  above  Indian  conveyances  clearly  embraced  a  large  proportion 
(perhaps  the  whole)  of  Lewisboro.  Some  of  these  lands  must  have 
subsequently  reverted  to  the  Indians ;  for  in  1699  the  Kitchawan  tribe 
again  released  the  same  territory  to  Stephannus  Van  Cortland.  This 
individual  had  previously  obtained  a  charter  from  the  crown,  erecting 
the  whole  of  his  possession  into  the  lordship  and  Manor  of  Cortland ; 
by  which  means  the  northern  part  of  this  town  came  to  be  included  in 
that  Manor. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1701,  we  find  Catoonah,  Indian  Sagamore,  con- 
firming to  the  inhabitants  of  Stamford  "all  those  lands  which  extend 
westward  as  far  as  the  west  bounds  of  Bedford  purchase  and  marked 
trees,  and  by  the  east  bounds  of  the  same,  bounded  north  by  the  south 
side  of  Bedford  purchase,  and  by  the  stone  hills  upon  a  straight  line 
eastward  unto  the  itpper  end  of  the  Long  Pond;  and,  further,  on  an  east 
line,  until  it  meets  with  a  line  drawn  north  from  the  upper  end  of  Five 
Mile  River,  which  is  the  east  line  of  our  several  purchases."0 

In  the  next  place,  we  find  this  same  Catoonah,  who  now  styles  him- 
self Sachem  of  the  Ramapoo  Indians,  conveying  to  John  Belden.  and 
others  of  the  town  of  Norwalk  a  considerable  tract  of  land  called  by 
them  Cardatowa,  High  Land,  embracing  the  present  town  of  Ridge- 
field,  Conn.,  and  much  of  what  was  formerly  known  as  the  oblong  por- 
tion of  Salem.  The  latter  included  two  tracts  called  by  the  Indians, 
Mamamesquag  and  Harahawmis. 

To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents,  &c,  &c,  know  ye  yt,  I,  Catoonah, 
Sachem  of  Ramapoo,  Indians  and  Associates  within  Her  Majestie's  Province  of 
New  York  in  America,  for,  and  in  consideration  of  ye  sum  of  .£100,  &c,  paid 
by  John  Belden,  Saml.  Keeler,  Senr.,  Mathew  Seamor,  James  Brown,  Benj. 
Wilson,  Jos.  Burehard,  John  Witne,  Senr.,  Matthias  Saint  John,  Benjamin 
Hickock,  John  Becbe,  Saml.  Saint  John,  John  Bouton,  Joseph  Keeler,  Saml. 
Smith,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Stevens,  Daniel  Ohnstead.  Richard  Olmstcad,  Henry  Stur- 
devant,  Samuel  Keeler,  Jr.,  Joseph  Bouton,  Jonathan  Rockwell,  Edward  War- 
ring,  Joseph  WMtne,  Daniel  Hait,  Thos.  Hyatt,  James  Benedict,  Joseph  Cromp- 
ton,  Ebenezer  Sension,  Matthew  Saint  John,  all  of  ye  town  of  Norwalk  in  ye 
County  of  Fairfield  and  Thomas  Smith,  Thomas  Caufield,  Samuel  Smith  of  the 
town  of  Milford  in  ye  County  of  New  Haven.  A  certain  tract  of  land  situate, 
lying  and  being  so  esteemed  within  her  Majesties  Colony  of  Connecticut,  afore- 
said butted  and  bounded  as  followeth,  at  a  rock  with  ye  stones  laid  thereon  that 
lyeth  upon  ye  west  side  of  Norwalk  river,  about  20  rod  northward  of  the  cross- 
ing or  where  Danbury  old  cart  path  crosseth  the  river,  where  said  rock  is  the 
south-east  comer,  and  from  said  corner  a  line  runneth  unto  Umpnnmge  Pond 
to  a  white  oak  tree  standing  by  ye  norwest  corner  of  said  pond,  the  said  tree 
being  marked  and  stones  layed  about  it  and  is  the  north-east  corner,  and  from 

o  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Conn. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


393 


the  said  corner  tree  another  line  running  near  2  points  to  ye  north  of  ye  west 
unto  a  pond  called  Ne&t&pack  and  continuing  ye  same  course  until  it  meets  with 
a  second  pond  called  Ash'.eets  crossing  by  ye  south  end  of  both  ponds  and  from 
thence  running  north-  west  until  it  extends  to  a  place  called  Manianunquag  where 
is  a  oak  tree  marked  on  ye  north  side  of  ye  outlett  of  water  that  comes  out  from 
a  sort  of  a  grassy  pond  which  is  known  and  called  by  ye  said  name  which  tree  is 
ye  north-west  corner  and  from  said  tree  another  line  running  south  bearing  to 
ye  east  abought  1  mile  and  J  running  by  ye  east-side  of  a  mountain  and  then 
runs  south,  south-west  under  ye  east  side  of  another  mountain  called  Asoquatah 
until  it  meets  Stamford,  boundary  line  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  ye  eastward  of 
Cross  River  Pond  where  stands  a  marked  white  oak  tree  with  stones  about  it  and 
in  ye  south-west  comer  and  from  said  marked  tree  along  by  Stamford  boundery 
until  it  comes  to  Norwalk  purchase  and  so  by  said  purchase  bounds  to  the  said  hue 
Rock  at  the  south-east  corner  containing  by  estimation  20,000  acres  be  it  more 
or  less  and  the  four  corners  of  said  tract  of  land  being  called  by  the  following 
Indian  names,  south-east  corner,  Wheercock;  north-east  corner,  Wononkpakoonk ; 
north-west  corner,  Mamamexquag :  south-west  corner,  HaraJiaw?nis,  to  have  and 
to  hold,  30th  of  September,  1708, 

Catoox An,  his  mark  ye  sachem, 
Wequacomeck,  his  mark, 
Waspachaim,  his  mark, 
Wawkamawwe,  his  mark, 
Nakaneka,  his  mark, 
Cawweiiekix,  his  mark. 
This  above  written  bill  is  acknowledged  by  ye  grantors  this  30th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1708,  before  me  Samuel  Hait,  Justice  of  the  Peace.    Rec.  Feb.  8.  1709- 
1710. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  ye  presence  of 

John  Holmes,  Jr.,  Gootquas,  his  mark, 
Joseph  Scly,  Mahke,  his  mark, 
Joun  Copp,<*  Sawpormick,  his  mark. 

Upon  the  7th  of  March,  1729,  Tapporneck  and  other  Indians  con- 
firmed to  proprietors  of  Ridgefield  all  their  lands  lying  near  the  outlet 
of  "  Wepack  "  or  Long  Pond  to  "  Titicus  River,"  &c. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  Tapporneck,  Amnion,  and  Wethens, 
Sommenotes,  Pawquenongo  and  Crow,  all  Indians  belonging  to  Long  Pond  or 
Wepack,  for  and  in  consideration  of  a  valuable  reward  paid,  or  to  be  paid,  by 
ye  Proprietors  of  Ridgefield,  have  given,  granted,  bargained  sold  and  by  these 
presents,  do  freely,  fully,  and  absolutely,  sell,  convey  and  confirm,  unto  ye  pro- 
prietors of  Ridgefield  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  according  with  their  usual 
interest  as  Proprietors  a  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  supposedly  in  ye  town- 
ship of  Ridgefield  lying,  situate  and  butted  and  bounded  as  followeth,  namely 
beginning  west  at  an  ash  straddle  standing  at  ye  east  side  of  ye  outlet  of  Long- 
Pond  about  six  rods  west  of  said  outlett  near  ye  lower  fishing  place  from  thence 

a  Ridgefield  Town  Bee,  VoL  I.,  p.  1.  At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Norwalk,  A.D.,  1709,  it 
was  ••  ordained  that  this  purchase  should  be  a  distinct  township  by  the  name  ol  Kuhrcucld.''— 
£.  Ilalls,  Norwalk,  p.  101. 


394 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


southward  along  ye  line  which  Mr.  Lewis  run  and  down  to  ye  old  purchase  line, 
and  from  said  straddle  northward  by  said  line  of  Mr.  Lewis  to  Titicus  river  and 
bounded  east  by  ye  former  purchase  made  of  Tackora  being  a  breadth  about 
three  hundred  and  fifteen  rodds.    To  have  and  to  hoid,  <fce.,  7th  of  March,  1729. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of  Josiah  Gilbert,  William  Drink- 
water. 

Tappobneck,  Ins  mark, 
Mosks,  his  mark, 
Sam,  his  mark, 
A.mmox,  his  mark, 
Wettuam,  his  mark, 
Pawqfexoxg,  his  mark, 
Ckow,<*  his  mark. 

From  this  time  we  hear  no  more  of  the  aboriginal  proprietors  of 
"  Harahamis,"  or  Asoquatah.  Many  interesting  relics  of  the  Indian  race 
have  been  found  near  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Peppeneghek  or  Cross  Pond; 
proving  most  conclusively  that  this  portion  of  "  Harahamis"  was  one  of 
their  favorite  camping  and  hunting  grounds.  Near  the  east  side  of  the 
lake,  upon  the  land  of  the  late  Henry  Keeler,  there  once  existed  a  large 
mound  of  stones,  raised  by  the  Indians  over  the  remains  of  one  of  their 
renowned  sachems.  Upon  one  of  the  highest  points  of  the  West  Moun- 
tain, bordering  on  Candatowa  or  Ridgefield,  in  the  north-east  corner  of 
the  farm  of  Jeremiah  Wood  has  been  recently  discovered  ^  curious 
Indian  "  shingaba-wassin "  or  "  Tonage  stone."  It  consists  of  a  hard 
stone  fretted  by  the  action  of  water  into  a  shape  resembling  the  trunk  of 
a  human  body  well  rounded,  with  something  resembling  legs,  with  back 
and  chest  well  denned,  surmounted  by  an  entablature,  upon  which  there 
once  doubtless  stood  a  rude  head.  The  trunk  is  about  twenty-two 
inches  high  and  twelve  broad.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  as  we  have  just 
observed,  that  it  was  formed  by  the  sheer  force  of  attrition — such  as  is 
ordinarily  given  by  the  upheaving  and  rolling  force  of  waves  on  a  lake 
or  ocean  beach.  To  the  superstitious  natives,  who  are  not  prone  to 
reason  from  cause  to  effect,  such  productions  appear  indeed  wonderful. 
All  that  is  past  comprehension,  or  wonderful,  is  attributed  by  them  to 
the  supernatural  agency  of  spirits.  The  hunter  or  warrior,  who  is  travel- 
ing along  the  coast,  and  finds  one  of  these  self-sculptured  stones,  is  not 
sure  that  it  is  not  a  direct  interposition  of  his  God,  or  guardian  Manito, 
in  his  favor.  He  is  habitually  a  believer  in  the  most  subtle  forms  of 
mysterious  power,  which  he  acknowledges  to  be  often  delegated  to  the 
native  priests,  or  necromancers.  He  is  not  staggared  by  the  most  extra- 
ordinary stretch  of  fancy,  in  the  theory  of  the  change  or  transformation 

a  Ridgefield  Rec.  vol.  II ,  pp.  70-71. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


395 


of  animate  into  inanimate  objects,  and  vice  versa  ;  all  things  ;'  in  heaven 
and  earth,"  he  believes  to  be  subject  to  this  subtle  power  of  metamor- 
phosis. 

But,  whatever  be  the  precise  operating  cause  of  the  respect  he 
pays  to  the  imitative  rolled  stones,  which  he  calls  Shingaba-wossins, 
and  also  by  the  general  phrase  of  Muz-in-in-a-wum,  or  images,  he  is  not 
at  liberty  to  pass  them  without  hazarding  something,  in  his  opinion,  of 
his  chance  of  success  in  life,  or  the  fortune  of  the  enterprise  in  hand. 
The  Indian  is  not  precise  in  the  matter  of  proportion,  either  in  his  draw- 
ing or  in  his  attempts  at  statuary.  He  seizes  upon  some  minute  and 
characteristic  trait,  which  is  at  once  sufficient  to  denote  the  species,  and 
he  is  easily  satisfied  about  the  rest.  Thus  a  simple  cross,  with  a  straight 
line  from  shoulder  to  shoulder  and  a  dot,  or  circle  above,  to  serve  for  a 
head,  is  the  symbol  of  the  human  frame;  and  without  any  adjunct  of 
feet  or  hands,  it  could  not  have  been  mistaken  for  anything  else — cer- 
tainly for  any  other  object  in  the  animal  creation."a  There  can  be  but 
little  doubt  this  image  was  brought  originally  from  the  vicinity  of  Lake 
Waccabuc  or  VVepuc,  and  set  up  on  a  level  spot  on  the  summit  of  one 
of  the  highest  hills  of  Candatowa,  (a  name  that  signifies  "  High  Lands,") 
a  site  well  chosen,  thickly  shaded  with  trees,  and  bearing  luxuriant  grass 
and  wild  shrubbery  and  flowers,  with  here  and  there  peeps  or  openings 
of  a  wide  expanse  of  country  extending  all  around  it,  embracing  the  As- 
proom  mountain  range  north  of  Lake  Wepuc,  the  hills  stretching  north- 
east to  Danbury,  the  dark  green  looking  Stony  Hills,  to  the  west,  and 
the  distant  Dunderburg  and  Kittatenny  Mountains,  &c.  It  was,  in  fine, 
one  of  those  quiet  solitary  places  which  an  Indian  might  be  supposed  to 
have  selected  for  his  secret  worship  of  some  favorite  Manito  or  Spirit. 
The  stone  of  which  the  principal  part  of  the  figure  is  composed  resem- 
bles that  of  which  the  ovens  are  composed  upon  one  of  the  islands  in 
Lake  Wepuc.  The  ovens  themselves,  too,  have  been  fretted  by  the  ac- 
tion of  water  into  their  present  shape. 

Indian  graves  have  also  been  discovered  upon  a  small  wooded  island 
surrounded  by  a  swamp  on  the  land  of  the  late  Stephen  Bouton,  now 
owned  by  his  nephew,  Joseph  Webster,  a  short  distance  north-west  of 
the  road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford.  In  the  vicinity  of  Aaron 
O.  Wakeman's,  quite  close  to  the  Connecticut  line  on  the  east,  is  a 
curious  aboriginal  relic  called  the  "  Indian  well,"  which  is  above  six  feet 
deep  and  almost  perfectly  round,  hollowed  out  from  the  solid  granite 
rock  either  by  the  action  of  water  or  the  tools  of  the  Aborigines ;  in 
this  receptacle  they  probably  cooked  their  food  after  a  wholesale  fashion 

a  Schoolcrofl'9  Oneota  or  the  Red  Rose  of  America,  pp.  17, 18. 


396 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


as  there  are  many  large  cobble  stones  lying  around  which  abundantly 
attest  the  action  of  fire. 

The  "Pequot  Mills,"  located  in  the  woods  directly  west  of  Stephen 
Hoyt's  residence  on  "  Smith's  Ridge,"  was  undoubtedly  a  favorite  resort 
of  the  Indians.  Here  are  the  remains  of  several  ancient  circular  basins 
or  mortars  in  which  the  Indian  women  were  wont  to  grind  their  corn, 
salt  or  the  stone  material  with  which  they  tempered  the  clay  for  the 
ancient  Akeek,  or  cooking  vessel ;  and  here,  also,  about  five  hundred 
feet  above  tide  water  mark,  there  is  a  spring  of  pure  water  which  is  said 
to  be  perpetual.  Near  the  "  Pequot  Mills"  on  the  west  side  of  Pudding 
Lane  near  its  junction  with  the  New  Canaan  road,  there  was  once  to  be 
seen  a  mound  of  stones  which  covered  the  remains  of  an  Indian  chief. 
Another  spot  in  this  vicinity  said  to  have  been  the  scene  of  a  terrible 
massacre  of  the  Pequot  Indians,  in  the  early  colonial  times,  is  called 
"  Mount  Misery."  The  Asproom  Mountains,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
town,  and  bordering  on  Lake  Wepuc,  were  favorite  hunting  grounds  of 
the  great  sachems  Catoonah  and  Tappornuck  in  the  olden  times;  stone 
arrow  and  spear  heads,  axes  and  gouges  are  constantly  found  on  the 
farm  of  Alfred  S.  Hawley,  Esq.  A  sister  of  Mr.  Hawley  many  years 
ago  lemoved  to  western  New  York,  where  she  accidentally  encountered 
an  aged  Mohegan  Indian  who  assured  her  that  in  his  youth,  the  tribe  to 
which  he  belonged,  resided  near  Lake  Waccabuc  or  Wepuc  ami  that  he 
well  remembered  the  rocky  island  on  the  lake,  which  they  regarded  with 
great  veneration,  with  its  wonderful  ovens  dedicated  to  their  god  or 
guardian  Manito.  Indeed  all  our  native  tribes  who  have  occupied  the 
borders  of  the  great  lakes,  have  been  very  ingenious  in  converting  to  the 
uses  of  superstition,  masses  of  perforated  rock  or  boulder  stones,  as 
have  been  fretted  by  the  action  of  water  into  a  variety  of  shapes  or 
forms. 

Indian  burying  grounds  are  to  be  found  in  various  parts  of  this 
town,  one  is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Bouton- 
ville  to  Cross  River,  soon  after  passing  the  Wepuc  stream,  while  another 
is  located  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  west  of  the  bridge  which  crosses 
the  same  stream,  leading  from  South  Salem  to  Cross  River. 

Lewisborough  includes  seven  miles  in  length  of  the  south  end  of  a 
tract  of  land  called  the  Oblong.  This  territory  was  a  strip  of  one  mile 
three  quarters  and  twenty  rods  wide,  and  nearly  sixty-two  miles  long, 
formed  by  the  running  of  a  line  parallel  with  Hudson's  River,  and  twenty 
miles  distant  therefrom,  to  the  south  line  of  Massachusetts.  The  con- 
troversy between  the  two  colonies  of  New  York  and  Connecticut,  con- 
cerning it,  lasted  nearly  a  century,  during  which  time  the  disputed 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


397 


ground  afforded  a  sort  of  sanctuary  for  the  most  desperate  kind  of  out- 
laws and  robbers. 

The  commissioners  appointed  for  settling  the  lines,  assembled  at 
Greenwich,  April  29th,  1725,  when  they  came  to  the  following  agree- 
ment as  to  the  means  of  ascertaining  the  lines,  viz.: — "They  are  the 
westernmost  line,  called  eight  miles,  the  line  running  east  north-east, 
thirteen  miles  and  sixty-four  rods  from  the  eight  mile  line,  the  line  called 
parallel  with  the  Hudson's  River,  and  twenty  miles  from  it,  extending 
from  the  end  of  the  line  thirteen  miles  and  sixty-four  rods  northward  to 
Massachusetts  line;  the  parallel  line  was  in  t~wo  lines,  having  one  angle 
in  it.  The  equivalent  land  they  estimated  at  61,440  acres,  which  has 
to  be  taken  from  Connecticut,  on  the  east  side  of  the  parallel  line."a 

The  angle  above  mentioned  (sometimes  called  Cortlandt's  Point)  was 
situated  near  the  south-west  shore  of  Lake  Wepuck,  (Long  Pond),  on 
the  lands  of  Edwin  Bouton.  Here  the  commissioners  who  surveyed  the 
manor  of  Cortlandt  in  1734,  erected  a  monument,  which  they  "deemed 
and  esteemed  twenty  miles  distant  from  Cortlandt's  Point,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Highlands." 

"The  complete  settlement  of  the  boundary  line,  (says  the  historian 
Smith,)  was  not  made  till  the  14th  of  May,  1731,  when  indentures  certi- 
fying the  execution  of  the  agreement  in  1725,  were  mutually  signed  by 
the  commissioners  and  surveyors  of  both  colonies. 

Upon  the  establishment  of  this  partition,  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  the 
Connecticut  side,  consisting  of  above  sixty  thousand  acres,  from  its  fig- 
ure called  the  Oblong,  was  ceded  to  New  York,  as  an  equivalent  for 
lands  near  the  Sound,  surrendered  to  Connecticut^ 

In  1728,  William  Truesdale  and  Samuel  Tuttle  who  had  obtained  a 
patent  right  from  Connecticut  for  certain  lands  in  the  Oblong  were  dis- 
turbed in  their  possession  by  the  proprietors  of  Ridgefield,  as  appears 
by  the  following  document : 

"To  the  proprietors  of  ye  town  of  Ridgefield  greeting.  We,  the  subscribers 
hereunto  being  settled  on  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  on  ye  west  of  your  town 
which  goes  by  ye  name  of  ye  'Equivalent  land,'  expecting  that  we  might  have 
been  quiet  there  by  virtue  of  a  patent  right"  that  we  have  obtained,  but  »vas 
very  sensible  that  it  is  your  design  to  enter  upon  and  take  actual  possession  of 
said  land  and  allott  it  out  to  such  proprietors  of  your  town  according  to  each 
man's  propriety  in  your  township ;  and  we  being  gotten  upon  said  land  and  have 
been  at  considerable  charge  to  remove  our  families  and  labor  done  on  said  lands,  do 
now  request  and  desire  that  you  would  please  to  account  of  us,  as  equal  sharers 

a  Letters  on  Boundaries.   Hartford :  Letter  117. 

*  See  Douglas's  late  Plan  of  the  British  Dominions  of  New  England 

e  No  such  patent  is  recorded  la  the  Secretary  of  State's  office  of  Connecticut,  nor  mention 
jnade  of  their  names. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


with  you  in  ye  division,  that  you  may  make  unto  each  proprietor,  that  is,  that 
wc  may  be  allowed  a  whole  share  when  in  ye  division  that  you  make  of  that  land ; 
and  we  having  no  hope  of  being  quieted  by  our  patent-right,  desire  we  may  not 
be  put  out  of  our  improvements  on  said  land  and  we  shall  be  ready  to  submit  to 
ye  orders  and  determinations  of  your  town  and  proprietors  and  be  at  equal  share 
of  all  charges  that  have  or  may  arise  by  any  disturbance  that  may  be  given  to 
you  or  us,  in  ye  quiet  possession  and  improvement  of  said  land  and  in  granting 
of  which  you  will  oblige,         Your  very  humble  servants, 

William  TRfESDAXE, 
Ridgefield,  Deo.  20,  1728.  Solomon  Tittle. 

To  this  petition  the  following  reply  was  made  : 

"The  above  application  and  request  having  been  laid  before  the  propreitors of 
Ridgefield  at  a  lawful  meeting  held  in  Ridgefield,  Dec.  20th,  1728.  After  mature 
and  deliberate  consideration  thereof,  the  proprietors,  by  their  major  vote,  do 
agree  to  admit  ye  said  petitioners,  Mr.  William  Truesdale  and  Mr.  Solomon 
Tuttle,  to  an  equal  share  and  interest  in  any  division  or  divisious  of  land  that 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  laid  out  by  order  of  said  proprietors,  upon  ye  land 
contained  within  the  bounds  and  limits  hereafter  described,  viz. :  Beginning  at 
ye  place  where  ye  twenty  mile  line  goes  down  ye  west  mountain  (a  portion  of  the 
asproomhills)  cross  between  ye  pond  and  Stamford  or  Canfield's  mill  river,  keep- 
ing upon  said  mountain  near  ye  east  side  continuing  northerly  to  Tappornuck's 
purchase  running  up  between  ye  twenty  mile  line  and  Tappornuck's  purchase, 
northerly  by  ye  long  pond  from  thence  by  Tappornuck's  purchase  line  continuing 
by  said  line  to  ye  road  of  our  bounds  and  west  ward  by  said  line  to  ye  twenty 
mile  fine,  that  is  to  say  the  said  Trusdale  and  Tuttle,  their  heirs  and  assigns 
shall  have  ye  one  and  thirtieth  part  of  said  land  as  it  shall  fall  to  them  by 
division  provided  they  give  an  instrument  under  their  hands  to  said  proprietors 
(therewith  to  be  recorded)  to  fulfil  and  execute  every  clause,  condition  and  ar- 
ticle hereupon  named  &c.° 

From  all  this  it  is  apparent  that  although  Trusdale  and  Tuttle  had 
obtained  a  patent,  as  they  claimed,  for  a  portion  at  least,  of  the  Oblong, 
from  the  Connecticut  authorities,  yet  the  proprietors  of  Richfield  had 
determined  to  enter  upon  and  take  possession  of  the  entire  "Oblong 
Division,"6  as  they  termed  it,  in  virtue  of  their  patent  in  17 14. 

A  partition  of  the  "  Oblong  Division  "  must  have  taken  place  early  in 
1729,  for  on  the  31st  of  March  of  that  year  we  find  the  Proprietors  of 
Ridgefield  coveying  to  James  Brown,  one  of  their  number  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  in  the  Oblong  as  appears  by  the  following : 

"March  3lst,  1729,  at  a  proprietors  meeting  held  in  Ridgefield  (at  above  date) 
they  did  give  and  grant  to  James  Brown,  of  Norwalk,  and  to  his  heirs  and 

n  Ridgefield  Rec.  vol.  7,  pp. 67-68. 

b  At  a  proprietors  meeting  held  In  RuUrefleld,  Pec,  Sth,  1729,  it  was  agreed  '■  that  ye  Oblnw 
Division  go  upon  record  in  ye  great  book."  Thomas  Hawley,  Register,  Ridgfleld,  Rec.  vol.  T 
p.  t>2. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


399 


assigns,  &C.,  all  yc  right  an  interest  they  have  into  an  one  hundred  acres  of 
laud  lying  in  the  Oblong,  so-called,  adjoining  to  or  near  by  the  tweuty  mile 
line,  which  is  in  ye  grants  of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  as  it  is  laid  out  unto 
him  by  ye  committee  which  laid  out  our  divisions  in  said  laud."" 

The  very  day  after  the  establishment  of  the  partition  between  the 
colonies  of  New  York  and  Connecticut  (May  14th,  1731)  and  the  con- 
sequent ceding  of  the  "  Oblong  "  to  the  former,  a  patent  passed  in  Lon- 
don, under  the  great  seal  of  Great  Britian6  to  Sir  Joseph  Eyles  Knight," 
Jonathan  Perry,  John  Drummond  and  Thomas  Watts,  Esq.,  in  behalf 
of  themselves  and  several  other  merchants  of  the  city  of  London  con- 
taining 62,000  acres  "commonly  called  or  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Equivalent  land,  because  the  same  was  formerly  taken  by  the  Province 
of  Connecticut  in  lieu  of  the  like  quantity  yielded  to  that  colony  by  the 
Province  of  New  York  upon  the  settlement  of  their  respective  bound- 
aries. 

TOE  ROYAL  LETTERS  PATENT  FOU  THE  OBLONG  OR  EQUIVALENT  LANDS. 

A  grant  posterior  to  this  however  is  claimed  as  having  been  regularly 
made  here  to  Hawley  &  Co.,  of  the  greatest  part  of  the  same  tract 
which  the  British  Patentees  brought  a  bill  in  Chancery  to  repeal; 
but  the  defendants  filed  an  answer  containing  so  many  objections  against 
the  English  patent,  that  the  suit  remains  still  unprosecuted,  and  the 
American  proprietors  have  ever  since  held  the  possession. 

Mr.  Harrison  of  the  Council,  solicited  this  controversy  for  Sir  Joseph 
Eyles  and  his  partners, which  contributed  in  a  great  degree  to  the  troubles 
so  remarkable  in  a  succeeding  administration.'' 

June  8th,  1731.  A  warrant  for  survey  was  issued  for  fifty  thousand 
acres  of  the  Equivalent  Lands  for  Thomas  Hawley  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town  of  Ridgefield.e  In  answer  to  the  following  petition  by 
his  excellency  John  Montgomerie,  Esq.,  Captain-General  and  Governor- 
in-Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  etc.  Archibald  Kennedy,  Esq., 
Collector  and  Receiver-General;  George  Clarke,  Esq.,  Secretary,  and 

a  Ridgefleld  Rec.  vol.  II.,  p.  82.,  Conn,  and  N.  Y.  Boundaries,  1729-1731,  vol.  I.,  six,  p.  so 
to 84.  Patent  passed  15th  May,  1731.  Registered  1st  June,  1731. 

6  "  Two  instances  only  occur  of  grants  or  letters  patent  for  lands  under  the  great  seal  of 
Great  Britain— one  to  Sir  Joseph  Eyles  and  others  on  the  15th  May  in  the  fourth  year  of  his 
late  Majesty  King  George  the  Second  for  the  above  tract  of  02,000  acres  called  the  Oblong. 
"The  other  to  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet."   See  Hoc.  Hist.  N.  V.,  vol.  I.  p.  7.">n. 

e  "Sir  Joseph  Eyles  Knight  was  the  fourth  son  of  Francis  Eyles,  Esq.,  an  eminent  merchant 
and  Alderman  of  London,  and  many  years  one  of  the  directors  of  the  East  India  Company, 
oreated  a  Baronet  by  King  George  I.,  1st  Dee.,  1714,  by  his  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Mr. 
Ayley  of  London,  merchant.  His  brother.  Sir  John  Eyles  was  of  an  ancient  Wiltshire  family, 
and  received  the  honor  of  Knighthood  from  King  James  the  Second  and  became  Lord  Mayor 
of  London.  Sir  Joseph  Eyles  was  .sheriff  of  London  in  1726,  Alderman  in  1738,  M.  P.  for 
Soutliwark  and  afterwards  for  Devizes.  lie  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alderman  Sir 
-Jaffivv  Jeffreys,  Km.,  and  died  Sth  of  Feb.,  1739-40,  leaving  one  son  and  two  daughters." 
Murk?'*  Ext.  and  Dormant  Baronetcies. 

d  Smith's  History  of  New  York,  177. 

e  Land  papers,  Albany,  vol.  10,  1731,  p.  156. 


400 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  Surveyor-General  of  this  our  province,  com- 
missioners appointed  by  his  majesty's  instructions  to  his  said  excellency 
for  settling  out  all  lands  to  be  granted  within  the  province  of  New  York, 

To  all  to  irfiom  tltese  presents  shall  come  or  may  concern : 

It  is  hereby  certified  that  whereas  Thomas  Ilawley,  etc.,  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Bidgefield,  as  of  the  Eastern  parts  of  this  province,  by  their  humble  pe- 
tition presented  unto  his  excellency  in  Council,  the  3d  day  of  September,  setting 
forth  that  they  and  their  ancestors  have  for  a  long  time,  being  settled  upon,  cul- 
tivated and  improved  certain  lands  neai-  the  eastern  part  of  this  province  held  by 
Patent  from  the  Colloney  of  Connecticut,  are  supposed  to  be  in  that  part  of  the 
Province  of  New  York  commonly  called  the  Equivalent  Lands,  and  that  the  Pa- 
tentees, together  with  their  Associates,  would  be  willing  to  defray  the  charge 
and  expense  of  finding  out  and  ascertaining  the  partition  lines  between  both  the 
said  Coloneys,  provided  that  fifty  thousand  acres  of  the  said  lands  be  granted  to 
the  Patentees;  and  whereas,  the  partition  lines  between  the  said  Colonies  have 
been  accordingly  run  out,  and  ascertained  by  Commissioners  from  both  the  said 
Coloneys,  being  thereunto  duly  commissioned  and  appointed,  and  that  sixty-one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  of  the  said  Coloney  of  Connecticut 
were  lately,  at  the  settling  of  the  said  partition  lines  surrendered  to  the  said 
Province  of  New  York,  for  the  use  of  his  majesty,  wherefore  the  petitioners 
prayed  his  Excellency  would  be  favorably  pleased  to  grant  them,  their  heirs  and 
assigns,  his  Majesty's  letters  patent  for  fifty  thousand  acres  of  said  land,  under 
such  quit-rent,  provisions  and  restrictions  as  is  ordered  or  directed  iu  his  Excel- 
lency's commission  and  instructions,  which  patent  being  then  and  there  read  and 
considered  of  his  Majesty's  Council  of  this  province,  did  afterwards  on  the  same 
day  humbly  advise  and  direct  that  his  Excellency  do  grant  the  prayer  of  the 
same.    In  order  to  this  granting,  whereof,  etc. 

John  Montgomerie, 
Archibald  Kennedy, 
George  Clarke, 
Cadwallader  Colden.11 

Upon  the  8th  of  June,  1731,  the  following  letters  patent  were  issued 
under  the  great  seal  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  his  associates. 

ROYAL  LETTERS  PATENT  FOR  THE  OBLONG, 

George  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britian,  France  and  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come 
greeting.  Whereas  before  and  until  the  year  1683  the  extent  bounds  and  limits 
of  our  province  of  New  York  011  the  part  adjoining  to  our  colony  of  Connecticut 
is  altogether  unsettled  and  uncertain  and  in  order  for  the  settling,  ascertaining 
and  determining  where  the  bounds  of  the  said  Province  and  Colonv  with  respect 
to  one  another  should  be,  upon  the  three  and  twentieth  day  of  November,  1683; 

a  Albany  patents,  1731-1739.  pp.  1-4.  N.  T.  Ool.  MSS.  Land  papers,  1726-1731,  vol.  x,  p.  UHk 
Jnnc  8th,  Description  of  Survey  I.an<l  papers,  vol.  x,  p.  157,  warrant  for  patent,  June  SUV 
Land  papers,  vol.  .\,  p.  l.v.i,  Cei  tillcate,  June  (>lh,  vol.  x,  p.  159. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO.  40I 

certain  articles  of  argument  were  concluded  between  Col.  Thomas  Dougan  then 
Goveruour  of  this  our  said  Province  and  the  Council  of  the  said  Province  on  the 
one  side  and  Robert  Forest,  Esq.,  Goveruour  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut, 
Major  Nathaniel  Gold,  Capt.  John  Allen,  secretary,  and  Mr.  William  Pitkin  in 
commission  with  him  from  Connecticut  on  the  other  side,  by  which  it  was 
agreed  that  the  bounds  bet  ween  t  lie  said  Provinces  and  Colmiys  from  thenceforth 
should  begin  at  Lyon's  Point  at  the  north  of  the  Byram  River  where  it  falleth 
into  the  sound  from  thence  to  go  as  the  said  river  runneth  to  the  place  where 
the  common  road  or  wading  place  over  the  s:.id  river  is  and  from  thence  to  run 
north,  north-west,  into  the  country  so  far  as  would  be  eight  English  miles  from 
the  aforesaid  Lyon's  Point,  and  that  a  line  twelve  miles  being  measured  from 
Lyon  s  Point  according  to  the  general  course  of  the  sound  westward  where  the 
said  twelve  miles  endeth  as  the  line  should  be  run  from  the  sound  north,  north- 
west, eight  miles  into  the  country,  and  also  a  fourth  line  should  be  run  from  the 
northermost  end  of  the  eight  miles'  line,  being  the  third  mentioned  line  which 
fourth  line  with  the  first  mentioned  line  should  be  the  bounds  where  they  should 
fall  or  happen  to  run  and  that  from  the  eastward  end  of  the  fourth  mentioned 
line  (which  was  to  be  twelve  miles  in  length)  a  line  parallel  to  Hudson's  river 
in  every  place  twenty  miles  distant  from  Hudson's  river  should  be  the  bounds 
between  the  said  colony  of  Connecticut  so  far  as  Connecticut  colony  doth  extend 
northward,  that  is  to  the  southernly  line  of  Massachusetts  bay,  colony,  &c." 

"It  is  hereby  certified,  that  whereas  Thomas  Hawley,  Nathan  St  John, 
Samuel  Smith,  Benjamin  Benedict,  Richard  Olmsted,  Thomas  Smith,  Ebcne- 
zer  Smith,  Daniel  Sherwood,  Benjamin  Burtt,  Thomas  Hyatt,  Benjamin  Wil- 
son, Joseph  Lee,  Joseph  Kceler,  James  Benedict,  Richard  Osborn,  Samuel 
Smith,  Daniel  Olmsted,  Timothy  Keeler,  Jonah  Keeler,  Matthew  Seymour, 
Joseph  Northrup,  James  Brown,  Adam  Ireland,  John  Thomas,  and  Benejamin 
Birdsall,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Ridgeficld,  as  of  the  eastern  parts  of  this 
province,  by  their  humble  petition,  presented  unto  his  Excellency  in  council,  the 
third  day  of  September,  setting  forth  that  they  and  their  ancestors  have  for  a 
longtime  been  settled  upon,  cultivated  and  improved,  certain  lands  near  the 
eastern  parts  of  this  province,  held  by  patent  from  the  colony  of  Connectintt ; 
but  that,  contrary  to  their  expectations,  some  of  the  lands  to  be  sold  by  patent 
from  the  colony  of  Connecticut  are  supposed  to  be  within  that  part  of  the 
proviuce  of  New  York,  commonly  called  the  Equivalent  Lands,  and  that  the 
petitioners,  together  with  their  associates,  would  be  willing  to  defray  the 
charge  and  expense  of  finding  out  and  ascertaining  the  true  partition  lines  be- 
tween both  the  said  colonies,  provided  that  50,000  acres  of  the  said  lands  be 
granted  to  the  petitioners ;  and  whereas,  the  partition  lines  between  the  said 
colonies  have  been  accordingly  run  out  and  ascertained  by  commissioners  for 
both  the  said  colonies,  being  thereunto  duly  commissioned  and  appointed,  and 
sixty-one  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  of  the  said  colouy  of 
Connecticut  were  lately,  at  the  settling  of  the  said  partition  lines,  surrendered 
to  the  said  province  of  New  York,  for  the  use  of  his  Majesty;  wherefore  the 
petitioners  prayed  his  Excellency  would  be  favorably  pleased  to  grant  to  them, 
their  heirs  and  assigns,  his  Majesty's  letters  patent  for  50.000  acres  of  the  said 
land  under  such  quit-rent  provisions  and  restrictions  as  is  and  are  directed 
in  his  Excellency's  commissions  and  instructions;  which  petition  being  then  and 


402  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

there  read  and  considered  of  his  Majesty's  council  of  tnis  province,  did  after- 
wards, on  the  same  day,  humbly  advise  and  consent  that  his  Excellency  do 
grant  the  prayer  of  the  same,  &c,  given,  &c,  four  several  tracts,  the  first  of 
which  begins  at  the  monument  where  the  two  lines  intersect  which  are  the  east- 
wardly  bounds  of  the  said  surrendered  lands,  and  is  one  mile,  three  quarters  of 
a  mile,  and  fifty-two  rods  distant  on  a  line  running  north  eighty-four  degrees 
east  from  the  monument,  and  the  end  of  the  twenty  mile  line  from  Cortlandt's 
Point  west  to  the  east  end  of  Long  Pond,  &c,  then  along  south  side  of  said 
pond  to  the  easterly  bounds  of  said  surrendered  lands. 

The  second  tract  begins  at  the  monument,  standing  at  two  miles  from  the 
monument,  at  the  end  of  the  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandt's  Point, 

The  third  begins  at  the  eighth  mile  monument,  on  the  westwardly  bounds  of 
the  said  surrendered  lands,  on  the  line  running  north  twelve  degrees  and  thirty 
minutes  east  from  the  monument,  at  the  end  of  the  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandt's 
Point. 

The  fourth  tract  begins  at  the  thirty-fourth  mile  from  the  monument,  at  the 
end  of  the  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandt's  Point,  &c. 

"  The  Patentees  yielding,  rendering  and  paying  therefore  yearly  and  every 
year  forever  uuto  us  at  our  Custom  House  in  our  city  of  New  York  unto  our 
Receiver  General  for  the  time  being,  on  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  commonly  called  Lady  Day,  the  yearly  rent  of  7s.  6d  for  each  hundred 
acres  of  the  above  granted  lands,  and  so  in  proportion  for  a  lesser  quantity  there- 
of, given  under  our  hands  at  New  York  this  eighth  day  of  June  in  the  fourth 
year  of  his  Majesty's  reign  A.D.  1731."  John  Montgomeeik. 

This  grant  was  also  commonly  called  the  " East  Patetit"  from  its 
easterly  situation  as  appears  by  the  following  receipt  given  for  quit-rent 
in  1760. 

"  Received  of  the  owners  and  proprietors  of  the  East  Patent,  to  wit, 
Thomas  Hawley  and  others,  for  a  tract  of  fifty  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
Westchester  and  Dutchess  counties,  commonly  called  the  Oblong,  by 
the  hands  of  Abraham  King,  ^1.382,  is.  5*/.,  proved  money,  being  the 
full  balance  of  quit-rent  which  was  due  her  majesty,  on  the  said  patent, 
to  the  8th  day  of  June,  1760,  old  style,  as  witness  my  hand  this  21st  day 
of  March,  1760.  "Richard  Nicholls, 

''■Deputy  Receiver  General. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1752,  John  Bowton  of  the  East  Patent,  grant- 
ed a  tract  of  land,  consisting  of  eighty  acres,  to  Benjamin  Rockwell,  for 
the  sum  of  ^249. 

It  is  quite  clear  from  the  wording  of  the  East  Patent  to  Hawley  and 
company,  that  it  commenced  at  the  monument  where  the  two  lines  in- 
tersect (or,  the  angle  is  formed)  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  twenty  miles  from 
Cortlandt  Point,  on  the  Hudson  River,  near  the  south  side  of  hong 
Pond  on  the  land  and  so  ran  north  nearly  52  miles  towards  Massachu- 


a  All).  Book  of  Pat.,  1761-1789,  pp.  4-19. 


Map  annexed  to  Deed  Book  17,  1764  to  1768,  p.  457. 


Daa'lTownseud 


Jacob  Havilaml 


Adam  Ireland 
Siim'l  Baker 


Ben).  Birdsall 


James  Brown 
John  Thomas 
James  Brown 


Henry  Coyler 
4th  m. 


Sam'l  Field 
6th  m. 


8th  m. 
Sam'l  Bauer 


Rlch'd  Bradley 
loth  m. 


12th  m. 
Uriah  Root,  A.G, 


Con'l  rjat  maun 


20th  m. 
Nath'n  Birdsall 
and  Jas.  Brown 


Vincent  Mathew 


Joshua  Barnes 
Adam  Ireland 
Gilbert  WUlett 
John  Rath 


Vincent  Matthew 


Gilbert  Welch 


The  Lots 


li  403 


which  have  no  Name  affixed  are  Drawn  for  William  Smith,  by  a 
Scale  of     inches  to  the  mile 


Map  annexed  to  Deed  Book  17,  1764  to  1768,  p.  457. 


2«th  in. 

2 

1 

Henry  Coyler 
4th  m. 

30th  m. 

4 

3 

Dau'lTownsend 

6 

5 

Sam'l  Field 
6th  m. 

8 

T 

8th  m. 

9 

Sam'l  Baker 

46 

45 

35th  m. 

10 

Rich'd  Bradley 
10th  m. 

4S 

4" 

11 

Arlnm  Trplnml 

50 

49 

Sam'l  Fields 

12 

12th  m. 

'Mi1'.  1    VV  IJlCl  I 

52 

61 

37th  m. 
Uriah  Root  A.  I. 

13 

L    :  i .'  xtOOT,  A.vx. 

John  Rath 

54 

53 

^lenrv  Tavlor 

14 

56 

55 

Ellas  Clapp 

Jacob  Havilaml 

o 

15 

14th  m. 

58 

57 

Dan'l  Townsend 
40th  m. 

18 

IT 

60 

59 

Adam  Ireland 

20 

19 

Joshua  Barns 
16th  m. 

Bcnj.  Birdsell 

62 

61 

Con'l  Fleeman 
42nd  m. 

Saml  Baker 

22 

21 

64 

63 

John  Thomas 

r 


THU   TOWN   OK   I.I  \VlSlH)RO. 


setts.  This,  left  ten  miles  south  from  the  monument  or  angle  to  what 
is  still  called  the  Wilton  angle  and  south-west  corner  of  the  Oblong,  now 
the  southernmost  end  of  Lewisboro,  bordering  on  New  Canaan.  This 
section  was  for  a  long  time  termed  the  "  Undivided  Lands"  and  being 
public  lands  were  of  course  still  vested  in  the  crown. 

Among  other  claimants  of  these  "  Undivided  Lands."  in  1743,  was  a 
Benjamin  Wilson,  (one  of  the  original  twenty-five  grantees  of  the  East 
or  Upper  Patent,  in  1 73 1 ,)  who,  strange  to  say,  asserted  that  his  right 
to  dispose  of  the  same,  "accrued  unto  him  by  virtue  of  a  Patent  obtained 
with  others,"  of  Governor  Montgomerie  of  New  York.  In  other  words, 
by  virtue  of  the  East  Patent  issued  in  1731,  which  had  nothing  whatever 
to  do  with  the  "  Undivided  Lands"  and  also  by  virtue  of  a  lease  obtained 
of  Adam  Ireland,  Jno.  Thomas  and  Benjamin  Birdsell,  all  three  of  whom 
were  also  grantees  of  the  East  Patent  1731." 

Beginning  at  westerly  bounds  of  lands  surrendered  on  the  line  running  north 
12  degrees,  30  minutes  east  from  the  monument  at  the  end  of  the  twenty -one 
mile  from  Cortlandt's  Point,  at  a  point  54  chains  south  from  the  monument  at 
the  distance  of  four  miles,  and  running  from  thence,  south,  77  degrees,  30  minutes 
east,  145  chains  to  the  easterly  bounds  of  the  said  surrendered  lands,  from  thence, 
running  along  the  same  easterly  bounds  north  12  degrees  30  minutes  east,  294 
chains  to  the  north-cast  corner,  etc.,  etc. — Albany  deed  book,  171,  p.  453.  On 
the  same  day  occurs  another  release  between  Adam  Ireland,  Jno.  Thomas  and 
Benj.  Birdsell,  on  the  first  part  and  James  Brown  and  others  of  the  second  part, 
for  forty  two  thousand  acres  of  the  said  surrendered  lands.  (See  map  from  book 
17,  p.  457.)  Albany  deed  book  17,  from  1765  to  1768,  p.  457.  "B"  A  third 
Indenture  22d  of  June,  1731,  between  Wm.  Smith  of  the  first  part  and  George 
Clarke,  Esq.,  of  the  second  part,  which  recites  that  whereas  by  his  Majesty's- 
letter  Patent  bearing  date  the  8th  day  of  this  inst.  June,  granted  unto  Adam  Ire- 
land, Jno.  Thomas  and  Benj.  Birdsell,  and  others,  fifty  thousand  acres  of  land, 
part  of  the  lands  called  the  "  Equivalent  or  Additional  Lands,"  lately  surrender- 
ed by  the  colony  of  Connecticut  to  the  province  of  New  York,  as  by  said  letters 
Patent  entered  on  record  in  the  secretary's  office  of  New  York,  Lib.  2d,  Yol  I, 
etc.,  at  large  may  appear,  and  whereas,  by  release  bearing  date  the  15th  day  of 
this  inst.  June,  forty  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  the  aforesaid,  fifty 
thousand,  of  which  the  hereby  granted  lands  is  a  part,  were  released  to  the  said 
Adam  Ireland,  Jno.  Thomas  and  Benj.  Birdsell,  by  the  other  Patentees  in  the 
said  Patent,  etc.,  and  whereas  the  said  Adam  Ireland,  etc.,  by  release,  and  re- 
lease bearing  date  the  loth  and  16th  days  of  the  this  inst.  June,  did  convey  to  the 
said  Wm.  Smith  twenty-one  thousand  one  hundred  and  eleven  acres,  part  of  the 

a  It  seems  that  soon  after  the  East  Patent  was  granted  In  1731,the  Patentees,  when  thev  di- 
vided and  wanted  certain  lands  they  quit-claimed  to  each  other— consequently  we  find  several 
Leases  and  He-leases  passing  between  the  Proprietors.  For  Instance,  on  the  15th  of  June, 
li31,  occurs  an  indenture  between  Thomas  Hawlev,  Nathan  Sr.  John.  Samuel  Smith,  Benj. 
Benedict,  Kichard  Olmstead,  Thomas  Smith,  Kliriiezer  Smith,  Daniel  Sherwood,  Hen].  Hurt, 
Thomas  Flvatt,  Benj.  Wilson,  Joseph  I.ee,  .Joseph  Heeler,  Joseph  Benedict,  ltichard  Osborne, 
Bamuel  Smith,  Daniel  Olmstead,  Timothy  Keeler,  Jonah  Keeler,  Mathew  Sevmonr,  Joseph 
Northrop  and  James  Brown,  of  the  lit st  part,  und  Adam  Ireland,  John  Thoinas  and  Benj. 
.Birdsell  of  the  second  part,  whereby  the  former  released  to  the  latter  18,000  acres  of  land. 


4°4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


said  forty  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  etc., now  this  Indenture  witnesscth 
that  the  said  Win.  Smith,  for  and  in  consideration  of  llie  sum  of  five  shillings  to  him 
in  hand,  paid  whereof  he  hereby  grants  the  receipt,  etc.,  and  discharged  the  said 
George  Clarke  thereof,  hath  granted,  etc.,  (he  being  in  possession  thereof  by  virtue 
of  a  lease  to  him  and  others,  bearing  date  the  day  of  the  date  of  these  presents,  etc. 
No's  39,  No.  72,  No.  37,  No.  28,  No.  25,  No.  8,  lot  No.  4  being  easterly,  bounds 
18|  chains  northerly  from  the  monument,  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  the 
western  bounds,  at  the  distance  of  four  miles  northerly  from  the  monument  at 
the  end  of  the  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandt  Point. a 

The  following  imperfect  deed  in  the  register's  office  at  White  Plains 
is  all  that  remains  of  a  conveyance  from  this  Benj.  Wilson  to  Joseph 
Keeler  (another  of  the  patentees  of  1731)  for  all  his  right  title  and  in- 
terest in  the  "  Southern  ten  miles  of  the  Oblong  " 

"Benj.  Wilson  to  Joseph  Keeler,  know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Benj. 
Wilson  of  Ridgcfield  in  the  county  of  Fairfield  and  Colony  of  Connecticut  in 
New  England  for  and  in  consideration  of  six  lbs.  12s.  in  hand  received  of  Joseph 
Keeler  of  said  Ridgcficld  which  is  to  say  full  satisfaction  have  given,  granted, 
bargained  and  sold,  and  by  these  presents  do  peaceably,  freely  and  also  sell,  con- 
vey and  confirm  unto  the  said  Joseph  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever  all  his 
right,  title  and  property  and  pretence  whatsoever  I  have  in  or  unto  the  within 
southern  ten  miles  of  the  "  Oblong  or  Equivalent  Lands  "  so-called,  accruing 
unto  me  by  virtue  of  a  Patent  obtained  with  others  of  his  late  Excellency  J110. 
Montgomerie,  Esq. ,  Governor  of  New  York  by  virtue  of  a  release  obtained  of 
Adam  Ireland,  Jno.  Thomas,  Benj.  Birdscll  of  southern  ten  miles  unto  Mrs. 
Clarke,  Doctor  Golding,  Mrs.  Smith  and  Mrs.  Brown,6  all  ownership  whatso- 
ever, property  challenge,  claim  and  demand  I  have  or  can  make  in  or  unto  said 
above  premises,  I  resign  up  unto  said  Keeler  his  heirs,  executors  and  &«*>ignes, 
to  have  and  to  hold  or  cansay  IJtave  unto  the  said  Keeler  his  heirs  and  assignes 
he  preparing  all  duties  whatsoever  is  required  by  patent  of  any  wise  thereupon 
and  the  said  Keeler  his  heirs  and  assignes  may  forever  hereafter  enter  upon  pos- 
session and  convey  ye  same  and  in  what  way  and  manner  to  what  use  and  "grg 
so  ever  they  see  convenient ;  and  it  is  to  be  understood  before  signing  and  sealing 
hereof,  and  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  hereof  and  of  both  parties,  tluit  I 
warrant  the  above  premises  only  from  myself,  my  heirs,  my  executors  adminis- 
trators and  assigns  or  any  claiming  from  by  or  under  me,  I  do  also  couvenant 
and  promise  for  myself,  my  heirs — be  it  remembered  on  the  11th  of  March, 
174;,  Jno.  Wallis  one  of  the  witnesses  of  the  within  deed  of  conveyance  per- 
sonally appeared  before  me  Samuel  Pimly  one  of  the  judges  of  the  inferior 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Westchester  assigned  and  being  duly 
sworn,  declared  that  he  saw  the  grantee  himself  sign,  seal  and  deliver  the  same  to 
Joseph  Keeler  as  his  free  act  and  deed  for  the  uses  therein  mentioned  and  that 
he  likewise  saw  Sam'l  Olinstead  sign  for  the  other  witness  with  him  the  sa:ne 
time  and  I  having  suspected  the  same  I  find  no  material  mistake  or  interlinea- 
tion do  allow  the  same  to  be  recorded.  Sam'l  Pubdy"." 

a  Albany  deed  book,  14,  1739-1750,  pp.  133,  4,  5,  6. 
6  James  Brown,  the  husband  of  the  lady  was  living  at  this  time.— Editor 
c  White  Plains  Eteo  Lib.  g.  p.  670-1.   The  following  certificate  Is  attached  to  the  deed: 
"  A  true  copy  of  the  original  so  far  as  appeared  to  be  whole ;  part  of  the  original  deed  was 
rat  eaten  or  torn  exceedingly."  John  Baktow,  Clerk. 


0 


Map  annexed  to  Deed  Book  14,  p.  133,  1739  to  1750. 


Ah.  Van  riorrn, 

for  Win.  &  ~ 
Mary  Barrets  g 

George  Clarke  4 

DuTOnraaend  R 


George  Clarke  8 


10 


11 


18 


Jacob  Havllar 

Qeorge  Clarke 
Adam  Ireland 
Sauri  Baker 
Ca<l.  (  olden 
Benj.  Birdaall 
Cad.  (  olden 
■Teorean  Hoots 
Geo.  Clarke 
James  Brown 
John  Thomas 
James  Brown 

■'a.  Alexander 
a  (  o. 

(;'  "ree  (  lark.- 


13 


14 


15 


IS 

20 

19 

22 


24 


21 


26 

25 

28 

27 

30 

29 

32 

31 

3-1 

33 

36 

35 

3S 

40 

89 

42 

41  1 

u 

43  j 

Hoary  coyiur 
4th  m. 

Arc'd  Kennedy 


Baml  Bleld 
6th  m. 

Ja.  Alexander 

Sth  in. 
Sam.1  Baker 


Rich'd  Bradley 
loth  m. 

Win.  Smith  A  Co. 


Ca<l.  Golden 
12th  m. 

I'rlah  Hoot 


Ja.  Alexander 

Ja.  Alexander  & 
Co. 
14! h  in. 

Arc'd  Kennedy 

Joshua  Barns 
16th  in. 

Ja.  Alexander  & 

Co. 

Jacob  ilavilar 


Jas.  Brown*  Co. 

20th  in. 
Naih'n  BlrdsaJJ 
and  Jas.  Brown 

Jas.  Brown  &  Co. 

22nd  m. 
Arrh'd  Kennedy 

(ieo.  Clarke 


Wm.  smith*  Co- 
24th  m. 

Cad.  Golden 


24th  in. 


2-Sth  in. 


Mill  111. 


Win.  A  Mary 
Burnett 


46 

45 

j  Cad  Golden 

48 

47 

35th  in. 
Klias  Clapn 

50 

49 

S.uu'l  Fields 

52 

51 

37th  in, 
Uriah  Root,  A.  i 

54 

63 

Henry  Taylor 

56 

J  55 

Ellas  Clapp 

58 

5T 

DanT  Townseitd 

60 

59 

Ja.  Brown  A  Co. 

62 

61 

ConT  Fleeinan 
42nd  in. 

John  Thomas 

G4 

63 

66 

65 

(ieorge  Clarke 

68 

67 

44th  in. 
Wm.  smith  &  Co. 

70 

69 

George  Clarke 

72 

71 

John  Kail 

74 

73 

47th  m. 
Arcli'd  Kennedy 

fieorge  (Tarke, 

Ja.  Brown  a;  i  „. 
Rich'd  Bradlej 


Nat'n  Btrdsell 
*  Jas.  Brown 

Cad  ( 'olden 


SO     I'rlah  Root 


».  404. 


By  a  scale  of  2$  miles,  or  200  chains,  in  an  inch. 


THE  TOWN  Or  LEWISBORO. 


405 


There  is  a  tradition  in  this  town  that  James  Brown,  Esq.,  of  Nonvalk, 
finding  certain  lands  in  the  Oblong  to  be  unclaimed,  obtained  a  grant  for 
them  of  the  crown.  The  truth  is,  James  Brown  of  Salem,  and  Wm. 
Smith  of  New  York,  had  been  at  considerable  expense  in  purchasing 
from  the  native  Indian  proprietors,  about  eleven  thousand  acres  of  land 
not  included  in  llandefs  or  the  East  Patent;  this  land  being  mostly  in 
the  lower  section  of  the  Oblong.  It  appears  that  these  very  lands  called 
as  we  have  seen  "  New  Fairfield,"  were  claimed  by  Hawley  and  Com- 
pany, as  having  been  patented  by  Connecticut  in  1707,  notwithstanding 
they  had  been  surrendered  subsequently  by  that  colony  to  New  York, 
the  Patentees  pretending  that  New  York  could  not  take  away  their  right 
of  freehold  before  vested  in  those  lands."  To  quiet  these  claims  there- 
fore, James  Brown  purchased  for  the  sum  of  ^1,000  pounds  their  " New 
Fairfield  Right"  within  the  Equivalent  Lands  "which  sale  comprehended 
nearly  two  thousand  acres  of  the  lands  purchased  of  the  Indians  and  not 
included  in  the  said  Patent  from  this  government."  As  appears  from 
the  following  Petition  of  William  Smith  and  James  Brown  for  4,000 
acres  of  land  in  the  Oblong : 

To  his  Excellency  the  Honorable  George  Clinton,  Captain  General 
and  Governor-in-chief  in  and  over  the  Province  of  New  York  and 
the  territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  vice-Admiral  of  the 
same  and  Admiral  of  the  White  Squadron  of  his  Majesty's  Fleet. 
The  Petition  of  William  Smith  of  the  City  of  New  York,  attorney-at-law,  and 
James  Brown  of  Salem  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  attorney-at-law. 
Humbly  showeth : 

That  your  Petitioners  on  the  eighth  day  of  June  last  presented  their  humble 
petition  to  your  Excellency  wherein  and  whereby  they  did  set  forth  unto  your 
Excellency  that  your  said  Petitioners  were  interested  in  fifty  thousand  acres  of 
land  which  by  Letters  Patent  had  been  granted  to  Thomas  1  lawlcy  and  others 
bearing  date  the  eighth  day  of  June,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty- 
one,  the  same  being  part  of  the  Equivalent  Land,  lately  surrendered  by  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut  to  the  Colony  of  New  York. 

That  in  order  to  obtain  the  said  grant  your  Petitioners  had  born  a  considerable 
part  of  a  very  great  and  unusual  expense  in  running  the  division  lines  between  the 
said  two  Colonies. 

That  pursuant  to  a  licence  from  this  government  your  Petitioners  had  also  born 
aconsiderablepartof  the  expense  of  the  purchase  from  the  native  Indians  of  about 
eleven  thousand  acres  of  land  not  included  in  or  granted  by  the  said  Letters 
Patent  which  purchase  was  made  and  the  consideration  thereof  paid  by  your 
Petitioner  James  Brown  as  by  deed,  in  the  landsof  your  Petitioners  might  appear. 

That  the  said  eleven  thousand  acres  of  land  were  not  returned  at  the  time  of 
obtaining  the  said  Patent  with  the  annual  quit-rent  aud  the  Patent  charges. 


a  The  early  settlers,  especially  of  Lower  Salem  or  Lewisboro,  when  they  first  arrived  here 
and  even  for  some  time  after,  imagined  themselves  within  the  bounds  of  Norwalk.  The  liual 
adjusuneut  of  the  boundaries,  left  them  in  the  province  of  New  York.  [Editor.] 


406 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


That  the  government  of  Connecticut  in  May,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
thirty-one  in  the  most  authentic  manner  had  surrendered  to  this  Colony  the  said 
Equivalent  Lands.  Pursuant  to  a  former  agreement  in  the  year  one  thousand 
six  hundred  and  eighty-three  but  had  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  seven  granted  to  Nathan  Gould  and  others  fourteen  miles  in  the  length  of 
the  said  Equivalent  Lands  which  included  a  great  part  of  the  land  purchased  of 
the  Natives  and  Patented  within  this  government  as  aforesaid  which  grantees  of 
Connecticut  (called  the  Proprietors  of  New  Fairneid;  claimed  these  lands,  not- 
withstanding the  said  surrender,  pretending  that  it  could  not  take  away  their 
Right  of  Freehold  before  vested  in  those  lands, though  it  subject  their  land  to  the 
government  of  New  York. 

That  in  order  to  quiet  this  claim,  your  Petitioner,  James  Brown,  in  the  year 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty-two,  for  about  one  thousand  pounds  val- 
ue in  New  York  money,  had  purchased  their  New  Fairfield  Right  within  the 
Equivalent  Lands,  which  purchase  comprehended  near  two  thousand  acres  of 
the  laud  purchased  of  the  Indians  and  not  included  in  the  said  Patent  from  this 
government. 

That  your  Petitioners  were  solely  interested  in  the  said  land  purchase  from 
New  Fairfield,  and  not  granted  by  the  said  Patent,  and  paid  the  whole  propor- 
tion of  the  consideration  for  the  same  New  Fairfield  purchase.  But  are  willing 
to  pay  his  Majesty  the  annual  quit-rents  for  these  lands,  and  some  more  of  the 
said  lands  purchased  of  the  natives  aforesaid. 

By  which  petition  your  said  Petitioners  did  humbly  pray  that  it  might  please 
your  Excellency,  in  consideration  of  the  premises,  to  grant  his  Majesty's  Letters 
Patent  to  your  Petitioners,  for  four  thousand  acres  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands, 
including  your  petitioners  lands  under  the  purchase  from  New  Fairfield  Proprie- 
tors, and  such  other  lands  within  the  said  Indian  purchase  as  should  be  conven- 
ient for  your  said  Petitioners,  in  the  whole  amounting  to  that  quantity,  with  the 
annual  allowance  for  highways,  etc.,  &c,  and  that  a  warrant  might  issue  to  his 
Majesty's  surveyor-general  to  survey  aud  lay  out  the  same  as  by  the  said  petition 
thereunto  being  had,  may  appear,  which  Petition  on  the  2d  day  of  July  follow- 
ing, being  read  and  referred  for  consideration  to  a  committee  of  his  Majesty's 
humble  Council  for  this  province,  (who  thereupon  made  their  report,)  an  order 
was  made  by  your  Excellency,  with  that  of  the  said  Honourable  Board,  that 
his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent  should  be  granted  to  your  Petitioners  for  four 
thousand  acres  of  the  vacant  Lands,  &c.,&c. 

May  it  therefore  please  your  Excellency,  in  consideration  of  the  families,  to 
grant  to  your  said  Petitioners,  His  Majesty's  Letters  Patent,  and  on  the 'seal  of 
the  Province,  &c,  and  your  petitioners  shall  pray,  &c. 

Wm.  Smith, 

New  York,  July  5th,  1751, «  James  Buowk. 

The  following  description  of  the  Lands  occurs  amongst  the  Land 
Papers. 

The  description  of  the  land  granted  on  the  Petitions  of  James 

a  New  York  Col.  MSS.  1744-1752,  vol.  xiv.  p.  120.  A  secoml  petition  of  Wm.  Smith  and  .las. 
Brown  occurs  on  tne  19th  of  Nov.  1751,  for  lauds  in  the  Oblong.  Land  Papers,  Albany,  voU 
Xiv.  p.  120. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


) 

407 


Brown  and  William  Smith  should  be  as  follows,  in  my  opinion,  in  the 
warrant  to  the  Surveyor  General. 

Four  thousand  acres  of  laud  or  so  much  of  that  quantity  as  the  Petitioners 
shall  think  convenient  for  them  to  be  laid  out  in  several  parts  or  parcels  not  ex- 
cccding/oKr  parts  or  parrels  within  that  tract  called  the  Equivalent  Land,  lately 
Bartended  by  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  to  this  Colony  of  New  York  and  within 
such  parts  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  consisting  of  about  eleven  thousand 
acres  of  lands  which  were  not  included  in  or  granted  by  Letters  Patent  bearing 
date  the  eighth  day  of  June,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirey-one  to 
Thos.  Hawley  anil  others,  nor  to  other  person  or  persons  by  Letters  Patent 
under  the  great  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York  since  that  time. 
Mr.  Ban  yak: 

Please  to  mould  the  above  Description  in  the  usual  form  of  a  warrant  retain- 
ing the  above  or  substance  in  the  same  or  other  words  and  favor  me  with  the 
right  of  the  Draft  before  it  is  copied  fair,  and 

You'll  oblige  your  humble  servant,  W.\i.  Smith. 

19  Nov.,  1751. 

endorsed  note  to  Mr.  Banyar  inserting  description  of  4000  acres  of  land  in  war- 
rant to  surveyor  general. 

In  the  order  or  minutes  of  Council  in  a  little  before  June,  1723,  directing  any 
explanatory  Declaration  of  the  King's  reservation  if  any  to  be  inserted  in  Letters 
Patent/' 

About  one  month  after  the  date  of  the  petition  of  Brown  and  Smith 
occurred  a  release  and  quit-claim  deed  from  Joseph  Keeler  and  nineteen 
others,  (thirteen  of  whom  were  grantees  under  the  East  Patent  in  1731,) 
to  the  first  Presbyterian  or  Independent  minister,  "that  should  be  set- 
tled and  ordained"  in  the  town  of  Salem,  consisting  of  two  tracts  of  tand 
lying  on  the  Lorver  released  ten  miles  of  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent  Lands, 
which  is  yet  undivided,  drc. 6 

The  signatures  of  William  Smith  and  James  Brown,  the  Petitioners 
for  the  Patent,  are  wanting  to  this  document  and  only  one  of  the  names 
among  the  four  surrounding  proprietors,  mentioned  in  the  deed,  is  at- 
tached. 

It  appears  as  if  these  claimants  of  the  Lower  portion  of  the  Oblong 
were  fearing  the  result  of  Smith  and  Brown's  second  Petition  to  the 
crown  on  the  r 9th  of  November,  1 75 1.  Surely  there  can  be  no  ques- 
tion whether  the  above  conveyance  would  be  good  for  any  fractional 
portion,  if  an  undivided  moiety  of  an  undivided  territory.  But  as  we 
shall  have  more  to  say-  about  this  remarkable  transaction  in  its  proper 
place,  we  pass  on  to  the  granting  of  the  Royal  Letters  Patent  to  Wil- 
liam Smith  of  New  York  and  James  Brown  of  the  County  of  Westches- 

a  N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.,  vol.  XlX,  p.  121,  1744-1752. 

t  The  original  document  is  Indorsed  on  the  bade  "  Proprietor's  Deed,"  was  witnessed  to, 
twenty-three  years  after  the  signing  but  never  recorded. 


408 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ter,  gentlemen,  by  Governor  George  Clinton,  on  the  22c!  of  August, 
1752,  for  "four  several  tracts  of  land  within  that  tract  of  land  called  the 
"Equivalent  Lands,"  which  are  not  included  or  granted  by  letters  patent 
the  first  of  which  began  on  the  western  bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent 
Lands,  at  the  south-west  corner  of  a  tract  of  land  in,  or  late  granted  to 
Thomas  Hawley  and  others,  known  by  the  name  of  lot  No.  9,  contain- 
ing 1,  roo  acres,  &c."  The  grantees  yielding,  rendering  and  paying  there- 
fore unto  the  king  and  his  heirs,  at  the  Custom  House,  in  New  York,  on 
the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  commonly  called  Lady 
Day,  the  yearly  rent  of  two  shillings  and  sixpence,  for  each  hundred  acres 
of  the  lands  granted. 

ROYAL  PATENT  FOR  LOWER  PORTION  OF  OBLONG. 

George  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.«  To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
Greeting: — Whereas,  our  loving  Subjects  William  Smith,  Esq.,  our  Attorney 
and  Advocate-General  of  our  Province  of  New  York,  and  James  Brown  of  t he 
County  of  Westchester,  Gentleman,  by  their  humble  Petition  presented  to  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  George  Clinton.  Esq.,  our  Captain-General  and  Gover- 
nor in-Chief  of' our  Province  of  New  York  and  Territories  therein  depending,  in 
America,  Yice-Admiral  of  the  same  and  Admiral  of  the  White  Squadron 
of  our  fleet  and  read  in  Council  on  the  second  day  of  July  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  fifty,  did  pray  our  Letters  Patent  for  four  thousand 
acres  of  the  land  called  the  Equivalent  Lands  formerly  surrendered  by  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut  to  the  Colony  of  New  York  which  Petition  having  been 
then  and  there  read,  our  Council  did  afterwards  to  wit  on  the  same  day  humbly 
advise  our  said  Governor  to  grant  to  the  petitioners  our  Letters  Patent  for  four 
thousand  acres  of  the  said  Lands  to  be  laid  out  in  one  tract  only,  and  whereas  the 
said  William  Smith  and  James  Brown  by  their  further  petition  presented  unto 
our  said  Governor  and  read  in  Council  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  November  last 
past,  suggesting  that  by  prior  surveys  of  sundry  parts  of  the  said  Equivalent 
Lauds  they  found  it  impossible  to  lay  out  the  said  four  thousand  acres  of  land 
in  one  place  so  as  to  be  of  any  advantage  to  them,  the  Petitioners  did  pray  that 
the  said  four  thousand  acres  of  land  might  be  laid  out  in  so  many  pieces  as 
should  be  found  convenient.  Which  Petition  having  been  then  and  there  also 
read  our  council  did  on  the  same  day  humbly  advise  our  said  Governor  to  issue 
a  warrant  to  our  surveyor  general  to  survey  and  lay  out  the  said  lauds  in  any 
number  of  tracts  not  exceeding  four.  In  pursuance  whereof  and  in  obedience 
to  our  Royal  Instructions  for  the  purpose  our  Commissioners  appointed  by  our 
said  instructions  for  the  setting  out  of  all  lands  to  be  granted  within  our  said 
Province  have  set  out  for  the  said  Petitioners  William  Smith  and  James  Brown  all 
those  four  several  tracts  of  land  within  that  tract  of  land  called  the  Equivalent  lands 
lately  surrendered  by  our  Colony  of  Connecticut  to  our  Colony  of  New  York 
and  which  are  not  included  in  or  granted  by  our  Letters  Patent  under  the  great 


a  Book  of  Patents,  Albany,  p.  451-457. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO. 


seal  of  our  Province  of  New  York  the  first  of  which  tracts  begins  in  the  western 
hounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands  at  the  south-west  corner  of  a  tract  of  land 
in  the  land  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  others  known  by  the  name  of  Lot 
No.  9  and  runs  thence  along  the  lines  of  the  said  Lot  and  of  a  tract  of  land 
granted  to  John  Ayscough  to  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  lands 
then  along  the  said  eastern  bounds  one  mile  southerly  to  Lot  No.  8  of  the  said 
lands  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  others,  then  along  the  north  bounds  of 
said  Lot  No.  8  and  of  Lot  No.  7  to  the  western  bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent 
Lands  and  then  along  the  said  western  bounds  to  the  place  where  this  first  Tract 
began,  containing  one  thousand  and  one  hundred  acres  of  land  and  the  usual 
allowance  for  Highways  the  second  of  which  tracts  begins  at  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  the  lands  granted  to  John  Ayscough,  being  two  White  Oak  trees  growing 
out  of  one  Root,  the  one  marked  C.  G.  the  other  W.  S.  being  likewise  the  North- 
east corner  of  Lot  No.  12  of  the  said  lands  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  others 
and  the  South-east  corner  of  Lott  No.  13  of  the  same  Lands,  and  runs  thence, 
along  the  bounds  of  the  said  lands  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  others,  being 
the  Line  of  the  said  Lott  No.  13  to  Lot  No.  16,  then  along  the  bounds  of  the  said 
Lot  No.  16  to  Lot  No.  18,  then  along  the  line  of  the  said  Lot  No.  18  to  the  Eastern 
Bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  then  along  the  said  eastern  boundry  two 
hundred  and  seventeen  Chains  and  two  Rod  to  the  said  Lands  granted  to  John 
Ayscough,  and  then  along  his  Line  to  the  place  where  this  Second  Tract  began, 
containing  one  thousand  acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  allowance  for  Highways;  the 
third  of  which  tracts  begins  at  the  twenty-eighth  Mile  Monument  in  the  Western 
bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  runs  thence,  South,  Eight3T-three  de- 
grees, east,  Sixty-seven  Chains,  then  North,  twelve  degrees  and  thirty  minutes, 
East,  twenty  Chains,  then  South  seventy-seven  degrees  and  thirty  minutes,  East, 
forty  chains,  then  south,  twelve  degrees  and  thirty  minutes,  West,  one  hundred 
aud  three  Chains  to  lot  No.  44  of  the  said  Lands  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and 
others,  and  then  along  the  lines  of  the  said  Lott  andof  Lott  No.  43  to  the  Western 
bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  then  along  the  said  Bounds  to  the  place 
where  this  third  Tract  began, containing  eight  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  Land, 
and  the  usual  allowance  for  Highways,  and  the  fourth  of  which  Tracts  begins  at 
a  Rock  with  a  heap  of  stones  upon  it,  which  is  at  forty-two  Chains  distance, 
measures  on  a  Line  running  North  eighty  degrees,  east  from  the  thirtieth  Mile 
Monument  in  the  Western  Bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  runs  from 
said  Rock  South,  twelve  degrees,  and  thirty  minutes,  West,  eighty  Chains,  then 
South  seventy-seven  degrees  and  thirty  minutes,  East  fifty-four  Chains,  then  North 
ninety  Chains,  then  East  fifteen  Chains,  then  North  fifty-five  Chains,  then  North 
seventy-eight  degrees  thirty  minutes,  West,  thirty-seven  Chains,  then  South 
twelve  degrees  aud  thirty  minutes,  West  sixty-two  chains  to  the  place  where  this 
fourth  Tract  began,  Containing  six  hundred  Acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  allow- 
ance for  Highways ;  the  said  four  Tracts  Containing  together  three  thousand  five 
hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  allowance  for  Highways ;  and  in 
setting  out  thereof,  the  said  Commissioners  have  had  regard  to  the  profit- 
able and  unprofitable  Acres  and  have  taken  care  that  the  Length  of  said 
Tracts  on  either  of  them  do  not  extend  along  the  Banks  of  any  River  other- 
wise than  is  Conformable  to  our  Royal  Instructions  for  that  purpose,  as  by  a 
certificate  thereof  under  their  hands  bearing  date  the  tliirtieth  day  of  July 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


last  past  and  entered  on  Record  in  our  Secretary's  Office  in  our  city  of  New 
York  may  more  fully  appear  which  said  Four  Tracts  of  laud  Set  out  as  afore- 
said according  to  our  Royal  Instructions  We  being  willing  to  grant  to  the 
said  William  Smith  and  James  Brown  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  Know 
Ye,  that  of  our  especial  Grace  certain  Knowledge  and  nicer  motion,  We  have 
given  granted  Ratified  and  Confirmed  and  Do  by  these  presents  for  us  our  Heirs 
and  Successors,  Give,  Grant,  Ratify  and  Confirm,  unto  the  said  William  Smith 
and  James  Brown,  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  forever,  All  the  said  Tracts  or  Par- 
cels of  Land  so  set  out  marked  abutted  bounded  mentioned  and  described  as  is 
above  expressed  Concerning  the  same,  Together  with  all  and  singular  the 
Woods  underwoods  Trees  Timbers  Feedings  Pastures  Meadows  Marshes  Swamps 
Ways  Waters  Water-courses  Rivers  Brooks  Rivultes  Runs  and  Streams  of 
Waters  Fishings  Fowling  Hunting  and  Hawking  Mines  and  Minerals  of  all  sorts 
whatsoever  (except  Gold  Mines  and  Silver  Mines)  which  now  are  standing  grow- 
ing lying  being  or  found  or  at  any  time  hereafter  shall  be  standing  growing  lying 
being  or  found  in  or  upon  the  above  Granted  Lands  or  airy  part  thereof  or  within 
the  Bounds  or  Limits  of  the  same  and  all  the  profits  liberties  privilegics  Tene- 
ments Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  same  Lands  and 
premises  or  any  part  thereof  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining,  and  all  our 
Estate  Right  Title  Interest  Possession  benefit  claim  and  demand  whatsoever  of 
in  and  to  the  same  Lands  and  Premises  and  every  or  an}-  part  thereof  and  the 
Reversion  and  Reversions  Remainder  and  Remainders  of  all  and  Singular  the 
said  Premises  Except  also  and  always  reserved  out  of  these  our  present  Grant 
unto  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  forever  All  Trees  of  the  Diameter  of  twenty- 
four  inches  and  upwards  at  twelve  inches  from  the  Ground  for  Ma^ts  for  our 
Royal  Navy  and  also  all  such  other  Trees  as  may  be  fit  to  make  Planks  Knees 
and  other  things  necessary  for  the  use  of  our  said  Navy  only  which  are  now 
standing  Growing  or  being  in  or  upon  the  above  Granted  Lands  or  any  part  there- 
of with  free  Liberty  and  Lycence  for  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever  by  us  our 
Heirs  or  Successors  to  be  thereunto  especially  appointed  under  our  or  their  Sign 
Manual  Either  with  or  without  Workmen  Horses  Waggons  Carts  or  any  other 
Carriages  to  enter  and  come  into  and  upon  the  said  Lands  and  every  or  any  part 
thereof  and  there  to  fall  cut  down  root  up  Hew  Square  Saw  work  up  have  take 
and  Carry  away  the  same  for  the  uses  aforesaid  To  Have  and  to  uold  the  one 
Moiety  or  half  part  of  the  said  Tracts  or  Parcells  of  Laud  Tenements  Heredita- 
ments Mines  Minerals  and  Premises  with  their  and  every  of  their  Appurtenances 
by  these  presents  Granted  Ratified  and  Confirmed  or  meant  mentioned  or  intend- 
ed to  be  hereby  Granted  Ratified  and  Confirmed  (except  as  is  herein  before  ex- 
cepted) unto  the  said  William  Smith  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  to  the  only  proper 
use  and  behoof  of  him  the  said  William  Smith  his  heirs  auda  ssigns  forever.  Axd 
to  uave  and  to  HOLD  the  other  moiety  or  half  part  of  the  said  Tracts  or  Par- 
cels of  Land  Tenements  Hereditaments  Mines  Minerals  and  premises  with  their 
and  every  of  their  Appurtenances  by  these  presents  Granted  Ratified  and  Con- 
firmed or  meant  memtioned  or  intended  to  be  hereby  Granted  Ratified  and  Con- 
firmed (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  unto  the  said  James  Brown  his  Heirs 
and  assigns  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him  the  said  James  Brown  his 
heirs  and  assigns  forever  To  be  holders  of  us  our  Heirs  aud  Assigns  forever  in 
free  and  Common  Soccage  as  of  our  Mauor  of  East  Greenwich  iu  the  County  of 


JHE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO. 


411 


Kent  within  our  Kingdom  of  Groat  Britain  Yielding  Rendering  and  paying 
therefore  yearly  and  every  year  forever  unto  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  at  our 
Custom  House  in  our  ciiy  of  N  w  ,i  ork  unto  «>ur  or  tin  ir  Collector  ot  Receiver 
General  there  for  the  time,  being  in  the  Annunciation  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary 
commonly  called  Lady  Day— the  Yearly  Rent  of  two  shillings  and  sixpence  for 
each  hundred  Acres  of  the  above  Granted  Lands  and  so  in  proportion  for  any 
Lesser  Quantity  thereof  (the  Land  allowed  for  Highways  only  excepted)  in  Lieu 
and  stead  of  all  other  Rents  Services  Dues  Duties  and  Demands  whatsoever  for 
the  above  Granted  Lands  Mines  Minerals  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  prem- 
ises or  any  part  thereof,  Provided  always  and  upon  Condition  that  if  our  said 
Grantees  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  or  one  of  them  shall  not  within  three  years  next 
ensuing  the  date  hereof  Plant  Settle  and  effectually  Cultivate  at  least  three  Acres 
of  every  fifty  Acres  of  such  of  the  above  Granted  Lands  as  are  Capable  of  Culti- 
vation or  if  our  said  Grantees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  any  other  person  or  per- 
8ous  by  their  or  either  of  their  privity  Consent  or  procurement  shall  set  on  fire  or 
Burn  the  Woods  on  the  said  Lands  or  any  part  thereof  (so  as  to  destroy  impair 
or  hinder  the  Growth  of  any  of  the  Trees  there  that  are  or  may  be  fit  for  Masts 
Planks  Knees  or  other  things  fit  for  the  use  of  our  Royal  Navy  that  then  and  in 
either  of  these  Cases  this  our  present  Grant  and  every  thing  therein  Contained 
shall  cease  and  be  void  anything  hereinbefore  Contained  to  the  Contrary  notwith- 
standing Declaring  nevertheless  that  nothing  in  these  presents  Reserved  or  Con- 
tained shall  or  ought  to  be  Construed  to  extend  or  be  intended  to  prohibit  or  in 
any  wise  hinder  our  said  Grantees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  either  of  them  from 
such  Burning  of  the  Woods  or  Cutting  down  or  falling  of  the  Trees  that  are  or 
shall  be  Growing  or  being  on  the  above  Granted  Lands  or  any  part  thereof  as 
shall  be  necessary  or  Conducive  to  the  Cleauing  and  effectual  Cultivating  the 
same  Lands  or  any  part  thereof  or  to  or  for  their  own  use  or  uses  And  we  do 
hereby  further  Declare  that  by  the  said  Burning  of  the  Woods  is  only  meant  and 
intended  that  our  said  Grantees  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  are  to  be  restrained  only 
from  setting  fire  to  and  burning  any  Timber  or  Trees  while  they  are  standing 
and  Growing  upon  the  above  granted  Lands  or  any  part  thereof  And  we  do  like- 
wise Declare  that  the  Reservation  of  all  Trees  of  the  Diameter  of  twenty-four 
inches  and  upwards  at  twelve  inches  from  the  Ground  for  Masts  for  our  Royal 
Navy  and  of  such  other  Trees  as  may  be  fit  to  make  Planks  Knees  and  other 
things  necessary  for  the  use  of  our  said  Royal  Navy  is  not,  ought  not,  to  be  Con- 
strued to  hinder  our  said  Grantees  or  either  of  them  their  or  either  of  their  Heirs 
or  Assigns  from  Clearing  or  effectually  Cultivating  the  above  granted  Lands  or 
any  part  thereof  And  we  do  moreover  of  our  Especial  Grace  Certain  Knowledge 
and  nicer  motion  Consent  and  Agree  that  this  our  present  Grant  being  entered  on 
Record  as  is  hereinafter  particularly  expressed  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the 
Law  to  all  intents  Constructions  and  purposes  against  us  our  Heirs  and  Success- 
ors notwithstanding  any  misreciting  misbounding  misnaming  or  other  Imper- 
fection Omission  of  or  in  anywise  Concerning  the  above  Granted  or  intended  to 
be  herein  Granted  Lands  Tenements  Hereditaments  Mines  Minerals  and  Prem- 
ises or  any  part  thereof  in  Testimony  whereof  We  have  caused  these  our  Letters 
to  be  made  Patent  and  the  Great  Seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed 
and  the  same  to  be  entered  on  Record  in  our  Secretary's  Office  in  one  of  the 
Books  of  Patents  there  remaining  Witness  our  said  Trusty  and  Well  beloved 


412 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


George  Clinton  our  Captain  General  and  Governour  in  Chief  of  our  Province  of 
New  York  and  Territories  therein  depending  in  America  Vice  Admiral  of  the 
same  and  Admiral  of  the  White  Squadron  of  our  Fleet  At  our  Fort  in  our  City 
of  New  York  the  twenty-second  day  of  August  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  and  of  our  reign  the  twenty -sixth 

Clarke  Juxr 

In  the  preceeding  Certificate  and  Letters  Patent  the  following  Eraisures  &c  ap- 
pear page  44S)  line  11  (Smith)  wrote  on  Eraisure  line  15  and  16  (the  first  of  which 
Tracts)  obliterated  last  line  of  same  page  (the)  obliterated  page  452  between  the 
second  and  third  lines  (begins)  between  10  and  11  lines  (first)  iuterl 1  Line  20  (the) 
obliterated  and  page  453  line  19th  (purpose)  wrote  on  Eraisure  Ezamd  and 
CompJ  with  the  Original  By  me.  Geo.  Banyab  D.  Secr'y. 

I  do  hereby  Certify  the  preceding  Certificate 
and  Patent  to  be  true  Copies  of  their  respective 
Original  Records,  word  Petitioners  15th  line 
page  451  on  Razure.  Compared  therewith  by 
me  Loris  A.  Scorr,  Secretary* 

James  Brown,  Esq.  (attorney-at-law)  one  of  the  above  Patentees  was 
an  early  inhabitant  of  Nprvvalk,  for  among  "  the  estates  of  Commonage 
of  that  place  presented  and  accepted  by  the  town,  January  3,  16S7,  oc- 
curs the  name  of  '  James  Brown,  ^50.  s.oo.  d.oo.'1'  The  origin  of  mis 
family  is  a  little  uncertain  j  they  were  probably,  however,  a  branch  of 
the  Brown's  of  Stamford,  Lincolnshire,  England,  a  house  of  '  no  little 
repute.'  Their  monuments  still  speak  of  their  fame ;  the  Church  of  All 
Saints,  standing  on  the  north  side  of  the  Red  Line  Square,  in  the  old 
English  town,  was  the  gift  of  John  Brown,  who  was  an  alderman  of  the 
city  in  1462,  and  in  the  Church  of  St.  Mary's  can  now  be  seen  brass 
figures  of  Wm.  Brown  and  his  wife.  A  hospital,  also,  founded  in  the 
reign  of  the  third  Richard,  is  still  a  monument  here  to  the  humanity  of 
this  Wm.  Brown.""  In  1708,  as  we  have  already  seen,  James  Brown 
was  one  of  the  first  proprietors  of  RidgeAe^'*  and  in  1729.  had  one 
hundred  acres  of  land  set  off  to  him  on  the  west  side  of  the  Oblong,  on 
or  near  the  Parsonage  Lands.  He  must  have  died  in  February,  1769, 
leaving  by  his  wife  Joanna  two  sons  and  five  daughters.  The  will  of 
James  Brown  bears  date  31st  of  July,  1766. 

a  Rook  of  Patents,  Albany,  p.  451  to  457, 
b  E.  Hall's.  Norwalk,  105O-1S00,  p.  84. 

c  Huntington's  hist,  of  Stamford,  pp.  910.  Among  the  early  sptrlCTS  of  New  England,  was 
James  the  son  of  Joseph  Brown,  who  came  from  South  Hampton.  Eng.,  and  was  cut-  of  the 
first  settlers  ol  Newberry.— Farvn  >  -  /;•  The  will  of  James  Rrown  ol  Colchester  bears 

date  Mav  l".  1T09,  sons  -lain,  s  ami  John'.  New  London  Probate  Itec.  Inventory  .lime  S,  1704. 

d  His  lot,  as  one  of  the  twenty-nine  proprietors,  in  Uidgeticld,  is  now  owned  by  Philip  Bar- 
hite  and  Francis  A.  Rockwell.  The  coat  armor  of  Maurice  Brown.  Sheriff  of  Hampshire  and 
Surrey,  4th  Henry,  viz.:  sa  three  lions  passant  gardaut  betwixt  2  bends  governors,  arg. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


413 


WILL  OF  JAMES  BROWN. 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen,  the  thirty-first  day  of  July,  in  the  sixth  year  of 
the  reign  of  our  sovere  ign,  Lord  George,  the  Third  of  Great  Britain,  France  and 
Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &C. ,  Annoque  Domini,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty-six.  I,  James  Browu,  of  Norwalk,  in  the  County  of  Fair- 
field and  Colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  England,  being  arrived  to  old  age  and 
under  great  Bodily  Infirmity,  but  being  of  sound  miud  and  perfect  memory, 
thanks  be  to  God  therefor,  and  being  desirous  to  set  my  house  in  order  before  I 
Die,  Do  make  and  ordain  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament ;  that  is  to  say, 
principally,  and  first  of  all  I  commit  my  soul  into  the  hands  of  God  who  gave  it, 
and  my  body  to  the  earth  to  be  Decently  buried  at  the  Discretion  of  my  Execu- 
tors hereafter  mentioned  hoping  by  the  Almighty  Power  of  God  to  receive  the 
same  again  at  the  General  Resurrection ;  and  as  touching  such  worldly  estate  as 
it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  bless  me  'with  in  this  life,  I  give,  Devise  ar.d  Dis- 
pose of  in  the  following  manner  and  form,  that  is  to  say,  Imprimis,  I  will  that 
all  my  Just  Debts  that  I  owe,  either  in  Law  or  Conscience,  be  fully  answered  by 
my  Executors,  and  that  my  funeral  expenses  be  full}'  answered  and  Discharged 
by  the  Executors.  Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  Joanna  Brown  my  Dear  and 
Loving  wife  my  Negro  man  Tower  Hill  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life,  aud 
in  case  the  said  negro  man  Tower  Hill  shall  live  after  my  said  wile's  decease,  I 
give  him  to  my  son  Samuel  Brown,  during  the  natural  life  of  the  said  Negro 
man  ;  aud  my  will  is  that  my  said  wife  shall  have  the  Benefit  of  one  lioom  to  - 
five  in  of  my  Mansion  House  in  Norwalk,  that  is,  such  a  Room  as  she  shall  chose 
and  twenty  pound  paid  to  her  yearly  by  my  Executors,  out  of  my  Estate  lor  her 
support  during  the  Term  of  Her  natural  Life.  In  case  she  Demands  it  and  in 
case  she  shall  not  Demand  it,  my  Executors  shall  not  be  accountable  to  any  Ber- 
son  whatsoever  for  any  part  of  said  yearly  sum  of  twenty  pouud,  after  my  wife's 
decease,  and  my  will  further  is  that  my  said  wife  shall  have  the  one-thud  part 
of  all  my  household  goods,  to  dispose  of  as  she  shall  think  proper,  aud  the  re- 
maining part  of  my  household  goods,  I  give  aud  bequeath  unto  my  two  daugh- 
ters Joauna  and  Ann  to  be  equally  divided  between  them,  except  my  Large 
Looking  Glass,  which  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  Daughter  Joanna, 
and  it  shall  not  be  reckoned  to  be  any  part  of  her  share  of  my  household 
goods. 

Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  James  Brown  and  his  heirs  and 
assigns  forever — the  Dwelling  House  he  now  lives  in  at  Salem,  in  the  Province 
of  New  York,  and  all  the  lands  that  I  have,  which  lycth  north  of  the  Road  or 
Highway  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford,  which  lyeth  south  of  a  pond  call- 
ed the  Long  Pond,  and  I  likewise  give  and  bequeath  to  my  said  son  James 
Brown,  to  his  heirs  and  assignees  forever  my  negro  mau  Lucas  and  his  son 
Dyar. 

Item,  I  give,  Devise  and  Bequeath  unto  my  sons  James  and  Samuel  and  to 
their  Heirs  and  assigns  forever  the  Barn  standing  on  the  south  side  the  said 
road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford  with  one-half  of  the  land  I  have,  lying 
on  the  south  side  of  the  said  road,  which  is  bounded  west  by  the  twenty  mile 
line,  and  south  by  a  pond  called  the  cross  pond,  and  so  to  extend  easterly  so  far 
as  to  make  the  one-half  of  that  part  of  laud  I  have  adjoining  to  the  Patent  on 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

the  south  side  of  said  road,  and  to  be  so  divided  between  them  as  to  make  it 
equal  as  near  as  may  be  in  Quantity  and  Quality,  and  the  other  half  of  that 
Farm  of  laud  so  lying  and  adjoining  I  give  and  devise  unto  my  sons  James  and 
Samuel,  and  my  daughter  Joanna  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  in 
equal  shares  to  be  divided  among  them. 

Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  daughter  Joanna  Brown,  and  to  her  heirs 
and  assigns  my  negro  man  Cato  and  the  wench  he  hath  now  married  ;  likewise 
I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  daughter  Joanna  one  cow  and  calf,  such  as 
she  shall  choose,  and  my  young  inair  colt  at  Salem  which  came  of  my  old  black 
.pacing  mair. 

Item,  I  give,  Devise  and  bequeath  unto  my  daughter  Rebecca  Brown  her  heirs 
and'issigns  forever,  the  house  she  now  lives  in  at  Salem,  and  ten  acres  of  land 
next  adjoining  to  it  on  both  sides  of  the  Highway. 

Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  daughter  Ann  Raymond  and  to  her  heirs 
and  assigns  one  cow  and  a  calf,  and  as  to  the  remainder  of  my  stock  of  cows, 
oxen,  young  cattle,  horses  and  swine  not  claimed  by  my  son  James,  I  give  and 
bequeath  unto  my  two  sons  James  and  Samuel  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  to  be 
equally  divided  between  them — and  as  to  the  remainder  of  my  estate  both  real 
and  personal,  not  heretofore  in  this  my  last  will  Disposed  of,  I  do  hereby  ap- 
point, authorize  and  fully  empower  my  said  sous  James  Brown  and  Samuel 
Brown  to  sell,  Dispose  of  and  convey  the  same — that  is  to  say,  all  my  houses  and 
lands  that  belong  to  me  either  by  Law  or  Equity,  whether  the  same  lyeth  in  the 
Colonies  of  Connecticut  or  New  York,  or  Elsewhere,  and  thereof  to  make  and 
execute  such  good  and  ample  deed,  to  the  purchasers  thereof  for  their  holding 
the  same  as  my  said  sous  shall  thiuk  proper — and  in  case  the  outstanding  Debts 
that  I  may  have  at  the  time  of  my  Decease,  shall  not  be  sufficient  to  pay  all  the 
Just  Debts  that  I  may  owe  at  the  time  of  my  Decease,  then  I  will  and  order  that 
my  said  sons  James  and  Samuel  whom  I  do  hereby  appoint  Executors  of  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament  shall  pay  out  of  the  money  that  my  said  Houses  and 
Lands  may  sell  for  what  my  Debts  shall  not  be  sufficient  to  pay  in  the  first 
place. 

And  secoudly,  that  my  said  Executors  shall  pay  out  of  the  moneys  my  said 
Houses  and  Lauds  may  sell  for  unto  my  two  youngest  daughters  Elizabeth  and 
Ann  so  much  with  what  I  have  already  given  them  as  to  make  them  equal  to 
what  I  have  heretofore  given  to  my  two  daughters  Rebecca  and  Mary ;  and 
thirdly,  my  will  is  that  what  money  may  remain  for  any  of  my  lands  sold  by 
my  two  sons  as  aforesaid,  after  all  the  just  charges  my  said  sons  may  be  put  to 
in  selling  and  disposing  of  my  said  lauds,  any  charges  or  law  suits  that  ufay  hap- 
pen in  recovering  any  part  of  in}-  said  lands  or  any  agreements  my  said  sons  may 
come  into  for  the  procuring  the  possession  of  any  part  of  my  said  laud,  being 
first  deducted  out  of  the  prices  of  the  lauds  so  sold  for  shall  be  divided  among 
my  children  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  unto  my  sons  James  and  Samuel 
three  quarters  thereof  to  be  equally  divided  betwreen  them,  and  the  other  quarter 
thereof  to  be  divided  to  aud  among  my  five  daughters  in  the  following  manner, 
that  is  to  say,  daughter  Joanna  a  double  share  of  said  quarter,  and  the 
remainder  of  said  Estate  to  be  equally  divided  to  and  among  my  other  four 
daughters. 

Finally,  I  do  hereby  Revoke,  Disannul  and  make  void  all  former  Wills  and 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISHORO. 


4'5 


Bequests  by  me  made,  and  declare  this  only  to  be  my  Last  Will  and  Testament ; 
anil  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year 
first  above  written.  JAMES  BROWN. 

Signed,  sealed,  published, 
pronounced  and  delivered 
by  the  Testator  to  be 
his  last  Will  and  Testament 
in  presence  of 

sljssanna  vengaraue, 
William  Tennent,  Jh. 
Thomas  Pitch,  Jr.* 

This  shows  that  the  Testator  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1769,  wras  in 
possession  of  Lands,  (which  he  styles  the  Patent,)  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford,  which  extended  north  as 
far  as  Long  Pond,  and  that  he  held  a  one-half  moiety  of  land  on  the 
south  side  of  said  road  bounded  west  by  the  twenty  mile  line,  and  south 
by  Cross  Pond,  which  made  one-half  of  that  part  of  land  which  lie  own- 
ed adjoining  the  Patent  on  the  south  side  of  said  road;  and,  also,  that 
he  had  other  lands  which  he  was  then  endeavoring  to  recover  possession 
of.  James  Brown,  Esq.,  the  eldest  son  of  James  Brown,  and  second 
Patentee  of  Lower  Salem,  was  born  at  Norwalk,  Conn.,  Dec.  18,  1720. 
He  was  for  some  time  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  a  warm  friend  and 
supporter  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  for  the  endowment  of  this  par- 
ish gave  one  hundred  acres  of  land  said  to  be  the  "  Parsonage  Lands."* 
The  services  of  the  Church  of  England  were  held  in  his  house  prior  to 
the  erection  of  the  church  edifice  in  1771,  which  stood  on  land  donated 
by  him,  directly  opposite  the  cross  roads  leading  from  South  Salem  to 
Ridgefield.  This  land  is  now  held  by  the  family  of  the  late  Thaddeus 
Keeler.  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblce,  D.  D.,  rector  of  St.  John's  church, 
Stamford,  and  missionary  of  the  venerable  Propagation  Society,  who 
considered  Salem  at  that  time  to  be  within  his  cure,  records  the  follow- 
ing in  his  parochial  register:  "1758,  May  12th,  baptized,  Obediah, 
slave  of  James  Brown,  Esq.,  of  Salem."" 

Upon  the  20th  of  September,  1775,  we  find  James  Brown,  of  Salem, 

a  Tln>  will  on  the  back  has  this  endorsement— James  Brown's  will  Proved  March  Tth,  1769, 
Exec.  Accept.  Recorded.  Copied  from  original  will  on  file  in  Probate  office,  Falriield,  Conn. 
There  is  no  proof  of  its  ever  having  been  recorded.  [Editor.] 

b  This  deed  of  (rift  has  always  been  withheld  from  the  Episcopal  Church,  since  and  even 
prior  to  the  Revolution.  It  Is  asserted  on  the  testimony  of  the  late  William  W  atson  Weilman, 
of  New  Haven,  for  many  years  a  vestryman  of  this  parish,  that  Stephen  Pardee,  of  South 
Salem,  was  once  heard  to  declare,  between  the  years  1S30  and  ISafi,  that  "  a  Mr.  Joseph  B  ne- 
dlct  of  the  same  piace  had  ni  his  possession  the  deed  from  James  Brown  to  the  church  tor  the 
Parsonage  Lands  in  question. v  it  is  not  a  little  singular  that  thla  same  Stephen  Pardee,  on 
two  or  three  occasions  In  1849-1850,  visited  the  present  Alfred  S.  Hawley,  Esq.,  for  the  purpose 
of  astvi  taming  whether  the  Presbyterian  title  to  these  Parsonage  Lands  was  valid  or  not. 
The  Prot.  Episcopal  church  was  then  re-organizing  and  there  was  much  talk  about  erecting  a 
new  edifice  and  claiming  the  lower  "  Parsonage  Lands." 

c  St.  John's  Parochial  Register,  Stamford,  Conn. 


416 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


yeoman,  mortgaging  two  hundred  acres  of  land  lying  on  "  the  south- 
easterly side  of  the  road  leading  from  Bedford  to  Ridgefield,  etc.,"  to 
Peter  Jay,  of  Rye,  for  the  sums  of  ^137.  s  16.  d  7.°  Mr.  Brown  one  of 
the  principal  founders  and  contributors  towards  the  support  of  this  parish 
died  at  his  residence  in  Lower  Salem,  on  Sunday  the  19th  of  February, 
1786,  aged  sixty-six,6  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  interred  at  South  Salem. 
The  old  Brown  mansion  which  was  erected  before  1750,  and  occupied  the 
site  of  the  present  shed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road  facing  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Wakeman  Wood, was  removed  sometime  in  November,  1836. 
In  this  house,  Washington  and  staff  took  dinner  on  one  occasion  during 
the  Revolutionary  war."  Tower  Hill,  one  of  the  old  family  slaves  who 
lived  to  a  great  age,  but  was  at  last  frozen  to  death  during  the  heavy 
Christmas  snow  storm  of  181 1,  lies  buried  on  the  spot  named  after  him 
by  the  side  of  his  ancient  comrades  Cato,  Lucas  and  Dyar.  Obediah 
was  fond  of  relating  stories  of  his  master's  family,  and  telling  how  deer, 
bear,  wolves  and  other  game  once  abounded  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Cross  Pond,  and  especially  wild  geese  which  he  had  frequently  shot  in 
the  marshy  grounds,  directly  in  front  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Gardiner 
J.  Kellogg.  At  this  early  period  "  the  old  cart  path  "  leading  from 
Ridgefield  to  Salem,  was  marked  by  notched  trees. 

Mary  Brown,  the  sister  of  James,  married  Samuel  Isaacs,  Esq.,  of 
Norwalk,  Conn.,  and  died  at  Salem,  November  26,  1801,  aged  seventy- 
nine,  or  eighty-one,d  leaving  two  sons,  Isaac  Isaacs,  who  died  at  Salem, 
Oct.  2,  1820,  and  Samuel  Brown  Isaacs,  Esq.,  who  succeeded  his  uncle 
James  Brown,  Esq.,  in  all  his  rights,  titles  and  interest  in  Lower  Salem, 
which  is  said  to  have  amounted  to  five  hundred  acres  of  land.  Upon 
the  2ist  of  June,  1788,  we  find  his  relatives  conveying  to  him  much  of 
the  real  estate  of  his  late  uncle,  besides  what  his  mother  and  other  near 
relatives  had  already  granted,  etc. 

a  Rec.  WMte  Plains,  Lib.  C.  p.  42. 

6  The  Rev.  Solomon  Mead,  records  in  his  list  of  deaths  from  Dec.  22,  1707,  to  May  20, 1S05.. 
Febuary  19,  1786^  James  Brown,  Esq.,  "January  8,1771,  died  Mrs.  Brown."  "January 
16,  1775,  Samuel  Brown.'' 

c  The  timbers  of  the  old  house  are  still  preserved  in  the  carriage  shed,  most  of  therfi  meas- 
ure 13)£  inches  by  15  inches,  The  ancient  door  step  is  still  retained  in  front  of  the  present 
house,  and  the  famous  pear  tree  nearly  two  hundred  years  old  is  yet  standing  and  bears  fruit 
yearly.  .  . 

d  The  following  entrv  occurs  in  the  famtlv  Bible  of  the  Isaacs',  (evidently  written  in  the 
hand  of  Sam'I  B.  Isaacs  Esq.)  "Mv  cL-ar  mother,  Mary  Isaacs,  departed  this  life,  Nov.  26,  lsoi." 
The  book  itself  is  entitled.  "  The  New  Testament  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  translated  out  of 
the  original  Greek,  etc."  New  York :  stereotyped  and  printed  by  1).  &  G.  Bruce,  27  \\  Uliuni  Su, 
1815. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO.  417 


QUIT  CLAIM  OF  JOANNA  BROWN,  ANN  RAYMOND,  JAMES  BROWN 
KETCHUM  AND  ELIZABETH  ANN  KETCIIUM,  TO  SAM'L 
B.  ISAACS,  ESQ.,  OF  LOWER  SALEM. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  we  James  Brown  and  Anne  Raymond  of 
Lower  Salem  in  the  County  of  West  Chester  and  State  of  New  York  and  James 
Brown  Kctchum  and  Elizabeth  Ann  Kctchum  of  the  city  and  County  of  New 
York  ami  said  State  being  part  of  thcheirsof  the  estate  of  James  Brown  Esq  late 
of  Salem  deceased  having  actually  agreed  and  consented  to  make  a  division  of 
said  deceased  real  estate  with  all  the  heirs  to  said  estate,  and  whereas  Samuel  B. 
Isaacs  of  said  Lower  Salem  hath  obtained  from  his  mother  and  his  near  relatives 
a  considerable  share  or  right  in  the  estate  of  said  deceased  and  whereas  the  whole 
of  said  heirs  have  mutually  consented  that  Abijah  Gilbert  Esq  and  Mr.  Benjamin 
Smith  should  make  a  division  of  the  real  estate  of  said  Deceased  to  any  among 
the  whole  of  the  heirs  thereof  who  have  sett  off  and  divided  to  said  Samuel  B. 
Isaacs  the  whole  of  the  said  deceased  died  seized  of  lying  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road  or  highway  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford  containing  one  hundred 
and  nine  acres  two  rods  and  twenty-one  rods  together  with  the  dwelling  house 
standing  thereon  and  also  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  rods  of  land  lying  on  the 
south  side  of  said  road  opposite  dwelling  house  being  eight  rods  in  width  from 
north  to  south  and  seventeen  rods  in  length  from  East  to  West  together  with  the 
barn  yard,  garden,  well  and  well  yard,  in  the  lane.  Now  know  ye  this  we  the  said 
Joanna,  Anne,  James  and  Elizabeth  do  by  these  presents  approve  of  and  ratify 
said  division  made  as  above,  to  said  Samuel  B;  Isaacs  and  that  we  do  each  of  us 
for  the  consideration  of  saidSamael  B.  Isaacs,  having  obtained  aright  as  a  heir  in 
said  deceased  estate  also  for  the  love  and  respect  and  good  will  we  have  for  him, 
also  for  the  further  consideration  of  the  sum  of  £20  New  York  money  and  also 
for  divers  other  good  and  valuable  considerations  all  which  we  have  fully  re- 
ceived of  the  said  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  and  are  therewith  fully  satisfied  and  con- 
tented Do  remise,  release  and  forever  quit  unto  him  the  said  Samuel  B.  Isaacs 
and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever  all  our  right  to,  title  interest  or  diallings  or 
demands,  that  we  or  other  of  us  have  in  and  uuto  the  above  described  lands  and 
buildings  uuto  any  part  and  parcel  thereof  who  may  forever  hereafter  by  virtue 
hereof  enter  upon  possession  and  enjoy  conveying,  presenting  aliening  or  trans- 
ferring the  same  in  what  way  and  manner  to  what  use  and  end  soever  he  the  said 
Samuel  B.  Isaacs  his  heirs  or  assigns  shall  see  good  and  convenient  without  any 
lett  or  hindrance  or  molestation  whatsoever  from  the  said  James  and  Anne,  James 
or  Elizabeth  or  from  either  of  us  our  heirs  or  from  any  other  person  or  persons 
who  acting  by  authority  by  from  or  under  us  or  either  of  us  or  them.  In  witness 
whereof  we  have  hereunto  respectively  set  our  hands  and  seals  this  twenty-first 
day  of  June,  A.D.  1788. 

Syned  sealed  and  delivered  Joanna  Brown, 

in  presence  of  us  Ann  Raymond, 

JOSIAH  SCOFIKLD,  JAMES  B.  KeTCHUM, 

Hkxry  Suofield.  Elizabeth  A.  Keiuiicm.* 


a  White  Plains  Rcc.,  voL  K.,  p.  49G. 


418 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


On  the  19th  of  September,  1798,  Joanna  Brown  of  the  Town  of 
Salem,  bequeathed  "  to  her  sister  Ann  Raymond  the  use  and  improve- 
ment of  all  her  lands  and  tenements,  which  I  dye  seised  of  whether  in 
possession,  reversion  or  remainder  during  her  natural  life ;  and  at  the 
decease  of  my  sister  Ann  R.,  I  give  and  devise  to  my  niece  Betsy  Ann 
Ketchum,  the  use  and  improvement  of  the  same  lands,  &c,"  "and  at 
her  decease  or  marriage,"  &c,  then  the  reversion  or  remainder  to  my 
nephew  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever  in  fee, 
simple,  &c.  This  will  was  proved  May  7th,  1799.*  Samuel  Brown 
Isaacs,  Esq.,  like  his  uncle,  was  for  many  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
in  Lower  or  South  Salem,  and  also  a  warm  supporter  of  the  Church. 
For  some  time  services  were  held  in  his  house*  (the  old  Brown  mansion) 
after  the  Church  edifice  had  been  torn  down  in  1788,  and  the  land 
seized — until  the  year  of  his  death,  as  proprietor  of  his  uncle  James 
Brown's  estate,  he  exercised  acts  of  ownership  in  the  "  Loiver  Parsonage 
Lands"  claiming  he  had  as  much  right  to  cut  timber  thereon  as  the 
pretended  owners  themselves.  He  frequently  invited  a  suit  to  test  his 
right,  but  could  never  induce  his  opponents  to  try  the  case  before  the 
courts. c  He  was  one  of  the  first  vestrymen  of  the  parish  after  its  re- 
organization in  1 8 10,  and  a  delegate  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  in 
1 8 1 1 .  He  died  at  his  residence  in  South  or  Lower  Salem,  Nov.  220", 
181 9,  and  lies  buried  there  in  the  Presbyterian  grave-yard. 

In 

Memory  of 
SAMUEL  B.  ISAACS,  Esq., 
who  died 
November  22d,  1819. 
M.  63. 

By  his  wife  Hannah  Mercer  he  left  two  sons,  James  Brown  Isaacs, 
his  administrator,  28th  of  December,  1819/' who  afterwards  removed  to 
Lebanon,  Meigs  County,  Ohio,  and  died  there  in  the  Fall  of  1S57-;  and 
Edward  Isaacs  who  married  Elmira,  daughter  of  Nehemiah  Fancher, 
M.D.,  of  Poundridge,  and  died  Sept.  25th,  1831  aged  31.  His  son  is 
the  present  Samuel  Brown  Isaacs  of  Poundridge. 

a  Surrogate's  offlc^  White  Plains.  Fol.  B,  of  Wills,  p.  12. 

b  -Milo  Webster  o!  South  Sa'ein,  now  living,  remembers  his  mother  leading  '.:im  by  the  hand 
on  Sundays  to  attend  services  In  the  old  Brown  Mansion.  .Jeremiah  Wood,  aged  7?,  well  re- 
members evading  his  uncle  who  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Society,  and  on  his  way  to 
meeting  or  purpose  to  attend  an  afternoon  service  in  the  old  house. ' 

c  Testimony  of  the  late  Jonathan  lSurr,  of  Vista,  and  William  Burr  of  Ridgefield.  also  of 
David  Haves  of  Lewisboro. 

(I  Letters  of  administration  was  granted  to  James  Brown  Isaacs,  2*th  nee.  1*1!'.  Surrogate  s 
Otllce,  White  1M.U1I-,  Kol.  I>.  p.  The  will  of  .las.  Urowa  l>.iac<  was  proved  l.Hh  Dec.  1S5T, 
Klc.  of  \\  ells  Alelgs  County,  Ohio. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


419 


The  old  Brown  homestead  and  adjoining  property,  after  remaining  in 
the  family  over  one  hundred  years,  passed  by  purchase  to  Aaron  Hull 
who  soon  after  sold  to  the  present  proprietor  Wakeman  Wood  the  son 
of  Samuel  Wood  of  Weston,  Connecticut. 

Prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war  Lewisboro'  formed  a  precinct  of  the 
old  parish  of  Salem  and  at  a  very  early  period  the  parishoners  were 
united  with  their  brethren  of  the  Church  at  Ridgefield*1  and  Ridgebury 
in  the  support  of  religion,  enjoying  the  occasional  services  of  such  distin- 
guished men  as  Samuel  Johnson,  D.D.,  of  Stratford,  Connecticut,  in  1725; 
Henry  Caner,  of  Fairfield,  in  1727;  John  Beach,  of  Newton,  in  1735; 
James  Wetmore,  of  Rye,  in  1744;  Richard  Caner,  of  Nonvalk,  in  1744; 
Joseph  Lampson;  of  Fairfield,  in  1 745  ;  and  Jeremiah  Learning,  of  Nor- 
walk,  in  1760.  At  one  time  Ridgefield,  Ridgebury  and  the  Oblong  were 
considered  to  be,  in  a  certain  sense,  within  the  bounds  of  the  parish  or 
mission  of  Fairfield.  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee,  of  Stamford,  also  con- 
sidered Salem  to  be  within  the  bounds  of  his  missionary  jurisdiction. 
"  As  a  missionary  of  the  society  of  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts  he  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office  Oct.  26th,  1748,"  and  the  first 
record  of  his  services  in  the  Oblong  occurs  on  the  nth  of  November, 
1749,  on  which  occasion  he  baptized  Steven  Slauson,  son  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  Slauson.6 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Venerable  Propagation  Society  for  1759  : 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

"Stamford,  Conn.,  New  England,  Sept.  29,  1759. 

Rev.  Sir  : 

Juni'  24th,  second  Sunday  after  Trinity  last,  I  preached  in  the  lower  district 
of  Salem,  to  a  very  considerable  auditory — judging  between  three  and  four  hun- 
dred people  old  and  young,  who  behaved  very  decently  and  attentively,  and  I 
gave  the  communion  to  thirty-nine  communicants.  There  is  a  hopeful  prospect  « 
of  the  increase  and  flourishing  state  of  religion  among  that  scattered  poor  people, 
and  no  endeavours  of  mine  are  wanting  to  serve  them  in  their  best  interest.  I 
preached  to  them  about  two  weeks  before  upon  a  special  fast,  appointed  in  that 
Province,  to  implore  the  smiles  and  blessing  of  Divine  Providence  to  attend  his 
Majesty's  arms  the  ensuing  campaign ;  upon  which  occasion,  also,  that  people 
gave  a  religious  and  decent  attendance. 

I  am,  Rev.  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  most  humble  servant  and  brother  in  Christ, 
  Ebenezer  Dibblee."* 

,  «  IT)0  following  inscription  occurs  on  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Stephen's  church,  Ridgefield 
"The  Church  was  founded  In  Ridgefield  A,D.  1740.  The  first  church  edifice  erected  1741. 
the  second  the  third  1S41.  The  i  hurch  of  the  living  God,  the  plllai  aud  ground  oi  the 
truth.'  (Tim.  lit :  15.) 

*  St,  John's  parochial  Rec  Stamford,  Connecticut. 

c  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulharu,  392.  (Uawks). 


420 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


About  the  year  1764  the  parish  of  Salem  united  with  the  parishes  of 
Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury,  and  engaged  Mr.  Richard  S  Clark  to  read 
divine  service  and  sermons  on  Sundays.  In  1766,  Mr.  Epenetus  Town- 
send  was  engaged  as  a  lay  reader;  in  a  letter  of  Oct.  1st,  1767,  Mr. 
Dibblee  of  Stamford  writes  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Propagation 
Society,  as  follows:  "Mr.  Townsend  thankfully  accepts  the  leave  to  go 
home  for  Holy  Orders;  and  if  the  society  is  not  pleased  to  appoint  him 
their  missionary,  at  Salem,  and  parts  contiguous,  where  he  is  much 
wanted,  he  will  submit  to  the  will  and  superior  wisdom  and  direction  of 
the  society."*  Mr.  Townsend  returned  from  England,  April  22nd,  176s, 
and  was  formally  inducted  rector  of  Salem  on  Sunday,  the  29th  of  May, 
1768,  by  his  predecessor,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee  b  In  one  of  his 
earliest  communications  to  the  society  from  Salem,  Mr.  Townsend  says: 

"The  fatigue  which  necessarily  arises  from  a  steady  performance  of 
my  duty  in  these  three  places,  I  have  hitherto,  and  I  trust  in  God,  I  shall 
for  the  future  be  enabled  to  undergo  with  cheerfulness,  tho'  I  expect  it 
will  in  a  little  while  be  increased,  occasioned  by  the  building  a  new 
church  in  Salem,  which  when  it  is  finished,  I  propose,  with  the  society's 
leave,  to  officiate  in  it  sometimes.  To  acquaint  the  society  witli  the 
propriety  of  building  a  new  church  in  Salem,  I  would  observe  that  Salem 
is  a  township  twelve  miles  in  length,  and  but  two  in  breadth — joining  on 
the  one  side  to  Connecticut,  and  on  the  other  partly  to  Cortlandt's 
manor,  which  extends  twenty  miles  westward  to  Hudson  River;  and  partly 
to  another  patent,  which  extends  several  miles  westward  towards  Bed- 
ford, which  is  the  utmost  limit  of  Mr.  Avery's  mission.  The  church, 
which  is  already  built,  is  situated  within  about  two  miles  of  the  north 
end  of  Salem,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's  manor,  as  the  society  was 
informed  in  the  petition  of  the  church  wardens  and  vestry.  It  was  built 
by  people  of  this  part  of  Salem  and  Cortlandt's  manor  in  conjunction, 
and  this  congregation  is  larger  than  either  of  those  in  Connecticut — there 
being  generally,  in  good  weather  in  the  Summer  season,  upwards  of  two 
hundred  people  assembled.  The  church,  which  I  expect  will  soon  be 
built  in  Salem,  will  be  abo  t  five  or  six  miles  further  to  the  southward, 
and  about  two  or  three  miles  to  the  westward  from  Ridgefield  church, 
where  I  have  been  informed  there  are  near  thirty  families  of  Church 
people,  besides  a  considerable  number  in  places  very  contiguous,  for 
whom  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  attend  public  worship,  either  at  Ridge- 
field, or  at  the  church  towards  the  north  end  of  Salem,  on  the  borders 
of  Cortlandt's  manor,  where  I  reside.  When  this  church  is  built,  (if  the 
Society  approves  of  my  officiating  in  it  sometimes,  besides  my  attend- 
ance at  the  other  three  churches,)  I  would  request  the  favor  of  the 
Society,  to  give  a  quarto  common  Prayer  Book  and  Bible  to  this,  as  they 
have  to  the  other  churches  of  Salem  and  Ridgebury." 


a  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  Ml,  (Tlawks.) 
b  Fowler  s  MSS.  Biog.  of  the  Clergy,  VoL  VI.,  1061. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEW1SEORO. 


421 


In  his  report  for  177 1,  he  informs  the  Society,  "  that  the  fourth  church 
in  his  mission  is  now  building."  This  edifice  was  probably  completed  and 
opened  for  divine  service  in  the  fall  of  1 7  7 1 ,  and  stood  directly  opposite  the 
cross  roads  leading  from  South  Salem  to  Ridgefield,  upon  the  land  of  the 
late  Thaddeus  Keeler,  whose  grandfather,  Timothy,  is  said  to  have  sold 
the  lot  to  the  church  j  although,  as  we  have  previously  shown,  tradition  as- 
serts that  the  lot  was  given  by  James  Brown,  Esq.,  the  donor  of  the  Parson- 
age Lands.  The  late  Jeremiah  Keeler,  who  died  in  February,  1853,  (at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-thiee,)  remembered  its  erection  in  1 77 1.  It 
was  built  on  contract  by  Benj.  Chapman,  of  the  very  best  oak  timber, 
and  contained  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  braces." 

In  1772  Mr.  Townsend  reported  to  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society 
"that  his  congregations  were  increasing."  The  Society's  abstract  for  1775, 
says :  "  That  Mr.  Townsend  is  constant  in  the  performance  of  his  duty  in 
his  own  parish,  and  preaches  frequently  in  the  parts  adjacent."  The  Rec- 
tor continued  the  services  of  the  Church  in  Lower  Salem  until  the  third 
Sunday  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  July  2 1st,  1776,  when 
in  the  afternoon  as  he  was  officiating  and  had  proceeded  some  length  in 
the  service,  a  company  of  armed  soldiers — said  to  have  belonged  to 
Col.  Sheldon's  Regiment,  stationed  on  Keelers  hill  directly  opposite — 
marched  into  the  church  with  drums  beating  and  fifes  playing,  their  guns 
loaded  and  bayonets  fixed,  as  if  going  to  battle;  and  as  soon  as  he 
commenced  reading  the  collects  for  the  king  and  royal  family,  they  rose 
to  their  feet  and  the  officer  commanded  him  upon  the  peril  of  his  life 
to  desist.  Mr.  Townsend  immediately  stopped  reading,  closed  his 
prayer  book,  descended  from  the  reading  desk,  and  so  the  matter  passed 
over  without  any  accident.  From  this  time  the  church  was  closed,  so 
far  as  Episcopal  services  were  concerned ;  and  no  legal  transfer  of  the 
property  could  possibly  have  taken  place  until  the  parish  was  re- 
organized, which  appears  not  to  have  been  effected  until  18 10. 

Mr.  Townsend  in  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the  society  dated  Salem, 
Province  of  New  York,  June,  1777,  says: 

"  I  continued  the  services  of  the  Church  within  my  mission  for  three 
Sund  lys  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  the  Congress,  and 
should  have  proceeded  still  and  took  the  consequences ;  but  I  was  inform- 
ed that  all  the  clergy,  in  this  and  the  neighboring  provinces,  had  discon- 
tinued the  public  service  till  it  might  be  performed  under  the  protection  of 
His  Majesty,  excepting  only  Mr.  Beach  of  Connecticut,  who  hath  con- 
tinued his  church  till  very  lately.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  considered 

a  "The  old  iron  latch  which  once  secured  the  front  door  of  the  old  church,  is  still  preserved 
in  the  family  of  Thaddens  Keeler;  it  is  13  inches  and  V  lonj;.  and  bears  the  initials  of  the 
founder  of  the  church.  T.  B.  Since  its  removal,  however,  from  the  church  it  has  been  stamped 
with  the  date  1792,  and  the  initials,  J.  E. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


that  my  dissenting  from  the  practice  of  my  brethren  would  not  only  set 
me  up  as  a  single  mark  of  vengeance,  and  as  every  appearance  of  disunion 
among  the  clergy  might  be  disadvantageous  to  the  Church  hereafter ; 
viewing  the  matter  in  this  light,  I  thought  it  best  to  comply  with  the 
general  practice  of  the  clergy.  On  the  21st  of  October  I  was  made  a 
prisoner  and  sent  to  the  court  of  Fishkill  as  an  enemy  to  the  Indepen- 
dence of  America,  etc."" 

Subsequently  to  this  the  parish  church  was  used  as  a  hospital, 
and  as  a  portion  of  the  army  was  stationed  near  by,  the  Presbyterian 
minister  came  there  and  preached  what  was  termed  a  "  war  sermon;" 
on  this  occasion  there  were  more  people  present  than  the  church 
could  hold.  One  of  the  sergeants  coming  out  was  asked  by  a 
bystander  what  the  minister  had  said,  he  replied :  "  that  he  declared 
God  Almighty  was  a  man  of  war."  The  interrogator  observed,  "he 
should  like  to  ask  him  how  many  guns  He  carried."  Some  of  the  most 
active  members  of  the  parish  having  joined  the  army  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Revolution,  and  the  Rector  lost  at  sea,  the  church  and  lot 
were  sold — so  it  is  said,  to  satisfy  the  claims  of  the  contractor,  Benjamin 
Chapman  ;  and  it  is  also  asserted  that  this  individual  subsequently 
purchased  both,  of  the  trustees,  and  converted  the  former  into  a  tavern.6 
For  many  years  after  the  war  it  was  known  as  the  ''Church  Tavern,"  a 
name  given  on  purpose  to  cast  odium  upon  the  Church.  By  Chapman 
it  was  mortgaged  to  the  Presbyterian  Society  of  South  Salem  ;  default 
being  made  in  payment,  it  was  advertised  for  sale.  A  few  days  before  the 
sale  was  to  take  place,  it  was  conveyed  by  Chapman  to  John  L.  More- 
house, from  whom  it  passed  to  Jeremiah  Keeler  in  1796 ;  the  latter  dis- 
mantled the  building  and  removed  the  material,  much  of  which  was 
embodied  in  the  Keeler  mansion  now  standings  The  whole  trans- 
action, beginning  with  the  attempt  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Mead  to  stop 
the  erection  of  the  building  in  its  incipient  stages  in  1771,  looks  very 
much  like  a  wicked  design  of  a  narrow-minded  political  and  religious 
clique  to  demolish  the  Church  here  that  it  might  never  rise  again. 

a  N.  Y.  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulhnm,  vol,  II.  621-2-3-4  (Hawks).  Dr.  Inzlis,  Rector  of 
Trinity  church  (afterwards  Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia)  Inquired  of  Gen.  Washington  when  he 
should  cease  reading  prayers  for  the  King  and  Royal  family  ?  The  General's  reply  was,  "  I 
cannot  tell, you  must  use" your  own  judgment," 

b  There  is  no  evidence  whatever  of  any  sale  or  purchase  by  Chapman  the  builder,  but 
simply  the  testimony  of  interested  parties.  It  Is  claimed  that  the  parish  of  Lower  S  ilemwas 
incorporated  in  June,  17SG,  and  that  James  Brown  and  Gershom  selleck,  with  a  third  party 
whose  name  is  unknown,  were  trustees;  but  unfortunately  for  this  story  James  Brown  died 
lfith  of  February,  17S6.  Testimony  of  the  late  Jeremiah  Keeler  and  James  Keeler  of  Lewte- 
boro. 

c  Some  of  the  material  is  said  to  have  been  removed  toRidgefleidand  used  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  second  Episcopal  church  erected  in  that  village  in  ITss.  on  the  front  side  of  the 
stone  chimney  of  the  old  Koeler  mansion  is  this  inscription,  "  A'.,  ITS."  The  Keeler  family 
are  said  to  have  resided  in  the  old  church  a  short  time  before  its  destruction.  The  late 
Thaddeus  Keeler  was  the  sou  of  Jeremiah  Keeler  who  was  born  in  Ridgefield,  May  6th,  1760, 
and  died  Feb  9, 1S53. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


423 


In  the  possession  of  the  Keeler  family  is  the  following  deed  for  the 
church  lot,  which  is  still  styled  "  Chapman's  garden  and  meadow :  " 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT. 

14th  of  March,  1796,  between  John  Lewis  Moorehouse  of  Charlton  in  the 
County  of  Saratoga  to  Jeremiah  Keeler  all  that  certain  parts,  pieces  and  parcels 
of  land  situated  and  lying  in  the  town  of  Salem  in  the  County  of  Westchester  and 
State  of  New  York,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to 
Bedford,  opposite  to  the  road  leading  from  the  south  part  of  South  Salem  to  the 
north  part  of  the  same  and  is  bounded  as  followeth,  viz.  :  Beginning  at  the 
said  Bedford  road  at  a  stake  and  stones  around  the  same  and  thence  runs 
northerly  six  rods  to  a  stake  with  stones ;  thence  easterly  by  said  Bedford  road 
so  far  as  that  a  line  of  equal  length  to  and  parallel  with  stones,  &c."a 

"In  the  spring  of  1777,  a  party  of  the  enemy  having  burnt  Danbury, 
and  proceeding  through  Ridgefield  on  their  work  of  destruction,  were 
opposed  by  a  small  company  of  militia.  Mr.  Keeler  was  aroused  to 
patriotic  ardor  by  witnessing  the  short  engagement  that  followed ;  and  at 
the  solicitation  of  Col.  Bradley,  eagerly  enlisted  in  the  army — being  at 
the  time,  not  seventeen  years  of  age.  With  the  Connecticut  Line  he 
shared  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  the  three  memorable  years  that  im- 
mediately followed.  Shortly  after  which,  being  selected  by  Baron  Steu- 
ben, he  joined  the  Light  Infantry  commanded  by  General  de  La  Fayette, 
under  whom  he  held  the  post  of  Orderly  Sergeant.  He  was  frequently 
appointed  to  execute  difficult  and  responsible  duties ;  and  on  an  occasion 
of  this  kind  the  Marquis  presented  him  with  a  sword  and  his  thanks,  as 
a  testimonial  of  his  regard  for  a  faithful  and  courageous  soldier.  At  the 
memorable  siege  of  Yorktown,  when  La  Fayette's  Brigade  was  employed 
to  storm  one  of  the  British  forts,  Sergeant  Keeler  was  one  of  the  first 
who,  in  the  midst  of  a  murderous  fire,  scaled  the  breastworks,  and  com- 
pelled the  enemy  to  yield.  He  witnessed  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis, 
which  virtually  terminated  the  war ;  but  he  remained  faithfully  at  his 
post,  until  the  disbanding  of  the  forces  in  1783,  having  participated  in 
the  reverses  and  successes  of  the  Continental  Army,  without  interrup- 
tion since  his  enlistment.  As  a  vivid  illustration  of  the  sufferings  which 
the  brave  soldiers  endured,  Mr.  Keeler  relates  that  he  was  sometimes  so 
tormented  by  hunger  as  to  be  tempted  to  gnaw  the  flesh  from  his  own 
shoulders  !  "* 

a  Copied  from  original  doenments  In  possession  of  the  late  Thaddens  Keller's  family.  No 
Hen  was  Uled  In  those  days ;  usually  the  Trustees  mortgaged  the  church  building  and  lot. 

i  A  Discourse  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Jeremiah  Keeler,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
delivered  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  South  Salem,  Westchester  County,  N  Y.,  Feb.  27 


424  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


In  the  possession  of  this  family  is  a  curious  copy  of  the  Baskett  Bible 
containing  the  Prayer  Book  of  the  Church  of  England  and  the  Psalms 
in  metre,  entitled  the  New  Testament  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  newly  transcribed  out  of  the  original  Greek  and  with  the  former 
translations  diligently  compared  and  revised  by  His  Majesty's  special 
command  appointed  to  be  read  in  churches  j  Oxford,  printed  by  Thomas 
Baskett,  printer  to  the  University,  MDCCXLIX.  On  the  inside  is  this 
memorandum  :  "  Jeremiah  Keeler  was  married  to  Huldah,  April,  1 7S8. 
Took  this  holy  Book  out  of  the  estate  of  his  deceased  father,  the  16th  of 
April,  1799."  There  is  but  little  doubt  that  this  is  the  very  Bible  and 
Prayer  Book  combined  which  was  presented  by  the  Venerable  Propaga- 
tion Society  to  the  church  of  Lower  Salem  in  1 7  7 1 . 

At  an  early  period,  perhaps,  before  the  erection  of  the  church  in  177 1, 
James  Brown  made  a  liberal  benefaction  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land, 
within  the  Patent  of  Lower  Salem,  for  the  endowment  of  the  Church  of 
England  as  established  by  law.  These  Glebe  lands  are  claimed  to  be 
what  is  still  denominated,  "  The  Lower  Parsonage  Lands"  lying  be- 
tween the  two  roads,  one  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford,  the  other 
from  Ridgefield  to  South  Salem ;  which  lands,"  as  we  have  already  seen, 
were  surreptitiously  conveyed  by  the  so-called  proprietors  of  the  "  Low- 
er  released  ten  miles  of  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent  lands,  yet  undivided  " 
(on  the  23d  of  December,  1751,)  "for  the  use  and  improvement  of  the 
first  Presbyterian  or  Independent  minister  that  should  be  settled  and 
ordained  in  the  town  of  Salem."    Now  the  truth  is  that  James  Brown 


a  By  some  it  is  said  thai  .Tamos  Brown  pave  the  property  as  Glebe  Lands  to  endow  the  first 

church  edifice  that  should  be  erected  and  consecrated  (or  dedicated  as  the  Presbyterians,  In- 
dependents and  Romanists  term  it,)  in  Salem  ;  and  that  as  the  Episcopal  church  (which  was 
the  first  edifice  ever  erected  for  religious  worship  in  Lower  Salem,)  had  never  been  consecrat- 
ed, it  had  lapsed  to  the  Presbyterians.  This,  however,  is  a  very  improbable  story ;  as  no  Epis- 
copal church  could  then  be  consecrated  for  want  of  a  Hishop,  and  consequently  no  Churchman 
would  be  likely  to  put  such  a  restriction  on  a  deed  of  gift.  It  Is  very  remarkable  that  this 
story  is  attributed  to  Timothy  Keeler,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  surreptitious  deed  in  1751.  Oue 
thing  is  certain,  that  while  the  first  church  was  building  in  1770-1771,  the  Rev.  Solomon  Mead, 
the  first  Presbyterian  minister  of  Lower  Salem,  who  was  then  in  the  habit  of  coming  from 
Norwalk  on  horseback  to  perform  services,  threatened  the  builders  and  endeavored  to  stop 
them  in  their  work.  A  portion  of  these  Glebe  Lands,  as  we  shall  have  occasion  to  show  pres- 
ently, were  sold  by  the  Presbyterian  Society  under  an  act  of  Assembly  in  isoo,  "  for  the  pur- 
pose of  procuring  other  lands  on  which  a  parsonage  house  might  be  more  conveniently  erect- 
ed and  for  erecting  the  same ; ''  but  we  believe  no  warranty  deeds  have  ever  been  given  in  any 
case  of  sale;  but  simply  quit  claim  deeds,  all  of  which  is  something  unusual.  The  trustees  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  South  Salem,  sold  to  Gould  Hawley  in  1833.  lands  bordering  on  "so- 
callcd  Parsonage  Lami."  White  Plains  Kec.  Lib.  xlix,  p.  255.  Uouid  Hawl<-\'s  title  came  from 
Trustees,  and  his  widow  conveyed  to  Cyrus  Lawrence  and  others.  Joseph  S.  Wood  and  wife 
sold  lands  to  \\  akeman  B.  Wood  in  1837,  bounded  westerly  by  lands  of  Joseph  \\  ebster  and 
the  "  Parsonage  Land  so-called."  Jlaltby  Webster  and  wife,  Nancy,  convey  land  to  Terry  A. 
Fancher,  16th  of  March,  1830— "  also  one  other  piece  ly,  at  the  south-east  corner  of  Joseph 
Webster's  land/omieWj*  belonging  to  the  parsonage,  at  a  pile  of  stones  and  running  northei  ly 
by  said  Webster's,  14  chains  and  25  links  to  a  pile  "of  stones  at  the  corner  of  said  Webster's 
land,  from  thence  westerly  5  chains  to  a  pile  of  stones  by  Gould  Uawley's  land,  thence  south- 
erly by  said  Hawley's  land,  16  chains  and  25  links  to  a  pile  of  stones  by  the  highway  that  leads 
from  Hidgefleld  to  Bedford,  from  thence  easterly  bv  the  highway  r>  chains  to  ihe  place  of  be- 
ginning containing  7  acres.'1  White  Plains  Kec,  Lib.  x.x.wiii.  p.  183.  The  two  meadows,  one 
opposite  the  residence  of  Uriah  Slawsou,  the  other  almost  in  front  of  Sandy  Barrett's  bouse, 
are  said  to  have  been  a  portion  of  the  Parsonage  Lands. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


425 


ami  William  Smith,  were  the  parties  solely  interested  in  these  lands, 
and  had  already  petitioned  the  Crown  on  the  5th  of  July,  of  that  year, 
(175 1 )  to  grant  them  a  Patent  which  was  to  include  the  same,a  conse- 
quently their  names  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  surreptitious  deed  dated 
six  months  afterwards.  No  doubt  these  so-called  proprietors  contended 
in  opposition  to  Brown  and  Smith,  that  they  had  a  right  of  freehold 
vested  in  the  Lower  Oblong,  given  them  by  Connecticut  in  years  past, 
which  no  power  could  possibly  deprive  them  of ;  but  the  settlement  of 
the  boundary  question  in  1731,  vested  the  whole  Oblong  in  the  Crown. 
This  they  had  themselves  tacitly  admitted  in  accepting  the  East  Patent 
from  the  Crown  the  very  same  year,  and  certainly  they  could  never  show 
any  grant  from  the  Crown  for  the  undivided  lands  of  the  Oblong.  It  is 
a  little  curious  that  thirteen  out  of  the  twenty  signers  of  the  surreptitious 
deed  to  the  Presbyterian  Society  in  1751,  were  grantees  under  the  East 
Patent  in  1731.  There  can  be  no  doubt  whatever,  that  they  attempted 
to  convey  away  property  that  did  not  belong  to  them  ;  besides  which, 
these  lands  were  undivided  and  they  could  not  legally  dispose  of  their 
claim,  even  if  they  had  any,  until  a  division  of  them  was  made.  Here, 
then,  we  see  the  intention  of  the  noble  donor  sadly  prevented,  as  the  gift 
has  never  been  realized  by  the  Parish — more  than  one  hundred  years 
have  now  passed  since  the  land  was  given ;  yet,  tradition  has  preserved 
it  inviolably.  The  Church  was  re-organized  in  18 10,  in  hopes  of  recov- 
ering it ;  and  that  noble  band  of  Churchmen  consisting  of  Augustus  Mc- 
Carroll/'  William  Sherwood,  Henry  Hoyt,  Gould  Bouton,  Jesse  Jarvis, 
Samuel  Brown  Isaacs,  Samuel  Amber,  Joseph  Nash,  Absalom  Holmesc 
and  James  Church,  who  were  constantly  in  the  habit  of  discussing  their 
right  to  the  property  and  probability  of  recovering  it,  while  attending  on 
the  sen-ices  at  the  mother  Church  of  North  Salem,  have  all  passed  away 
to  their  rest.rf  Still  the  trust  remains  to  be  guarded  by  their  successors ; 
who  should  never  forget  what  they  owe  to  the  resolute  men  who  planted 
and  watered  the  Church  in  the  Colonies,  and  still  clung  to  her  after  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  looking  in  sure  faith  to  Almighty  God  for  the 
increase.  The  crime  of  violating  or  alienating  to  other  purposes  what 
has  been  once  appropriated  or  consecrated  to  the  service  of  God's 


a  It  is  quite  clear  from  the  will  of  James  Brown,  Senior,  in  1766,  that  the  Patent  adjoined 
the  south  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Itidgetleld  to  Bedford.  A  fence  running  almost  due 
north  from  the  late  Milo  Webster's  house,  (close  to  the  road  leading  from  South  Salem  to 
Kidgeiield,)  and  so  across  through  the  swamp  near  to  the  residence  of  Wakeman  li.  Wood, 
(on  the  road  between  Bedford  toRidgeaeld,)  is  said  to  have  been  the  east  line  of  Jamea 
Brown's  lands. 

*  Augustus  McCarroll  or  McOaul,  was  a  strong  Scottish  Churchman,   Ills  son,  EnnU,  left 
a  son,  Stephen,  and  a  daughter,  Sarah,  the  widow  of  David  Farrington. 
c  Holmes  lived  near  Lake  Wacabnc 

d  The  testimony  of  Mr.  Saiu'l  Field,  now  living  who  has  often  overheard  them  discusing  the 
subject  at  North  Salem,  after  the  services  of  the  day. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Church  is  terrible  indeed.  "  The  violators  of  Church  property,"  as  old 
Spelman  observes,  "  seldom  escape  punishment."  A  man  has  but  a  life 
interest  in  his  estate.  Over  its  possession  after  his  death  he  has  no  right ; 
therefore,  he  has  no  right  to  threaten  those  who  shall  injure  it,  because 
they  have  done  him  no  wrong.  He  must  let  that  alone  forever.  His 
posterity  must  defend  themselves.  The  curse  of  the  then  possessor  may 
be  formidable  ;  not  that  of  one  who  is  not  possessor. 

But,  with  respect  to  Church  property,  the  case  is  different.  The 
Church  is  a  corporation,  and  a  corporation  never  dies.  The  durability 
of  her  claim  to  any  given  property  is  commensurated  with  her  existance, 
and  that  is  forever.  Her  right,  therefore,  of  defending  that  property 
exists  also  forever;  because  through  her  it  is  offered  to  Him  of  Whom, 
through  all  ages,  "  It  is  witnessed  that  He  liveth."a 

The  first  notice  of  this  parish  subsequent  to  the  Revolution  occurs 
in  the  minutes  of  Diocesan  Convention,  held  in  New  York,  Oct.  3d, 
18 10,  when  "on  motion,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  delegates  from  the 
Episcopal  Church  of  South  Salem  (of  the  incorporation  of  which,  the 
convention  has  no  legal  evidence)  be  admitted  to  Honorary  Seats." 
Mr.  Henry  Hoyt,  delegate  from  said  church  was  accordingly  admitted 
to  an  honorary  seat.  The  earliest  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
vestry,  is  dated  Monday,  15th  of  October,  1810.  The  officers  then 
chosen,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  1795,  were  th^  follow- 
ing: Augustus  McCarroll  and  William  Sherwood,  church-wardens; 
Henry  Hoyt,  Gould  Bouton,  Jesse  Jams,  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  Samuel 
Ambler,  Joseph  Nash,  Absalom  Holmes  and  James  Church,  vestrymen. 
On  the  19th  of  Mav,  171 1,  the  church  was  incorporated  under  the 
style  of  "  The  Church-wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  of  Salem."  At  this  period  the  Rev.  Nathan  Felch  was 
officiating  minister.  In  18 10,  he  reported  to  the  Convention:  "  That 
a  new  Episcopal  church  had  beeiT  incorporated  in  South  Salem.  Their 
prospect  is  truly  pleasing  at  present."*  At  this  time  services  were  held 
in  the  Brown  mansion  occupied  by  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  Esq. 

In  18 1 5,  Mr.  George  Weller,  AM.,  was  licensed  as  a  lay-reader  for 
Bedford  and  South  Salem.  The  same  year  he  makes  report  to  the  Con- 
vention, "  That  in  South  Salem,  the  present  number  of  communicants  is 
ten,  of  which  three  were  added  within  the  past  year.  Baptisms,  within 
the  past  year,  seven,  of  which  one  was  an  adult.  The  congregation  is 
small,  say'fourteen  or  fifteen  families,  and  cannot  be  said  to  have  in- 
creased much  within  the  year  past." 

a  The  nist.  ami  Fate  of  Sacrilege,  bj  Sir.  Henry  Spelman,  second  edition.  London :  Joseph 
Masters,  1853. 
b  Journal  of  Coventlon,  1810,  p.  Id. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


In  1816,  the  Rev.  George  Weller,  missionary  in  Westchester  and 
Putnam  counties,  writes  to  the  Bishop  as  follows :  "  Since  my  ordina- 
tion, I  have  been  engaged  two-thirds  of  my  time  at  Bedford,  and  one- 
third  at  North  Salem,  &c.  I  have  performed  divine  service  and  preached 
twice  in  South  Salem,  and  intend  occasionally  to  preach  lectures  in  that 
town.  Being  centrally  situated,  their  communicants  unite  with  us  at 
Bedford  and  North  Salem.    Number  of  communicants,  eight." 

According  to  the  testimony  of  the  late  William  Weston  Wellman,  of 
New  Haven,  the  following  persons  had  been  keeping  up  the  church 
organization  when  he  arrived  in  South  Salem  about  1822.  Samuel 
Ambler"  and  Benjamin  Sherwood,  church- wardens ;  Peter  Benedict, 
Era  Mead,  Daniel  Jones,  Timothy  Jones  and  others,  vestrymen.6 

In  1852,- the  Rev.  Messrs.  Harris,  Partridge  and  Vermilye,  entered 
into  an  arrangement  by  which  they  were  enabled,  besides  their  regular 
services  every  Sunday,  to  conduct  services  here  once  a  fortnight.  By 
their  efforts  a  good  congregation  was  gathered  numbering  about  two 
hundred  persons,  and  the  Church  services,  were  held  in  the  beautiful 
grove  of  the  late  Mr.  Stephen  Hoyt.  According  to  the  certificate  of  in- 
corporation, bearing  date  the  16th  day  of  August,  1852,  "  the  said  church 
and  congregation  should  hereafter  be  known  in  law  by  the  name  of  '  The 
Rector,  Church-wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  John's  church,  in  the 
town  of  Lewisboro,  in  the  county  of  Westchester.'  The  Rev.  Alfred  H. 
Partridge  was  elected  Rector;  Jonathan  Beers  and  Isaac  Hayes, 
church-wardens ;  William  H.  Robinson,  Samuel  Field,  Amos.  N.  Ray- 
mond, John  B.  Whittlock,  Jr.,  Stephen  L.  Hoyt,  Feris  Bouton,  William 
Lockwood  and  Timothy  Jones,  vestrymen  ;  and  the  first  Wednesday  in 
Easter  week  was  fixed  on  as  the  day  of  the  election ;  William  H.  Robin- 
son, clerk  ;  Timothy  Jones,  treasurer."'' 

Exertions  were  at  once  made  to  re-build  the  church.  The  following 
deed  was  given  for  the  site  of  the  new  edifice  by  Stephen  Hoyt,  and 
Sarah,  his  wife: — 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT  SOUTH  SALEM. 
This  Indenture  made  the  twenty-third  day  of  August  in  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty-two  between  Stephen  Hoyt  and  Sally  his  wife  of  the 
town  of  Lewisboro,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  State  of  New  York,  par- 

a  Samuel  Ambler  resided  at  that  time  in  the  village  of  South  Salem ;  died  subsequently  at 
Sncncer  Towu,  Columbia  Couuty,  New  York.  Benjamin  Sherwood  resided  west  of  the  late 
Timothy  Jones's  place. 

*  Testimony  of  Mr.  Wellman  to  his  son,  Rev.  Merritt  II.  Wellman.  July,  1870.  Mr.  Wellman 
was  at  one  tunc  a  warden  with  Mr.  Ambler,  and  removed  from  Salem  in  1836.  Isaac  Rockwell 
another  member  of  the  vestry  resided  in  the  old  mansion,  at  South  Salem,  now  occupied  by 
Sandy  Barrett.  The  chimnev  of  this  house  beat's  the  following  inscription,  "  J.  R.,  1741>,"  the 
Initials  of  Job  Rockwell,  father  of  Isaac. 

c  Minutes  of  the  Vestry. 


428 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ties  of  the  first  part  and  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  John's  church, 
iu  the  town  of  Lewisboro  in  said  Comity,  and  their  successors  in  office,  parties  of 
the  second  part, 

Witnesseth,  That  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  for  and  consideration  of  the 
sum  of  one  Dollar,  lawful  money  of  the  United  States  of  America  to  them  in 
hand  paid  by  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and 
delivery  of  these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  have 
granted,  bargained  sold,  aliened,  remised,  released,  conveyed,  and  confirmed  and 
by  these  presents  do  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  remise,  release,  convey  and  con- 
firm, unto  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  and  to  their  successors  in  office  for- 
ever, all  that  certain  piece,  or  lot  of  land,  lying  in  said  town  of  Lewisboro,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  highway  (known  as  Spring  Street,)  leading  easterly  into  the 
village  of  South  Salem ,  and  bounded  as  follows :  Beginning  at  the  north-east 
corner  of  said  piece  by  the  highway  and  at  the  east  abutment  of  a  Barway  at  the 
north-east  corner  of  a  piece  of  Wood,  and  from  thence  southerly  five  rods  ;  thence 
westerly  five  rods ;  thence  northerly  five  rods  to  the  highway,  and  ttiencc  easterly 
by  said  highway  five  rods  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  twenty-five  rods 
more  or  less.  If  the  said  Wardens  and  Vestry,  or  their  successors  in  office  shall 
at  any  time  cease  to  use  the  above  described  piece  of  land  as  a  site  for  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church,  then  this  Indenture  shall  be  void ;  and  also  in  case  the 
said  CorpDration  shall  neglect  to  erect  a  church  upon  said  parcel  of  land  within 
three  years  from  the  date  hereof,  then  this  Indenture  shall  be  void.  Together 
with  all  and  singular,  the  tenements,  hereditaments,  and  appertenances,  there- 
unto belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining,  and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  re- 
mainder and  remainders,  rents  issues  and  profits  thereof;  And  also  all  the  estate, 
right,  title,  interest,  dower,  and  the  right  of  dower,  property,  possession,  claim, 
and  demand  whatsoever,  as  well  in  law,  as  in  equity,  of  the  said  parties  of  the 
first  part  of,  in,  or  to,  the  above  described  premises,  and  every  part  and  parcel 
thereof,  with  the  appurtenances.  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular,  the  above 
mentioned  and  described  premises,  together  with  the  appurtenances  unto  the 
parties  of  the  second  part,  and  their  successors  in  office  forever.  And  the  said 
Stephen  Hoyt,  for  himself,  and  his  heirs,  the  said  premises,  in  the  quiet  and 
peaceful  possession  of  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  and  their  successors  in 
office,  against  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  their  heirs,  and  against  all  and 
every  person  and  persons  whomsoever,  lawfully  claiming,  or  to  claim  the  same, 
shall  and  will  warrant,  and  by  these  presents  forever  defend. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  have  hereunto,  set  their 
hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

Sealed  and  delivered  Stephen  Hoyt,  L.  S. 

in  presence  of  Sally  Hoyt,  L.  S. 

W.  H.  Robeetson. 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT  SOUTH  SALEM. 
[No.  2.] 

This  Indenture,  made  the  fifth  day  of  September  in  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty-three,  between  Stephen  Hoyt  and  Sally  his  wife,  of  the 
town  of  Lewisboro  iu  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  State  of  New  York  parties 
of  the  first  part,  and  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  John's  church 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


in  the  town  of  Lcwisboro  in  said  County,  and  their  successors  in  Office,  parties 
Of  the  second  part :  Wituesseth,  That  the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  tor  and  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  one  Dollar,  lawful  money  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  us  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  at  or  before  the 
ensealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknow- 
ledged, have  granted,  bargained,  sold,  aliened,  remised,  released,  conveyed  and 
confirmed  and  by  these  presents  do  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  remise,  release, 
convey,  and  confirm  unto  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  and  to  their  suc- 
cessors in  office  forever,  All,  that  certain  piece  or  lot  of  land  lying  in  said  town 
of  Lewisboro,  on  the  south  side  of  the  highway,  known  as  Spring  Street  leading 
easterly  into  the  village  of  South  Salem,  and  bounded  as  follows.  Beginning  to 
the  Southwest  corner  of  said  Church  property  adjoining  the  land  of  Stephen 
Hoyt  aforesaid,  and  running  southerly  by  said  Hoyt's  laud  to  a  stake,  thence 
easterly  by  said  Hoyt's  laud  five  rods  in  a  parallel  line  to  a  stake  at  the  south- 
east corner,  thence  northerly  by  said  Hoyt's  land  to  the  aforesaid  Church  pro- 
perty, thence  westerly  by  said  Church  property  to  the  place  of  beginning  con- 
taining five  rods,  be  the  same  more  or  less;  if  the  said  Wardens  and  Vestry  or 
their  successors  in  office,  shall  at  any  time  cease  to  use  the  above  described  piece 
of  land  as  a  site  for  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  then,  this  Indenture  shall 
be  void ;  and  also  in  case  the  said  corporation  shall  neglect  to  erect  a  church  upon 
said  parcel  of  land,  within  three  years  from  the  twenty-third  day  of  August, 
1S52,  then  this  Indenture  shall  be  void. 

Together  with  all  and  singular  the  tenements  hereditaments,  and  appurten- 
ances thereunto  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining,  and  the  reversiou  and  re- 
versions, remainder  and  remainders,  rents,  issues  and  profits  thereof,  And  also 
all  the  estate,  right,  title,  interest,  dower  and  right  of  dower,  property  possession, 
claim  and  demand  whatsoever  as  well  in  law  as  in  equity,  of  the  said  part}-  of 
the  first  part  of,  in  or  to  the  above  described  premises,  and  every  part  and  par- 
cel thereof,  with  the  appurtenances,  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the 
above  mentioned  and  described  premises  together  with  the  appurtenances,  unto 
the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in  office  forever.  And  the 
said  Stephen  Hoyt,  for  himself  and  his  heirs,  the  said  premises,  in  the  quiet  and 
peaceable  possession  of  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in 
office  against  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  their  heirs,  and  against  all  and 
every  person  and  persons  whomsoever,  lawfully  claiming  or  to  claim  the  same 
shall  and  will  Warrant  and  by  these  presents  forever  Defend. 

In  Witness  whereof  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  have  hereunto  set  their 
hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

Sealed  and  delivered  Stephen  IIoTT,a  L.  S. 

in  presence  of  Sally  IIoyt,  L.  S. 

Aaron  B.  Fancheb. 


a  The  Hoyts  who  own  mnch  land  in  the  north-east  corner  of  the  town  descend  iroin  Simon 
Hoyt  who  lauded  at  Salem,  Mass..  in  or  li',_>;>,  perhaps  bv  the  ship  Abigail  or  the  (ieorgc, 
and  very  soon  after  went  to  Charleston  as  one  of  Its  flrst  settlers.  Ue  was  at  Dorchester  In 
l(">.;:>-ir,.;-i  (ruin  whrtuv  lie  lvmoved  to  Seituate,  Mass.,  then  to  Windsor,  conn.,  in  1639-1640, 
and  from  U  indsor  to  Fairfield  circ  1646,  owner  of  "  Hoit  s  Island''  near  Saseoneck  and  Salt 
Creek.  Fairfield.  lie  removed  to  Stamford  soon  after  1649,  where  he  died  Sept.  1st,  1657.  Ilis 
widow,  Sassanna,  married  a  Robert  Bates,  and  died  before  February  7,  1C>74.  Ills  seventh 
son,  Benjamin  Hoyt,  of  Shipau-neck,  Stamford,  was  born  February  2,  1644,  at  Windsor,  Con- 
necticut, married  first,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Jonas  Weed,  who  died  Novembers,  1711  ;  mar- 
ried secondly  Abigail,  who  died  March  4th,  1729-1730.    He  died  in  1735.   His  son,  Benjamin 


43° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


In  1853,  a  neat  stone  edifice  thirty  feet  by  forty-eight,  was  erected 
with  a  tower  thirty-six  feet  high,  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars ;  prior  to  its  erection  services  had  been  held  in  the  open  air, 
as  no  building  could  be  obtained,  (and  anyone  who  offered  to  furnish  a 
room  for  services  was  prescribed  for  so  doing,a )  with  a  congregation  of 
about  two  hundred  persons. 

St.  John's  church  was  consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the  service  of  Al- 
mighty God,  by  the  Right  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  D.C.  L., 
the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  on  the  18th  of  September,  1855.  The  tower 
contains  a  fine  toned  bell  weighing  six  hundred  and  ninety-seven  pounds, 
which  was  presented  by  the  late  Benj.  F.  Loder,  Esq.,  a  native  of  this 
parish.  The  communion  plate — consisting  of  a  flagon,  two  chalices  and 
paten — was  a  gift  of  Mrs.  Nancy  Weed ;  and  the  service  books  were  pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Benj.  Williamson,  of  New  Jersey.  The  chandelier  was 
the  gift  of  Gould  Rockwell,  Esq  ,  of  Ridgefield,  Conn.  The  following 
inscription  occurs  on  a  slab  in  the  chancel : 

Iu  Memoriam 
REV.  EPENETUS  TOWNSEND,  A  M., 
Missionary  of 
The  Venbla  Prop.  Society,  A.  D.  1766. 
And  First  Rector  of  Salem. 
Inducted  May  29,  1768. 
Born,  April,  1742. 
Lost  at  sea  with  his  family  Sept.,  1179. 
"His  Exemplary  Life,  sober  conversation  and  devout 
Performance  of  Religious  Offices,  Highly  Recommended  Him  to  the  Lovo 
and  esteem  of  His  People." 
Peace. 


Hovt,  of  Stamford,  was  born  December  9, 1871,  married  Elizabeth  Jaggar,  June  an,  1697,  and 
di-d  in  1747.  He  was  selectman  of  Stamford  four  years,  in  1719  and  later  His  second  son, 
David  Hovt,  of  Stamford,  was  born  June  23d  1702;  married  Hannah  Hait  Jnno  2>d,  1727,  and 
died  1761-2,  leaving  a  third  son,  Jacob  Hoyl,  who  was  born  at  Stamford  about  1735,  he  married 
Sarah— lived  in  South  Salem  near  Hoyt's  mill.  He  and  his  wife  connected  themselves  with 
the  Presbvterian  church  there,  June  30.  1765,  and  had  children  baptized  there  in  1766,  1767. 
We  tiud  his  ear-mark  at  Salem,  Dec.  22d,  1755.  lie  was  overseer  of  the  poor  there  1766,  1779, 
1784,  1794,  etc. :  a  trustee  of  the  South  Salem  Presbyterian  church  17S4,  17ss  aud  1799.  He  was 
First  Lieutenant,  Salem,  Southern  District  1775.  His  wife,  Sarah  died  Oct.  7th,  1803,  aired 
eighty.  Ills  oldest  son,  Jacob  Hovt,  was  born  November  10,  1761:  baptized  June  30th.  1765, 
married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Gould  liouton.  April  26. 17S7;  lived  m  South  Salem  and  died  there 
December  23th,  1S44.  He  was  constable  and  collector  at  Salem  in  1794.  His  wife,  BUgB,  was 
born  June  22,  1769.  His  third  brother  was  the  Rev.  Stephen  Hovt,  formerly  of  Sunbury, 
Georgia,  who  was  baptized  at  Salem,  Aug.  16th,  1767.  The  eldest  son  of  Jacob  was  Stephen 
novt,  who  was  horn  Oct.  2d,  1789,  and  baptized  Dec.  2,  1792.  He  married  Sally,  daughter  of 
Eliiathau  Weed,  Esq.,  of  Poundridge,  January  9th.  1811.  He  resided  in  South  Salem,  and 
was  the  generous  donor  of  the  church  lot  and  one  of  the  founders  of  St.  John's  church  in  that 
place.  He  died  Julv  15th,  1867,  and  was  buried  in  the  Cemetery  opposite  Jo  the  church.  His 
wife.Sallv,  died  Sept.  1st.  1867.  His  brother  Harvev  novt  was  born  April  26th.  1792,  baptized 
Dec.  2,  1792,  married  Laura,  daughter  of  William  Clark,  of  Watcrburv.  Connecticut,  and  is 
still  living  in  South  Salem.  His  wife.  Laura,  died  Nov.  19th,  ;S4s.  aged  sixty-one.  The 
Children  of  Stephen  and  Sallv  are  llrst,  William  W.  born  about  ISM.  baptized  S-pt.  12th,  1S19: 
second, Stephen  Lewis  baptized  S-pt.  12th,  1819:  married  first,  Hobby,  of  Hedford  and  second 
daughter  of  Aaron  Tvler  of  of  Bedford,  bv  whom  he  has  three  daughters.  Mr.  HOJt  is  junior 
warden  of  St.  John's  church.  South  Saieiu  ;  third,  Mary  Ann,  baptized  Sept.  12th.  1319, 
married  Lewis  Hoyt  of  South  Salem.  „  _    ,  .. 

a  On  the  verv  dav  it  was  proposed  to  erect  the  church,  the  late  Sidney  R.  Lockwood  noti- 
fied Mr.  Dorctiv  Keeler  that  if  Episcopal  services  were  continued  anv  longer  in  his  house 
he  would  withdraw  his  custom.   Col.  Isaac  Hayes  then  applied  for  the  use  of  the  school 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


43* 


The  following  inscription  is  placed  over  the  front  door  of  the  build- 
ing : 

"St  John's  Church 
Organized  1S52, 
Erected  1853. 

"  The  Church  of  the  living  God,  the  pdlar  and  ground  of  the  truth." 
1  Tim.  iii ;  15. 

The  following  memorials,  are  from  the  cemetery  opposite  ;  near  the 
entrance  is  a  beautiful  white  marble  stone  mounted  by  a  wheel  cross: 

Here 
lyeth  the  body  of 

DAVID  SCOTT," 

a  priest  of  the 
Holy  Catholic  Church 
who  entered  into  rest 
January  3,  1861.  « 


Jesu  mercy. 


We  die  to  live 

AMOS  N.  RAYMOND, 

Died  March  2d,  i860. 
In  t lie  59th  year  of  his  age 

My  dear  children, 
As  you  pass  by ; 
Remember  you  are, 
Born  to  die. 


Bally 
wife  of 
Stephen  Hoyt, 

Died 
Sept.  1.  18G6, 
In  the  77th  year  of  her  age. 

house  aiul  that  was  refused.  The  Rev.  Alfred  n.  Partridge  thereupon  determined  to 
bold  services  in  the  street  if  necessary;  at  this  juncture  of  affairs  Mr.  Stephen  Hoyt  offered  the 
free  use  of  one  of  his  houses  and  the  grove,  where  the  church  now  stands,  in  the  summer 
season  for  the  purposes  of  temporary  accouimodatiou.  both  of  which  otters  were  gladly  ac- 
cepted. 

a  The  Rev.  David  Scott,  who  offered  himself  to  God  sine  rely,  and  whose  short  life  was  so 

Sore,  earnest,  cheerful  and  self  denying,  was  a  native  of  England  and  originally  a  choir  boy 
» Salisbury  Cathedral.  He  was  fatally  injured  by  h's  horse  while  preparing  to :  t  for  his 
BBDal  Sunday  morning  service  at  North  Salem.  See  sermon  preached  in  St.  John's  church, 
L<-wisi«>ro,  Feb  1,1861,  at  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  David  Scott  by  the  Kev.  W  illiam  U. 
Williams,  Rector  of  bt.  Stephen's  church,  Ridgefleld,  Conn. 


Stephen  Hoyt 

died 
July  15,  1867, 
In  the  79th  year  of  his  age. 


43  2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS  OF  SOUTH  SALEM  OR  LEWISBORO. 


INST  OB  I  ALL. 

INCUMBENTS. 

vac'd  by. 

A.D.  1749. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee,  A.  M.,  CI. 

Per  resigned. 

A.D.  1771. 

Rev.  Epenetcs  Townsend,  A.  M.,  CI. 

Death. 

15  Oct.  1810. 

Rev.  Mather  Felcu,  Presb. 

Per  resigned. 

1816. 

Rev.  George  Weller,  Deacon. 

Per  resigned. 

16  Aug.  1852. 

Rev.  Alfred  H.  Partridge,  Presb. 

Per  resigned.' 

22  Aug.  1855. 

Rev.  Franklin  Babbitt,  Presb. 

Per  resigned. 

14  Aug.  1859. 

Rev.  David  Scott,  Presb. 

Death. 

30  Sept.  1861. 

Rev.  Angus  M.  Ives,  Presb. 

Per  resigned. 

11  Dec.  1868. 

Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  A.  M.,  Presb. 

Death. 

1879. 

Rev.  Alex.  Hamilton,  » 

Pres.  Incuinb. 

In  October,  1870,  John  Lewis,  Esq.,  of  Clinton,  Middlesex  Co.,  Conn., 
endowed  the  Church  with  forty-eight  acres  of  glebe  land,  on  condition 
that  a  chapel  should  be  erected  thereon,  and  denominated  St.  Paul's. 


DEED  OF  THE  GLEBE  LANDS. 

This  Indenture,  made  ^he  seventh  day  of  October,  in-the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  seventy,  between  John  Lewis  of  the  Town  of  Clinton,  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex  and  the  State  of  Connecticut,  of  the  first  part,  and  Robert 
Bolton,  Rector,  William  Lock  wood  and  Stephen  L.  Hoyt,  Wardens ;  and  Am- 
brose A.  Beers,  Charles  A.  Raymond,  Seth  W.  Raymond,  Eleazer  L  Fancher 
John  Lewis  Raymond,  Charles  Raymond,  Joseph  W.  Waterbury  and  Thomas 
Wilson  vestrymen  of  St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Lewisboro'  in 
the  County  of  Westchester  and  State  of  New  York  of  the  second  part  wit/ussctk, 
that  the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  one 
dollar  lawful  money  of  the  United  States  of  America  to  him  in  hand  paid,  by 
the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  luith  remised,  re- 
leased, and  quit-claimed,  and  by  these  presents  do  remise,  release  and  quit- 
claim, unto  the  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns 
forever,  All  and  yet  each  individual  Rector,  Warden  and  Vestryman  always 
having  voice  in  the  secular  business  of  this  donation  and  their  successors 
unreserved  forever.  All  those  three  several  tracts  or  parcels  of  land  situate 
and  being  in  the  town  of  Lewisboro'  aforesaid.  Bounded  and  described  as  fol- 
lows to  wit :  The  first  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  adjoining  the  High- 
way leading  from  New  Canaan  to  Lewisboro'  aud  laud  of  Daniel  Munroe  thence 
running  easterdly  by  land  of  said  Munroe  to  the  North-East  corner  of  the  same 
thence  in  a  straight  line  by  land  formerly  belonging  to  Jane  Northrup  and  Mary 
J.  Grummon  to  a  pile  of  stones  adjoining  land  of  the  late  Gershom  Lockwood, 
thence  Northerly  by  land  of  the  said  late  Gershom  Lockwood  and  land  of  E-  W. 
Raymond  to  a  pile  of  6tones  on  a  rock,  then  Westerly  by  land  of  said  Raymond 
and  land  of  Hiram  Bouton  to  the  corner  of  said  Bouton's  land,  then  northerly  by 
land  of  said  Bouton  to  the  Highway.  Then  westerly  and  southerly  by  the  High- 
way to  the  place  of  beginning  containing  thirty  one  acres  be  the  same  more  or 


THE  TOWN  OF  LF.WISBORO. 


433 


less.  (The  second  piece.)  Beginning  at  the  North- West  corner  adjoining  the 
Highway  leading  from  New  Caanan  to  Lewisboro'  and  land  of  late  Daniel 
Hayes  then  running  Easterly  by  land  of  said  Hayes  to  Land  of  Hiram  Routon, 
then  Southerly  by  land  of  said  Boutou  to  the  Highway  leading  from  Bidgcfield 
to  New  Caanan,  then  South  Westerly  to  the  first  mentioned  Highway.  Then 
Northerly  by  said  Highway  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  two  acres  be 
the  same  more  or  less.  (The  third  Piece.)  Beginning  at  the  South-East  corner 
adjoining  the  Highway  aud  land  of  Joseph  S.  Fancher  then  running  westerly  by 
land  of  Baid  Fancher  to  laud  late  of  Jonathan  Abbott  deceased,  then  northerly  by 
land  of  said  Abbott  to  land  of  Daniel  Hayes.  Then  Easterly,  Northerly,  aud 
Easterly  by  land  of  said  Hayes  to  the  Highway,  then  Southerly  by  said  High- 
way to  the  place  of  Beginning  containing  fifteen  acres,  be  the  same  more  or 
less. 

And  I  John  Lewis  party  of  the  first  part  hereby  declare  that  the  above  grant 
is  made  and  intended  as  an  absolute  although  conditional  grant  and  gift  to  the  St. 
John's  Episcopal  Church  of  Lewisboro ;  but  it  is  conditioned  that  a  Chapel  is  to 
be  erected  and  denominated  St,  Paul'6  on  the  premises  hereby  conveyed  near  the 
Southern  burying  grouud  in  said  Lewisboro  for  worship  in  connection  with  the 
St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  iu  said  Lewisboro,  said  donation  beiug 
intended  for  the  (Mutual)  benefit  of  both  Parishes  forever. 

Together  with  all  and  singular  the  tenements  hereditaments  and  appurtenances 
thereunto  belonging  or  in  anywise  appertaining,  aud  the  reversion  and  reversions, 
remainder  and  remainders,  rents  issues  and  profits  thereof. 

And  also  of  the  estate,  right,  title,  interest,  possession,  claim  and  demand 
whatsoever  property,  as  well  iu  law  as  in  equity  of  the  said  party  of  the  first 
part,  of,  in,  or  to  the  above  described  premises  and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof 
with  the  appurtenances.  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the  above  men- 
tioned and  described  premises,  together  with  the  appurtenances,  and  the  said 
parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  and  assigns  forever. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  hath  hereunto  set  his  hand 
and  seal  the  day  and  year  first  above  written.  JOHN  LEWIS. 

Signed  and  delivered 
in  the  presence  of 

William  Look  wood.  a 

John  Lewis,  Esq.,  the  donor  of  the  present  glebe  lands,  and  the  lib- 
eral benefactor  to  the  common  schools  of  this  town,  was  the  third  son. 
of  John  Lewis,  who  removed  from  Clinton,  Middlesex  Co.,  Conn  ,  to 
South  Salem,  in  1808,  by  his  wife,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Isaac  Hayes, 
Esq.,  a  hearty  friend  and  supporter  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
He  was  born  on  the  site  of  the  present  rectory  of  St.  Paul's,  Lewisboro, 
Feb.  4,  1793.  His  father  who  entered  the  Continental  service  in  1776, 
(at  the  early  age  of  nineteen,  and  served  as  an  aid-de-camp  on  the  staff 


a  Connty  Rcc  Lib.  752  of  Deeds,  p.  430.  Upon  the  26th  of  Dec.  1873,  the  above  named 
Hector,  wardens  and  vestrymen,  &c,,  quit  claimed  to  St.  John's  church  under  Its  corporate 
name  und  Utle.  County  Rec.  Lib.  SG7  of  Deeds  p.  200. 


434 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  a  New  York  General,)  was  the  son  of  John  Lewis,*  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Killingworth,  now  Clinton,  Middlesex  County,  Conn.,  the 
fourth  in  descent  from  John  Lewis,  a  native  of  Rossenden-in-Bleane  in 
the  County  of  Kent,  England,  who  emigrated  to  Scituate,  Mass.,  in  1635, 
and  died  at  New  London,  Conn.,  on  the  8th  of  Dec,  1676.  He  seems 
only  to  have  exhibited  a  fondness  for  mercantile  pursuits,  and  first 
served  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Capt.  Isaac  Jones  of  Darien,  Conn., 
from  thence  he  removed  to  Danbury,  and  not  long  after  to  New  York, 
and  soon  became  (from  his  determined  energy  and  close  application  to 
business)  the  foremost  clerk  in  the  establishment  of  Messrs.  Hoffman 
&  Sons,  then  one  of  the  principal  auctioneer  firms  in  that  city.  After 
serving  there  for  three  years  with  great  satisfaction  to  his  employers,  he 
started  business  for  himself  in  Wall  Street,  where,  by  his  untiring  energy 
and  perseverence,  he  amassed  a  large  fortune.  No  man  better  under- 
stood the  value  of  money  and  the  labor  spent  in  acquiring  it,  therefore 
he  greatly  disliked  to  see  negligence  and  indolence  in  others ;  he  had 
also  a  great  fondness  for  literary  pursuits.  In  1852  he  published  a  work 
upon  "  The  Merits  of  Protestantism  Demonstrated  by  the  Character  of 
Man,"  embracing  in  his  history  various  countries  from  the  earliest 
recorded  period  to  the  present  century. 

It  was  his  great  object  in  this  undertaking  to  show  the  merits  of  Pro- 
testanism  and  the  benefits  which  it  has  conferred  upon  the  world  in 
improving  the  civil,  social  and  religious  conditions  of  the  great  mass  of 
the  people.  The  work  is  written  in  a  good  spirit  and  brings  into  one 
compendious  view  the  good  fruits  of  the  Reformation,  and  passed  through 
three  editions'* ;  he  was  preparing  a  fourth  for  the  press,  only  a  few  years 
before  his  death.  Possessed  of  abundant  means,  he  was  liberal  especially 
in  the  cause  of  education,  being  one  of  the  founders  of  the  free  academy 
in  New  York  and  a  generous  contributor  to  its  support.  In  1840  he 
gave  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  maintenance  of  the  common  schools  in 
this  town,  and  at  one  time  greatly  desired  to  establish  a  school  not  only 
for  the  promotion  of  Agriculture  within  its  borders  but  throughout  the 
country  at  large.  He  was  preparing  to  increase  his  gift  of  the  Glebe 
Lands  by  the  building  of  the  new  church  of  St.  Paul's,  when  he  was  re- 
moved by  death  on  Sunday  afternoon,  Oct.  1st,  187 1.   It  was  his  wish  that 

a  The  following  inscriptions  on  tombstones  in  the  cemetery  at  Clinton,  are  to  the  memory 
of  John  Lewis  and  Mary  his  wife  (who  was  the  first  person  buried  there : ) 


h  Third  edition  New  York  for  sale  at  the  Astor  House  book  store,  1854,  Aoopy  of  this  book 

Is  still  preserved  ut  St,  Paul's  Kectory,  Lewisboro. 


in  memory  of 

JOHN  LEWIS, 
Wlio  departed  this  life  Aug.  24th, 
A.  L>.  17S6, 
In  the  C7th  year  of  his  age. 


In  memory  of 
MAKY, 
Wife  of  John  Lewis, 
Died  Dec  16,  A.  D.  1T86, 
In  the  43d  year  of  her  age. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO. 


435 


he  should  be  buried  by  the  side  of  his  mother  in  the  cemetery  at  Lewis- 
boro,  close  to  the  Rectory  where  he  drew  his  first  breath.  The  grave 
stone  which  marks  his  resting  place,  bears  the  following  inscription : — 

JOIIN  LEWIS, 
born 
Feb.  4, 1793, 
Died 
Oct.  1,  1871. 
He  was  a  liberal  benefactor  to 
the  common  schools  of  Lewis- 
boro,  after  whom  the  town  is 
named,  also  the  donor  of  the 
adjoining  Parsonage  property 
to  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  of  St.  John's. 

Also 
In  memory  of 
MARGARET  LEWIS, 
Mother  of  the  above,  who  died 
May  31,  1S19, 
M  56  years. 

By  his  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Bishop  of  Darien,  who  prede- 
ceased him,  he  had  no  issue.  His  brother  Isaac  married  Eliza,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Greenly  of  New  Canaan,  and  has  issue,  besides  others, 
William  T.  Lewis,  of  Clinton,  Middlesex  County,  Conn.,  who  is  the 
executor  of  his  late  uncle  John  Lewis's  will,  and  who  has  generously 
aided  the  church  in  her  improvements  on  the  glebe.  There  is  a  good 
likeness  of  John  Lewis  preserved  in  the  rectory  of  St.  Paul's,  presented 
by  his  nephew  William  T.  Lewis  in  1872. 

On  the  1 2th  of  July,  187 1,  was  celebrated  here  the  "Centennial  An- 
niversary "  of  the  founding  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Lower 
Salem  and  Lewisboro.  On  which  occasion  the  corner  stone  of  St. 
Paul's  church  was  laid  by  the  Right  Rev.  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese 
and  an  address  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Alfred  H.  Partridge  a  former 
rector  of  the  Parish." 

As  early  as  1 800,  if  not  previous  to  this  date,  Episcopal  services  were 
occasionally  held  in  this  neighborhood  in  a  house  which  formerly  stood 

a  On  this  occasion  an  early  morning  service  was  held  at  St.  John's  church,  followed  at  11 
A.M.,  by  the  Holy  Communion  which  was  administered  by  the  Bishop  to  a  large  number  of 
Clergy  and  laity.  The  Hector  preaching  tre-  Centennial  sermon  from  the  Text.  ••  As  we  have 
heard,  so  h  ive  we  seen  In  the  city  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  the  citv  of  our  God,  God  will 

establish  It  forever,  Selah.   We  have  thought  of  thy  loving  kindness.  O  God,  In  the  midst  of 

Tby  temple,"  (Pal.  xlviii :  S-9.) 


4^6 


HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


on  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Samuel  Caufield,  then  owned  by 
Enoch  Dan  a  strong  Churchman  (son  of  Abraham  Dan).  The  Rev. 
Henry  Whitlock,  rector  of  St.  Paul's  church,  Norwalk,  often  officiated 
here,  baptized  several  children  and  performed  the  first  interment  in  the 
cemetery  in  1805  of  Isaac  Hayes,  Esq.  Mr.  Whitlock  was  succeeded 
here  by  the  Rev.  Warner  Hoyt,  rector  of  St.  Stephen's  church,  Ridge- 
field,  who  preached  his  last  sermon  in  what  is  now  the  hall  of  the  Rec- 
tory of  St.  Paul's. 

In  the  spring  of  187 1  the  present  rectory  of  St  Paul's,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  parish,  was  completed  at  an  expense  of  over  $6,000,  which 
sum  was  principally  raised  by  public  subscription.  A  small  portion  of 
this  structure  was  formerly  the  residence  of  the  late  Colonel  Isaac 
Hayes,  who  was  born  in  the  old  Hayes  mansion,  which  once  stood  on 
the  adjoining  property,  in  1797.  His  father,  Thatcher  Hayes,  was  the 
son  of  Isaac  Hayes,  who  removed  from  Cumpo  Point  near  West  Port, 
Conn.,  when  Thatcher  was  only  nine  years  old,  to  this  part  of  Lewis- 
boro  during  the  Revolutionary  war  and  purchased  a  considerable  prop- 
erty of  John  Thomas,*  one  of  the  original  owners  of  the  East  Patent  in 
1 73 1  and  also  one  of  the  so-called  proprietors  of  the  lower  portion  of 
the  "oblong"  or  "undivided  lands."  Colonel  Hayes  was  a  devoted 
Churchman,  and  for  twenty  years  prior  to  his  death  a  steady  communicant. 
It  is  said  that  he  was  baptized  in  early  infancy  through  the  influence  of 
his  grandfather, '  who  was  also  a  Churchman.  He  fell  a  victim  to  his 
untiring  zeal  and  activity  in  the  building  of  the  parochial  church  of  St. 
John's,  at  South  Salem,  in  1855,  and  died  on  the  day  previous  to  its  con- 
secration. 

The  day  before  his  decease  he  sent  for  one  of  the  vestrymen, 
Mr.  Timothy  Jones,  and  in  the  most  solemn  and  energetic  manner  bade 
him  "  stand  by  the  Church."  His  faith  was  firm  in  Christ  to  the  last, 
and  he  looked  to  God  for  the  increase  and  welfare  of  Zion.  "  The 
memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

The  rectory  of  St.  Paul's  is  well  located  at  the  fork  of  the  roads  lead- 
ing from  Ridgefield  to  New  Canaan.    The  bell  presented  to  St.  Paul's 


a  non.  John  Thomas,  first  Judge  of  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  son.  Rev.  John 
Thomas,  Rector  of  St.  (Jeorge's  church,  Hempstead,  I..  I.,  resided  near  the  site  of  Ihe  present 
edifice  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Cyrus  Bishop.  He  died  in  New  York,  May  1772.  and  was 
buried  in  Trinity  churchyard.  Mrs.  Thomas  died  Aug.  14th,  17S2.  His  family,  like  that  of 
Isaac  Hayes,  suffered  much  from  the  depredations  of  the  British  soldiery  and  found  it  too 
precarious  to  occupy  the  old  homestead  located  at  the  Purchase  below.  Hayi  s  lost  a  flue 
crop  of  wheat  which  he  had  planted  at  Cumpo  Point,  besides  all  his  family  cloihii.g  i.nd  a 
valuable  Narrangsett  pacer  all  of  which  the  British  had  appropriati  <\  to  theirbwn  use.  The  son 
of  John  Thomas,  Geu,  Thomas  Thomas,  had  a  narrow  escape  from  being  captured  by  the 
British  at  the  Purchase  and  was  compelled  to  remove  lic  e  for  better  personal  security. 
Abigail,  wire  of  Hon.  John  Thomas,  was  a  daughter  of  John  Sand-,  of  Sands  Point,  L.  I.,  born 
January,  lToS.  The  Rev.  Solomon  Mead,  of  south  Salem,  thus  records  her  death  "Aug.  Hth, 
lTs-j,  w  idow  of  the  late  Frederick  Thomas  ;"  she  was  buried  at  Bedford. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


437 


church  in  the  Centennial  year,  187 1,  weighs  1243  lbs.,  and  has  en- 
graved upon  it  the  following  legend  : — 

"SI  DEUS  PRO  NOBIS  QUIS  CONTRA  NOS." 

Upon  the  glebe  lands  a  little  south-east  of  the  rectory  is  an  immense 
boulder  of  granite  kneiss ;  this  erratic  block,  which  is  truly  enormous, 
may  well  be  termed  the  "  moss-grown  rock  of  the  woods."  A  few  rods 
distant  from  the  rectory  is  also  an  upright  rock  nine  feet  high. 

Within  a  mile  north  of  the  rectory  is  located  the  Lewisboro  post- 
office,  which  has  a  daily  delivery,  via.,  The  New  Canaan  and  New 
Haven  Rail  Road,  and  also  one,  via.,  the  New  York  and  Harlem  Rail 
Road  from  Katonah.  Directly  opposite  is  the  residence  and  estate  of  John 
Walton  Esq.,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Col.  Cyrus  M.  Ferris,  whose 
grandfather,  Sylvanus  Ferris, a  removed  from  North  Street,  Greenwich, 
on  what  is  now  the  estate  of  Mr.  Drake  Mead,  and  purchased  the  prop- 
erty of  Henry  Read  about  one  hundred  years  ago.  Mary  Mead,  the 
wife  of  Sylvanus,  was,  at  that  early  day,  in  the  habit  of  riding  down  to 
New  York  on  horseback  for  the  purpose  of  selling  her  home-spun  knit- 
ting. On  one  of  these  occasions  she  removed  a  black  walnut  sapling 
near  Harlem,  which  served  a  good  purpose  on  the  way  home,  and  was 
planted  near  the  house  on  her  arrival.  This  is  a  towering  tree  and 
spreads  its  branches  by  the  roadside,  a  living  memento  of  the  past. 
Gideon  Ferris,  her  son,  married  Lois  Bouton,  and  was  the  father  of  the 
present  Col.  Cyrus  Ferris  of  Norwalk,  Conn.  Cross  street,  leading  west 
from  this  point,  passes  the  Rippowam  or  Mill  River  which  drains  this 
portion  of  the  town.  The  high  ridge  beyond  being  the  dividing-line 
between  the  waters  that  run  into  the  sound  on  the  south  and  the  North 
River  on  the  west.  On  the  western  side  of  the  ridge,  and  close  by  the 
road  leading  to  Poundridge,  is  the  ancient  cemetery  laid  out  by  Jacob 
Wood/  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  town.  The  head- 
stones have  only  the  initials  of  the  dead  inscribed  upon  them,  among 
others  the  following— I  X  R.  A.  G  33.  17 18.  I.  W.  A.  G  81.  Here 
are  interred  the  remains  of  Theophilus  Ruscoe^  (whose  name  is  some- 
times spelt  Resecue;  a  descendant  of  John  Ruscoe  of  Norwalk,  and 
Abigail  Bouton  his  wife,  who  once  lived  near  by  in  a  house  which  for- 
merly occupied  the  site  of  Daniel  Bouton's  residence.  This  worthy 
couple  were  devout  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  constantly 

a  The  old  rent  leman's  silver  watch,  which  is  still  preserved  as  a  family  relic,  was  purchased 
In  Loudon,  England,  one  hundred  and  forty  years  ago  and  bears  the  mark  m  .John  Andrew, 
maker.  No.  7.  331.  Tradition  savs  that  the* Hon.  John  Thomas  sold  his  property  to  Van  Uom 
from  whom  it  passed  to  Head,  Ac. 

6  Jacob  Wood  married  Rachel  Dean  and  left  a  son,  Jeremiah.  Sir.  Wood  subsequently 
gave  the  lower  burying  plot  on  Cross  street. 

c  "Theophilus  liiiscoe  and  Abigail  Bouton  married  March  SO,  1TC3." 


438 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


in  the  habit  of  walking  through  the  woods  on  Sundays  to  attend  service 
in  the  old  church  that  stood  at  the  head  of  the  cross-roads  leading 
from  Ridgefield  to  South  Salem.  When  Mr.  Ruscoe  first  moved  into 
this  portion  of  West  Chester  County  it  abounded  in  wild  game.  The 
moose  deer  were  common,  and  panthers  prowled  around ;  the  last  pan- 
ther seen  in  South  Salem  was  shot  by  Hezekiah,  a  son  of  Mr.  Ruscoe, 
when  a  boy,  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home.  The  sons  of  Mr.  T.  Ruscoe 
were  Theophilus,  Gamaliel,  and  John,  who  was  baptized  by  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Dibblee,  26th  of  April,  1780,  together  with  his  sister  Abigail.  * 
Hezekiah  married  Sally  Dean,  and  left  issue,  besides  two  other  sons  and 
three  daughters,  Mr.  Silas  Ruscoe,  a  vestryman  of  St.  John's  church, 
Lewisboro. 

Close  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  William  E.  Knapp  is  the  best  entrance 
to  Lake  Peppeneghek  or  Cross  Pond,  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water  cover- 
ing ninety-seven  acres  of  ground,  fed  entirely  by  perpetual  cold  ice 
springs  and  charming  rivulets  from  the  highlands  of  Harahames  and 
Asoquatah.  The  water  commissioners  of  New  York  are  now  employing 
a  large  force  of  men  in  deepening  the  outlet  of  the  lake  and  construct- 
ing a  fume  with  a  view  of  increasing  the  annual  flow  of  water  into  the 
croton  reservoir  and  renewing  the  supply  if  necessary.  The  lake  during 
the  fall  of  1876  yielded  twenty-two  millions  of  gallons  for  the  croton 
supply.  The  shores  of  Lake  Peppeneghek  are  almost  bordered  with 
high  hills  covered  with  hanging  woods  which  reach  down  to  the  water's 
edge.  Pickerel  and  other  fresh  water  fish  abound  here.  A  short  dis- 
tance to  the  south  lies  Lake  Asoquatah,  or  Trinity  Lake,  that  supplies 
the  town  of  Stamford  with  water ;  near  the  Welton  angle  or  monument 
in  the  south-east  corner  of  the  town,  is  Vista — a  pretty  settlement  on  the 
New  Canaan  road.  Here  is  a  post-office,  two  churches,  shoe  manu- 
factory of  Eleazer  Fancher&Co.,  and  several  dwellings,  and  a  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  was  erected  on  land  given  by  Mr.  Michael  Ruscoe. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  this  neighborhood  may  be  mentioned 
Joseph  Fayerweather,  of  Norwalk,  who  purchased  about  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  here,  and  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Cris'sy.  His 
wife,  Catharine,  was  the  neice  of  the  Right  Rev.  Benjamin  Jarvis  second 
Bishop  of  Connecticut ;  their  son,  Stephen  Fayerweather  was  the  father 
of  Miss  Emilion  C.  Fayerweather,  of  Norwalk.*  There  is  also  a  Prot- 
estant Methodist  church  building  close  by.  The  Presbyterians  or  Inde- 
pendents of  Lower  Salem,  prior  to  1747,  appear  to  have  been  associated 

a  See  Bap,  Reg  of  St.  John's  church,  Stamford. 

*  Fayerweathers,  Favrcweathers,  or  Fawethcrs,  were  an  ancient  English  family  formerly 
seated  at  Brtssct  in  Suffolk.  Arms,  gu.,  six  billets  or,  three,  two  and  one,  on  a  chief  of  the 
second  a  lion  passant,  vert,  or  Crest,  a  lion's  head  irased  in  billets,  or. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


439 


with  their  brethren  at  Ridgefield  ;  for  at  a  public  town  meeting  held  in 
the  latter  place,  Dec.  24th,  1746,  it  was  agreed  "that  what  money  is  or 
shall  be  brought  by  any  person  living  in  the  Oblong  to  support  Mr. 
Ingersol  in  ye  ministery  shall  be  delivered  to  the  selectmen  and  they  to 
deliver  it  to  Mr.  Ingersol  over  and  what  ye  town  has  voted  for  his 
salary.""  A  meeting  house  is  also  spoken  of  as  standing  in  Ridgefield, 
December,  1746. 

The  earliest  mention  of  a  Presbyterian  ministry  in  this  town  occurs 
in  the  year  1747,  when  Samuel  Sackett.  a  minister  of  the  New  Bruns- 
wick Presbytery,  who  had  been  sent  in  17  41  to  labor  in  Westchester 
County,  and  who  had  been  installed,  October  12th,  1743,  as  pastor  at 
Bedford,  was  charged  with  the  occasional  supply  of  Salem  and  Cort- 
landt  Manor.* 

It  appears  from  the  following  records  of  the  Presbyterian  Society, 
that  not  only  had  a  church  been  informally  organized,  but  that  a  candi- 
date was  on  probation  and  awaiting  installation  as  early  as  1752. 

"  As  this  people  belonged  not  to  any  Presbytery  or  association  it  was 
agreed  by  said  Society,  that  the  Committee  of  said  Society,  with  the 
candidate  then  on  Probation,  viz.,  Mr.  Solomon  Mead,  jointly  should 
send  for  some  of  the  neighboring  ministers  to  perform  the  work  of 
authorizing  of  him,  the  said  Mr.  Mead,  and  invest  him  with  the  ministe- 
rial charge  over  them.  The  ministers  sent  for  were  those  which  follow, 
(viz..)  Rev.  Messrs.  Abraham  Todd,  Elisha  Kent,  William  Gaylord, 
Jonathan  Ingersoll,  Robert  Silliman  and  Samuel  Sackett,  which  Convo- 
cation was  agreed  to  be  called  on  May  the  20th,  1752.  Accordingly 
on  the  19th  met  those  who  are  set  down  in  the  convocation  which  I 
transcribe  from  the  doings  of  the  said  Convention,  and  is  as  followeth :  " 

"At  a  Convention  of  ministers  at  Salem  on  the  19th  of  May,  Anno  Domini 
1752,  met  upon  the  desire  of  the  People  of  Salem  and  places  adjacent  in  con- 
junction with  Mr.  Solomon  Mead,  a  candidate  for  the  Gospel  ministry,  in  order 
to  ordain  the  said  Mr.  Mead  a  Gospel  minister  among  or  over  the  said  People. 
Present  of  the  Revd.  Messrs.  sent  for,  Abraham  Todd,  Elisha  Kent,  Jonathan 
Ingersol  and  Samuel  Sacket.  Mr.  Todd  ciiosen  Moderator,  Mr.  Ingersol  Scribe. 
The  meeting  opened  by  Prayer,  Performed  by  the  Moderator.  The  Revd. 
James  Davenport  being  present  was  voted  in  as  member  of  the  Convention. 
Proceeded  on  Mr.  Mead's  tryals.  Examined  him  in  the  Languages,  in  his  ex- 
perimental acquaintance  with  Religion,  his  Doctrinal  knowledge  of  Divinity  and 
his  orthodoxy.  Then  meeting  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning.  Met  accord- 
ing to  adjournment.    Mr.  Mead  presented  and  read  a  sermon  to  the  Convention, 

a  Ridgefield  Town  Rec,  1746,  p.  3. 

*  A  Hist,  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  America  from  its  origin  nntil  the  Tear  1760,  bv 
Kev.  Richard  W  ebster,  Philadelphia,  1857,  p.  546.  It  is  more  than  probabl.-,  however,  that 
inn  supply  of  Salem  and  cortlandt  manor  refers  to  upper  Salem  now  North  Salem.— ^Editor. 


44° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


upon  a  deliberate  consideration  unanimously  agreed  and  vote  to  proceed  in  the 
ordination  of  Mr.  Mead.  Voted  that  Mr.  Ingersol  make  the  first  prayer  and 
give  the  right  hand  of  fellowship ;  that  Mr.  Todd  should  preach,  that  Mr.  Sacket 
make  the  ordination  prayer,  that  Mr.  Kent  give  the  charge,  and  that  Mr.  Daven- 
port conclude  with  prayer  and  a  word  of  Exhortation.  At  which  time  a  church 
was  gathered  consisting  of  eighteen  members  (viz.)Josiah  Gilbert,  Solomon 
Close,  Stephen  Brush,  Jonah  Keeler,  Noah  St.  John,  Daniel  St.  John,  Nathan 
Northrup,  Andrew  Bishop,  Ebnr.  Scofield,  John  Bouton,  Ebnr.  Grummond,  Lot 
Keeler,  Paul  Keeler,  Abraham  Northrup,  Benjamin  Bishop,  and  Elijah  Keeler, 
and  the  ordination  Performed  accordingly.  Test., 

Jonath.  Ingep.sol,  Scribe." 

"  This  was  the  first  ordination  in  Salem,  and  the  first  church  gathered 
in  said  town.*  Solomon  Mead." 

"  The  first  Sabbath  after  the  ordination,"  says  Mr.  Mead,  "  (viz.) 
May  the  24th,  I  took  a  vote  of  the  church  whether  we  should  join  with 
the  western  association  in  Fairfield  County ;  voted  in  affirmative  the 
whole  church,  except  Matthew  Northrup.  Accordingly  I  joined  as  a 
member  of  said  association  on  the  next  Tuesday,  viz.,  the  26th  of  May, 
there  being  an  Association  of  said  county  then  setting,  a  consociation 
as  yet  not  meeting  the  church.  As  yet  have  not  joined,  but  propose  so 
to  do  as  soon  as  opportunity  does  present."'5 

The  following  items  relate  principally  to  election  of  officers  and 
adoption  of  Church  government : 

"At  a  meeting  of  said  church,  on  July  2,  1762 — 1.  Voted  our 
Brother  Solomon  Close  be  our  deacon. 

"  2.  Voted  our  Brother  John  Bouton  be  our  deacon  also. 

"September  14,  1752.  New  stile  at  a  meeting  of  said  church.  Voted 
to  contribute  four  pence  a  man  and  three  pence  a  woman  for  one  year 
ensuing ;  also  agreed  on  it  by  the  desire  of  the  church  to  have  the 
Sacrament  administered  once  in  two  months." 

"  September  8,  1757.  At  a  meeting  of  the  church  to  hear  reasons  of 
Deacon  Bouton's  resigning  his  office,  after  hearing  and  agreeing  he  had 
power  to  Lay  Down,  the  church  proceed  to  a  new  choice  ;  again  make 
choice  of  the  deacon,  he  desires  three  weeks  from  the  Lord's'  Day  en- 
suing for  consideration,  the  petition  granted  the  deacon  accepts." 

a  Sir.  Mead  was  not,  perhaps,  aware  that  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee,  claimed  Salem  as 
belonging  to  his  parochial  can',  under  charge  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  S  u  i  :>'  and  had 
performed  services  here  soon  after  his  return  from  England  iu  174$.  He  formally  inducted 
his  successor,  Epenetus  Townsend,  29th  of  May,  1768. 

6  Book  of  Records  of  Presbyterian  church,  South  Salem,  vol.  I.,  entitled  "  Records  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  Salem  sd  lirst  church  iu  sd  town  with  some  place  s  adjacent."  p.p.  1-8. 
This  volume  has  just  been  discovered  and  brought  to  light  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  M.  Gray  who 
kindly  loaned  it  to  the  author.  It  contains  besides  other  minutes  a  "  lists  of  members  from 
1752  to  1802."  Persons  who  had  renewed  their  covenant  from  Aug.  23d,  1752  to  Marcli  3,  1783. 
making  in  all  167.  The  number  of  marriages  from  Aug.  13,  17.V2.  to  June  '.'d.  in  ail  666 
a  list  of  infants  and  adult*  baptized  from  May  24th,  1752,  to  June  24,  1S04,  ia  all  912,  and  to 
complete  the  whole,  a  list  of  deaths  from  Dec.  z;Jd,  1767  to  Jan.  11,  1S05. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


441 


"September  29,  1763.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in 
Salem,  at  the  the  meeting  house,"  considered  whether  this  church  would 
adopt  the  Presbyterian  form  of  church  government.  Voted  in  the 
affirmative. 

2.  "  Agreed  to  choose  five  ruling  Elders. 

3.  "  That  those  should  stand  but  for  one  year. 

4.  "Vote  the  following  persons  for  the  above  time:  1.  Deacon 
Solomon  Close;  2.  Deacon  John  Bouton;  3.  Josiah  Gilburd,  Esq.; 
4.  Joseph  Osborne ;  5.  Thadeus  Crane." 

"April  10,  1765.  At  a  meeting  of  church  in  Salem  voted  to  con- 
tinue the  same  elders  as  were  above  voted.  Nemine  contradicante : 
Joseph  Benedict  was  chosen  elder  in  room  of  Joseph  Osburn,  de- 
ceased." 

"September  30th,  1778,  was  elected  to  be  deacon,  Nathan  Wicks  in 
the  room  of  Deacon  Close  deceased ;  the  same  Mr.  Wicks  elected  elder." 

"May  28,  1782,  elected  two  elders,  Nathan  Rockwell,  Esq.,  and 
Capt.  Gold  Bouton," 

"April  27,  1786,  Capt.  Samuel  Lawrence  was  chosen  an  elder  in  the 
room  of  Col.  Joseph  Benedict,  deceased  "* 

From  the  western  association  of  Fairfield  County,  Connecticut,  the 
congregation  came  under  the  care  of  "  The  Presbytery  of  Dutchess 
County  in  the  Province  of  New  York  upon  the  organization  of  that 
ecclesiastical  body,  October  27th,  1762."  "The  Reverend  Messieurs 
Elisha  Kent,  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Phillip's  Precinct,  Solomon 
Mead,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Salem,  and  Joseph  Peck,  pastor  of  the 
second  church  in  Philip's  Precinct,"  were  the  original  members.  The 
second  session  of  the  Presbytery  was  held  at  Salem  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in  January  following  (4th  of  January,  1763).  During  the  thirty-three 
years  of  its  existence,  Mr.  Mead  was  almost  invariably  present  at  the 
meetings  of  the  Presbytery,  which  was  dissolved  in  1795.  Salem  church 
then  came  under  the  care  of  the  newly  erected  Presbytery  of  Hudson. 
In  1S19  that  Presbytery  was  divided,  and  Salem  was  connected  with  the 
Presbytery  of  North  River.    By  subsequent  ecclesiastical  arrangements 

a  This  must  have  been  the  old  log  house  that  oace  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  opposite 
to  the  present  meeting  house  near  the  site  of  the  late  Gould  Hawley's  residence  and  which 
Mr.  Mead  Is  pleased  to  call  here  "the  meeting-house,"  Capt.  Moses  Bouton  remembers  to 
have  worshipped  there  at  an  early  day ;  but.  it  never  was  designed  originally  as  a  place  of 
worship — for  the  Rev.  Epenetns  Towsend,  rector  of  the  parish,  writing  to  the  venerable  Prop- 
agation Society  from  salem,  March  25th,  1 1 71)  distinctly  says :  "  There  are  some  church  people, 
Presbyterians,  Baptists  and  Quakers  scattered  among  them,  and  great  numbers  who  don't 
belong  to  any  particular  denomination  of  Christians.  It  has  been  proposed  by  some  to  build 
achurehor  Prt«byterian  tneeting-hmtise,  but  nothing  in  pet  concluded,  d-c."  The  parochial 
Church  of  St.  James  had  been  erected  at  upper  Salem  in  lTCSaud  opened  :sisf  of  Auirust,  1766. 
The  upper  Presbyterian  meeting-house  which  was  the  first  constructed  in  Salem  of  that  de- 
nomination, was  erected  in  upper  Salem,  1764. 

i  Kec.  of  Presbyterian  church,  South  Salem,  vol.  I.  entitled  "  Doings  of  the  church  of 
Salem,''  p.  5. 


442 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


it  has  been  connected  with  the  Presbyteries  of  Bedford  and  Connecticut 
and  finally  with  that  of  Westchester. 

Under  the  long  pastorate  of  Solomon  Mead  that  church  appears  to 
have  had  a  peaceful  and  uneventful  history.  Its  affairs  do  not  seem  to 
have  called  for  interference  on  the  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  Dutchess 
County  at  any  time.  In  the  church  records  is  the  following  entry  which 
is  sufficiently  concise : 

"September  5th,  181 2,  departed  this  life  the  Rev.  Solomon  Mead, 
aged  eighty-six  years,  nine  months  and  two  days.  He  officiated  in  the 
ministry  forty-eight  years  three  months  and  fifteen  days."  In  his  minis- 
try he  baptized  912  children  and  adults,  and  married  666  (couples). 
Here  we  see  ended  a  long  life  of  a  venerable  minister  who  may  well  be 
remembered  by  this  church  for  his  great  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Religion, 
for  his  planting  a  church  in  this  place,  and  in  letting  his  light  shine  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  be  imitated  safely  by  all."4 

Mr.  Mead  was  descended  from  "  John  Mead,  one  of  two  brothers, 
who  emigrated  from  England  about  the  year  1642.  The  family  was 
then  an  ancient  and  honorable  one,  though  it  is  not  within  the  author's 
means  to  trace  their  geneology  previous  to  their  emigration  to  this 
country.  One  of  their  ancestors  had  been  the  friend  and  the  physician 
of  the  talented,  though  not  very  amiable,  Queen  Elizabeth.  One  of  two 
brothers  emigrated  to  Virginia,  where  the  family  still  exists."  The  late 
venerable  and  Rt.  Rev.  William  Meade,  Bishop  of  Virginia,  was  of  this 
line.  The  other,  John  Mead,  with  his  two  sons,  came  to  New  Eng- 
land about  the  year  1642.  The  name  is  spelled  Meade  as  well  as 
Mead.  Many  claim  that  they  emigrated  from  Greenwich,  Kent  County, 
England.  There  were,  we  know,  two  families  of  this  name  settled  at 
an  early  period — the  one  in  Essex,  the  other  in  Leicestershire.*  "John 
Mead  and  his  two  sons,  John  and  Joseph,  having  tarried  awhile  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, first  settled  at  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  where  they  re- 
mained until  October,  1660,  when  the  two  sons  came  to  Greenwich 
and  bought  land  of  Richard  Crab  and  others,  which  was  deeded  to 
John  Mead,  he  being  the  elder.  Either  John,  the  father,  never  came  to 
Greenwich — or  if  so,  he  took  no  active  part  in  life,  now  having  become 
quite  an  old  man." 

John  Mead  the  second  died  1696,  married  Miss  Potter,  of  Stamford, 


a  Mr.  Mead  was  settled  at  Salem  from  1752  to  1800,  just  48  years,  ne  explains  this  himself 
by  the  following  minute  endorsed  on  the  back  of  the  old  book  of  Record,"  ordained  May  ye 
l'Jth,  A. D.  1T5-2,  Dismist  September,  1800.'' 

b  Rec.  of  Presbvterian  church.  South  Salem,  vol.  n. 

c  The  arms  of  both  these  families  (who  spelt  their  name  Meade)  were  alike,  viz.,  Sa  a  chev 
hetw  three  pelicans  or,  vtilned  (rules.  The  arms  of  Mead  were  also  Sa  a  chev,  eriniiiois, 
betw,  three  pelicans  valuing  themselves  or,— Burke's  Gen.  Armory. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO. 


443 


and  left  eight  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  fourth  son  was  Ebenezer 
Mead,  who  was  born  in  1663,  and  married  Sarah  Knapp,  of  Stamford. 
Their  son  was  Ebenezer  Mead,  of  Greenwich,  who  was  born  October 
25th,  1692,  and  died  May  3d,  1775.  His  fifth  son  was  the  Rev.  Solo- 
mon Mead,  born  at  Greenwich  in  1726.  Mr.  Mead  was  a  classmate  of 
the  celebrated  missionary  John  Brainard  at  Yale  in  1746,  and  graduated 
A.  M.  there  in  1748.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  we  find  him  settled  at 
Salem.  The  upper  part  of  Westchester  County  was  almost  a  wilder- 
ness when  Mr.  Mead  undertook  the  task  of  planting  an  independent 
society  in  this  place ;  and  for  some  time,  we  are  informed,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  riding  up  weekly  from  Greenwich  on  horseback.  His  first  resi- 
dence stood  on  the  property  of  Mr.  William  Hoyt,  near  the  home  of  his 
late  grandson,  the  late  Richard  Mead.  But  a  few  years  before  his 
death  he  removed  to  the  residence  of  his  son,  Martin  Mead,  now  owned 
by  Uriah  Slawson.  By  his  first  wife  Hannah  Strong"  he  had  issue 
Andrew  Mead,  who  married  Elizabeth  Bouton.  Their  son  is  the  pres- 
ent Benjamin  Strong  Mead  of  Lewisboro,  and  a  daughter  Theodocia, 
who  married  Mr.  Matthew  Smith.  _  By  his  second  wife,  Hannah  Clark, 
he  had  two  sons:  1.  Clark  Mead,  who  married  Lois,  daughter  of  Bena- 
jah  Gilbert,  and  left  two  sons,  Merlin  Mead  and  the  late  Richard  Mead 
of  Lewisboro.  2.  Martin  Mead  of  Lewisboro,  who  married  Poll)', 
daughter  of  Timothy  Clark. 

"Besides  a  small  parsonage,  this  church  holds  an  extensive  glebe, 
consisting  of  about  thirteen  acres  of  improved  land  and  seventy  of  wood- 
land. In  December  1751  the  so-called  "Proprietors"  donated  and  re- 
leased to  the  first  Presbyterian  or  Independent  minister  that  should  be 
settled  and  ordained  in  the  town  of  Salem  two  certain  tracts  or  pieces 
of  land  lying  on  the  Lower  released  ten  miles  of  the  Oblong  or  Equiva- 
lent land,  which  is  yet  undivided,  &c,  &c,  as  follows: 

DEED  FROM  TWENTY  SIX  SIGNERS  AND  SEALERS  TO  FUTURE 
WOULD  BE  PRESBYTERIAN  OR  INDEPENDENT  MINISTERS 

OF  SALEM. 

"  To  all  Christian  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting.  Know 
ye  that  we  the  signers  and  sealers  of  this  instrument  for  and  in  consideration  of 
our  love  and  good  will  to  and  for  the  inhabitants  of  Salem,  in  the  County  of 
Westchester  and  Province  of  New  York,  and  for  the  advancement  of  the  Re- 
deemer's interest  among  them,  have  by  these  presents  donated  and  quited,  and 
do  by  these  presents  freely,  fully  and  absolutely  donate,  release,  and  emit  our 
claim  in  and  unto  two  certain  tracts  or  pieces  of  land  lying  on  the  Lower  re- 


a  In  his  register  Mr.  Mead  ><(vs.  "  .January  1.  17S5,  Mvself  was  married  to  Mrs.  liaunah 
Strong  of  Stamford.   She  departed  October  !i0, 1761." 


444 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


leased  ten  miles  of  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent  lands,  which  is  yet  undivided,  to 
and  for  the  use  and  improvement  of  the  first  Presbyterian  or  Independent  minis- 
ter, that  shall  be  settled  and  ordained  in  said  town  of  Salem,  and  to  his  succes- 
sors forever  ;  said  laud  is  Bounded  as  followeth  :  viz.,  one  piece  bounded  north 
by  highway,  west,  Nathan  Northrup's  land,  south  by  the  laud  of  James  Brown. 
East  nothing.  The  other  piece  lying  by  Bedford  road  and  is  bounded  south  by 
said  road  and  the  land  of  Thomas  Hyatt,  East  by  the  laud  of  Thomas  Hyatt  and 
James  Brown,  north  by  said  Hyatt's  land,  west  by  the  land  of  said  Thomas 
Hyatt  and  Ephraim  Colby,  to  have  and  to  hold  said  donated,  quitted  and  re- 
leased premises,  with  all  the  privileges  and  appurtenences  to  the  same  belonging 
or  in  any  wise  appertaining  we  say,  we  have  and  by  these  presents  do  donate 
and  release  the  same  unto  him  the  said  minister  and  to  his  successors  in  the 
ministry  in  said  town  forever  from  us  our  heirs,  executors  and  administrators 
for  him  the  said  minister  and  his  successors  to  take  and  improve  to  their  benefit 
and  behoof ;  in  testimony  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  this 
twenty-third  day  of  December,  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-one,  and  in  the 
twenty-filth  year  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  second,  King  &  signed, 
sealed  and  Delivered. 
In  presence  of 

JosEPn  Keeler,  JosErn  Keelek, 

Benjamin  Rockwell,  Samukl  Smith, 

John  Bouton,  Thomas  Hyatt, 

Uda  Smith  (his  mark),  Bex.iamin  St.  John, 

Udy  Tongpe  (her  mark),  Jonah  Smith, 

who  see  Benjamin  Benedict  sine,     Nathan  Saint  John, 

Ezekiel  Hawley,  James  Benedict, 

JosEPn  Northrup,  Thomas  Rockwell, 

Nathan  Olmstead,  Samt  el  Smith, 

Thadeus  Crane,  Timothy  Keeler, 

Benjamin  Benediot,  Jabish  Smith, 

Benjamin  Hoyt,  Thomas  Smith, 

Mathew  Seamore,  Ebenezer  Smith, 

Jonah  Keelek. 

"Be  it  remembered  that  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  November,  seventeen  hundred 
and  seventy-four,  there  appeared  before  me  Caleb  Fowler.  Esq ,  one  of  the 
Judges  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Westchester, 
Benjamin  Rockwell,  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  within  deed  of  sale,  and  on  his 
oath  declared  that  he  see  all  the  grantors  to  the  said  deed,  excepting  Benjamin 
Benedick,  seal  and  deliver  the  same  as  their  free,  voluntary  act  and  deed,  for  the 
usestherein  mentioned,  and  likewise  Ezckiel  Hawley,  one  of  the  other  witnesBes  to 
said  deed,  appeared  before  me  at  the  same  time,  and  on  his  oath  declared  he  see 

the  said  Benjamin  Benedick  seal  and  deliver  the  said  deed  as  his  free  

deed  for  the  use  therein  mentioned,  and  1  having  inspected  said  deed  and 


find  do  material  mistake  or  iutciliueatiou  therein,  and  I  allow  the  same  to  be 
recorded.  CALEB  FOWLER."" 


a  Copied  from  the  orlfrlnal  In  possession  of  the  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Presbyterian  Society,  South  Salem.  On  the  back  of  the  document  is  this  endorsement, 
'•  Proprietors  Deed."'  W  e  are  m>t  aw  are  that  this  deed  has  ever  been  recorded.  It  certainly 
was  not  in  1854  when  the  eduor  having  made  a  copv  of  it  by  permission  of  the  then  clerk  of 
the  Trustees  (Jacob  Webster)  had  it  taken  out  of  his  hands  and  destroyed.  The  present 
copy  was  made  through  the  politeness  of  Cyrus  Lawrence,  the  second,  Esq.,  in  1ST4. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


445 


With  regard  to  this  instrument  we  have  had  occasion  to  show,  in  one 
or  two  instances,  that  it  was  given  by  those  who  had  received  their  title 
from  Connecticut  which  title  was  abrogated  by  the  transfer  of  the  entire 
Oblong  or  Equivalent  Lands  to  the  Crown  in  1731,  and  that  the  latter 
in  1752  granted  Letters  Patent  to  James  Brown  and  William  Smith  for 
four  thousands  acres  of  land  within  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent,  consisting 
then  of  about  eleven  thousand  acres  of  land,  which  were  not  included  in 
or  granted  by  Letters  Patent  8th  of  June,  1731,  to  Thomas  Hawley  and 
others  (the  above  grantors).  We  now  see  by  the  date  of  the  above  con- 
veyance that  it  was  not  proved  until  twenty-two  years  after  it  was  given, 
and  it  never  has  been  recorded  at  all  to  our  knowledge.  The  reason 
for  proving  it  so  late  as  1774  was  probably  owing  to  the  fact  that  James 
Brown,  Jr.,  was  conveying  or  had  already  conveyed  the  very  same  lands 
to  the  church.  Yet  we  still  find  the  said  deed  kept  in  abeyance  for 
several  years  after  the  Revolution  when  it  was  most  absurdly  claimed 
that  the  "  professors  of  the  Church  of  England  "  were  mixed  into  the 
"Presbyterian  Society  of  Lower  Salem."*  Now  it  was,  that  the  Board  of 
Trustees  moved  the  sale  of  those  lands,  as  appears  by  the  following 
record  taken  from  their  minutes  in  1797  : 

"At  a  meeting  of  Gould  Bouton,  Jacob  Hayt,  Enoch  Mead,  Nathan  Adams 
and  Abijah  Gilbert,  trustees  of  the  church  and  congregation  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  Congregation  of  the  town  of  Lower  Salem  con- 
vened at  the  meeting  house  on  the  14th  day  of  February,  17S7.  Together  with 
the  society,  who  being  warned  to  meet  to  deliberate  on  matters  which  respect  the 
Society. 

The  said  meeting  unanimously  agreed  by  a  vote  then  taken  to  sign  and  for- 
ward a  Petition  to  the  Legislature  for  a  law  to  be  passed  to  authorize  the  trustees 
to  sell  a  part  of  the  Parsonage  Lands  not  exceeding  fifty  acres, 

Rec'd.  by  Abijiah  Gilbert,  Clerk.l> 

The  real  and  personal  estate  belonging  to  the  Presbyterian  Society  in 
1798  is  thus  stated : 

"  An  inventory  and  account  of  the  real  and  personal  estate  belonging  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  Congregation,  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  Congregation  of  the  town  of  Lower  Salem  made  by 
the  subscribers,  trustees  of  said  church  and  congregation  which  is  as  follows  (to 
wit):  The  real  estate  consisting  chiefly  of  unimproved  lands  occupied  by  the 
Rev.  Solomon  Mead  the  minister  of  the  said  church  and  congregation  and  two 
small  pieces  of  ground  rented  at  four  shillings  and  six-pence  per  annum.  The 

a  Testimony  of  Col.  C.  M.  Ferris,  of  Norwalk  for  many  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  In  this 
town, 

*  Ki>c.  of  the  Trustees  of  Presbyterian  chnrch,  SoHth  Salem,  vol.  T.  p.  n.  The  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  was  now  about  reorganizing  under  the  act  of  1T96,  but  no  election  for 
officers  appears  to  have  taken  place  In  Lower  Salem  until  Oct.  1S10. 


446 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


rest  of  the  premises  occupied  by  Mr.  Solomon  Mead  estimated  at  five  pounds 
and  eighteen  shillings. 

Rent  of  the  two  tenements,  £0  4s  &d 
Rent  of  laud  occupied  by  Mr.  Mead,  £5  18s 
Together  with  three  sums  of  money  loaned,  the  principal  sums  amount  to 
£85  s9  <£8.    The  annual  income  being  the  lawful  interest  which  is  five 
pound,  one  shilling  and  seven  pence  per  annum. 

Principal  £85  9s  Id 
Interest,    £5  Is  Id 
In  testimony  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  this  9th  day  of  May, 
1798. 

Abi.iah  Gilbert,  ^  (Jacob  H  ait, 

Exoch  Mead,      V  J  Gould  Boi  ton, 

James  Conklln,  )  (Giles  Moleey." 

Acknowledged  before  Nathan  Rockwell,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas,  9th  of  May,  1798.* 

In  1800,  Judge  Abijah  Gilbert/  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Society 
at  Salem,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  obtained  an  act  audio- 
rizing  the  Trustees  to  sell  and  dispose  of  certain  lands  for  the  benefit 
of  the  church  and  congregation. 

In  Assembly,  January  30th,  1880. 
A  petition  of  the  trustees  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  Con- 
gregation of  the  town  of  Salem  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  praying  that  a  law 
may  be  passed  empowering  the  said  Trustees  to  sell  a  part  of  the  lands,  belong- 
ing to  the  said  congregation,  for  the  benefit  of  the  said  church,  was  read  and  re- 
ferred to  the  members  attending  this  house  from  the  County  of  Westchester.c 

In  Assembly,  Feb.  5th,  1800. 
Mr.  A.  Smith  from  the  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of  the 
Trustees  and  members  of  the  church  and  Congregation  of  Salem,  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  reported  that  they  have  maturely  considered  the  facts  stated  in 
the  said  petition  and  believe  them  to  be  true  and  are  therefore  of  opinion  that  the 
prayer  of  the  petition  ought  to  be  granted;  that  the  committee  have  prepared  a 
bill  for  that  purpose,  and  have  directed  him  to  ask  for  leave  to  bring  in  the 
same ;  leave  being  granted,  Mr.  Smith  brought  in  the  said  bill  entitled, 

"An  act  to  authorize  the  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  Congregation  of  the  town  of 
Lower  Salem  to  sell  and  dispose  of  lands  for  the  benefit  of  the  said  church"  , 

which  was  read  the  first  time  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

The  object  of  the  petition  was  to  enable  the  petitioners  through  their 
trustees  to  have  full  power  to  sell,  alien  in  fee,  all  right  and  title  belong- 
ing to  the  said  church  and  congregation,  vested  in  them  as  trustees  of 
and  in  all  such  lands,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  the  town  of  Salem,  in 

a  Rcc.  of  Trustees  of  Presbyterian  church.  Smith  Salem,  vol.  I.,  p.p.  13-14. 

b  Mr.  Gould  Ilawlev  of  Salem  n  i  the  i  ■stimonv  of  the  late  William  Watson  Wellman  or 
New  Haven)  was  heard  to  say  that  Judge  Gilbert  weut  to  the  Legislature  at  Albany  and  ob- 
tained a  grant  giving  the  Presbyterian  Society  charge  and  use  of  the  glebe. 

c  This  petition  was  probably  iiled,  but,  has  since  been  removed.— [Editor. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO. 


447 


Westchester  County,  as  they  from  time  to  time  may  deem  necessary  for 
the  purpose  of  procuring  other  lands  on  which  a  parsonage  house  may 
be  more  conveniently  erected,  and  for  erecting  the  same.  Provided  al- 
ways that  the  land,  so  to  be  sold  by  virtue  of  this  act,  shall  not  exceed 
the  quantity  of  fifty  acres."" 

The  act  itself ,  passed  March  1800,  read  as  follows  : 

"  Whereas  the  trustees  and  society  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ami  congrega- 
tion of  the  town  of  Salem,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  have  by  their  petition 
to  the  Legislature,  prayed  for  leave  to  sell,  for  the  benefit  of  the  said  church  and 
congregation,  certain  lands  belonging  to  the  said  church  and  congregation,  in 
the  town  of  Salem  aforesaid,  thereupon :  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  aud  Assembly,  that  full  pow  er,  good 
right,  and  lawful  authority  shall  be  aud  hereby  is  granted  to  the  trustees  of 
the  said  church  and  congregation  to  sell,  alien  in  fee,  all  right  and  title  belonging 
to  the  said  church  and  congregation,  vested  in  them  as  trustees  of  and  in  all 
such  lands,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  the  town  of  Salem,  in  Westchester  County, 
as  they  from  time  to  time  may  deem  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
other  lands  on  which  a  parsonage  house  may  be  more  conveutiently  erected,  and 
for  erecting  the  same.  Provided  always  that  the  lands  so  to  be  sold  by  virtue 
of  this  act  shall  not  exceed  the  quantity  of  fifty  acres.* 

The  following  sales  were  made  under  this  act  as  appears  by  the 
minutes  of  the  Trustees : 

"The  said  Board  of  Trustees  being  by  law  of  this  State  authorized  to  sell  a 
quantity  of  land  on  the  old  Parsonage  not  to  exceed  fifty  acres  have  sold  the 
several  quantity's  of  laud  to  the  persons  named  aud  for  the  sums  annexed  to 
their  names : 


ACRES. 

BOODS. 

RODS 

I 

7 

28 

% 

119 

9 

6 

50 

81 

1 

12 

50 

8 

30 

81 

89 

7 

1 

13 

69 

62 

"  John  Bouton,  Meadow... 

36 

6 

75 

2 

2 

13 

4 

3 

9 

61 

57 

1 

8 

8 

66 

1 

48 

 1 

27 

$          1   489  | 

~~ lie" 

The  following  minutes  appear  principally  to  relate  to  the  purchase  of 
what  is  called  the  old  Parsonage  farm.  "  At  a  meeting  of  Gould 
Bouton.  James  Conklin,  Jacob  Hayt,  Giles  Malory,  James  Reynolds  and 
Abijah  Gilbert,  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Society  held  at  the  house  of 

a  Laws  of  New  York,  1S00,  p,47. 
6  Laws  of  New  York,  1800,  p.  4T. 

c  Rec.  of  Trustees  of  Presbyterian  Church,  South  Salem,  vol.  L,  p.  2L 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Abijah  Gilbert  on  the  24th  day  of  November,  1801,  for  the  purpose  of 
naming  and  stating  the  proceedings  and  accounts  relative  to  the  sales 
and  purchase  of  lands  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  society  which  is  as 
follows:  On  the  27th  of  March,  1800,  Jacob  Hayt,  in  behalf  of  the 
Society,  made  a  contract  with  George  Codwise  for  a  tract  of  land  which 
formerly  belonged  to  Thaddeus  Rockwell,  and  engaged  to  pay  the  sum 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  dollars  and  sixty  cents  with  interest, 
taking  the  premises  with  the  incumbrance  of  two  mortgages  given  on 
the  same  by  Thaddeus  Rockwell  to  Governor  John  Jay  the  other  to 
Sir  James  Jay.  The  Board  of  Trustees  agreed  with  the  said  Rockwell 
to  pay  twenty-two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre  for  the  land  which  on 
survey  appeared  to  be  fifty-six  acres  and  one  rood,  and  in  a  settlement 
between  the  said  Board  and  said  Rockwell  he  agreed  to  pay  eighteen 
dollars  towards  the  extraordinary  expense  of  procuring  a  deed  from  Cod- 
wise  and  settling  the  mortgages  and  for  settling  the  accounts  for  pasture 
and  other  dealings  that  were  agreed  to  ballance  both  accounts,  that  a 
deed  executed  by  said  Codwise  bearing  date  the  10th  of  May,  1S01, 
conveying  the  same  land  to  Abijah  Gilbert  in  trust,  the  said  board  of 
trustees  ordered  said  Gilbert  to  convey  by  deed  for  the  use  of  the 
society  the  2nd  day  of  June,  1801,  to  contain  thirty-three  acres  and  one 
rood  of  land ;  also  to  convey  to  Aaron  Keeler  twenty-three  acres  which 
was  sold  to  said  Keeler  for  twenty-three  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre; 
the  said  board  for  making  payment  agreeable  to  contract  borrowed,  in 
the  month  of  April,  1800,  of  Michael  Lockwood,  five  hundred  dollars 
and  collected  money  belonging  to  the  society  for  lands  sold — which  ap- 
pears by  the  accounts  herein  stated,  and  that  the  principal  with  the  in- 
terest from  April  last  is  due  to  the  said  Lockwood,  and  that  there  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  Trustees  to  make  the  payment  the  following  sums  : 


Due  from  Giles  Malory,  ou  note  $  66  62 

"  "  Ebcnezer  Grummon,  ou  note   42  30 

"  "  Joseph  Webster,  on  note   22  10 

"  "  Elisha  Avery,  on  note   131  50 

"  "  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  contract   68 

"  "  Jeremiah  Keeler,  on  bond   129  32 

*'  "  Heztkiah  De  Forest,  for  rent   12 

"  "  Abijah  Gilbert,  for  a  balance  on  his  bonds,    15  53 

"  "  Jacob  Hayt,  on  balance  for  rent  of  land...  4125 

"  "  Philander  Lawrence,  rent  of  land   5  75 


?534  37" 


a  Rec.  of  Trustees  of  Presbyterian  church,  South  Salem,  vol  I.,  pp.  13-14. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


449 


In  1852,  the  so-called  "upper  Parsonage"  farm,  consisting  of  thirty- 
two  acres  or  more,  adjoining  the  Presbyterian  church  was  sold  by  an 
order  of  the  Legislature. 

The  first  building  used  in  Lower  Salem  as  a  place  of  public  worship, 
according  to  the  independent  or  Presbyterian  method,  was  the  old  log 
cabin,  already  alluded  to,  as  an  assembly  of  members  is  recorded  to 
have  taken  place  at  the  meeting-house  "in  September,  1763." 

In  March,  1 771,  it  was  proposed  by  the  members  of  the  society  to 
build  a  church  or  Presbyterian  meeting-house,  but  nothing  was  then 
concluded.  So  that  it  was  not  probably  commenced  until  1772  or  1773 
— according  to  the  records  it  was  standing  1797  and  probably  remained 
until  1824.  The  present  church  edifice,  erected  in  1825,  occupies  a 
commanding  position  near  the  center  of  the  village  of  South  Salem.  It 
is  a  neat  wooden  structure,  sixty  feet  by  forty,  with  a  recess  for  organ 
and  choir,  the  whole  surmounted  with  a  tower  and  spire.  This  building 
was  greatly  improved  in  1873  at  an  expense  of  $S,ooo.a 

The  parsonage  erected  in  1801  out  of  the  proceeds  obtained  by  the 
sale  of  the  old  parsonage  lands  or  property  purchased  of  Thaddeus 
Rockwell,  adjoins  it  on  the  north. 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS  OR  PASTORS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 


The  elders  of  this  church  whose  names  appear,  mentioned  in  the  old 
records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Dutchess  County,  are  : 

Solomon  Close,  mentioned  1763  to  1773  ;  Jesse  Tresdell,  mentioned  1772 ; 
John  Boutou,  mentioned  1765  to  1789  ;  Nathaniel  Weeks,  mentioned  1780  j 
Josiah  Benedict,  mentioned  1767  to  177S ;  Nathan  Rockwell,  mentioned  1784 


Josiah  Gilbert,  mentioned  1768 ;  Samuel  Lawrence,  mentioned  17S6  to  1793 ; 
Gould  Bouton,  mentioned  1793. 

.1  Report  of  Rev.  Epenetus  Townscnd,  New  York  MSS.  from  arcluve9  at  Fulham,  vol.  II., 
490-w.j  ^Uawks). 


Ixst.  or  Call. 
May  20,  1752, 
Nov,  27,  1780, 
Nov.  27,  1804, 
Sept.  22, 1813, 
June  14,  1820, 
Hay  1,  1823, 
Oct.  9.  1834, 
Nov.  3,  1852, 
May  28, 1869, 
Oct.  18,  18TL, 


CHURCH  AT  SOUTH  SALEM. 

Ministers  oe  Pastors.  vacated  by. 

Rev.  Solomon  Mead,  Dismissed  Sept.  11,  1800 

Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis,  Death. 

Rev.  Jons  Ely,  Resigned. 

Rev.  Jacob  Burbank,  " 

Rev.  Charles  F.  Butler,  " 
Rev.  Stephen  Sacnders,  " 
Rev.  Reuben  Frame,  *' 
Rev.  A.  L.  Lindslet,  D.D.,  " 
Rev.  Daniel  S.  Gregory,  " 

Rev.  Thomas  M.  Gray,  D.D.,  Dismissed,  1876. 


to  1794 ; 


45° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OK  WESTCHESTER. 


Presbyterian  Church,  South  Salem. 


The  Presbyterian  church  of  Lower  Salem  was  first  incorporated  on 
on  the  4th  of  January,  1784.  Abijah  Gilbert,  Jacob  Hoit,  Matthew 
Seymour,  Gideon  Seely,  Michael  Halstead  and  Nathaniel  Newman, 
trustees." 

The  grave  yard  surrounding  the  church  contains  memorials  to  the 
families  of  the  Keelers,  Rockwells,  Isaacs,  Ferrises,  Gilberts,  Websters 
and  Meads,  ccc.  &c. 

In  the  south-west  corner  appears  a  neat  marble  slab  inscribed  to  the 

Memory 
of  the 

REV.  SOLOMON  MEAD, 
First  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  iu  this  place,  JE.  86, 
He  had  the  charge  of  this  people 
48  years 
ob.  September  4th,  1812. 
While  marble  monuments  decay 
The  righteous  live  an  endless  day. 
And  earthly  temples  turn  to  dust, 
Blest  is  the  memory  of  the  just. 

In  memory  of 
HANNAH  MEAD, 
wife  of 
Rev.  Solomon  Mead, 
who  departed  this  life 
Oct.  20.  1761, 
JS.  24. 


a  Earliest  book  of  Trustee's  record  meeting,  2Cth  Dec.  1TS8.  The  earliest  book  of  records 

01  Commons,  lath  of  May,  1752. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


451 


Also  monuments  erected  in 

Memory  of  Here  lyes  buried 

CAPT.  JOSEPH  WEBSTER  ye  body  MR.  NA1TIAN 

who  died  NORTIIRUP,  who  departed  this 
Jan.  16,  1838  life  May  22,  1751, 

JE.  81  years  and  12  days.  in  ye  53  year  of  his  age. 


Here  lyes  buried  ye  body 
of  MARY,  wife  of  Nathan 
Nop.Tiiiurp  who  departed  this 
life  Sept.  28,  1761  in  ye  25th 
year  of  her  age. 


MRS.  MARY  ISAACS, 

died  Nov.  26,  1801, 
in  the  81st  3-ear  of  her 
age. 


JOSIAH  GILBERT 
died 
Oct.  25,  1858, 
in  the  72  year 
of  his  age 
For  forty-five  years  he  was  a 
member  and  thirty -six  years 
an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 


In  memory 
of 

MR.  NATHAN  GILBERT, 
who  departed  this  life 
Sept.  1st,  1798, 
aged  71  years 
Hark  from  the  tombs 
a  doleful  sound  my 
ears  attend  the  cry. 
Ye  living  one  come 
view  the  ground 
where  you  must 
shortly  lie. 


A  short  distance  north  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  on  land  now 
owned  by  the  heirs  of  Linus  Hoyt,  formerly  stood  a  small  wooden  struc- 
ture celebrated  as  the  temporary  prison  of  Major  John  Andre,  adjutant- 
general  of  the  British  army.  From  this  place  he  penned  the  letter  to 
General  Washington,  disclosing  his  true  character. 

"  After  the  capture  of  Andre  by  the  three  farmers  of  Westchester, 
(says  Sparks,)  the  latter  resolved  to  convey  their  prisoner  to  the  nearest 
military  post,  which  was  then  stationed  at  North  Castle,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jameson.  From  North  Castle  the  prisoner 
was  foolishly  forwarded  by  that  officer,  under  the  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Allen  and  a  guard,  to  General  Arnold.  Upon  the  return  of  Major  Tall- 
madge  (who  it  seems  had  been  out  on  duty,)  to  North  Castle,  and  having 
inspected  the  papers,  he  earnestly  requested,  that  the  prisoner  might  be 
brought  back,  to  which  Jameson  at  last  consented.  In  the  latter's  order  of 
countermand  to  Lieutenant  Allen,  he  says,  "From  some  circumstances 
which  I  have  just  discovered,  I  have  reason  to  fear,  that  a  party  of  the 
enemy  is  above ;  and  as  I  would  not  have  Anderson  re-taken,  or  get 


452 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


away,  I  desire  that  you  will  proceed  to  Lower  Salem,  with  him,  and  de- 
liver him  to  Capt.  Hoogland,"  &c,  &c 

Some  mistake  appears  to  have  been  made  in  the  orders,  for  Andre 
was  returned  to  North  Castle.  It  was  now  agreed  upon  by  Jameson  and 
Tallmadge,  "  that  it  was  best  to  keep  Anderson  in  close  custody,  till 
something  more  should  be  known  about  him,  or  until  orders  should  be 
received  from  General  Washington.  As  Lower  Salem  was  farther  with- 
in the  American  lines  than  North  Castle ;  and,  as  Col.  Sheldon's 
quarters  were  there,  it  was  thought  advisable  for  him  to  be  removed  to 
that  place.    Major  Tallmadge  commanded  the  escort,  and  continued 


Col.  Sheldon's  neadqarters. 


with  the  prisoner  from  that  time,  till  he  arrived  at  Tappan.  It  will  be  re- 
membered that  eight  or  nine  days  previous  to  the  taking  of  Andre,  a 
letter  had  been  received  by  Major  Tallmadge  from  Arnold,  in  which  he 
requested  Tallmadge,  if  a  man  by  the  name  of  Anderson  should  come 
within  the  lines,  to  send  him  to  head  quarters  with  two  horsemen,  and 
to  bear  him  company  in  person,  if  his  business  would  permit.  This  in- 
cident, connected  with  the  circumstances  of  the  capture  of  the  prisoner, 
who  called  himself  Anderson,  and  with  the  obvious  disguise  he  now  as- 
sumed, confirmed  Tallmadge's  suspicions,  though  the  nature  and  extent 
of  the  plans  in  agitation  he  could  only  conjecture,  as  Anderson  revealed 
nothing  and  mentioned  no  names.  On  the  arrival  of  Andre  at  Lower 
Salem,  about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Bran- 
son, who  was  attached  to  Sheldon's  regiment,  and  who  occupied  a  small 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


453 


apartment  which  he  consented  to  share  with  the  prisoner  The  room 
could  be  easily  guarded,  as  it  had  but  one  door  and  one  window.  Andre- 
appeared  much  fatigued,  and  at  first  was  little  inclined  to  talk.  His 
clothes  were  soiled,  and  he  accepted  a  change  from  Mr.  Bronson,  while 
his  linen  and  nankeen  under-dress  was  sent  to  the  washerwoman. 

Becoming  refreshed  and  more  at  ease,  he  relaxed  into  familiar  con- 
versation, which,  with  his  agreeable  and  courteous  manners,  excited  the 
interest  and  secured  the  good  will  of  his  room-mate.  He  resorted  to 
his  favorite  resource  for  amusement,  and  sketched  with  a  pencil  a  group 
of  ludicrous  figures,  representing  himself  and  his  escort  under  march.  He 
presented  the  sketch  to  Bronson,  saying,  "  This  will  give  you  an  idea  of 
the  style  in  which  I  have  had  the  honor  to  be  conducted  to  my  present 
abode."  In  diversions  of  this  kind  the  morning  passed  away.  As  it 
was  known  to  Andre  that  the  papers  found  on  his  person  had  been  trans- 
mitted to  General  Washington,  who  must  soon  receive  them  and  it 
being  now  evident,  that  he  would  not  himself  be  sent  to  Arnold,  he  per- 
ceived that  any  further  attempts  at  concealment  would  be  unavailing 
and  resolved  to  stand  forth  in  his  true  character,  seeking  no  other 
mitigation  of  his  case,  than  such  as  could  be  granted  on  the  strict  prin- 
ciples of  honor  and  military  usage.  With  this  view  he  wrote  in  Bran- 
son's room,  his  first  letter  to  General  Washington  : 

"  Salem,  24  September,  1780. 

'•  Sir  : — 

"  What  I  have  as  yet  said  concerning  myself,  was  in  the  justifiable  attempt  to 
he  extricated ;  I  am  too  little  accustomed  to  duplicity  to  have  succeeded. 

"  I  beg  your  excellency  will  be  persuaded,  that  no  alteration  in  the  temper  of 
my  mind,  or  apprehension  for  my  safety,  induces  me  to  take  the  step  of  address- 
ing you  ;  but  that  it  is  to  rescue  myself  from  an  imputation  of  having  assumed 
a  mean  character  for  treacherous  purposes  or  self  interest ;  a  conduct  incom- 
patible  with  the  principles  that  actuate  me ;  as  well  as  with  my  conduct  in  life. 

"It  is  to  vindicate  my  fame  that  I  speak,  and  not  to  solicit  security. 

"The  person  in  your  possession  is  Major  John  Andre,  Adjutant  General  to 
the  British  Army. 

"The  influence  of  one  commander  in  the  army  of  his  adversary  is  an  advan- 
tage taken  in  war.  A  correspondence  for  this  purpose  I  held ;  as  confidential 
(in  the  present  instance)  with  his  Excellency,  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 

"  To  favor  it,  I  agreed  to  meet  upon  ground  not  within  the  posts  of  either 
army,  a  person  who  was  to  give  me  intelligence  ;  I  came  up  in  the  Vulture 
man-of-war  for  this  effect,  and  was  fetched  by  a  boat  from  the  ship  to  the  beach. 
Being  there,  I  was  told  that  the  approach  of  day  would  prevent  my  return,  and 
that  I  must  be  concealed  until  the  next  night.  1  was  in  my  regimentals,  and 
had  fairly  risked  my  person. 

"Against  my  stipulation,  my  intention,  and  without  my  knowledge  before- 


454 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


hand,  I  was  conducted  within  one  of  your  posts.  Tour  excellency  may  con- 
ceive my  sensation  on  this  occasion,  and  will  imagine  how  much  more  must  I 
have  been  affected  by  a  refusal  to  re-conduct  me  back  the  next  night,  as  I  had 
been  brought.  Thus  become  a  prisoner,  I  had  to  concert  my  escape.  I  quitted 
my  uniform,  and  was  passed  another  way  in  the  night,  without  the  American 
posts,  to  neutral  ground,  and  informed  I  was  beyond  all  armed  parties,  and  left 
to  press  to  New  York.    I  was  taken  at  Tarrytown  by  some  volunteers. 

"Thus,  as  I  have  had  the  honor  to  relate,  was  I  betrayed  (being  Adjutant 
General  of  the  British  army,)  into  the  vile  condition  of  au  enemy  in  diguise  with- 
in your  posts. 

"  Having  avowed  myself  a  British  officer.  I  have  nothing  to  reveal  but  what 
relates  to  myself,  which  is  true  on  the  honor  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman. 

"  The  request  I  have  to  make  to  your  excellency,  and  I  am  conscious  I  ad- 
dress myself  well,  is,  that  in  any  rigor  policy  may  dictate,  a  decency  of  con- 
duct towards  me  may  mark,  that,  though  unfortunate,  I  am  branded  with  noth- 
ing dishonorable,  as  no  motive  could  be  miue  but  the  service  of  my  King,  and 
as  I  was  involularily  an  impostor. 

"  Another  request  is,  that  I  may  be  permitted  to  write  an  open  letter  to  Sir. 
Henry  Clinton,  and  another  to  a  friend  for  clothes  an  1  linen. 

"I  take  the  liberty  to  mention  the  condition  of  some  gentlemen  at  Charleston, 
who  being  either  on  parole  or  under  protection,  were  engaged  in  a  conspiracy 
against  us.  Though  their  situation  is  not  similar,  they  are  objects  who  may  be 
set  in  exchange  for  me,  or  are  persons  whom  the  treatment  I  receive  might 
effect. 

'  It  is  no  less,  sir,  in  confidence  of  the  generosity  of  your  mind,  than  on  ac- 
count of  your  superior  station,  that  I  have  chosen  to  importune  you  with  this 
letter.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  excellency's  most 
obedient  and  humble  servant,  "  John  Axdre,  Adjutant  Ge?ieral." 

When  he  had  finished  this  letter,  he  handed  it  open  to  Major  Tallmadge, 
who  perused  it  with  astonishment  and  strong  emotion  ;  for,  although  he 
believed  the  writer  to  be  a  military  man,  yet  he  had  not  supposed  him  a 
person  of  such  rank,  nor  dreamed  of  the  dangerous  plot  in  which  he  had 
been  acting  a  part.  The  letter  was  sealed,  and  sent  to  General  Wash- 
ington. From  that  moment  Andre's  mind  seemed  relieved.  He  be- 
came cheerful,  and  his  good  humor,  affable  address,  and  attractive 
powers  of  conversation,  gained  upon  the  hearts  of  the  officers,  and  won 
from  them  reciprocal  kindness  and  civilities."  "  As  soon  as  General 
Washington  had  ascertained  the  full  extent  of  the  treason,  instantaneous 
preparations  were  made  for  the  defence  of  West  Point,  and  "  an  order 
dispatched  to  Col.  Jameson,  directing  him  to  send  Andre  under  a 
strong  guard  to  Robinson's  house.  The  express  arrived  about  midnight 
at  Lower  Salem,  and  at  that  hour  an  officer  came  with  the  message  to 
Andre.    He  started  up  quickly  from  his  bed  and  obeyed  the  summons. 

a  Spark's  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  231,  235,  6,  T,  8. 


THE  TOWN'  OF  UiWTSBOKO. 


455 


The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  the  night  was  dark  and  dismal.  Mr. 
Bronson  says,  that,  on  taking  leave,  he  expressed  a  deep  sense  of  the 
obligations  he  was  under,  for  the  delicate  and  courteous  treatment  he 
had  received  from  the  officers  of  the  regiment  with  whom  he  had  be- 
come acquainted ;  and  declared  that,  whatever  might  be  his  future 
destiny,  he  could  never  meet  them  as  enemies.  The  guard  marched  all 
night,  and  in  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  September  26th,  Andre  ar- 
rived at  Robinson's  house,  in  the  custody  of  Major  Tallmadge."a  From 
whence  he  was  taken  the  same  evening  to  West  Point. 

"  Early  on  the  morrow,"  says  Sargent,  "  Andre  was  sent  over  to  South 
or  Lower  Salem,  to  the  head  quarters  of  Sheldon's  regiment. 

About  eight  a.m.,,  then,  on  September  24th,  Andre  was  brought  to 
the  Gilbert  farm-house,  and  committed  to  the  custody  of  Lieut.  King, 
of  the  Dragoons,  who  has  left  us  this  account  of  what  ensued : 

"  He  looked  somewhat  like  a  reduced  gentleman.  His  small-clothes 
were  nankeen,  with  handsome  white-top  boots — in  fact,  his  undress 
military  clothes.  His  coat,  purple,  with  gold  lace,  worn  somewhat 
threadbare,  with  a  small  trimmed  tarnished  beaver  on  his  head.  He 
wore  his  hair  in  a  queue,  with  long  black  beard,  and  his  clothes  some- 
what dirty.  In  this  garb,  I  took  charge  of  him.  After  breakfast  my 
barber  came  into  dress  me,  after  which  I  requested  him  to  go  through 
the  same  operation,  which  he  did.  When  the  ribbon  was  taken  from 
his  hair,  I  observed  it  full  of  powder ;  this  circumstance,  with  others  that 
occurred,  induced  me  to  believe  I  had  no  ordinary  person  in  charge. 
He  requested  permission  to  take  to  the  bed,  whilst  his  shirt  and  small 
clothes  could  be  washed.  I  told  him  that  was  needless;  for  a  shirt  was 
at  his  service,  which  he  accepted.  We  were  close  pent  up  in  a  bed- 
room, with  a  vidette  at  the  door  and  window.  There  was  a  spacious 
yard  before  the  door,  which  he  desired  he  might  be  permitted  to  walk 
in  with  me.  I  accordingly  disposed  of  my  guard  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  prevent  an  escape.  While  walking  together  he  observed  he  must 
make  a  confidant  of  somebody,  and  knew  not  a  more  proper  person 
than  myself,  as  I  had  appeared  to  befriend  a  stranger  in  distress.  After 
settling  the  point  between  ourselves,  he  told  me  who  he  was  and  gave 
me  a  short  account  of  himself,  from  the  time  he  was  taken  in  St.  Johns 
in  1775  10  tnat  time.  Returning  to  the  house,  writing  materials  were 
supplied  him ;  and  he  was  informed  that  his  papers  were  sent  to 
■Washington,  whose  orders,  and  not  Arnold's,  should  decide  his  condi- 
tion, he  immediately  wrote  to  our  commander." 

The  letter  we  have  already  given  in  the  foregoing  pages. 

"This  letter  written,  a  load  was  lifted  from  Andre's  mind.  He 
was  no  longer  compelled  to  associate  with  gentlemen  under  a  false 
name  and  guise.     Despite  Tallmadge's  previous  suspicions,  its  con- 


a  Spark's  Life  of  Arnold,  p.  253-4. 


456  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

tents  amazed  him  when  it  was  given  him  to  read;  but  neither  he, 
nor  King,  Bronson,  and  the  other  officers  at  the  post,  could  remain  un- 
moved by  the  refinement  and  amiability  of  their  guest.  His  other  arts 
came  in  aid  of  his  conversational  powers,  and  with  ready  hand  and  easy 
light-heartedness  of  manner,  he  sketched  his  own  progress  under  the 
rude  escort  of  militia,  to  their  quarters.  '  This,'  said  he  to  Bronson, 
'  will  give  you  an  idea  of  the  style  in  which  I  have  had  the  honor  to  be 
conducted  to  my  present  abode.'  With  such  pleasantries  he  passed 
away  the  morning  unconcernedly,  as  though  he  were  in  no  danger 
whatever.  "a 

A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Times  (signing  himself  N.  O.,) 
some  years  since,  relates  many  of  the  foregoing  particulars  in  a  conver- 
sation which  he  once  had  with  the  late  General  Joshua  King  of  Ridge- 
field,  Conn.,  (the  father  of  Rufus  H.  King,  a  well  known  merchant  of 
Albany,  and  also  of  Joshua  Ingersoll  King,  Esq.,  who  now  occupies  the 
family  mansion  at  Ridgefield,)  and  adds  that  "  Andre  eagerly  inquired 
whether  Arnold  had  made  his  escape,  seeming  more  solicitous  for  his 
(Arnold's)  safety  than  his  own.  They  arrived,  the  same  day,  at  head- 
quarters. Andre,  was,  of  course,  closely  confined,  and  he  (King)  was 
constantly  with  him,  as  a  guard,  till  his  execution.  He  walked  with 
him  to  the  gallows,  and  when  he  first  saw  ths  fatal  gibbet  he  gave  a 
sudden  start,  and  said  "  he  was  reconciled  to  death,  but  not  to  the 
mode,"  and  added,  "  it  would  be  but  a  momentary  pang."  On  arriving 
at  the  spot  he  mounted  the  cart,  and  in  doing  so,  soiled  his  white  dimi- 
ties, which  he  quickly  wiped  off  with  his  pocket  handkerchief,  adjusted 
the  rope  to  his  neck  with  his  own  hands,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  brave 
and  accomplished  Andre  had  paid  the  penalty  of  his  unsuccessful  es- 
pionage." 

The  Hon.  John  Jay,  of  Bedford,  made  every  effort  to  preserve  this 
interesting  relic  of  the  Revolutionary  history ;  and  for  this  purpose  pur- 
chased the  old  quarters  of  Major  Andre  and  a  piece  of  land  surrounding 
it,  and  tendered  a  deed  thereof  to  the  New  York  Historical  Society, 
provided  they  would  maintain  and  defray  all  necessary  repairs  and  ex- 
penses for  the  future.  His  praiseworthy  act  was  not  sustained,  which 
led  to  the  property  being  resold,  and  finally  to  the  tearing  down  of  the 
old  house  itself — a  piece  of  vandalism  unworthy  of  our  enlightened  age 
and  country.  When  we  visited  it  in  1846,  the  ravages  of  time  had  then 
made  but  little  progress  upon  it ;  the  small  room  in  which  Andre  was 
confined,  the  second  night  after  his  arrest,  was  still  perfect  with  its  single 
door  and  solitary  window  looking  out  upon  the  highway.  On  a  stone 
of  the  old  house  was  rudely  cut  the  initials  of  its  former  owner  and  date 

a  Life  of  Major  Andre  by  Winthrop  Sargent. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


457 


J.  G.,  1776,  Congress,  (John  Gilbert.)  The  Gilbert  powder-horn  which 
was  borne  through  the  Revolutionary  war,  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
the  Hon.  John  Jay.  This  relic  is  curiously  engraved,  showing  the  lines 
of  the  American  army  while  stationed  at  Boston  and  Charleston,  Mass. 

Between  two  and  three  miles  north-west  of  the  village  of  South  Salem 
lies  Lake  Wepuck  or  Waccabuck,  (Long  Pond,)  a  beautiful  sheet  of 
water,  covering  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  and  a  half  of  ground. 
Near  by  are  two  other  sheets  of  water,  called  the  north  and  south  lakes, 
connected  with  the  Wepuck  by  a  small  stream ;  the  former  containing 
thirty-seven  acres,  the  latter  sixty-six  and  a  half,  all  are  fed  and 
supplied  chiefly,  (perhaps  entirely,)  by  springs  and  rivulets  from  the 
great  Wepuck  mountain.  Near  the  western  shore  is  located  the  Wacca- 
buck house  kept  by  Mr.  Rockwell  Mead.  The  northern  shore  of  the 
lake  is  bordered  with  hanging  woods,  and  surrounded  by  rocky  moun- 
tains of  the  most  picturesque  form,  presenting  altogether  an  interesting 
scene  as  the  traveller  approaches  from  Lower  Salem.  The  hills  on  the 
southern  shore  are  much  lower,  but  equally  attractive ;  their  bases  being 
profusely  covered  with  foliage  to  the  very  margin  of  the  water.  Its 
shores  are  also  diversified  with  wooded  points.  A  short  distance  from 
the  southern  shore  of  the  Lake,  on  the  land  of  Edwin  Bouton,  is  the 
well-known  angle  of  the  oblong,  where  the  Commissioners  in  1734 
erected  a  monument  which  they  deemed  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandt 
Point  (Verplanck)  on  the  Hudson  River.  The  fences  still  remain  as 
they  were  laid  out  by  the  original  proprietors  of  the  adjoining  lands. 
Lake  Wepuck  or  Waccabuck  was  once  famous  for  the  abundance  of  its 
beavers  (castor  fiber.)  It  is  upwards  of  fifteen  years  since,  that  the  last 
solitary  hermit  was  observed  upon  the  edge  of  the  lake.  This  animal 
had  been  noticed  at  different  intervals  throughout  the  summer  of  1832. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  a  laboring  man  (residing  near  the  lake)  deter- 
mined upon  securing  it  if  possible.  For  this  purpose  he  took  his  station 
early  one  morning  in  the  vicinity  of  one  of  the  beaver's  haunts.  It  soon 
made  its  appearance,  and  commenced  felling  a  small  tree,  which  it  drew 
to  the  water's  edge;  but  the  man  who  had  refrained  from  firing,  in  order 
to  watch  the  motions  of  the  animal,  making  a  slight  noise,  it  became 
alarmed,  and  suddenly  plunged  into  the  water," 

The  numerous  rivers  of  Westchester  county  must  have  afforded  (the 
Indian  hunter)  an  abundant  supply  of  this  useful  animal.  Van  der 
Donck,  the  Patroon  of  Yonkers.  informs  us  that  in  1656,  beavers  were 
found  not  far  from  his  residence,  and  several  were  brought  in  by  the 
Indian  hunters ;  also  that  80.000  of  these  animals  were  annually  killed 
o  It  is  said  that  the  same  animal  was  observed  in  the  Fall  of  1S37. 


45  S 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


in  this  quarter  of  the  country.  "  The  Indians  (continues  the  same  au- 
thority) burn  the  beaver  bones  and  never  permit  their  dogs  to  gnaw  the 
same ;  alleging  that  afterwards  they  will '  be  unlucky  in  the  chase. 
Among  all  the  beaver  skins  I  have  seen,  no  more  than  one  was  of  a 
different  color,  and  that  was  white,  the  outer-wind  hairs  were  golden 
yellow.  The  skin  was  shipped  on  board  the  Princess  with  Director 
Kieft,  which  was  lost  at  sea."" 

The  deep  waters  of  Lake  Waccabuck  afford  vast  quantities  of  fish,  as 
pickerel,  large  perch,  eels,  &c.  The  two  former  are  said  to  have  been 
introduced  here  within  a  few  years.  The  favorite  haunts  of  the  pickerel 
are  the  Cove  and  Raven's  rock. 

Upon  the  south  ridge  of  Long  Pond  mountain  (which  rises  abruptly 
from  the  northern  shore  of  the  lake,)  is  situated  the  cave  of  Sarah  Bishop, 
the  hermitess. 


The  Sarah  Bishop  Cave,  Long  Pond  Mountain. 


Amidst  the  savage  landscape,  bleak  and  bare, 
Stands  the  chill  hermitage,  in  mountain  rock,  and  air, 
Its  haunts  forsaken,  and  its  feasts  forgot, 

A  leaf  strown,  lonely,  desolated  cot !  —  Whites  Selborne. 

The  hermitess  is  reported  to  have  been  a  resident  of  Long  Island  at 
the  period  of  the  Revolution,  where  she  saw  the  destruction  of  her  pa- 
ternal mansion,  and  suffered  great  cruelty  at  the  hands  of  a  British 
officer,  which  finally  induced  her  to  abandon  society  altogether,  and 
seek  an  abode  in  the  present  cave.    The  following  account  of  a  visit  to 


a  Van  dcr  Donck's  nist.  New  Netherlands. 


THE  TOWN  OK  LEWISBORO.  459 

the  hermitess,  is  taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  in  Poughkeepsie  in  1804 : 

"  As  you  pass  the  southern  and  elevated  ridge  of  the  mountain,  and 
begin  to  descend  the  southern  steep,  you  meet  with  a  perpendicular 
descent  of  a  rock,  in  the  front  of  which  is  this  cave.  At  the  foot  of  the 
rock  is  a  gentle  descent  of  rich  and  fertile  ground,  extending  about  ten 
rods,  when  it  instantly  forms  a  frightful  precipice,  descending  half  a 
mile  to  the  pond  called  Long  Pond.  In  the  front  of  the  rock  on  the 
north,  where  the  cave  is,  and  level  with  the  ground,  there  appears  a 
large  frustum  of  the  rock,  of  a  double  fathom  in  size,  thrown  out  by 
some  unknown  convulsion  of  nature,  and  lying  in  front  of  the  cavity 
from  which  it  was  rent,  partly  enclosing  the  mouth  and  forming  a  cover. 
The  rock  is  left  entire  above,  and  forms  the  roof  of  the  humble  mansion. 
This  cavity  is  the  habitation  of  the  hermitess,  in  which  she  has  passed  the 
best  of  her  years,  excluded  from  all  society.  She  keeps  no  domestic 
animal,  not  even  fowl,  cat,  or  dog.  Her  little  plantation,  consisting  of 
half  an  acre,  is  cleared  of  its  wood  and  reduced  to  grass,  where  she  has 
raised  a  few  peach  trees,  and  yearly  plants  a  few  hills  of  beans,  cucum- 
bers, and  potatoes.  The  whole  is  surrounded  by  a  luxuriant  grape  vine, 
which  overspreads  the  surrounding  wood,  and  is  very  productive.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  this  little  tenement,  is  a  fine  fountain  of  excellent 
water.  At  this  fountain  we  found  the  wonderful  woman,  whose  appear- 
ance it  is  a  little  difficult  to  describe.  Indeed,  like  nature  in  its  first 
state,  she  was  without  form ;  her  dress  appeared  little  else  than  one  con- 
fused anil  shapeless  mass  of  rags  patched  together  without  any  order, 
which  obscured  all  human  shape,  excepting  her  head  which  was  clothed 
with  a  luxuriance  of  lank  grey  hair,  depending  on  every  side  as  time  had 
formed  it,  without  any  covering  or  ornament.  When  she  discovered 
our  approach,  she  exhibited  the  appearance  of  a  wild  and  timid  animal. 
She  started  and  hastened  to  her  cave  which  she  entered,  and  barricaded 
the  entrance,  with  old  shells  pulled  from  the  decayed  trees.  We  ap- 
proached this  humble  habitation,  and  after  some  conversation  with  its 
inmate,  obtained  liberty  to  remove  the  barricades  and  look  in  ;  for  we 
were  not  able  to  enter,  the  room  being  only  sufficient  to  accommodate 
one  person.  We  saw  no  utensil,  either  for  labor  or  cookery,  save  an 
old  pewter  basin  and  a  gourd  shell;  no  bed  but  the  solid  rock,  unless  it 
were  a  few  old  rags  scattered  here  and  there ;  no  bed  clothes  of  any 
kind,  not  the  least  appearance  of  food  or  fire.  She  had  indeed  a  place 
in  one  corner  of  her  cell  where  a  fire  had  at  some  time  been  kindled,  but 
it  did  not  appear  there  had  been  one  for  some  months.  To  confirm  this, 
a  gentleman  says  he  passed  her  cell  five  or  six  days  after  the  great  fall 
of  snow,  in  the  beginning  of  March  ;  that  she  had  no  fire  then,  and  had 
not  been  out  of  her  cave  since  the  snow  had  fallen.  How  she  subsists 
during  the  severe  season  is  yet  a  mystery.  She  says,  she  eats  but  little 
flesh  of  any  kind ;  in  the  summer  she  lives  on  berries,  nuts  and  roots. 
We  conversed  with  her  for  some  time,  found  her  to  be  of  a  sound  mind, 
a  religious  turn  of  thought  and  entirely  happy  in  her  situation.  Of  this 
she  has  given  repeated  proofs,  by  refusing  to  quit  this  dreary  abode. 
She  keeps  a  Bible  with  her,  and  says  she  takes  much  satisfaction  and 
spends  much  time  in  reading  it." 


460 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Soon  after  her  settlement,  the  hermitess  purchased  the  cave  and  three 
acres  of  land  adjoining.  Here  she  resided  until  the  winter  of  181  o, 
when  she  was  accidentally  killed  by  falling  into  a  pit."" 

The  southern  view  from  the  cave  affords  a  splendid  prospect  of  forty- 
five  miles  in  extent,  terminated  by  Long  Island. 

From  Lake  Wacabuck  issues  the  Peppeneghek,  or  Cross  River  (one 
of  the  numerous  tributaries  of  the  Croton)  upon  which  is  situated  the 
small  settlement  of  Cross  River,  so-called  after  the  family  of  that  name 
who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Bedford.  They  came  originally  from 
Fairfield  ;  for  on  the  25th  of  October,  1655,  occurs  an  order  of  the  Pro- 
bate Court  of  that  place  concerning  the  estate  of  William  Cross, 
deceased.6  In  1680  John  Cross  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
"  Hop  Grounds,"  Bedford.  This  place  contains  a  post  office,  two 
churches,  several  manufactories,  and  twenty  dwellings.  On  the  out- 
skirts of  the  village  is  located  the  old  residence  of  the  Reynolds'  family. 
The  stone  chimney  bears  the  initials  of  its  founder,  N.  R.,  1793. 
Nathaniel  Reynolds,  one  of  the  first  settlers  whose  son  is  the  present 
George  Reynolds.  The  road  from  Ridgefield,  by  South  Salem,  to  Bed- 
ford, passes  through  it.  The  Baptist  church  of  Cross  River  was  first  in- 
corporated on  the  28th  of  March,  1842  ;  Lewis  Holmes,  Abijah  Reynolds, 
Lewis  Mead,  Titus  Reynolds,  Josiah  M.  Elmore,  trustees.'7 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  this  place  (sometimes  styled  the 
Herman  Chapel)  was  incorporated  12th  of  March,  1825  ;  first  trustees, 
Joseph  Wilson,  Daniel  Silkman,  John  Silkman,  Aaron  Silkman,  Walter 
S.  Lyons  and  John  Brady.rf 

The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bardin  who  officiates  alternately 
at  Cross  River  and  Golden's  Bridge. 

The  waters  of  the  Peppeneyhek  or  Cross  River  are  abundantly  sup- 
plied with  all  kinds  of  fresh  water  fish.  Near  the  intersection  of  the 
Cisque  or  Beaver  Dam  and  Peppeneghek  are  situated  the  fishing 
falls. 

Golden's  Bridge  is  a  small  hamlet  (located  on  the  banks  of  the  Croton) 
in  the  northwest  corner  of  this  town.  It  contains,  a  post  office  and  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Here  is  a  station  of  the  New  York  and  Harlem  Railroad.  The 
Matopac  branch  of  which  diverges  at  this  point. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  town  books : 


a  The  poor-master  found  ia  the  cave  a  small  sum  of  money  sufficient  to  defray  her  funer»l 

expenses. 

6  Fairfield  Prob.  Rec.  IMS  1G56,  pp.  11, 12. 
e  County  Rec.,  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  B.  70. 
d  County  Rec,  Religious  Soc,  Lib.  A.  186. 


THE  TOWN  OF  LEWISBORO. 


461 


FIRST  BOOK  OF  RECORDS  IN  SALEM. 

April  ijf/i,  1747. 

At  a  town  meeting  in  Salem,  April  2,  1751 : 

Justice  Gilbert,  Moderator;  Jacob  Wall,  Supervisor ;  Nathaniel  Wyatt, 
Chik;  David  Webster,  Countable;  Peter  Benedict,  Sem>r;  Benj.  Rockwell, 
Sensor;  Nathaniel  Wiatt,  Sessor;  David  Webster,  Servicer;  Nathaniel 
Wiat t,  Servuer ;  Jacob  Wallet,  Servuer. 

"At  a  town  meeting  in  Salem,  10th  day  of  January,  1763,  Resolved 
that  the  welfare  of  the  town  was  endangered  by  one  Dr.  Michael  Abbott, 
of  Ridgefield,  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  who  had  lately  come  into  the 
town  with  sundry  other  persons  and  had  inoculated  with  the  small-pox 
one  Gershom  Sellick,  by  means  of  which  the  people  are  greatly  exposed, 
and  put  in  much  damages  of  taking  the  small-pox." 


THE  TOWN 

OP 


Mamaroneck  is  situated  on  the  Sound,  seven  miles  south  of  the  county 
seat,  White  Plains,  distant  twenty  miles  north-east  of  New  York,  and 
about  one  hundred  and  forty-two  south  of  Albany.  It  is  bounded  north 
by  Scarsdale,  east  by  Harrison  and  Rye,  south  by  the  "Manunketsuck" 
or  "Broad  Flowing  River"  of  the  Indians  commonly  called  Long 
Island  Sound,  and  west  by  New  Rochelle.  Its  length,  north  and  south, 
is  three  miles,  and  its  medium  width  east  and  west,  two  and  a  quarter.0 

The  etymology  of  the  name  of  this  place  (at  different  periods  spelt 
Mammarinikes,  Mamoronack,  Mamarinek,  Merrinack,  Merinak,  and 
Mamaronuck)  doubtless  refers,  like  most  Indian  words,  to  some  object 
peculiar  to  its  geographical  locality.  The  last  syllable,  "  eck,"  or  "  uck" 
(uc),  being,  the  ordinary  inflection  for  locality,  and  one  of  the  striking 
characteristics  of  Mohegan  names,  east  of  the  "  Statauc"  or  North  River. 
Mamaroneck  signifies  "  the  place  where  the  fresh  water  falls  into  the 
salt,"  from  the  Mamaroneck  river,  a  fresh  water  stream  which  divides 
this  town  from  Rye  Neck,  originally  falling  over  a  ridge  of  rock  directly 
into  the  salt  water  of  Mamaroneck  harbor.  This  ridge,  now  removed, 
was  a  little  above  the  present  bridge  and  near  where  the  old  Boston 
road  crossed  the  stream. 

The  original  name  of  De  Lancey's  Neck,  the  peninsula  which  forms 
the  south-east  portion  of  the  town,  "  Wanmainuck ; "  and  that  of  the 
adjoining  neck  or  peninsula,  on  the  west,  formerly  belonging  to  Peter 
Jay  Munro,  was  "  Mangopson."  Mamaroneck  at  the  time  of  the  Dutch 
discovery  appears  to  have  been  inhabited  by  one  of  the  numerous  sea 
coast  tribes  termed  Suwanoes,  or  Sewanoos,  by  John  De  Laet,  one  of  the 

a  New  York  Ckuetter. 
463 


464 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


best  historians  of  New  Netherlands,  A.D.,  1625. 0  This  people  he  de- 
scribes "  as  dwelling  along  the  coast  from  Nonvalk  to  twenty-four  miles 
to  the  neighborhood  of  Hellegat."  Adriaen  van  der  Donck,  in  his  map 
of  1656,  styles  them  Siwanoys.  These  Siwanoys  constituted  a  tribe  of 
the  mighty  Mohegan,  or  "  Enchanted  Wolf "  nation,  originally  called 
Muhhekanew,  or  the  Seven  Tribes  on  the  sea  coast — otherwise  called 
Mohiggans  by  the  English,  and  Mahicanders,  or  River  Indians,  by  the 
low  Dutch,6  and  Mohicans  by  the  English. 

The  River  Sachems,  at  this  early  period,  paid  tribute  to  Sassacus,  grand 
sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  whose  broad  territory  extended  from  Narra- 
gansett  to  Hudson  River,  and  over  all  Long  Island.  In  1644,  there  was 
an  Indian  Chief  by  the  name  of  Mamaranack,  living  at  Kitchawanc," 
(Croton  )  This  individual  may  have  been  one  of  the  grantors  of  these 
lands  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  in  1640,  when  the  latter  pur- 
chased a  large  tract  of  land  comprising  much  of  the  present  County  of 
Westchester. 

The  site  of  the  ancient  Indian  village  in  this  town  can  still  be  traced 
upon  the  projecting  rocks,  directly  opposite  Heathecote  Hill  and  the 
residence  of  the  late  Benjamin  M.  Brown,  along  Mamaroneck  Bay. 
This  spot  was  well  suited  to  the  habits  of  the  aborigines,  who  subsisted, 
one-half  of  the  year  at  least,  upon  the  fish  caught  in  these  waters.  It 
must  also  be  borne  in  mind,  that  all  the  Indian  villages  on  the  sea  board 
were  noted  for  the  manufacture  of  seawant,  the  materials  for  which  were 
found  here  in  great  abundance. d 

The  beautiful  scenery  of  the  bay,  and  adjoining  necks,  must  have  had 
peculiar  attractions  for  these  roving  nomads  and  hunters,  as  they  appear 
always  to  have  selected  such  places  for  their  summer  residence.  Early 
Connecticut  coins  have  been  discovered  on  the  site  of  these  habitations. 
The  remains  of  several  Indians  were  found  a  few  years  since,  in  repair- 
ing the  road  opposite  the  store  now  occupied  by  Britt  &  Son.  Some  of 
the  skeletons  were  nearly  entire.  They  have  been  since  interred  in  the 
rear  of  Dr.  Stanley's  residence.  Upon  the  Shubal  Lyon  property,  north- 
east of  the  village,  is  situated  the  Indian  burying-ground  Remains  of 
extensive  Indian  works  exist  on  the  elevated  ground  north  of  Heathcote 
Hill,  and  of  the  late  Mr.  Benjamin  Brown's  residence,  called  Nelson's 
Hill.  They  consist  of  distinct  long  round  ridges,  with  corresponding 
depressions,  and  of  four  circular  pits  in  the  form  of  a  square,  having  a 

a  De  I.act's  New  World,  chap.  vUL 
b  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  vol.  i.  29B-S0T. 
c  O'Oallahau's  Hist.  N.  N.  302. 

d  There  were  two  kinds  of  seawant,  wampum  or  Indian  money,  viz. :— wampum,  (white.) 
and  stickaubock,  (black.)  The  white  was  manufactured  from  the  Mehcaubock  Periwinkle. 
The  black  of  the  Quahaug. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


465 


small  mound  upon  the  south.  "  The  use  of  these  excavations  it  is  im- 
possible to  imagine,  unless  we  suppose  them  to  have  been  used  by  the 
aborigines  in  defence;  an  idea  that  is  rather  favored  by  the  circular 
mound  on  the  south,  as  if  made  puqiosely  to  receive  the  palisade."  The 
site  of  other  Indian  works  are  very  apparent  on  the  west  side  of  Heath- 
cote  Hill.  We  have  shown  that  the  lands  belonging  to  this  town  were 
originally  purchased  of  the  native  Indians,  by  the  Dutch  West  India 
Company,  in  1640.  Their  next  proprietor  was  John  Richbell,  who  ap- 
pears from  the  following  document  to  have  been  united  with  two  others, 
all  at  that  time  residents  of  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  W.  I.,  in  the  pur- 
chase and  settling  of  a  Plantation  in  the  south-western  part  of  New 
England,  A.D.  165  7  : 

"  Instructions  delivered  Mr.  John  Richbell  in  order  to  the  intended  set- 
tlement of  a  Plantation  in  the  south-west  parts  of  New  England,  in  be- 
half of  himself  and  of  subscribers :" 

"God  sending  you  to  arrive  safely  in  New  England  our  advice  is  that  you  in- 
forme  yourself e  fully  by  sober  understanding  men  of  tbat  parte  of  land  which  ly- 
eth  betwixt  Connecticott  and  the  Dutch  Collouy  and  of  the  seacoast  belonging 
to  the  same  and  the  Islands  that  lye  bettwixt  Long  Island  and  the  Maine,  viz. : 
within  what  government  it  is,  and  of  what  kinde  that  government  is,  whether 
very  strict  or  remisse,  who  the  Chiefe  Magistrates  are,  on  what  tcrmes  ye  Indians 
stand  with  them,  and  what  bounds  the  Dutch  pretend  to,  and  being  satisfyed  in 
these  particulars,  (viz.)  that  you  may  with  security  settle  there  and  without  of- 
fence to  any.  Then  our  advise  is  that  you  endeavor  to  buy  some  small  Planta- 
tion that  is  already  settled  and  hath  an  house  and  some  quantity  of  ground 
cleared  and  which  lyeth  so  as  you  may  enlarge  into  the  woods  at  pleasure  in 
each,  be  sure  not  to  fayle  of  these  accommodations. 

I.  That  it  be  near  some  navigable  Ryver,  or  at  least  some  safe  port  oi-  harbor, 
and  tb  ;t  the  way  to  it  be  neither  longe  or  difficult. 

II.  That  it  be  well  watered  by  some  running  streame  or  at  least  by  some  fresh 
ponds  and  springs  near  adjoining. 

III.  That  it  be  well  wooded  which  I  thinke  you  can  hardly  misse  of.  That  it 
be  healthy  high  ground,  not  boggs  or  fens  for  the  hopes  of  all  consists  in  that 
consideration. 

Being  thus  fitted  with  a  place  look  carefully  into  the  title  and  be  sure  to  have 
all  pretenders  satisfied  before  you  purchase,  for  to  fall  into  an  imbroylid  disput- 
able title  would  trouble  us  more  than  all  other  charges  whatsoever.  Having 
passed  these  difficult  yea  and  your  family  brought  in  the  place  direct  your  whole 
forces  towards  the  increase  of  provision  which  must  be  according  to  their  sea- 
sous,  for  planting  of  come,  pease,  beanes  and  other  provisions  which  the  country 
affords,  increasing  your  orchards  and  gardens,  your  pastures  and  inclosures ;  and 
for  ye  familyes  employment  in  the  long  winter  be  sure  by  the  first  opportunity 
to  put  an  acre  or  two  of  hemp-seed  into  the  ground,  of  which  you  may  in  the 
winter  make  a  quantity  of  caDvass  and  cordage  for  your  own  use.    Iu  the  fall- 


466 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ing  and  clearing  your  ground  save  all  your  principal  timber  for  pipe  stands  and 
clap  board  and  knee  timber,  &c.,  and  witb  the  rest  endeavor  to  make  Pott  ash, 
which  will  sufficiently  recompense  the  charge  of  falling  the  ground.  But  still 
minufull  not  to  put  so  many  hands  about  the  matter  of  present  profitt  that  you 
do  in  the  mcane  ty:::e  neglect  planting  or  sewing  the  grounds  that  are  fitt  for 
provisions,  our  further  advice  is  that  as  you  increase  in  pasture  fitt  for  cattle  and 
sheep  you  fayle  not  to  stocke  them  well,  but  be  sure  never  to  over-stock  them  by 
taking  more  than  you  can  well  keep,  for  an  hungry  cowe  will  never  turne  to  ac- 
count. Lastly  we  desire  you  to  advise  us  or  either  of  us  how  affairs  stand  with 
you,  what  your  wants  are  and  how  they  may  be  most  advantageously  employed 
by  us:  for  the  life  of  our  business  will  consist  in  the  nimble,  quiet  and  full  corres- 
pondence with  us  ;  and  although  in  these  instructions  we  have  given  you  clearly 
indicates,  yet  we  are  not  satisfied  that  you  must  needs  bring  in  the  place  so  many 
difflcultyes  and  also  observe  many  inconveniences,  which  we  at  this  distance  can- 
not possibly  imagine  and  therefore  we  refer  ail  wholly  to  your  discretion,  not 
doubting  but  that  you  will  doe  all  things  to  the  best  advantage  of  our  designe 
thereby  obliedgiug,  your  faithful  friends  and  servants,  Tuos.  Modifokd, 
Bakbadoes,  Sept.  18,  1657.a  "Will  Suakpe, 

Upon  the  8th  of  June,  1661,  John  Richbell  obtained  the  following 
conveyance  from  the  Indian  sachem  Wompoqueum. 

INDIAN  DEED  TO  JOHN  RICHBELL. 
"Recorded  for  Mr.  John  Richbell,  the  6th  day  of  June,  166C.  This  Indyan 
Deed.  I  Wompoqueum,  together  with  my  brother  Mahatahan,  being  the  right 
owners  of  three  necks  of  land  lying  and  being  bounded  on  ye  east  side  with 
Mamaronock  river,  and  on  ye  west  side  with  the  Stony  River,  which  parts 
the  said  lands,  and  Mr.  Pell's  Purchase;  now  these  are  to  certify  to  all  and 
every  one  whom  it  may  coucernc,  that  I,  Wompoqueimi,  did  for  myselfe,  and 
in  behalf  of  1113-  aforesaid  brother  Mahatahan,  firmly  bargaine  and  sell  to  Mr. 
John  Richbell,  of  Oyster  Bay,  to  him  and  his  heires  forever,  the  above  men- 
tioned three  necks  of  land,  together  with  all  other  priviledges  thereunto  be- 
longing, six  weeks  before  I  sold  it  to  Mr.  Revell,  and  did  marke  out  the  bonds 
and  gave  Mr.  Richbell  possession  of  the  said  land  and  did  receive  part  of  my 
pay  there  in  hand,  as  witness  my  hand, 

Witnesse  The  marke  O  of  Wompoqueum. 

Jacob  Yongu,  Cathakin  Yongu.& 

The  following  document  occurs  in  the  Albany  Records,  but  without 
any  date  attached: — 

"On  account  of  what  part  and  was  acknowledged  before  ye  governor  concern- 
ing ye  Purchase  at  Mamoronock,  by  Mr.  Richbell,  and  Mr.  Revell,  and  Jans. 
Rocket  t,  Wappaqueem,  and  many  other  Indians. 

Pkesext. 

"Wappaqueem  saith  that  Mr.  Richbell  was  ye  first  that  spake  to  him  about  ye 
purchase  of  ye  said  lands. 
Jans.  Rockett  acknowledges  ye  like. 

a  Albany  Derd  book,  vol.  tii.  126  7 

6  Albau'y  Kec.  Deed  Book,  Vol.  iii,  p.  128. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARON'ECK.  ^ 

Wappaquecm  saith  tliat  Thomas  Close  with  Cokoc  spake  to  him  to  sett  his 
band  to  Mr.  J  U I  veil's  deed  and  he  should  have  a  coate,  upon  which  he  did  it. 
lie  saith  further  that  Mr.  Richbell  came  and  viewed  and  agreed  for  ye  land,  hut 
not  bringmg  his  goods  tyme  enough  he  sold  it  to  Mr.  RevelL  He  confesses  that 
Mr.  Richbell  gave  another  Indian  a  coate  and  some  seawant  and  a  shirt  to  marke 
out  ye  trees  after  ye  agreement,  but  that  he  had  nothing. 

Another  Indian  saith  that  Cockoe  and  Thomas  Close  received  Mr.  Revell's 
money  betweene  them  and  kept  it  themselves,  for  ye  proprietors  had  none  of  it. 

Wappaquecm  saith  that  what  he  received  from  Mr.  Richbell  was  by  way  of 
skincagc  but  not  in  parte  of  payment. 

He,  whose  land  it  was,  and  Wappaqueom  called  brother,  but  were  not  natural 
brothers. 

llth  Nov.  1661,  the  power  intrusting  Wappaqueom  and  Cacoh  to  sell. 
8th,  1661,  the  date  of  ye  deed  which  is  before  ye  power.0 
On  the  24th  of  December,  1661,  we  find  Richbell  thus  addressing  the 
Dutch  Director  and  Council: — 

Amsterdam, 
In  New  Netherlands,  24th  Dec,  1661. 
To  the  most  noble,  great  and  respectful  Lords,  the  Directors  General  and  Coun- 
cil, in  Krw  Netherlands,  solicits  most  reverently,  John  Richbell,  that  it  may 
please  your  honours  to  grant  him  letters  patent  for  three  corners  of  land,  the 
east  corner  being  named  "  Wanmainuck  "  corner,  the  western  with  the  adjacent 
land,  by  some  named  Mr.  Pell's  land,  promising  that  all  persons  who,  with  the 
supplicant's  permission  or  order,  would  settle  there  with  him,  shall  be  willing  to 
solicit  letters  patent  for  such  a  parcel  of  land  as  they  may  intend  to  settle:  in 
the  meantime,  he  supplicates  that  your  honours  may  be  pleased  to  grant  him  let- 
ters patent  for  the  whole  tract,  which  he  is  willing  to  enforce  and  instruct  them 
of  your  honours'  government  and  will,  in  similar  manner,  on  terms  and  condi- 
tions as  arc  allowed  to  other  villages.  Hoping  on  your  consent,  he  remains, 
&c/  John  Richbell. 

This  petition  having  been  presented  to  and  read  by  the  Director,  1 9th 
Jan.  1662,  it, was  returned  for  answer,  that  before  a  final  decision  can  be 
given  on  this  petition,  so  shall  the  supplicant  be  requested  to  explain 
more  at  large  before  the  Director-General  and  Council  in  New  Nether- 
lands, the  extent  of  his  proposal  as  mentioned  in  the  said  petition  on 
the  day  as  above.6 

John  Richbell  must  have  replied  immediately  to  this  letter,  as  the 
same  year  we  find  the  following  declaration  of  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  (Gov- 
ernor-General,) in  favor  of  Mr.  Rissebel: 

"We,  the  Governor-General  and  Council  of  estate  of  the  United  Ne- 
therlands, doe  declare  by  these  presents,  that  we,  upon  the  petition  of 
Mr.  John  Rissebel  and  his  associates,  that  be  under  the  protection  of 
the  high  and  subordinate  authority  of  this  Province,  upon  terms  and  con- 


o  Albanv  Deed  Book,  Jso.  Ill,  p.  37. 
b  Alb.  Kec.  vol.  XX,  p.  22. 
e  Albany  Kec  vol.  xx,  p.  22. 


468 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ditions  as  other  inhabitants  doe  enjoy,  may  take  up  and  possess  a  certain 
neck  and  parcel  of  land  called  Mammarinikes,  provided  that  the  afore- 
said Mr.  John  Rissebel,  his  associates,  and  every  one  that  are  now  here- 
after to  come  in  due  and  convenient  time,  shall  present  themselves  be- 
fore us  to  take  the  oath  of  fidelity  and  obedience,  and  also,  as  other  in- 
habitants are  used  to,  procure  a  land  brief  of  what  they  possess.  Given 
under  our  hand  and  seal  the  6th  day  of  May,  1662,  in  the  Fort  Amster- 
dam, in  the  New  Netherlands."" 

John  Richbell  appears  to  have  obtained  a  "ground  brief,"  for  his  land 
the  same  year.* 

The  following  documents  relate  to  a  dispute  between  the  two  patent- 
ees of  Pelham  and  Mamaroneck,  concerning  their  respective  boundaries. 
Upon  the  20th  of  April,  1666,  Richard  Nicolls,  Governor  of  the  Prov- 
ince, granted  to  Thomas  Mullinex,  "a  certain  neck  lying  between  the 
east  bounds  of  the  town  of  Westchester  and  a  certain  small  river  called 
Stony  River,  which  is  reputed  to  be  the  west  bounds  of  the  land  in  dis- 
pute between  Mr.  Richbell  and  Mr.  Revell,  (Pell.)  and  from  thence 
shooting  along  by  the  side  of  the  maine  westward,  containing  220  acres, 
which  said  neck  has  been  perchased  of  the  Indians."  During  the  year 
1666-7,  occurs  a  trial  between  Thos.  Revell,  (Pell,)  plaintiff,  and  John 
Richbell  defendant.  "  The  Governor  and  Council,  together  with  ye 
justices  of  ye  peace,  setting  in  this  present  court  of  assizes,  having  been 
well  and  sufficiently  informed  in  ye  case  in  difference  between  the  plain- 
tiff and  defendant,  and  that  ye  defendant,  (who  in  several  courts  of  this 
government  hath  heretofore  been  plaintiff  in  this  case  relating  to  a  title 
to  a  certain  parcel  of  land  at  Mamaronuck,  upon  ye  main,)  did  prove 
his  said  title  in  those  courts  to  the  land  in  question,  and  no  person  now- 
appearing  for  ye  plaintiff,  either  to  prosecute  or  defend  his  claim  and 
title,  or  those  concerned  in  his  pretended  right  to  ye  said  land,  according 
to  ye  order  of  ye  last  general  court  of  assizes,  this  court  doth  therefore 
unanimously  adjudge  and  decree,  that  ye  title  to  ye  said  land  in  differ- 
ence doth  of  right  belong  to  the  defendant."0 

Nov.  1668,  "John  Richbell  of  Mamaroneck,  accused  Thomas  Pell  of 
gaining  in  a  surreptitious  manner,  his  patent  of  Governor  Nicolls,  and  ex- 
tending upon  his  lands,  upwards  of  a  mile  in  breadth  from  east  to  west, 
beside  the  length  thereof  north  and  south,  although  John  Richbell  has 
sufficiently  proved  his  right  thereto,  both  at  several  courts,  and  the  last 
court  of  assizes  held  in  New  York."ti 


a  Albany  Rcc.  vol.  XX,  127. 

6  At  a  omrt  of  asslz.o  hold  in  the  city  of  New  York,  A.D.  1665,  it  was  determined  that  Horse- 
neck  doth  of  right  belong  to  John  Richbell  and  his  heirs.   Alb.  Assize  Rec.  14. 
c  Alb.  Assize  Rec.  172. 
d  Alb.  Book  of  Pat.  vol.  vi,  106. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


460 


Upon  the  13th  Sept,  1669,  we  find  a  special  warrant  addressed  to 
Thomas  Pell  of  Ann-hook's-neck,  or  elsewhere,  citing  him  to  appear  be- 
fore the  next  court  of  assizes,  for  unjustly  detaining  and  keeping  from 
John  Richbell,  a  certain  parcel  of  meadow  ground  set  upon  one  of  the 
three  necks  at  Mamaroneck."a 

AN  ORDER  ABOUT  YE  DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN  MR.   PELL  AND  MR.  RICHBELL. 

The  ri-port  of  ye  commissioners  appointed  by  ye  court  of  assize,  to  view  ye 
land  in  difference  between  Mr.  John  Richbell  and  Mr.  John  Pell,  and  having 
been  delivered  unto  me  sealed  up,  and  now  opened  and  read  before  me  and  my 
council,  upon  very  much  consideration  had  thereupon,  do  find,  that  two  of  the 
commissioners  have  made  report,  that  between  two  brooks  in  dispute  called 
stony  and  gravelly  brook,  there  is  a  tree  marked  on  ye  east  side,  with  J.  R., 
and  on  the  other  with  T.  P.,  from  which,  if  there  were  a  line  run  directly 
down  the  sound,  it  would  divide  ye  meadow  in  difference  in  the  middle,  and  put 
an  end  to  ye  matter  in  question;  but  neither  of  the  three  commissioners  agree 
amongst  themselves  as  to  their  opinions  of  the  bounds,  wherefore, in  regard  that  I 
am  very  desirous  an  amicable  composure  of  this  difference  may  be  made  between 
both  parties,  I  do  recommend  the  report  of  the  two  commissioners  to  be  observed 
as  a  medium  to  end  all  differences;  however,  if  so  the  party  shall  not  seem  sat- 
isfied therewith,  they  have  still  liberty  to  proceed  to  a  trial  before  a  special  court, 
according  to  ye  order  of  ye  last  general  court  of  assize.  Of  the  resolutions, 
hereupon,  a  3peedy  answer  is  expected,  that  order  may  be  taken  accordingly. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Fort  James,  in  New  York,  the  18th  day  of  January, 
1671.''  Francis  Lovelace." 

Upon  the  20th  of  January,  1671,  a  commission  was  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  Captain  Dudley  Lovelace,  Captain  Jacques  Cortelyou,  Mr. 
Elias  Doughty,  Captain  Richard  Ponton  and  Mr.  John  Quinby,  to  view 
ye  bounds  in  difference  between  Mr.  Pell  and  Mr.  Richbell.0 

On  the  25th  day  of  January,  167 1,  occurs  the  following  order  (ad- 
dressed to  Capt.  Jacques  Cortelyou,  Surveyor  General)  about  Mr.  Pell 
and  Mr.  Richbell,  made  after  their  agreement  and  composure,  &c." 

"  W/terea.i,  there  is  an  amicable  composure  of  ye  difference  between  Mr.  John 
Richbell,  and  Mr.  John  Pell/'  concerning  the  neck  of  land  lying  between  stony 
and  gravelly  brook,  to  the  eastward  of  Annbook's  neck,  ye  which  is  agreed  up- 
on to  be  divided  equally  between  them  both,  meadow  aud  upland  quantity  and 
quality  alike,  which  agreement  I  very  well  approve  of.  These  are  to  require 
you,  that  some  time  next  week,  or  with  your  first  convenience,  you  repair 
hither,  where  you  shall  receive  further  directions  concerning  the  copy  act,  on 

o  Alb.  Assize  Rec.  p.  204.  In  January,  1671,  a  subpoena  was  sent  forth  to  summon  Mr. 
Robert  Penoyer  of  Mamaroneck,  and  Mr.  John  Archer,  of  Forrlhara,  to  give  evidence  at  said 
court  (of  assizes)  concerning  the  difference  between  Mr.  Pell  and  Mr.  Richbell  Alb.  Rec. 
General  Entries.  No.  iv.  59. 

6  Alb.  Rec-  General  Entries  No.  iv,  92. 

c  Alb.  Rec  Gen.  Entries,  No.  iv.  59. 

<(  .Mr.  John  Pell  succeeded  his  uncle  Thomas  Pell. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  said  neck  of  land,  soe  to  put  a  final  end  and  determination  to  that  dispute  of 
■which  at  your  return  you  are  to  render  me  an  account,  and  for  soe  doing,  this 
shall  be  your  warrant.  Given  under  my  hand,  at  Fort  James,  in  New  York, 
this  25th  day  of  January,  1671. "a  Fbanoib  Lovelace. 

This  dispute  was  finally  arranged  by  Mr.  John  Richbell,  exchanging 
a  portion  of  the  west  neck  for  a  much  greater  quantity  and  value  of 
other  lands  belonging  to  Mr.  Pell,  adjoining  the  west  neck  in  lieu  there- 
of, which  land  never  was  within  the  bounds  of  Mr.  Richbell's  patent.6 

Upon  the  16th  of  October,  1668,  Governor  Lovelace  issued  the  fol- 
lowing letters  patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province: 

"Francis  Lovelace,  Esq., Governor  General,  under  his  Royal  Highness,  James, 
Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  &c,  &c,  of  all  his  territories  in  America,  to  all  to 
whom  these  presents  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting.  Whereas,  there  is  a  certain 
parcel  or  tract  of  land  within  this  government,  upon  the  main,  contained  in  three 
necks,  of  which  the  eastcrmostis  bounded  with  a  small  river,  called  Mamaroueck 
river,  being  also  the  east  bounds  or  limits  of  this  government  upon  the  main,  and 
the  westernmost  with  the  gravelly  or  stony  brook  or  river,  which  makes  the  east 
limits  of  the  land  known  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Pell's  purchase.  Having  to  the 
south,  the  sound,  and  running  northward  from  the  marked  trees  upon  the  said 
neck,  twenty  miles  into  the  woods,  which  said  parcel  or  tract  of  land  hath  been 
lawfully  purchased  of  the  Indian  proprietors,  by  John  Richbell,  of  Mamaroneek, 
gentleman,  in  whose  possession  now  it  is.  and  his  title  thereunto  sufficiently  proved 
both  at  several  courts  of  sessions,  as  also  at  the  general  court  of  assizes,  now  for 
a  confirmation  unto  him  the  said  John  Richbell,  in  his  possession  and  enjoyment 
of  the  premises :  Know  ye,  that  by  virtue  of  the  commission  and  authority  unto 
me  given  by  his  Royal  Highness,  I  have  given,  ratified,  and  confirmed  and 
granted,  and  by  these  presents  do  give  and  ratify,  confirm  and  grant,  unto  the 
said  John  Richbell,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all  the  aforecited  parcel  or  tract  of 
land  as  aforesaid,  together  with  all  woods,  beaches,  marshes,  pastures,  creeks, 
waters,  lakes,  fishing  hawking,  hunting  and  fowling,  and  all  other  profits,  im- 
munities and  emoluments  to  the  said  parcel  or  tract  of  land  belonging,  annexed,  or 
appertaining  with  their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances,  and  every  part  and  parcel 
thereof,  and  in  regard  to  the  distance  of  the  plantations  already  settled  or  to  be  set- 
tled upon  the  said  necks  of  land,  from  any  town,  the  persons  inhabiting,  or  that 
shall  inhabit  thereupon,  shall  have  a  petty  constable  chosen  amongst  themselves 
yearly,  for  preserving  of  the  peace,  and  decision  of  small  differences  under  the 
value  of  forty  shillings,  and  they  shall  be  excused  from  all  common  attendance 
at  training  or  other  ordinary  duties  at  Westchester.  But  ia  matters  of  assess- 
ment and  public  rates,  they  are  to  be  assessed  by  the  officers  of  that  town  to 
winch  they  do  properly  belong  being  the  nearest  unto  them,  to  have  and  U)  hold 
the  said  parcel  and  tract  of  laud  in  the  said  three  necks  contaiucd,  and  premises 
with  all  and  singular  the  privileges  and  appurtenances  to  the  said  John  Richbell 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  John  Richbell,  his 
heirs  and  assignees  forever,  as  free  land  of  inheritance,  rendering  and  paying  as 
a  Albany  IJocords.General  Entries,  No.  iv.  95. 

b  S  'e  Complaint  of  Olmdiuh  Palmer  arid  others,  to  his  Excellency  William  Burnet.  The 
original  document  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Muuio  family. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK.  47  I 

a  quit  rent  for  the  same  yearly,  and  every  year,  the  value  of  eight  bushels  of 
winter  wheat,  upon  the  five  and  twentieth  day  of  March,  if  demanded,  unto  Ids 
Royal  Highness  and  his  heirs,  or  to  such  governor  or  governors  as  shall  from 
time  to  time  be  appointed  and  set  over  them.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal, 
at  Fort  James,  in  New  York,  on  Manhattans  Island,  the  16th  day  of  October, 
in  the  twentieth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign,  Lord  Charles  the  Second, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  Prance  and  Ireland,  king,  defender 
of  the  faith,  &c.,  &c.,  Anno  Domini,  1668.  Fkancis  Lovelace. 

In  1669  we  find  John  Richbell,  and  Anne  his  wife,  conveying  a  certain 
portion  of  land  in  Mamaroneck  to  Margaret  Parsons." 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1669,  John  Richbell  of  Mamaroneck,  in  New 
Yorkshire,  gentleman,  with  Anne  his  wife,  conveys  land  in  this  town  to 
John  Bassett. 

By  a  deed  bearing  date  the  23d  of  April,  1669,  John  Richbell,  pro- 
prietor of  Mamaroneck,  settles  the  following  jointure  upon  his  wife, 
Anne  Richbell,  viz  :  "  all  that  certain  parcell  or  tract  of  land  where  he 
now  lives,  called  the  East  Neck,  and  to  begin  at  the  westward  part 
thereof  at  a  certain  creek  lying,  being,  and  adjacent  by  and  betwixt  the 
neck  of  land  commonly  called  the  Great  Neck,  and  the  said  East  Neck, 
and  so  to  run  eastward  as  far  as  Mamaroneck  river,  including  therein 
betwixt  the  two  lines  all  the  land  as  well  north  into  the  woods  above 
Westchester  path,  twenty  miles,  as  the  lands  below  ye  path,  south  and 
towards  ye  river,  &c,  &c.  '6 

The  following  year  we  find  the  patentee  investing  his  son-in-law, 
James  Mott,  in  a  small  piece  of  the  Mamaroneck  lands,  for  which  the 
latter  paid  to  the  crown  the  annual  quit  rent  of  one  bushel  of  wheat. 
James  Mott  subsequently  assigned  all  his  right,  title  and  interest  in  the 
same  to  John  Wescot. 

The  following  warrant  "  for  ye  fetching  Mr.  John  Richbell  to  town 
a  prisoner,"  occurs  in  the  assize  records  : 

These  are  in  his  majesties  name  to  authorize  and  impower  you  to  seize  upon 
ye  person  of  John  Richbell  of  Mamaroneck,  in  what  place  soever  he  shall  be 
found  within  this  government,  he  being  a  prisoner  under  arrest  for  debt  in  this 
city,  from  which  place  he  bath  absented  himself  contrary  to  his  engagement  and 
that  you  cause  him  to  be  brought  back  hither  to  answer  ye  several  suites  of  his 
creditors,  and  to  abide  the  judgment  of  court  therein  according  to  law,  and  all 
officers  or  others  whom  this  may  concerne  are  to  be  ayding  and  assisting  herein 

Ias  occasion  shall  require,  for  the  doing  whereof  this  my  special  warrant  shall  be 
to  you  and  them  a  sufficient  discharge.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  Fort 
James  in  New  Yorke,  this  30th  day  of  June,  1671.  Francis  Lovelace. 

[Endorsed] 
To  Mr.  Allard  Anthony,  sheriff  of  the  city  of  New  York,  or  his  deputy.  <= 
a  Co.  Rtc.  Lib.  A. 

6  Co.  liec  Lib.  A.  23S.  This  conveyance  was  to  Jolin  Ryder. 
c  Alb.  Assize  Rec.  p.  391. 


472 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTKR. 


Upon  the  30th  of  July,  1673,  the  province  of  New  York  surrendered 
to  the  Dutch.  On  this  occasion  Anthony  Colve  assumed  the  reins  of 
government.  His  commission  defined  the  eastern  boundary  of  the 
colony  to  be  the  town  of  Greenwich  and  so  running  northerly,  provided 
such  line  does  not  come  within  twenty  miles  of  Hudson's  river,  con- 
formable to  the  treaty  of  1650,  which  was  ratified  by  the  States  General 
February  2 2d,  1656,  Mamaroneck  river  having  been  heretofore  con- 
sidered the  boundary  line,  as  settled  the  5th  of  December,  1664,  viz :  "a 
line  beginning  on  the  east  side  of  Mamaroneck  river  or  creek,  at  the 
place  where  the  salt  water  meets  the  fresh,  at  high  water,  and  thence 
northwest  to  the  line  of  Massachusetts."0 

The  Dutch  governor  now  required  the  submission  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  States  General.  Whereupon  the  people 
of  Mamaroneck  submitted  themselves  through  their  deputies,  and  were 
ordered  to  nominate  by  a  majority  Of  votes,  four  persons  who  were  to 
be  presented  the  first  opportunity,  from  which  the  Lord's  Commanders 
shall  elect  two  for  magistrates.  By  order  of  the  Lord's  Commanders 
and  military  tribunal  assembled  in  Fort  William  Hendrick,  on  the  23d 
day  of  August.  A.D.  1673. 6 

Peace  took  place  between  the  belligerent  powers,  in  February,  1674, 
by  which  New  York  was  again  restored  to  the  English. 

20th  November,  1673,  John  Richbell  of  Mamaroneck,  mortgaged  the 
westernmost  neck  to  one  Cornelius  Stenwyck,  "  bounding  on  the  Grav- 
elly or  Stony  river,  having  on  the  south  the  Sound,  and  so  running  from 
the  marked  trees,  standing  on  the  aforesaid  neck,  northerly  twenty  Eng- 
lish miles  into  the  woods." 

Upon  the  2d  of  February,  1683,  a  dispute  arose  between  Mr.  John 
Richbell  (about  the  limits  of  his  land)  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Rye,  whereupon  the  latter  were  ordered  to  attend  the  council. d 

The  following  order  is  extracted  from  the  council  minutes: — 

At  a  council  held  at  Fort  James,  on  March  17th,  1683,  upon  the  petition  and 
complaint  of  Mr.  John  Richhell  of  Mamaroneck,  gentleman,  against  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Rye,  concerning  some  lands,  it  was  thought  fit  by  the  governor  and 
council  that  the  inhabitants  of  Rye,  or  some  deputed  by  them  for  that  purpose, 
do  show  cause  at  the  next  court  of  assize,  to  be  held  in  the  county  of  Westches- 
ter, why  the  said  land  do  not  of  right  belong  and  appertain  to  Mr.  John  Rich- 
bell. « 

a  Webster's  Letters. 
b  Alb.  Rec.  iil,  276. 

c  A  second  mortgage  from  the  patentee  to  Stenwrck  occurs  on  the  7th  of  August,  lfiiS. 
Upon  the  12th  of  .May,  1675,  ihe  patentee  mortgaged  to  Robert  Richbell,  Jr.,  of  Southampton, 
England,  one  of  the  three  necks,  called  the  great  or  middle  neck;  this  was  afterwards  as- 
signed to  Samuel  Palmer,  July  7,  1676. 

d  Council  Min.  Alb.  No.  v,  47. 

«  Council  Minutes,  Alb.  No.  v,  68. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


473 


The  patentee  must  have  been  subsequently  confirmed  in  his  rights,  as 
further  grants  were  made  by  himself  and  wife  the  same  year,  to  John 
Nelson,  and  in  16^4,  to  James  and  Mary  Mott.  In  1685,  Anne  Rich- 
bell  conveys  property  in  this  town  to  Henry  Disbrow,  Richard  Ward, 
John  Rider,  John  Emerson  and  others. 

The  following  document  occurs  among  the  land  papers  at  Albany. 

"Pursuant  to  his  Excellency's  warrant  bearing  date  the  25th  of  October,  1G94. 
I  repaired  to  Mamaroueck  in  order  to  survey  the  eastermost  bounds  of  the  land 
belonging  to  Mrs.  Anne  Riehbell,  the  relic  of  John  Richbell,  deceased,  and  run 
alongst  the  west  side  of  the  small  river  called  Mamaroneck,  crossing  two  branch- 
es thereof  unto  a  certain  parcel  of  improved  land  claimed  by  Humphrey  Under- 
bill, where  the  said  Underbill  with  three  others,  being  assisted  with  guns,  stones 
and  staves,  did  obstruct  me  in  the  execution  of  His  Excellency's  warrant  afore- 
said. Aug.  Geauam,  Surveyor. 
Dec.  4th,  1G94. 

A.D.  1696,  Anne  Richbell  orders  that  "  the  lot  formerly  belonging  to 
the  Blacktuns,  containing  two  acres  and  thirty-two  rods,  be  laid  out  for 
my  son  John  Emerson,"" 

As  late  as  1699  the  Indians  claim  that  they  had  never  received  satis- 
faction from  either  John  Richbell  or  John  Peli  of  Pelham  for  the  sale  of 
their  lands. 

this  indian  petition  head  rn  council. 

2d  Aug.,  1699. 

To  the  Honorable  John  Namfan,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  and  the  Honorable  Council.  The  Humble  Peticon  of  Cragamanot, 
Pethir,  Henbrook,  Indians  in  the  behalfe  of  themselves  and  other  Indians  of 
their  nation.    Humbly  suoweth. 

That  some  of  their  nation  having  sold  severall  parcells  of  land  to  John  Pell, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  liichbcl,  deceased,  for  which  they  never  received  the  satisfaction 
promised  them  although  for  these  many  years  they  have  looked  forye  same,  but 
the  said  persons  have  and  do  refuse  to  satisfie  your  honors  Petitions  and  have 
more  land. 

there  ever  was  sold  unto  them 

Your  Petition  therefore  humbly  pray 

your  Honors  for  redress  and  relief  in  the 

the  promises  and  most  humbly  that  ye  pray 

said  John  Pell  and  the  heirs  of  said 

Riehbell  may  be  ordered  to  satisfy 

your  Petitioners  and  that  they  may  have  no  more 

land  than  was  actually  sold  unto  them 

had  your  petitioners  us  in  Duty 

lessoned  shall  pray,  &c. 

The  marke  of 

Cragamanot 
in  behalf  of 
 his  nation. b 

a  Town  Rec. 

b  Council  Min.  Alb. 


474 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER . 


The  death  of  the  patentee,  John  Richbell,  appears  to  have  taken 
place  some  time  in  January,  1684,  as  we  find  Mr.  John  Timan  petitioning 
the  governor  and  council  for  administration  on  the  estate  of  John  Rich- 
bell,  January,  1684.0 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  will  of  Mrs.  Anne  Richbell, 
his  wife,  which  bears  date  1st  of  April,  A.D.  1700. 

"In  the  name  of  God,  amen.  I,  Ann  Richbell,  of  the  town  of  Mamaroneck, 
in  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  gentlewoman,  be- 
ing sick  and  weak  in  body,  but  of  good  and  perfect  memory,  (blessed  be  the 
Lord  for  it,)  who  hath  now  put  it  into  my  heart  to  set  my  house  in  order,  by 
making  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  in  manner  as  followeth  :  Imprimis,  I 
give  and  bequeath  my  soul  into  the  hands  of  Almighty  God,  my  creator,  and  my 
body  to  the  earth  from  whence  it  came,  to  a  decent  and  comely  burial  at  the  di- 
rection of  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote. 

"Mr.  Richbell  Mott  and  Lt.  John  Horton,  I  make  my  executors  of  this  my 
last  will  and  testament,  and  for  this  worldly  estate  which  it  has  pleased  the  Lord 
to  endow  me  withal,  &c.  Imprimis,  to  my  daughter  Elizabeth  the  sum  of  807. 
and  my  gold  ring  with  the  emerald  stone  in  it,  and  my  little  Bible.  To  my 
daughter  Anne,  the  sum  of  60Z.  and  also  my  gold  chain.  To  my  grand-daugh- 
ter, Anna  Gedney,  Mary  Williaus  and  Mary  Mott,  each  AOL  and  to  my  said 
grand-daughter  Mar}',  my  biggest  gold  ring.  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  son-in- 
law  James  Mott,  14Z.  and  to  my  grandson  James  Mott,  the  son  of  Capt.  James 
Mott,  15Z."  &c.  &c. 

Elizabeth  and  Anne,  the  two  devisees  mentioned  in  the  above  will, 
were  the  sole  issue  of  the  patentee.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  married  Cap- 
tain James  Mott,  (son  of  Adam  Mott.)  Anne  married  John  Emerson. 
The  patentee  left  one  brother,  Robert  Richbell  of  Southampton,  in  Eng- 
land, father  of  Robert  Richbell,  who  succeeded  his  uncle  in  a  portion  of 
the  Mamaroneck  estates.6 

A.  D.  1700,  the  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcote  became  legally  seized  in  fee 
of  the  greatest  portion  of  the  eastermost  neck,  together  with  other  lands, 
having  in  1696,  obtained  a  patent  right  from  Mrs.  Anne  Richbell,  to 
purchase  lands  which  were  already  included  in  her  husband's  sale  of 
1660. 

On  the  21st  day  of  March,  1701,  King  William  III.  by  letters  patent, 
granted  and  confirmed  unto  Caleb  Heathcote  his  extensive  purchases 
and  erected  them  into  the  "  Lordship  and  Manor  of  Scarsdale."  This 
Royal  Charter  is  given  of  length  under  the  Town  of  Scarsdale  in  this 
work,  and  is  recorded  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office  at  Albany." 

The  "  Manor  of  Scarsdale  "  included  the  present  towns  of  Mamaro- 


a  Council  Mtn.  Rec.  No.  v,  104. 

6  For  a  continuation  of  this  fanillv,  see  pedigree. 

c  Vol.  vii  of  Patents,  226 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK.  475 

neck  and  Scarsdale,  excepting  only  some  small  parcels  in  and  near  the 
village  of  Mamaroneck  and  extended  from  Long  Island  Sound  to  the 
Bronx  river.  It  was  holden  of  the  King  in  free  and  common  soccage, 
its  land  yielding  and  rendering  therefor  annually  upon  the  festival  of  the 
Nativity,  five  pounds  current  money  of  New  York,  &c. 

The  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcoate  subsequently  enlarged  his  estates  by  fur- 
ther purchases  and  confirmations  from  the  Indians. 

One  of  these  indentures  bears  date,  26th  May,  1701,  betwixt  the 
Indian  proprietors,  Patthunk,  Beopoa,  Wapetuck,  Kohawaes  and  Rach- 
eshund,  on  the  one  part,  and  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote  of  Mamaro- 
neck, gentleman,  on  the  other  part,  wherein  the  former  in  consideration 
of  a  good  and  lawful  sum  of  money,  to  them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said 
Caleb  Heathcote,  &c. 

Bell,  alien,  enfeoffc  and  confirm,  &C. ,  a  certain  tract  of  land  lying  and  being  in 
the  county  of  Westchester,  bounded  as  follows:  to  begin  on  the  east  side  of  the 
country  road,  going  over  at  Mamaroneck  river,  and  so  to  run  as  the  road  goes,  as 
far  as  a  creek  or  brook,  known  by  the  nam^  of  Pipin's  brook,  adjoining  the  neck 
known  by  the  name  of  the  great  neck,  including  therein  all  the  land  and  meadow 
below  the  said  road  southward  to  the  Sound,  and  to  begin  at  the  bridge  which 
lyes  over  the  swamp,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Dirty  swamp,  on  the  New  York 
road,  on  tbe  east  side,  and  at  the  going  over  of  Pipin's  brook,  as  the  New  York 
road  goes,  on  the  west  side,  and  so  to  run  as,  high  into  the  woods  as  the  marked 
trees  on  the  southermost  end  of  Richbell's  or  Horse  ridge,  having  one  hundred 
rods  in  breadth  between  the  said  lines,  to  have  and  to  hold,  &c,  the  said  bar- 
gained premises  with  all  of  their  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  to  the  said 
Caleb  Heathcote,  and  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  &c. 
Sig.  sealed  and  delivered  The  mark  of  The  mark  of 

in  presence  of  Patt  O  iicnke.  25 

Anne  Mii.i.ixoton,  The  mark  of  Wapetcok. 

Hugh  Farqtthab.  M  The  mark  of 

The  mark  of  Bkopa.  Kohawxes 

r1  The  mark  of  £ 

Kehoccss  K  Kooueolam. 

The  mark  of  Crkghten. 

Ambyroo." 

10  June  1701.  Patthunck,  Brope,  Wepetuck,  Indian  proprietors  sell  to  Col- 
onel Caleb  Heathcote,  Captain  James  Mott,  William  Pennoyer,  John  Williams, 
Henry  Disbrow,  Oliver  Hatfield,  John  Disbrough  and  Benjamin  Disbrough,  a 
lot  or  parcel  of  land  bounded  as  followeth  :  "  To  begin  at  Westchester  path  by 
Mamaroneck  river  and  runs  as  the  river  doth  to  the  marked  trees  at  the  easter- 
niost  side  of  the  two  mile  bounds,  from  thence  as  was  laid  out  to  the  marked 
trees  on  the  southermost  end  of  Richbell's  ridge,  from  thence  to  Dirty  swamp 
rid^o  in  a  direct  line,  and  from  said  ridge  as  the  road  goeth  to  Mamaroneck  river, 

a  Original  deed  in  the  possession  of  the  De  Laucey  family. 


476 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


each  party  above  mentioned  to  have  and  to  hold  their  allotments  and  divisions 
as  already  laid  out,  and  according  to  their  deeds  of  John  and  Mrs.  Richbell. 
Sig.  sealed  and  delivered  Patthvnck. 
in  the  presence  of  us,  Wapetcck. 
JosEim  Hiatt, 
Joseph  Purdy. 

In  the  year  1700,  Samuel  Palmer  of  Mamaroneck,  obtained  an  assign- 
ment of  the  Great  Middle  neck,  from  Robert  Richbell,  former  mort- 
gagee under  his  uncle  John  Richbell. 

Upon  the  5  th  of  November,  1701,  Ann  Hook,  Indian  sachem,  re- 
leased to  Samuel  Palmer, 

"All  that  my  parcel  of  land  formerly  called  Mangopson  neck,  now  called  by 
the  name  of  the  great  neck,  &c. ,  bounded  easterly  by  a  brook,  called  by  name 
Pipin's  brook,  which  runs  into  the  salt  water  creek,  aud  so  running  round  along 
by  the  Sound,  and  so  running  up  to  a  brook  called  by  the  name  of  Cedar  or  Pine 
tree  brook,  together  with  a  parcel  of  land  running  up  said  brook  by  a  range  of 
marked  trees,  until  this  meet  with  the  marked  trees  of  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote, 
and  from  thence  rumiing  by  the  aforesaid  range  of  marked  trees,  down  to  the 
said  Pipin's  brook,  to  the  afore  said  salt  water  creek,  with  all  and  singular  the 
members,  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  &c. 
Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  The  mark  of  Aun  Hook, 

in  the  presence  of  us, 
Besly, 
Benm.  Collier. 

The  heirs  of  Samuel  Palmer,  viz. :  Obediah,  Solomon,  Nehemiah  and 
Sylvanus,  subsequently  sold  the  great  neck,  (containing  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,)  to  Josiah  Quimby.  It  appears  that  Adolph  Philipse 
and  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  purchased  (in  the  lifetime  of  John  Richbell,) 
the  fee  simple  of  certain  lands  in  Mamaroneck,  embracing  one  full  and 
equal  half  moiety  of  the  west  neck ;  the  whole  of  which  afterwards  be- 
came vested  in  the  person  of  Frederick  Philipse.  This  individual  event- 
ually claimed  the  whole  territory  north  of  Westchester  path,  lying  above 
the  great  neck,  so  that  when  the  surveyor  general,  on  the  18th  of  No- 
vember, 17 14,  commenced  the  survey  of  the  great  neck,  he  was  stopped 
by  Philipse,  when  he  came  above  Westchester  path.  The  surveyor  how- 
ever continued  the  original  line  until  he  came  to  Bronx's  river,  here 
again  he  was  opposed  by  Philipse,  who  forbade  and  warned  him  at  his 
peril  to  proceed  any  further,  as  he  claimed  all  the  land  beyond  Bronx's 
river  by  a  different  title.  The  twenty  mile  line  north  of  the  great  neck, 
would  have  carried  the  Richbell  patent  nearly  to  the  Croton  river.  The 
whole  matter  ultimately  came  before  the  Court  of  Chancery,  on  the  2d  of 
May,  1727.0 

a  Chancery  Uec.  Albany. 


THE  TOWN  OK  MAMARONECK. 


477 


On  the  8th  of  December,  1708,  Wiiliam  and  Thomas  Pennoyer  did 
grant  unto  Caleb  Heathcote  their  home  lot,  laid  out  to  them  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Mamaroneck  ;  also  certain  lands  situated  on  the  west  neck. 

In  1724,  Henry  Pennoyer  sold  certain  lands  in  the  village,  to  Polycar- 
pus  Nelson. 

In  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  is  the  field-book  and  map  contain- 
ing the  survey  and  division  of  all  the  certain  tracts  and  parcels  of  land 
lying  on  Mamaroneck,  Scarsdale  and  Harrison  purchase,  in  the  county 
of  Westchester,  the  property  of  Caleb  Heathcote,  Esq.,  in  his  lifetime, 
and  which  remain  unsold  by  him  or  his  decendants  since  his  death, 
whereof  we  the  subscribers,  were  appointed  commissioners  by  virtue  of 
an  act  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  Council  and  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Colony  of  New  York,  entitled  an  act  for  the  more  effectual 
collecting  of  his  majesty's  quit-rents  in  the  Colony  of  New  York,  and  for 
partition  of  lands  in  order  thereto,  which  said  lands  we  have  laid  out  in- 
to three  divisions,  viz. :  Division  No.  1,  or  north  division;  division  No. 
2  or  middle  division;  division  No.  3  or  south  division;  north  division 
laid  out  into  2 1  lots,  two  small  lots  in  the  possession  of  William  Barker; 
lots  No.  16  and  17  controverted  lands  in  his  division.  Division  No.  2 
divided  into  9  lots  for  the  proprietors;  division  No.  3  or  south  division, 
laid  out  into  11  lots:  numbers  4,  5,  6  and  7  are  controverted;  the  re- 
maining lots  uncontroverted.  Lots  No.  13  and  18,  and  2  small  lots  in 
the  possession  of  William  Barker;  the  first  lot,  north  division,  and  lot 
No.  7  in  the  middle  or  second  division,  distinguished  on  the  map  by  a 
certain  red  line,  which  together  contains  320  acres,  2  roods,  10  rods,  are 
set  apart  for  sale  in  order  to  defray  expenses  of  division,  &c,  &c.  In 
witness  whereof,  as  well  the  said  commissioners  as  the  surveyor  by  us 
appointed,  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  at  Mamaroneck,  in  the  county 
of  Westchester,  the  16th  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1774. 


The  following  is  a  receipt  for  quit-rent  due  the  crown  on  the  Richbell 
Patent : 

'•Received  of  Nehemiah  Palmer  and  Co.,  70  bushels  and  3  pecks  of  wheat  in 
full  of  the  proprietors  for  quit-rent,  (being  :5  bushels  and  30  quarts  per  annum,) 
due  on  the  tract  of  land  in  Westchester  County,  granted  to  John  Richbell,  the 
16th  of  October,  166S,  being  from  the  2*>th  of  March,  1734,  to  the  25th  of  March 
last,  as  witness  my  hand  this  12th  of  June,  1752. 

Wheat  reckoned  at  4s.  6d.  a  bushel. 


Charles  Webb, — Surveyor. 


Richard  N 


iooll,  Deputy  General  Receiver. 


478 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


A  partition  of  Colonel  Heathcote's  estate  took  place  between  hi 
two  daughters  and  co-heiresses,  Anne  and  Martha.  Anne  Heathcott 
married  the  Hon.  James  de  Lancey,  son  of  Etienne  de  Lancey. 

The  de  Lancers  of  New  York,  are  a  branch  of  the  ancient  house  of 
de  Lancy  in  France,  springing  from  Guy  de  Lancy,  Ecuyer,  Vicomte 
de  Laval  et  de  Nouvion,  who  in  1432,  held  of  the  Prince-Bishop  of  the 
Duchy  of  Laon,  the  fiefs  of  the  four  banier  of  Laval,  and  that  of  Nou- 
vion.'1 These  territories  formed  one  of  the  four  Vicomte-cies  of  the 
Laonnois,  a  division  of  the  old  province  of  the  li  Isle  of  France,"  bordei- 
ing  on  Picardy. 

The  manuscript  genealogies  of  this  family  are  preserved  in  the  Armo- 
rial General  de  la  France  2d  Register,  2d  volume,  in  the  National 
Library  of  France6  at  Paris,  and  in  the  archives  of  the  department  ot 
the  Aisne,  at  the  city  of  Laon.  The  latter  have  been  given  in  the  Dic- 
tionnaire  Historique  du  Department  de'  l'Aisne  of  M.  Melville."  The 
descent  is  thus  given  from  the  French  authorities."2 

The  prefixed  Roman  numerals  are  so  used  in  the  French  gene- 
alogies to  denote  the  different  individuals  bearing  the  same  Chris- 
tian name. 

1432.  Guy  de  Lancy,  Ecuyerc  Vicomte  de  Laval  et  de  Nouvion.  Wife, 
Anne  de  Marcilly. 

1436.  Jean  I,  (John)  de  Lancy,  2d  Vicomte. 

1470.  Jean  II,  (John)  de  Lancy,  3d  Vicomte,  Deputy  to  the  States 
General  at  Tours  in  1484,  present  at  the  battles  Fornoue  and 
Ravvenna. 

1525.  Charles  I,  de  Lancy,  4th  Vicomte.  Wives,  1.  Nicole  St.  P£re, 
issue,  one  daughter,  married  Antoine  Pioche,  of  Laon.  2.  Marie 
de  Villiers,  issue,  two  sons,  Charles  6th  Vicomte,  and  Christophe, 
Seigneur  de  Raray. 

1535.  Charles  II,  de  Lancy  5th  Vicomte.  Wife,  Isabel  Branche,  mar- 
ried 15th  April,  1534;  issue,  Charles  6th  Vicomte,  Jacques  (James) 
Claude,  and  a  daughter  Barbe. 

a  Sometimes  spelled  "Ncmvian."'  These  lands  and  villages  are  situated  a  few  miles  from 
the  city  of  Leon  in  the  presented  department  of  the  Aistu. 

6  The  offleal  MSS  ,  of  this  work,  the  great  National  Register  of  the  French  Nobl  sse.  were 
first  printed  by  order  of  Louis  XV,  in  173S. 

c  In  two  vols.  S  vo  ,  published  at  Paris  and  at  Laon  In  1065. 

d  LeNobiliaire  de  Picardle,  Paris,  lf.93,  title  "Lanei,"  Dictionnalre  d-  la  Noblesse  de 
Fraece.  by  chenaye  Desbois,  vol.  viii:  title  "Lancy;"  Annuaire  dc  la  Noblesse  of  Borel  d 
Hanterive  for  1855,  "  Lancy— Karay." 

e  Ecnycr,  denotes  a  gentleman  entitle  to  use  coat-armor. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


479 


1569.  Charles  III,  de  Lancy,  6th  Nicomte.  Wives,  1.  Madeline  Le 
Brun,  married  21st  of  July,  1569;  issue,  Charles  IV.  de  Lancy, 
Seigneur  de  Cocquebine,  (who  died  in  1667,  leaving  by  Francoise 
Crochart,  his  first  wife ;  Charles  V,  de  Lancy,  Seigneur  de  Char- 
lemont,  who  died  unmarried.  By  his  second  wife  Marthe  de  Res- 
nel,  the  Sjign.'ur  de  Cocquebine,  who  was  created  a  Counsellor 
to  the  King,  20th  of  March,  1652,  no  children.) 

Charles  III,  de  Lancy,  6th  Vicomte,  was  present  at  the  battle 
1590.  of  Ivry  in  1590.  2.  By  his  second  wife  Claude  de  May,  married 
1593.  15th  January,  1593,  he  had  issue,  Charles  de  Lancy,  Sieur  de 

Suine  et  de  Niville,  Antoine,  a  Canon  of  the  Cathedral  of  Laon, 

and  Claude. 

1 6 1 1 .  Charles  de  Lancy,  Sieur  de  Suine  et  de  Niville,  born  in  1611, 

1653.  married  25th  June,  1653,  Jeanne  Ysore,  was  created  a  Counsellor 
1689.  of  State  to  the  King  in  1654,  and  died  23d  of  November,  1689, 

leaving  issue,  one  child, — 

Charles  Ambroise  de  Lancy,  Seigneur  De  Niville  et  du  Con- 
1697.  dray,  de  Frenoi,  et  d'Orgemont  who  married  9th  January,  1702, 

Marie  Madeleine  Labbe.    He  was  confirmed  in  his  nobility  by  a 
1702.  decree  of  the  King  in  Council,  Nov.  30th,  1697.    He  had  issue, 

an  only  son, — 

1707.  Pierre  Charles  de  Lancy,  Seigneur  de  Niville  et  de  Blarus,  born 
5th  of  June,  1707;  an  officer  of  the  Kings  Guards,  who  died  un- 

1750.  married  in  1750. 

Christophe  de  Lancy,  Signeur  de  Raray,  above  named,  the 
younger  of  the  two  sons  of  Charles  de  Lancy  4th,  Vicomte  de 

1525.  Laval  et  de  Nouvion,  created  Baron  de  Raray,  having  no  issue 
by  his  first  wife,  Barbe  de  Louen,  married  secondly,  January  19th, 

1553.  1553,  Francoise  Lami,  daughter  of  Pierre  Lami,  Seigneur  de  la 

1584.  Morliere.  He  died  in  1584,  leaving  a  son  Nicholas  de  Lancy, 
second  Baron,  Treasurer  of  Gaston,  first  Duke  of  Orleans  who 
married  Lucrece  de  Lancise,  a  Florentine  lady,  and  had  four  chil- 
dren.   1.  Henry  de  Lancy,  third  Baron,  who  was  created  January 

1654.  17th,  1654,  Marquis  de  Rarai.  2.  Francois  de  Lancy,  Seigneur 
D'Aramont,  called  the  Chevalier  de  Raray,  who  was  killed  at  the 
seige  of  Conde,  17th  August,  1674,  unmarried;  and  3.  Charles  de 
Lancy,  Seigneur  de  Ribecourt,  et  Pimpre,  who  married  Madeleine 
d'Aguesseau  and  died  without  issue  in  1675.  4.  Madeleine  de 
Lancy,  married  nth  November,  16 19,  Charles  de  Mornay,  Seig- 
neur de  Montchevreuil. 


480 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Henry  de  Lancy,  above  named,  ist  Marquis  de  Raray,  married 
January  30th,  1633,  Catharine  d'Angennes,  daughter  of  Louis 
d'Angennes,  Siegneur  de  la  Loupe  and  his  wife  Francoise,  daugh- 
ter of  Odet,  Seigneur  d' Auberville,  Bailly  of  the  city  of  Caen,  in 
Normandy,  by  whom  he  had,  1.  Gaston  Jean  Baptiste  de  Lancy, 
2d  Marquis;  2.  Charles  de  Lancy- Raray,  killed  at  the  siege  of 
Lille,  in  1667,  unmarried;  and  3.  Marie  Charlotte,  wife  of  Louis 
des  Acres,  Marquis  de  l'Aigle,  who  died  in  Paris,  August  27th, 
1734,  aged  82  years." 

1660.  Gaston  Jean  Baptiste  de  Lancy,  second  Marquis  de  Raray 
married  4th  May,  1660,  Marie  Luce  Aubery,  daughter  of  Robert, 
Marquis  de  Vatan,  and  had  two  sons,  Charles  Henry  de  Lancy, 

1679.  third  Marquis,  made  a  page  to  the  King  in  1679,  who,  died 
shortly  after,  unmarried,  and  Gaston  Jean  Baptiste  de  Lancy, 
who  succeeded  his  brother  as  fourth  Marquis  and  died  unmarried 

1680.  not  long  after.  Both  these  brothers  died  in  1680  ;  and  with  them 
ended  the  males  of  this  branch  of  the  family.  Their  sisters  were 
five,  Henriette,  wife  of  the  Marquis  de  Crevecaeur;  Catharine, 
wife  of  the  Seigneur  de  la  Billarderie ; 6  Francoise,  died  unmar- 
ried ;  Annette,  died  unmarried ,  and  Marie  Luce,  wife  of  the 
Comte  de  Nonant,  who  died  16th  March,  1743,  aged  eighty. 

The  Arms  are  blazoned  in  the  "Armorial  General  de  la  France."  thus, 
"Armes;  or,  a  l'aigle  eployee  de  sable,  charge  sur  l'estomac  d'un  ecusson 
d'azur,  a  trois  lances  d'or,  posees  en  pal,  pointes  en  haut."  In  English, 
Arms  :  Or,  an  eagle  wings  displayed,  sable,  charged  on  the  breast  with 
a  shield  azure,  three  tilting  lances  or,  in  pale,  points  upward. 

On  becoming  a  British  subject,  Etienne  (or  Stephen)  de  Lancey  modi- 
fied these  arms  which  had  originated  before  the  use  of  crests  in  heraldry, 
to  make  them  more  like  those  of  English  families,  most  of  which  have 

a  Le  Palais  d'LHonneur,  Paris,  1004,  page  312,  family  "d'Angennes." 
b  In  front  of  the  altar  at  the  Cluircii  of  Vrebcrie,  (department  of  Oise,  France,)  there  is  a 
tombstone  erected  to  this  lady,  iuscribed :—  - 

D.      O.  M. 
let  repose 
Haute  etpuissante  Dame 
Madame  Fkancoisb  de  Lanci  KARAi,dame 
des  Tern  s  et  Seigneuries,  d'lIaramou%  Ribeconrt, 
Pimpre  St.  Germain  et  Kuy,  en  partie  chatelaine 
Hereditalre  et  engagiste  des  Domaines  de  Hiithizy 
et  Verberle,  possides  par  ses  peres  depuisplus 
den x  cents  a  11s  veuve  de  Messiiv  Barthclemt  de 
Flahaui  fhevelier  seigneur  de  la  Billarderie  Maitre 
de  camp  de  Cavalerie,  exempt  des  ganles  du  corps 

du  Koi  tue  a  la  bataille  de  Mai  plnqu»t.  La  dite 
Damede  la  Billarderie  est  deoedee  la  25  Juin,  1724. 
agiee  de  81  ana 
Priez  pour  sou  ame 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK.  48 1 

crests  j  and  though  not  registered  in  the  English  College  of  Arms,  they 
appear  as  so  modified  in  most  English  heraldic  works,  and  have  since 
been  so  borne  in  America,  notably  on  the  official  seal  of  his  son  James 
de  Lancey,  as  Lt.  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  New  York.  They 
are  thus  blazoned: — Arms;  Azure,  a  tilting  lance  proper,  point  upward 
with  a  pennon  argent  bearing  a  cross  gules  fringed  and  floating  to  the 
right,  debruised  of  a  fess,  or  Crest  ;  A  sinister  arm  in  armor  embowed, 
the  hand  grasping  a  tilting  lance,  pennon  floating,  both  proper.  Motto  ; 
Certum  voto  pete  finem. 

The  name  of  tins  family,  anciently  spelled  "  Land,"  and  later  "  Lancy/' 
in  France,  was  anglicised  by  Etienne  de  Lancy  on  being  denizenized  a 
British  subject  in  1686,  after  which  time  he  always  wrote  his  name  Ste- 
phen de  Lancey — thus  inserting  an  ue"  in  the  final  sylable.  The  "de" 
is  the  ordinary  French  prefix,  denoting  nobility. 

The  Seigneur  Jacques  (James)  de  Lancy,  above-named,  second  son 
of  Charles  de  Lancy,  5th  Vicomte  de  Laval  et  de  Nouvion,  was  the  an- 
cestor of  the  Huguenot  branch,  the  only  existing  one,  of  this  family. 
His  son  the  Seigneur  Jacques  de  Lancy  of  Caen,  married  Marguerite 
Bertrand,  daughter  of  Pierre  Bertrand  of  Caen,  by  his  first  wife,  the 
Demoiselle  Firel,  and  had  two  children,  a  son  Etienne  (or  Stephen)  de 
Lancey,  born  at  Caen,  October  24th,  1663,  and  a  daughter,  the  wife  of 
John  Barbaric a  On  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  Stephen  de 
Lancey  was  one  of  those  who,  stripped  of  their  titles  and  estates,  fled 
from  persecution — leaving  his  aged-mother,  then  a  widow,  in  conceal- 
ment at  Caen,  he  escaped  to  Holland,  where,  remaining  a  short  time, 
he  proceeded  to  England,  and  taking  out  letters  of  denization  as  an 
English  subject  at  London,  on  the  20th  of  March,  1686,  he  sailed  for 
New  York,  where  he  arrived  on  the  7th  of  June  following.  Here  with  300 
pounds  sterling,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  some  family  jewels,  the  parting 
gift  of  his  mother,  he  embarked  in  mercantile  pursuits.  By  industry  and 
strict  application  to  business,  he  became  a  successful  merchant  and 
amassed  a  large  fortune.  He  was  a  highly  esteemed  and  influential 
man,  and  held,  through  all  his  life,  honorable  appointments  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  city,  as  well  as  in  the  Representative  Assembly  of  the  Prov- 
ince. He  was  elected  Alderman  of  the  west  ward  of  the  city,  five  years 
after  his  arrival,  in  1691.  He  was  representative  from  the  city  and 
county  of  New  York,  in  the  Provincial  Assembly,  from  1702  to  17 15, 
with  the  exception  of  1709;  and  in  1725,  on  the  decease  of  Mr.  Pro- 

a  MSS., "  Bertrand  "  Genealogy :— .John  Barbaric  and  his  family  came  to  New  YorK  In  16C8, 
In  winch  year  (on  5th  .January,  >  he  and  bta  sous  Peter,  and  John  l'eter,  were  denizened  as 
Einjlish  subjects  In  London,  lie  was  subsequently  a  merchant  In  New  York,  in  partnership 
wiih  his  brut  hei -In-law,  bicphen  de  Lancy,  aud  a  member  of  the  council  of  the  Province 


482 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


voost,  he  was  elected  again  to  that  body.  The  following  year  he  was 
re-elected,  and  continued  in  office  until  1737;  a  service  of  twenty-six 
years  in  all.  In  17 16,  being  a  vestryman  of  Trinity  church,  he  con- 
tributed ,£50,  the  amount  of  his  salary  as  Representative  to  the  General 
Assembly,  to  buy  a  city  clock  for  that  church,  the  first  ever  erected  in 
New  York.  To  him  and  Mr.  John  Moore,  his  partner,  the  city  is  also 
indebted  for  the  introduction  of  fire  engines,  in  i73i."a  He  was  one  of 
the  principal  benefactors  of  the  French  church,  Du  St.  Esprit,  estab- 
lished in  New  York  by  the  refugees  who  fled  upon  the  Revocation  of 
the  Edict  of  Nantz,  and  a  warm  friend  of  the  French  Huguenots  at  New 
Rochelle.  The  following  letter  addressed  by  him,  1591,  to  his  friend 
Alexander  Allaire,  still  preserved  among  the  public  records  at  New 
Rochelle. 

Nielx  Toek,  lk  27  Jtliet,  1C91. 

Moss.  Allaire: 

Monsieur  Notre  Amy  Moris.  Bonheiler,  avant  de  partir  nie  donnera  ordrequ'en 
cas  quil  viiisse  a  mourir  il  soit  fait  donnation  de  ses  terres  a  sa  filleule  votre  fille, 
Sy  vous  pouvez  falre  quelque  Benefice  des  dits  terres.  Soit  a,  Couper  des  arbres 
ou  a  faire  des  foins  sur  les  prairies  vous  le  pouves  a  l'exclusion  de  qui  quese  soit, 
Je  suis.  Mons.  votre  tre  humble  serviteur, 

Etiesxe  de  Lasoet, 
Ceu  est  la  veretable  coppie  de  1 'original.* 

He  was  a  vestrymen  of  Trinity  church,  New  York  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1741.  He  married  January  23d,  1700,  Anne  Van  Cortlandt, 
daughter  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  (whose  family  was  then  one  of 
the  most  opulent  and  extensive  in  the  Province.  Stephen  de  Lancey  at 
his  death  in  1741  left  issue  surviving,  James,  Peter,  Oliver,  and  Stephen 
his  youngest  son,  who  died  a  bachelor,  Susan  and  Anne.  The  eldest 
son,  James  de  Lancey,  a  man  of  great  talent,  was  born  in  the  City  of 
New  York,  27th  November,  1703,  and  received  his  education  at  the 
University  of  Cambridge,  England.  He  was  a  fellow  commoner  of 
Corpus  Christi  College  (where  he  was  styled  the  "handsome  Ameri- 
can") and  studied  law  in  the  Temple.  In  1725,  he  returned  to  New 
York,  and  on  the  decease  of  John  Barbarie,  his  uncle  by  marriage,  was 
appointed  by  George  II.  to  succeed  him  in  the  Provincial  Council  He 
took  his  seat  at  the  board,  January  29th,  1729,  and  held  it  to  April  9th, 
1733,  when  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  New  York  and  continued 
so  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  1753,  on  the  accession  of  Sir  Danvers 
Osborn  as  Governor,  in  the  place  of  George  Clinton,  he  received  the 
commission  of  Lieutenant-Governor,  which  had  been  conferred  upon 

a  Miscellaneous  works,  by  Gen.  de  Peyster;  De  Peyster  Gen.  Ret  p.  54. 
6  Copied  from  origiual  .MSS.  in  Roc.  of  New  Rocnelle. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


4S3 


him  in  1747  by  George  II.  and  had  been  kept  back  by  Clinton  until 
this  time.  The  oath  of  office  was  administered  October  10th,  1753. 
The  tragical  death  of  Sir  Danvers  Osborn  by  suicide  two  days  afterwards, 
occasioned  the  elevation  of  Mr.  de  Lancey  to  the  Gubernatorial  chair, 
which  he  occupied  till  the  2d  of  September,  1755,  when  the  new  Gover- 
nor, Admiral  Sir  Charles  Hardy  arrived,  who  administered  the  goverment 
till  the  2d  of  July,  1757.  Preferring  a  naval  command  Hardy  resigned, 
and  sailed  in  the  expedition  to  Louisburgh,  and  Mr.  De  Lancey  again 
took  the  reins  of  Government. 

The  ministry  of  England  wished  to  keep  the  command  of  New  York 
in  the  hands  of  Mr.  de  Lancey  but  it  was  then,  as  it  is  to  this  day,  a 
rule  of  the  English  Government  never  to  appoint  a  native  colonist  to  the 
supreme  command  over  his  own  colony.  To  effect  their  object  in  this 
case  without  violating  their  rule,  they  decided  not  to  appoint  any  new 
Governor  as  long  as  Mr.  de  Lancey  lived ;  he  therefore  remained  the 
Governor  of  New  York  until  his  death,  some  three  years  afterwards,  on 
the  30th  of  July,  1760." 

"On  the  19th  of  June,  1754,  Governor  de  Lancey  convened  and  pre- 
sided over  celebrated  Congress  of  Albany,  the  first  Congress  ever  held 
in  America,  over  which  he  presided.  This  was  a  Congress  of  delegates 
from  all  the  colonies,  which  the  home  government  directed  the  Gover- 
nor of  New  York  to  hold,  for  the  purpose  of  conciliating  the  Indian 
nations  who  were  invited  to  attend  it ;  of  renewing  the  covenant  chain 
and  attaching  them  more  closely  to  the  British  interest,  and  comprising 
all  the  provinces  in  one  general  treaty  to  be  made  with  them  in  the 
King's  name,  and  for  no  other  purpose.6  Speeches  and  presents  were 
made  to  the  Indians  who  promised  to  do  all  that  was  asked  of  them, 
but  no  formal  treaty  whatever  was  concluded.  The  Congress  voted  in- 
stead, that  the  delegation  from  each  colony  except  New  York,  should 
appoint  one  of  their  number,  who  together  should  be  a  committee  to 
digest  a  plan  for  a  general  union  of  all  the  colonies. 

The  choice  of  the  New  York  committee-man  was  left  to  Governor 
de  Lancey,  who,  acting  most  impartially,  appointed  his  political  oppo- 
nent, William  Smith,  Esq  ,  the  elder.c  This  movement,  which  was  not 
within  the  objects  of  the  Congress  as  defined  in  the  letter  of  the  Board 
of  Trade  above  mentioned,  resulted  in  the  adopting  of  a  plan  of  a  union 
to  be  made  by  an  act  of  Parliament,  which,  after  the  provisions  were  re- 
el For  a  full  biographical  sketch  of  Governor  de  Lancey,  see  Documentary  nistonr  of  New 
York,  voL  IV,  p.  1037. 

b  Virginia  anil  Carolina  did  not  send  delegates,  bnt  desired  to  be  considered  as  present. 
Doc.  Hist.  X.  Y.,  II.  567. 

e  See  Letter  of  Lords  of  Trade,  directing  the  holding  of  the  Cougress,  anil  the  minutes  of 
Its  proceedings  lu  f  ulJ,  In  Doc.  iilst.  X.  Y.,  II,  555,  and  X.  Y.  CoL  UUt.,  vi.  p.  853. 


484 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


solved  on,  was  put  into  form  by  Benjamin  Franklin,  who  was  a  delegate 
from  Pennsylvania,  and  which  was  not  decided  upon,  but  merely  sent  to 
the  different  provinces  for  consideration. 

Before  the  motion  for  the  appointment  of  this  committee  was  made, 
Governor  de  Lancey,  being  in  favor  of  the  colonies  uniting  for  their  own 
defence,  proposed  the  building  and  maintaining,  at  the  joint  expense  of 
the  colonies,  of  a  chain  of  forts  covering  their  whole  exposed  frontier, 
and  some  in  the  Indian  country  itself.  But  this  plan,  like  the  other, 
was  without  effect  upon  the  Congress;  for,  as  he  tells  us  himself,  "they 
seemed  so  fully  persuaded  of  the  backwardness  of  the  several  assemblies 
to  come  into  joint  and  vigorous  measures  that  they  were  unwilling  to 
enter  upon  the  consideration  of  the  matters.""  His  idea  seem  to  have 
been  for  a  practical  union  of  the  colonies  for  their  own  defence  to  be 
made  by  themselves;  whilst  that  of  the  committees,  who  despaired  of  a 
voluntary  union,  was  for  a  consolidation  of  the  colonies  to  be  enforced 
by  act  of  Parliament.  Neither  plan,  however,  met  with  favor  in  any 
quarter,  and  the  Congress  affected  little  but  the  conciliation  of  the  In- 
dians.* 

In  the  autumn  of  1754,  the  Governor  suggested  to  the  Assembly  the 
system  of  settling  lands  in  townships  instead  of  patents,  a  measure  which, 
being  passed  by  them,  rapidly  increased  the  population  and  prosperity 
of  the  colony. e 

On  the  31st  of  October,  1754,  Governor  de  Lancey  signed  and  passed 
the  charter  of  King's  (now  Columbia)  college,  in  spite  of  the  long  and 
bitter  opposition  of  the  Presbyterians,  led  by  Mr.  William  Livingston. 
So  decided  were  they  against  the  Episcopalians  at  this  time,  and  so  de- 
termined were  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Livingston  to  break  down  the  college, 
that,  though  signed  and  sealed,  the  charter  was  not  delivered  in  conse- 
quence of  the  clamor,  till  May  7th,  1755,  when,  after  an  address,  Gov- 
ernor de  Lancey  presented  it  to  the  trustees  in  form." 

"  No  American  had  greater  influence  in  the  colonies  than  James  de 
Lancey.  Circumstances,  it  is  true,  aided  in  raising  him  to  this  elevation 
— such  as  education,  connections,  wealth,  and  his  high  conservative  prin- 
ciples; but  he  owed  as  much  to  personal  qualities,  perhaps,  as  to  all 
other  causes  united.  Gay,  witty,  easy  of  access,  and  frank,  he  was,  per- 
sonally, the  most  popular  ruler  the  Province  ever  possessed,  even  when 
drawing  tightest  the  reins  of  Government."" 

The  death  of  Governor  James  de  Lancey,  which  took  place  on  the 

a  See  his  speech  to  the  Assembly  of  Augu«t  20th,  1754.  Ass.  Jonr.,  IT,  3S6,  387. 
b  See  the  proceedings  of  the  Congress.   Doc.  llist.  N.  Y.,  II,  3SC,  387. 
c  Assembly  Journal,  II.  for  September,  1754. 
d  Hoc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  IV,  1051. 
e  Hoc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  p.  1057. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


4S5 


30th  of  July,  1760,  was  an  event  which  had  a  great  influence  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Province.  He  was  found  expiring  upon  that  morning, 
seated  in  his  chair  in  his  library,  too  late  for  medical  aid.  His  funeral 
took  place  on  the  evening  of  the  31st  of  July,  1760.  The  body  was 
deposited  in  his  family  vault,  in  the  middle  aisle  of  Trinity  church,  the 
funeral  service  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barclay,  in  great  mag- 
nificence ;  the  building  was  splendidly  illuminated.  The  accounts  of  the 
funeral  and  the  procession  from  his  house  in  the  Bowery  to  the  church, 
filled  columns  of  the  papers  of  the  day.* 


Seal  and  Signature  of  the  Hon.  James  de  Lancey. 


The  following  particulars  are  copied  from  a  memorandum  written  by 
the  elder  John  Watts,  of  New  York,  in  1787  : 

"  James  de  Lancey  was  a  man  of  uncommon  abilities  in  every  view,  from 
the  law  to  agriculture,  and  an  elegant,  pleasant  companion— what  rarely  unites 
in  one  person  ;  it  seemed  doubtful  which  excelled,  his  quick  penetration  or  his 
sound  judgment ;  the  first  seemed  an  instaut  guide  to  the  last.  No  man  in  either 
office,  (Chief  Justice  or  Lieut.  Governor  J  had  more  the  love  and  confidence  of 
the  people  :  nor  any  man,  before  or  since,  half  the  influence.  He  was  unfortun- 
ately taken  from  us  in  July,  1760,  so  suddenly  that  his  very  family  suspected  no 
danger.  We  had  spent,  very  ag  -ecably,  the  day  before  on  Staten  Island ;  after 
ten  at  night  he  left  my  house  perfectly  well,  in  the  morning  lie  was  as  usual,  but 
about  nine  a  servant  was  dispatched  to  tell  me  his  master  was  very  ill.  I  mount- 
ed instantly  and  hurried  to  his  house  in  Bowery  Lane,  but  on  the  way  was 
alarmed  by  a  call  '  that  all  was  over,'  and  too  true  I  found  it;  he  sat  reclined 
in  his  chair,  one  leg  drawn  in,  the  other  extended,  his  arms  over  the  elbows,  so 
naturally,  that  had  1  not  been  apprized  of  it,  I  certainly  should  have  spoken  as 


a  Parker's  Post  Bros.,  and  MSS.  papers. 


4S6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


I  entered  the  room.  Nobody  but  his  youngest  daughter,  a  child,  was  present  at 
the  time,  so  little  did  the  family  apprehend  the  least  danger.  Never  did  these 
eyes  behold  such  a  spectacle,  or  did  my  spirits  feel  such  an  impression.  The 
idea  affects  me  whenever  I  think  of  it ;  to  loose  such  a  companion,  such  a  coun- 
sellor, such  a  friend." 

James  de  Lancey  married  as  above  stated,  Anne,  eldest  daughter  and 
co-heiress  of  the  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Scars- 
dale.  By  her,  he  had  four  sons ;  first,  James ;  second,  Stephen  j  third, 
Heathcote;  fourth,  John  Peter;  and  four  daughters;  first,  Mary,  wife 
of  William  Walton,  who  died  in  1767  ;  second,  Susannah,  born  iSth 
November,  1737,  died  a  spinster  in  1815;  third,  Anne,  born  1746,  and 
died  in  1847,  who  married  Thomas  Jones,  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  New  York,  author  of  the  history  of  New  York  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War;  and  Martha  who  died  a  spinster,  aged  19,  in  1769. 

James  De  Lancey,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  born 
in  1732,  was  the  head  of  the  political  party,  called  by  his  name,  from 
his  father's  death  to  the  Revolution  and  its  leader  in  the  Assembly  of 
the  Province.  He  married,  August  17th,  1771,  Margaret  Allen  of  Phila- 
delphia, daughter  of  William  Allen,  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  whose 
sister  was  the  wife  of  Governor  John  Penn  of  that  Province.  The  late 
Mrs.  Harry  Walter  Livingston  (born  Mary  Allen)  who  died  in  1855, 
was  a  niece  of  these  two  sisters.  James  de  Lancey  had  two  sons,  Charles 
in  early  life  a  British  naval  officer,  and  James,  Lieut-Colonel  of  the 
First  Dragoon  Guards;  both  died  bachelors,  the  former  May  6th,  1840, 
and  the  latter  May  26th,  1857 ;  and  three  daughters,  Margaret,  married 
July  17th  1794,  Sir  Jukes  Granville  Clifton  Jukes,  Bart,  and  died  June 
nth,  1804  without  leaving  children;  Anna  and  Susan  who  both  died 
spinsters,  the  first,  August  10th,  1851,  and  the  last  April  7th,  1866. 

Stephen  the  second  son  of  Lieutenant-Governor  de  Lancey  was  the 
proprietor  of  what  is  now  the  town  of  North  Salem  in  this  county,  which 
came  to  his  father  as  part  of  his  share  in  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  which 
town  Stephen  de  Lancey  settled.  He  built  a  large  double  dwelling, 
which  he  subsequently  gave  to  the  town  for  an  Academy  which  is  sjill  in 
existence. a  He  married  Hannah  Sackett,  daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Sackett 
of  Crom  Pond  and  died  without  issue  May  6th,  1795.  Heathcote,  the 
third  son  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  died  young  before  his  father. 

John  Peter  de  Lancey,  the  fourth  son  of  Lt.  Governor  de  Lancey, 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  July  15th  1753,  and  died  at  Mama- 
roneck,  January  30th,  1828.  He  was  educated  at  Harrow  School  in 
England,  and  at  the  military  school  at  Greenwich.    In  1 77 1,  he  entered 

a  See  Town  of  >"ortli  Salem. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK.  487 

the  regular  army  as  Ensign,  and  served  up  to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the 
1 8th,  or  Royal  Irish  Regiment  of  Foot.  He  was,  also,  for  a  time  by 
special  permission,  Major  of  the  Pennsylvania  Loyalists,  commanded 
by  Col.  William  Allen. 

He  received  the  Heathcote  estates  of  his  mother,  in  the  Manor  of 
Scarsdale;  and  having  retired  from  a  military  life,  in  1789  returned  to 
America  and  resided  at  Mamaroneck.  He  built  a  new  house,  still 
standing  on  Heathcote  Hill,  the  site  of  his  grandfather  Heathcote's 
great  brick  manor-house,  which  was  accidentally  burnt  several  years 
prior  to  the  Revolution.  He  married  28th  September,  1785,  Elizabeth 
Floyd,  daughter  of  Col.  Richard  Floyd  of  Mastic,  Suffolk  County,  the 
head  of  that  old  Long  Island  family,  and  had  three  sons  and  five 
daughters.  The  sons  were,  1.  Thomas  James,  a  lawyer,  who  died  in  1822, 
at  the  early  age  of  32,  leaving  by  his  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Ellison,  an  only  child,  a  son,  also  named  Thomas  James,  who  married 
Frances  Augusta  Bibby,  and  died  in  1859,  without  having  had  issue. 
2  Edward  Floyd,  born  18th  June,  1795  and  died  a  bachelor,  19th  Oc- 
tober 1820.  3.  William  Heathcote,  born  8th  October,  1797,  at  Ma- 
maroneck, and  died  at  Geneva,  New  York,  April  5,  1865,  the  late 
Bishop  of  Western  New  York. 

The  daughters  were  five  in  number.  1.  Anne  Charlotte,  born  17  th 
September,  17S6,  married  10th  December,  1827;  John  Loudon  McAdam, 
the  celebrated  originator  of  McAdamized  roads,"  and  died  at  Hoddes- 
don,  in  England,  29th  May,  1852,  without  issue.  2.  Susan  Augusta, 
wife  of  James  Fenimore  Cooper,  the  eminent  American  Author,  born 
28th  January.  1 792,  married  1st  January,  181  i,6and  died  20th  of  January, 
1852.  3.  Maria  Frances,  born  August  3d,  1793;  died  17th  of  January, 
1806.  4.  Elizabeth  Caroline,  born  4th  March,  1801,  and  died,  single, 
25th  February,  i860.  5.  Martha  Arabella,  born  10th  January,  1803, 
who  is  still  living  unmarried. 

William  Heathcote  de  Lancey,  the  first  Bishop  of  Western  New  York, 
was  born  at  Heathcote  Hill,  Mamaroneck,  October  8th,  1797. 

After  attending  school  at  Mamaroneck,  and  then  at  New  Rochelle, 
where  his  teacher  was,  Mr.  Waite,  father  of  the  present  Chief  Justice 
Waite  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  he  was  sent  to  the 
academy  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart,  at  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  and  on  the  death 
of  that  gentleman,  was  transferred  at  the  suggestion  of  his  father's 
personal  friend,  the  Hon.  Rufus  King,  to  that  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eigen- 


o  She  was  his  second  wife.  Ills  first  wife  was  Glorianna  Ntcoll  of  SuffolK  Oonnty,  Long 
Island  :  a  first  cousin  of  Mrs.  John  Peter  de  Lancey,  the  mother  of  his  second  wife. 
b  This  marriage  was  solemnized  m  the  house  of  Mi.  de  Lancey,  at  Heathcote  11111. 


488 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


brodt,  at  Jamaica.  Entering  Yale  College  in  1813,  Mr.  de  Lancy  grad- 
uated in  1 81 7,  and  at  once  commenced  the  study  of  theology  with  the 
celebrated  Bishop  Hobart,  as  a  private  student.  He  was  ordained  a 
deacon  by  that  prelate  on  the  28th  of  December,  1819.  and  a  priest 
on  March  6th,  1822. 

Mr.  de  Lancey  married  on  the  22d  of  November,  1820,  Frances,  third 
daughter  of  Peter  Jay  Munro,  of  New  York,  and  of  Mamaroneck,  the 
distinguished  lawyer,  (only  child  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Harry  Munro,  the  last 
English  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  church,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  by  his  third  wife, 
Eve  Jay,  daughter  of  Peter  Jay,  the  first  of  that  name  in  Rye,  (one  of 
whose  younger  brothers  was  Chief  Justice  John  Jay)  by  his  wife  Marga- 
ret, daughter  of  the  Hon.  Henry  White,  of  the  Council  of  the  Province 
of  New  York,  and  his  wife  Eve  Van  Cortlandt,  of  Yonkers. 

While  a  divinity  student  Mr.  de  Lancey  held  the  first  services  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Mamaroneck  ;  and  with  the  aid  of  his  father,  John 
Peter  de  Lancey  and  Peter  Jay  Munro,  who  were  its  first  wardens, 
founded  the  Parish  of  St.  Thomas  in  that  village. 

After  serving  for  short  periods  as  deacon  in  Trinity  church,  and  in 
Grace  church,  New  York,  he  was  invited  by  the  venerable  Bishop  White 
of  Pensylvania  to  be  his  personal  assistant  in  the  "  Three  United 
Churches  "  of  Christ  church,  St.  Peter's,  and  St.  James  in  Philadelphia, 
of  which  he  was  also  the  Rector.  Mr.  de  Lancey  accepted  this  position 
and  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  continued  to  reside  in  the  closest 
and  most  confidential  relations  with  Bishop  White,  until  the  death  in 
1836,  of  that  great  and  venerable  prelate,  the  first  Bishop  of  the  Ameri- 
can Church,  consecrated  by  Anglican  Bishops. 

During  this  period,  in  1827,  in  his  thirtieth  year,  Mr.  de  Lancey  was 
chosen  Provost  of  the  University  of  Pensylvania,  that  old  "  College  in 
Philadelphia "  founded  by  Benjamin  Franklin;  and  also  received  the 
degree  of  D.D.,  from  his  Alma  Mater,  Yale  College — being  the  youngest 
man  upon  whom,  up  to  that  time,  she  had  conferred  that  honor.  He 
remained  in  the  Provostship  five  years,  having  brought  the  University 
up  to  a  very  flourishing  condition,  when  he  resigned  to  resumchis  pro- 
fession and  was  elected  assistant  minister  of  St.  Peter's  church.  Phila- 
delphia, with  the  reversion  of  tire  Rectorship  upon  the  death  of  Bishop 
White. 

That  event  occurring  in  1836,  Dr.  de  Lancey  then  became  Rector  of 
St.  Peter's  and  remained  such  until  1839,  when,  upon  the  division  of  the 
State  of  New  York  into  two  Dioceses,  he  was  elected  Bishop  of  that 
part  of  the  State,  west  of  Utica,  and  consecrated  Bishop  of  Western  New 
York,  at  Auburn,  May  9th,  1839,  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Geneva 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


489 


in  Ontario  County,  a  town  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  new  Diocese 
the  same  year. 

After  a  long,  distinguished  and  successful  episcopate  of  twenty-seven 
years,  Bishop  de  Lancey  died  in  his  own  house  in  Geneva,  on  the  5th 
of  April,  1865,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  "In  him,"  said  a 
writer  in  the  Church  Journal,  "  the  Church  in  America  loses  the  further 
services  of  one  of  her  oldest  and  wisest  Bishops.  Descended  from  one  of 
the  oldest  and  best  families  in  this  country — which  dates  far  back  in  our 
colonial  history,  and  was  from  the  first  one  of  the  staunchest  pillars  of 
the  Church — Bishop  de  Lancey  had  also  the  good  fortune  to  be  person- 
ally connected  with  the  leading  minds  in  our  American  branch  of  the 
Church  Catholic.  After  studying  for  holy  orders  under  Bishop  Hobart, 
and  being  ordained  by  him  both  Deacon  and  Priest,  he  became  assistant  to 
the  venerable  Bishop  White,  and  continued  in  the  closest  and  most  con- 
fidential intercourse  with  him  to  his  death  in  1836.  *  *  *  Dur- 
ing his  connection  with  the  Diocese  of  Pennsylvania,  he  filled  numerous 
posts  of  dignity  and  useful  service,  among  which  were  the  Provostship 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Secretaryship  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  and  of  the  Pennsylvania  Convention  ;  his  activity,  high  charac- 
ter and  living  influence,  were  inferior  to  those  of  no  other  Priest  in  the 
Diocese.  This  early  promise  was  not  disappointed,  but  abundantly  ful- 
filled, in  his  career  as  the  first  Bishop  of  Western  New  York.  He  was 
one  of  the  men  whom  nature  had  marked  out  for  a  ruler  among  his  fel- 
lows. With  sound  principles,  earnest  devotion,  personal  gravity,  and 
spotless  purity  of  life,  he  possessed  a  clearness  of  head,  a  keen  know- 
ledge of  human  nature,  and  a  coolness,  caution,  readiness,  and  boldness, 
which  all  combined  in  making  him  a  successful  Bishop.  His  skill  in 
debate  was  remarkable,  and  was  fully  equalled  by  his  mastery  of  all  the 
resources  of  parliamentary  tactics,  either  for  carrying  a  measure  which  he 
favored,  or  defeating  one  to  which  he  was  opposed.  His  vigilance  and 
unflinching  tenacity  were  fully  on  a  par  with  his  other  qualities ;  and 
yet  his  courtesy  and  gentlemanly  bearing,  together  with  a  pleasant  touch 
of  humor,  so  lubricated  the  friction  of  every  contest,  that  no  undue  heat 
remained  on  either  side  when  the  struggle  was  over.  No  higher  testi- 
mony could  be  given  to  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  high 
office,  than  the  fact  of  great  and  steady  growth  in  his  Diocese,  together 
with  the  maintenance  of  an  internal  harmony,  unity  and  peace,  such  as 
no  one  of  our  great  Dioceses  has  been  able  to  equal,  much  less  surpass ; 
nor  was  he  ever  the  subject  of  systematic  attack  from  outside  of  his  own 
jurisdiction.  But  his  care  was  not  limited  to  his  own  immediate  charge. 
While  Hobart  College,  and  De  Veaux  College,  and  the  Theological 


49° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Training  School,  and  other  flourishing  Church  schools,  manifest  his 
power  of  organization  and  maintenance,  and  his  success  in  rallying  aid 
by  means  of  the  confidence  which  his  personal  and  official  character  in- 
spired, he  never  neglected  the  General  Institutions  of  the  Church.  Not 
only  in  General  Convention  was  he  one  of  the  strong  men  of  the  Upper 
House;  but  in  the  Board  of  Missions,  in  the  Church  Book  Society,  in 
the  General  Theological  Seminar)',  he  has  been  among  the  foremost, 
sometimes  the  one  of  all  others  to  lead  the  way  at  critical  moments,  and 
to  sound  the  call  to  which  others  were  glad  to  rally.    His  clear-sighted- 
ness, indeed,  sometimes  made  him  a  little  in  advance  of  his  time  ;  and 
no  truer  proof  of  wisdom  could  be  given  by  a  tenacious  man  than  the 
promptness  with  which  he  dropped  a  subject  when  satisfied  that  it  was 
not  yet  ripe  for  action.    One  case  of  this  kind  was  in  regard  to  the  Gen- 
eral Theological  Seminary,  which  he  foresaw  must  sooner  or  later  change 
its  form  from  a  general  to  a  local  institution ;  and  about  twenty  years 
ago  he  proposed  it  in  the  Board.    The  proposal  failed,  and  was  not  re- 
newed.   The  time  for  that  change  is  much  nearer  now  than  it  was  then, 
and  the  shape  which  it  will  take,  will  probably  be  different  in  some  im- 
portant respects  from  Bishop  de  Lancey's  ideas  at  that  time.    But  his 
foresight  as  to  the  coming  change  will  continue  on  record.  Another 
and  still  more  important  subject  was  also  introduced  first  by  him  into 
General  Convention — the  adoption  of  the  Provincial  System.  Bishop 
White,  indeed,  had  sketched  out  the  plan  long  before,  and  he  had  taken 
it  from  the  universal  system  of  the  Church  in  all  ages  and  countries ; 
but  Bishop  de  Lancey  was  the  first  to  propose  it,  formally,  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  Church.    The  time  had  not  come  ;  and  the  Bishop  wisely 
let  it  sleep  thereafter ;  but  here,  as  before,  the  proof  of  his  foresight  as 
to  the  approaching  and  certain  needs  of  the  Church  is  written  in  the 
records  of  her  institutions.    Bishops  of  more  brilliance  in  some  depart- 
ments, of  more  moving  eloquence,  of  more  sympathetic  temperaments, 
of  more  personal  popularity,  of  more  rapid  visible  success,  we  may  be- 
hold ;  but  a  Bishop  more  sagacious,  more  steady,  more  true,  in  laying 
the  foundations  of  the  Church,  like  a  wise  master-builder,  we  never  ex- 
pect to  see." 

John  Peter  De  Lancey  by  will  (dated  28th  of  January,  1823) 
devised  his  property  in  this  town  to  Thomas  James  De  Lancey,  the  only 
child  of  his  deceased  son  Thomas  James,  and  to  his  son  William  Heath- 
cote  De  Lancey  the  Bishop  of  Western  New  York  (except  a  portion  of 
the  western  end  of  De  Lancey's  Neck  which  he  had  conveyed  in  his  life 
time  to  his  deceased  son  Thomas  James,  who  had  devised  the  same  to 
his  only  child  Thomas  James  the  younger).  All  the  property  of  Thomas 


THE  TOWN  OK  MAMARONECK. 


49I 


James  the  younger  lay  upon  the  western  part  of  de  Lancey's  Neck.  The 
eastern  part  of  that  Neck,  the  Heathcote  Hill  tract,  and  sedge  lots, 
with  the  other  lands  of  John  Peter  de  Lancey  in  Mamaioneek  passed 
to  the  late  Bishop  de  Lancey,"  who  devised  the  same  to  his  four  survi- 
ving children,  Edward  Floyd,  John  Peter,  William  Heathcote,  Jr.,  and 
Margaret,  wife  of  Thomas  F.  Rochester,  M.  D.  The  Heathcote  Hill 
estate  was  devised  to  them  equally,  and  subsequently  by  purchase  of 
the  shares  of  his  brothers  and  sister  became  the  sole  property  of  Edward 
Floyd  de  Lancey,  the  present  proprietor.  Thomas  James  de  Lancey, 
the  younger  sold  his  part  01  de  Lancey's  Neck  in  his  lifetime,  and  it  is 
now  held  by  many  owners — among  whom  are  James  M.  Constable,  John 
Greacen,  Leonard  Jacob,  Mrs.  Eldridge  and  others.  The  eastern  part, 
except  a  small  portion  in  the  rear  sold  to  Mrs.  E.  V.  Rushmore,  is  still 
held  by  the  children  of  Bishop  de  Lancey,  the  extreme  south-eastern 
part  being  the  country  seat  of  Edward  F.  de  Lancey. 

Martha  Heathcote,  the  second  surviving  daughter  of  Col.  Caleb  Heath- 
cote, married  Lewis  Johnson  of  Perth  Amboy.b  In  the  year  177 1,  the 
above  Martha,  conveyed  all  her  right  and  title  to  her  husband. 

There  is  a  deed  recorded  in  the  town  books,  between  Anne  de  Lan- 
cey daughter  of  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  widow  of  the  Hon.  James  de 
Lancey,  deceased,  and  Lewis  Johnston  of  Perth  Amboy,  physician  of 
the  one  part,  and  William  Sutton  of  Mamaroneck,  on  the  other  part. 


In  the  presence  of  John  Johnston  and  Susannah  de  Lancey. 

John  Johnston,  the  eldest  son  and  heir  at  law  of  Lewis  Johnston  and 
Martha  Heathcote.  died  in  1782,  leaving  issue  by  his  wife  Margaret  Bar- 
baric, five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Heathcote  the  third  son,  was  the 
father  of  Susannah  Snowhill  Ward,  wife  of  the  Rev.  John  M.  Ward,  the 
late  Rector  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Thomas. 

In  the  town  clerk's  office  is  a  small  manuscript  volume  entitled : 


«  In  tbe  Spring  <>f  1S47,  when  Bishop  do  Lancey  was  in  New  York,  a  package  was  handed 
to  the  servant  at  the  door,  on  opening  which  the  Bishop  found  an  anonymous  letter  directed 
to  him.  Tlii- writer  stated  that  being  in  England  thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  hr  round  some 
papers  relating  to  the  de  Lancey  family  among  some  waste  paper  in  the  house  where  he  was 
Btayiug;  that  he  had  preserved  them,  anil  seeing  by  the  newspapers  that  the  liishop  was  in 
the  city,  he  now  enclosed  them  to  him.  'I  hese  tip-  liishop  found  to  be  :  first,  the  commission 
of  James  de  Lancey  as  Lieutenant -Governor  of  the  Colony;  second  his  commission  as  Chief 
Justiceof  the  Colony;  third,  the  freedom  of  th-t'ityof  New  York  voted  to  l.'so  oytbe  Cor- 
poration of  the  city  in  1730;  fourth,  a  map  of  lands  owned  by  them  on  New  iork  island, 
prepared  by  the  Bishop's  grand-father,  and  a  f  ew  letters. 

b  The  father  of  Lewis,  was  John  Johnston,  M.I).,  ol  Edinburgh,  who  married  Euphemia 
Scot,  on  the  isth.  April,  Ii'.m;.  J,,lm  Joim-ton  di.  .1  at  Ivili  Ani  ...v,  lith  Sept.,  1732,  a?tat  73. 
The  brother  of  Lewis,  Andrew  Johnston,  married  Cathai i  le  Van  C'ortlandt. 


Signed, 
Anne  de  Lancey. 


Anne  de  Lancey, 
Lewis  Johnston. 


' '  This  is  the  book  of  records  for  Mamaroneck. 


492 


HISTORY  OK  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  first  entry  commences  April  2d,  1697. 

Lieutenant  Samuel  Palmkk,  Supervisor. 

Captain  James  Mott,  Assessor. 

Henry  Disbrow,  Collector. 

Henry  Disbkow,  Surveyor  of  the  highways. 

Lt.  William  Palmek,  Constable  and  also  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  held  by  the  freeholders  of  Mamaroneck,  on  the  18th  day 
of  April,  in  the  year  1702,  the  following  officers  were  chosen: 

Captain  James  Mott,  Supervisor, 

Neiiemiaii  Palmee,  Constable, 

Obediah  Palmer,  Clerk, 

John  Nelson,  Assessor. 

John  Disbrow,  Collector, 

Henry  Disbrow,       Surveyor  of  highways. 

Samuel  Palmer  and  William  Penoyer,  chosen  fence  viewers;  Col.  Caleb 
Heathcote  and  Samuel  Palmer,  chosen  to  lay  out  highways  by  John  Weras,  as 
they  shall  see  most  convenient. 

The  village  of  Mamaroneck  is  very  pleasantly  situated  at  the  head  of 
a  fine  bay  near  its  confluence  with  the  Mamaroneck  river.  The  chan- 
nel of  the  former  admits  at  high  water,  vessels  carrying  one  hundred 
tons,  to  the  landing.  Indian  creek,  the  north-west  channel  of  the  bay, 
leads  to  the  old  ship  yard  which  formerly  stood  near  the  western  entrance 
of  the  village ;  the  site  was  presented  to  the  town  by  the  Johnston  fam- 
ily. Vast  quantities  of  flounders  are  frequently  taken  by  means  of  fykes, 
in  this  channel.  Black  Fish,  Sheeps-head,  and  Striped  Bass,  abound  in 
the  waters  of  the  bay.  The  Mamaroneck  river,  above  mentioned,  forms 
the  eastern  boundary  of  the  town,  and  derives  its  source  from  Horton's 
pond.  This  stream  is  more  remarkable  for  the  romantic  valleys  it  forms, 
and  the  rich  country  it  winds  through,  than  for  its  extent — being  gen- 
erally buried  within  deep  banks.  Near  its  junction  with  the  Sheldrake, 
(directly  north  of  the  village,)  it  forms  a  beautiful  valley  between 
high  rolling  hills,  upon  the  sides  of  which,  are  boulders  of  enormous 
size. 

It  is  the  boundary  line  between  Mamaroneck  and  Rye,  and  is  crossed 
near  its  mouth  by  a  substantial  iron  bridge. 

The  Sheldrake  rises  from  two  springs  in  Scarsdale.0  The  general 
surface  of  the  surrounding  country  is  hilly,  and  abounds  in  wild  and  ro- 
mantic scenery. 

a  The  Sheldrake  Springs  are  situated  on  the  land  of  John  Hatfield, 


THE  TOWN  OK  MAMARONECK. 


493 


Mamaroneck  is  .one  of  the  most  ancient  villages  in  the  county,  having 
been  laid  out  in,  or  about,  the  year  1660.  It  now  contains  two 
churches,  two  carriage  factories,  several  stores  and  about  one  hundred 
dwellings.* 

The  former  divisions  of  the  high  ridge,  originally  called  "  Good-Suc- 
cess Ridge,"  (facing  the  bay  and  post  road,)  are  still  distinguished  by 
the  names  of  their  original  proprietors,  viz. :  Heathcote,  Nelson  and 
Budds'  hills.  Near  the  entrance  of  the  village  from  the  west,  is  situated 
Heathcote  Hill,  the  property  of  Edward  F.  de  Lancey,  Esq. 

The  old  de  Lancey  residence,  upon  "  Heathcote  Hill,"  stands  on 
the  site  of  a  stately  brick  manor-house,  erected  by  Colonel  Caleb  Heath- 
cote about  the  year  1700,  as  the  manor-house  of  his  manor  of  Scars- 


rioathcote  Hill,  Mamaroneck. 


dale,  and  in  which  he  dwelt  until  his  death  in  1721.  It  was  accidentally 
burned  a  few  years  before  the  Revolution. 

Madame  Knight  in  her  journey  to  Boston,  A.D.,  1704,  thus  describes 
the  place : 

"  From  New  Rochelle  we  travelled  through  Merrinack,  a  neat  though 

little  place,  with  a  navigable  river  before  it,  the  pleasantest  I  ever  see. 

There  are  good  buildings,  especially  one,  a  very  fine  seat,  which  they 

told  me  was  Col.  HeatJicote's,  who  I  heard  was  a  very  fine  gentleman. "b 

The  grounds  around  the  present  mansion  are  not  extensive,  being  about 

fifty  acres ;  but  its  views  of  the  bay,  adjacent  necks  and  distant  sound 

scenery,  present  charming  landscapes.   Fine  rows  of  walnuts  and  locusts 

o  The  New  York  and  New  Ilaven  rail  road  depot  Is  situated  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  ot 
the  village. 

b  Journal  of  Madame  Knight,  N.  Y.  edition,  1S25. 


494 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTEF. 


border  the  property  on  the  south  and  west.  Some  distance  west  of  the 
dwelling  house,  surrounded  by  orchards,  is  the  family  cemetery  of  the 
de  Lanceys.  This  spot  was  appropriated  by  John  Peter  de  Lancey,  as 
a  cemetery  for  the  remains  of  the  de  Lancey  family,  and  for  that  purpose 
devised  to  his  son  William  Heathcote  de  Lancey,  in  trust  forever,  Szc 
&c;  the  family  vault  beneath  Trinity  church  New  York,  not  having  been 
used  since  1776. 

Here  repose  the  mortal  remains  of 


Besides  other  memorials,  to  various  members  of  the  family. 

The  adjoining  estate  upon  the  east  is  Nelson  Hill.  This  property 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Nelson  family;  Polycarpus  Nelson  having 
purchased  it  of  Henry  Penoyer,  1725. 

Polycarpus  died  in  1738,  leaving  three  sons — Polycarpus,  Edward  and 
Maharshalaskbar.  The  name  of  the  latter  is  supposed  to  have  been 
derived  from  his  maternal  ancestor  Akabashka,  one  of  the  Indian  witness- 
es to  the  sale  of  John  Harrison  in  1695. 

The  two  younger  brothers  devised  their  rights  to  Polycarpus.  The 
property  has  since  passed  through  the  Horton,  Ryer,  Bailey,  and  Stanley 
families,  to  Benjamin  M.  Brown,  Esq.,  whose  heirs  sold  it  to  Andrew- 
Wilson,  from  whom  the  house  and  garden  was  purchased  by  the  present 
owner  Matthias  Banta,  Esq.,  and  the  rest  of  it  by  various  parties. 

The  house  occupies  a  beautiful  situation  on  the  slope  of  the  hill  over- 
looking the  Sound  and  Mamaroneck  bay.  This  place  is  remarkable  for 
a  very  distant  echo,  the  true  object  of  which  appears  to  be  the  opposite 
residence  of  Heathcote  Hill.  In  the  still  dewy  evenings  of  summer 
when  the  air  is  very  elastic,  and  a  dead  stillness  prevails,  every  word 
spoken  in  the  neighboring  house  is  plainly  re-echoed  from  the  northern 
bank.  "  Echo  (says  White)  has  always  been  so  amusing  to  the  imagina- 
tion, that  the  poets  have  personified  her;  and,  in  their  hands,  she  has 
been  the  occasion  of  many  a  beautiful  fiction.    Nor  need  the  gravest 


JOHN  PETEK  DE  LANCEY, 
born  in  the  City  of  New  York. 
15  July,  1753, 
died  at  Mamaroneck 
31  Jaiiuary,  1828. 


JOHN  PETEK  DE  LANCEY, 
born  8  August,  1758, 
died  7  May,  1S20. 


ELIZABETH  DE  LANCEY, 


wife  of 


THOMAS  JAMES  DE  LANCEY, 
born 


August  12,  1789, 
died  Dec'r.  28tb,  1S22. 


* 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


495 


man  be  ashamed  to  appear  taken  with  such  a  phenomenon,  since  it  may 
become  the  subject  of  philosophical  or  mathematical  inquiries. "a 

Several  members  of  the  Nelson  family  are  interred  north  of  this  resi- 
dence. Upon  the  only  tombstone  remaining,  are  chiselled  two  open 
hands  pointing  to  a  heart,  with  the  following  inscription : 

PAL YCARPVS 
NELSON 
WAS  BORN 
JBi 

IVLY  21  ABOT 
A  •  CLOCK  •  IN  •  THE  ■  MO 
RNING  •  IN  •  THE  ■  YEAR 
1688  •  I  •  FINNIST  ■  MY  ■  CORS 
AND  •  QVIT  •  TIIE  •  LAND  •  IN . 
WITNES  •  HEREOF  •  MY  •  HART  ■  MY 
HAND  •  DESESED  ■  DESEMBER .  19 
1738. 

The  neighboring  property  toward  the  north-east  was  formerly  vested 
in  the  Budd  family,  whose  surname  it  still  retains.  The  last  member 
that  occupied  the  estate  was  Col.  Gilbert  Budd,  who  served  with  great 
distinction  in  the  Continental  army  during  the  Revolution.  This  gentle- 
man was  the  son  of  Underhill  Budd,  of  Budd's  Neck,  Rye.  The  family 
cemetery  is  situated  on  that  portion  of  the  estate  which  borders  the 
Sheldrake  to  the  north  of  the  village  near  the  New  Haven  Railroad 
station. 

Here  repose  the  remains  of 

Gilbert  Bidd,& 
who  died  Oct.  1  ith,  1805, 
aged  87  years. 

Whoe'er  thou  art,  with  silent  footsteps  tread 
The  hollow  mould  where  lie  reclines  his  head; 
Let  not  thoughtless  mirth  one  tear  deny, 
But  pensive,  pause,  where  truth  and  honour  lie. 
His  gay  wit  that  fond  attention  drew, 
Oft  heard  delighted  hy  the  friendly  few; 
The  heart,  that  melted"  at  another's  grief ; 
The  hand,  in  secret,  that  bestowed  relief. 
Perhaps  e'en  now,  from  yonder  realm  of  day, 
To  his  lov'd  relatives  he  sends  a  ray  : 
Pleased  to  behold  affections  like  his  own, 
With  filial  duty  raised  this  votive  stone. 

Colonel  Gilbert  Bitid, 
who  departed  this  life 
Sept.  7,  1808, 
aged  0!)  years. 

o  White's  Sr-lborne. 

6  Gilbert  Rudd,  M.D.,  a  distinguished  surgeon,  educated  at  Edinburgh,  son  of  John  Budd. 
See  Genealogy. 


Jane  Barker, 
dee'd  December, 
1754,  aged  42. 


496 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


There  are  also  memorials  to  members  of  the  Horton,  Miller  and  Sea- 
man families. 

The  Episcopal  church  occupies  a  very  pleasant  position  directly  north 
of  the  main  street.  The  building  is  a  neat  wooden  structure,  valued  at 
$15,000.  The  foundation  of  the  present  edifice  was  laid  A  D.  1823,  and 
the  church  consecrated  to  God  on  the  17th  of  June,  1823,  under  the 
name  and  title  of  St.  Thomas's  church,  Mamaroneck,  by  the  Right  Rev. 
J.  H.  Hobart,  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  Previous  to  the  Revolution,  Ma- 
maroneck constituted  one  of  the  appropriated  towns  of  Rye  parish,  hav- 
ing been  annexed  thereto  by  acts  of  assembly,  passed  in  1693-7.  In 
1725,  Mamaroneck  contributed  towards  the  rectors'  tax,  £18,  and  in 
1767,  £19,  2S.  6d.  The  name  of  John  Disbrow  (vestryman  from  Ma- 
maroneck) occurs  in  the  church  records  of  Rye,  A.D.  1710.  The  paro- 
chial clergy  appear  to  have  officiated  here  at  a  very  early  period,  as 
Madame  Knight  incidentally  mentions  in  1704,  "that  one  Church  of 
England  parson  officiated  in  all  these  three  towns,"  viz.,  Rye,  Mamaro- 
neck and  Horseneck,  "once  every  Sunday  in  turns  throughout  the 
year."  The  French  clergy  of  New  Rochelle,  also  performed  occasional 
services  here ;  this  we  learn  from  the  records  of  Trinity  church. 

Upon  the  12th  of  April,  1814,  the  present  parish  was  organized,  and 
incorporated  in  accordance  with  the  act  passed  on  the  17th  of  March, 
1795.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  on  Tuesday  in 
Easter  week,  181 4,  the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen  officers  for  the 
ensuing  year,  viz.  :  John  Peter  de  Lancey  and  Peter  Jay  Munro 
church-wardens.  William  Gray,  Benj.  Hadden,  Henry  Gedney,  Samuel 
Deal,  Abraham  Guion,  and  Matthias  G.  Valentine,  vestrymen.6 

To  this  church  is  attached  a  handsome  parsonage  and  grounds.  The 
communion  silver  consists  of  a  flageon  and  a  double  set  of  chalices  and 
patens,  inscribed 

"St.  Thomas's  Church,  Mamaroneck,  New  York,  1837." 

Besides  a  smaller  set  for  the  private  administration  of  the  holy  Eucha- 
rist. During  the  incumbency  of  the  present  rector,  the  church  has  un- 
dergone considerable  repairs;  the  parsonage  has  also  been  purchased 
and  greatly  improved.  In  1835-6,  Trinity  church,  New  York,  liberally 
endowed  this  church  with  the  sum  of  $Soo.  The  first  delegate  from 
this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  was  Guy  C.  Bayley.  Esq. 

a  Madame  Knight's  Journal,  p.  59. 

6  Religious  Soc.  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  A.,  14f>.  A  second  incorporation  of  this  chnrch  took  place  on 
the  9th  of  June,  1S1T,  when  John  Peter  de  Laucev  and  IVter  Jay  Munro  were  elected  church- 
wardens; Jacob  Mott,  Guv  V.  liavlev,  Monmouth  I. von,  Edward  rlovd  de  l.:im  .  \.  I'.eujamin 
Hadden,  nenrv  Gedney,  Benjamin  Croker  and  Thomas  James  do  Lancey,  vestrymen.  Re- 
ligious Soc.  Lib.  A.,  159. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MA.MARONECK. 


497 


.  St.  Thomas's  Church,  Mamaroneck. 


RECTORS  OF  MAMARONECK. 


Institution  or  call 

Incnmbcnts. 

By  reslg. 

4th  June,  1821, 

Wit.  Hkathoote  de  Lancey,  Deacon, 

ditto. 

1st  Oct.,  1823, 

Lewis  P.  Bayard, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

30th  Mar.  1824, 

William  C.  Mead, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

21st  Sept.,  1S25, 

Lewis  P.  Bayard, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

25th  April,  1S07, 

Alexander  H.  Crosby, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

2d  Oct.,  1830, 

John  M.  Forbes, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

11th  Feb.,  1832, 

William  M.  Carmichael. 

Presb. 

ditto. 

17th  Noy.,  1S34, 

Peter  S.  Chauncey, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

8th  Sept.,  1836, 

Robert  W.  Harris, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

14th  July,  1837, 

William  A.  Curtis, 

Presb. 

ditto. 

5th  July,  1841, 

John  M.  Ward, 

William  W.  Montgomery.  Present  Rector. 

Notitia  Parochialis. 
1847.  communicants,  53,        baptisms,  10, 


The  Methodist  society  of  this  town  was  organized  upon  the  8th  of 
April,  1813,  when  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  trustees: 
Absalom  Tompkins,  John  Bonnet,  William  Ward,  Elisha  Budd,  Ran- 
soine  Burtis,  and  William  Ally."  The  meeting  house  is  a  chaste  edifice 
of  wood  located  upon  the  highest  summit  of  Good  Success  ridge.  It  was 
subsequently  sold  and  a  handsome  new  one  erected  on  Rye  Neck.  The 
old  edifice  is  now  the  Town  Hall. 


a  Co.  Rec  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  145. 


498 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Disbrow  House,  Mamaronecfc. 


Near  the  western  entrance  of  the  village  stands  the  ancient  residence 
of  the  Disbrow  family,  erected  A.  D.  1677.  Mrs.  Sanford,  the  late 
occupant,  being  the  eighth  generation  that  has  resided  upon  this  spot. 
The  old  house  has  been  carefully  preserved,  but  near  it  stands  a  new 
house  erected  by  the  family  about  twenty  years  ago.  Both  are  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Stringer.  The  Disbrows  were  originally  from  the  county 
of  Essex,"  England,  and  related  to,  if  not  immediately  descended  from 
Major  General  John  Disborough  or  Disbrow,  who  married  Anna  Crom- 
well, sister  of  the  Protector.  By  this  lady  John  Disborough  had  seven 
sons,  the  youngest  was  Benjamin  Disborough,  Esq.  Samuel  Disborough, 
Lord  Keeper  of  Scotland,  a  near  relation  of  the  Major  General,  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Guildford,  Connecticut,  A.D.  1650.  "The  town 
of  Guildford,  says  Mr.  Lambert,  being  from  the  first  a  component  part 
of  New  Haven  government,  was  allowed  an  assistant  or  magistrate.  Mr. 
Samuel  Disborough,  who,  next  to  Mr.  Whitefield,  was  esteemed  the  first 
and  richest  of  the  planters,  was  the  first  magistrate.  After  serving  the 
colony  in  this  capacity  about  twelve  years,  he  returned  to  England  in 
company  with  Mr.  Whitefield.  After  the  restoration  of  King  Charles 
II.,  he  was  a  subject  of  royal  favor  and  political  distinction,  and  at  one 
time  was  a  member  of  the  privy  council.  6 

Peter  Disbrow  was  one  of  the  first  and  principal  proprietors  of  Rye, 
in  1660.  John  Disbrow,  son  of  Peter,  purchased  lands  of  John  Rich- 
bell  in  1674.    A  second  sale  occurs  in  1685. 

a  Mr.  Morant,  in  his  history  of  Essex,  gives  the  arms  of  the  Dlsboroughs— argent  a  fesse, 

between  three  bears'  heads  muzzled,  erased  sable. 
6  Lambert's  Hist,  of  New  Uaveu,  i>.  167. 


To  face  page  <">  T0'- 1 


PEDIGREE  OF  DISBROW,  OF  MAMARONECK. 


Henry  Disbrow,  nat.  1730_Eilzabeth  Pell,  nat.  May,  ITW 


Henry  Disbrow,  nat.  26th  Feb.,  1765,  ob.  24th  Jan.,  1826 _l. Abigail  Fowler,  nat.  3d  Aug.,  1158;  m.  19th  Jan.,  1779;  ob.  9th  May,  18U.    Jbkp,  nat.  »th  Sept., 1787, 

--2.  Ann  Davis,  nat.         ob.  9lh  May,  1811,  ret.  4S  years 
„3.  neater  SandB 


Benjamin  ..Clarissa 


IMiry,  ot  New  Kochelle,_. 
Dtt,  16th  January,  1780  ; 

o!i  August,  1847 


Elizabeth, 
nat.  18th  April,  1781  ; 
oh.  18th  Sept.,  1866 


.l.John  Coles 
2.1saac  Wllklns 

3.  Robcrt  Mathleson 

4.  Rev.  Mr.  Sandford 
6.Rev.  Joseph  Sawyer 


Sarah,  nat.  18th  Sept.,  1783 ..Nicholas  Morrill 


Jolln.  nat.  14th  April,  1780;  ob.  S8th  January,  lS28_Charlntlc  Codington 


Henry,  of  New  Jersey, 


Washington 


Mary,  nat.  17th  September, 
1791;  oh.  i»th  September, 
1807 


.I.Mary  Jenkins, 
I  oh  27th  June,  1882,  ret. 
33  years 
_2-Aun  Robinson 


Jane,  nat.  13th  October, 
1795;  ob.  15th  March, 


.lames  H.,  nat.  lath  May,  179s;  ob.  loth  Jan.,  18iw_Marla  Stephen* 

Joan 


William  B..  nat .  IRth  Dec.  Rosalie  A.  Durang 
1818.  ob.  6th  July,  1809  | 


William  II..  mil.  291  li_  Florence  K.  Hopkins. 
Sept..  1K44  j    nat  loth  August,  I860 


•'lirence  Edward  nerb'ert,  nat  20  Sept.,  1874  Edith,  7  Mar.,  1876 
lull.  I'tll  Sept.,  1873 


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John  V.  B.,  nat.  4th  Oct..  1842_Martha  J.  Buck 


Mary  F.  nat.  9lh  July,  1871; 
ob.  28th  January,  1873 


Arthur  Pearl, 
nat.  12th  .hni.  ,  iR7s 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


499 


A.D.  168S,  Henry  Disbrow,  son  of  John,  conveys  half  his  lands 
situated  in  Mamaroneck  to  his  son  Henry  Disbrow."  Henry  Disbrow 
of  Mamaroneck,  in  1690,  releases  a  lot  of  ground  lying  in  the  town  of 
Rye,  which  he  formerly  bought  of  John  Wascot.b  The  Disbrow  estate 
in  this  town  was  originally  large  and  included  a  valuable  tract  of  wood- 
land, called  the  Hickory  grove. 

The  family  relate  the  following  tradition ;  that  in  the  early  part  of  the 
last  century,  the  Indians  came  in  a  large  body  to  the  present  house  and 
demanded  immediate  possession  of  the  property.  Fortunately  the 
original  title  deeds  had  been  carefully  secured.  They  were  now  opened 
and  shown  to  the  Indians,  who  upon  seeing  their  own  signatures  ap- 
peared perfectly  satisfied,  and  instantly  marched  off,  leaving  the  Dis- 
brows  in  undisturbed  possession.0 

There  are  numerous  historical  events  in  connection  with  Mamaroneck, 
which  deserve  to  be  recorded  here. 

The  day  previous  to  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  Colonel  Smallwood 
of  the  American  army  surprised  and  cut  off  a  large  body  of  the  enemy, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Rogers,  stationed  upon  Nelson  hill  and  its 
vicinity.  The  event  is  thus  related  by  General  Heath:  "Lord  Sterling, 
who  was  before  in  this  vicinity  with  his  brigade,  had  formed  an  enterprise 
against  Major  Roger's  corps.  The  old  Indian  hunter  of  the  last  war, 
who  had  engaged  in  the  British  service,  with  his  corps,  now  lay  on  the 
out-posts  of  the  British  army,  near  Mamaroneck.  The  enterprise  was 
conducted  with  good  address ;  and  if  the  Americans  had  known  exactly 
how  the  Roger's  corps  lay,  they  would  probably  have  killed  or  taken  the 
whole.  As  it  was,  thirty-six  prisoners,  sixty  muskets,  and  some  other 
articles,  were  taken.  The  Major,  conformably  to  his  former  general 
conduct,  escaped  with  the  rest  of  his  corps.  This  was  a  pretty  affair ; 
and  if  the  writer  could  recollect  the  name  of  the  commanding  officer, 
with  pride  and  pleasure  he  would  insert  it.  He  belonged  to  one  of  the 
southern  lines  of  the  army,  and  the  whole  of  the  party  were  southern 
troops."1* 

On  the  31st  of  January,  1777,  a  cordon  of  troops  was  ordered  to  be 
formed,  to  extend  from  Dobb's  Ferry  to  Mamaroneck.  "  February  1, 
1777.    Foraging  being  now  the  object,  a  large  number  of  teams  were 


a  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  R.  21. 
b  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  R.  65. 

c  The  old  family  Rihlo,  edited  by  Rasket  of  London,  A.  D.  1756,  contains  the  Rook  of  Com- 
mon Prayer,  and  numerous  family  entries.  There  is  also  preserved  a  silver-headed  walkinjr- 
stick  Inscribed  "  Henry  Disbrow,  1697."  The  above  heir-looms  are  in  the  possession  of 
William  Disbrow  of  New  York. 

d  Heath's  Mem.  74.  Holt's  Gazette.  The  dead  who  fell  upon  this  occasion  were  buried  on 
the  south-east  side  of  Nelson's  hill. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTCR 


sent  out  towards  Mamaroneck,  and  upwards  of  eighty  loads  of  forage  were 
brought  off."*1 

The  following  letter  of  Gen.  Samuel  Parsons,  dated  at  Mamaroneck, 
Nov.  2 1 st,  1777,  to  Governor  Tryon,  with  his  answer,  is  copied  from  a 
newspaper  printed  at  the  time  : 

"  Sir  : — Adding  to  the  natural  horrors  of  war  the  most  wanton  destruction  of 
property,  is  an  act  of  cruelty  unknown  to  civilized  nations,  and  unaccustomed 
in  war,  until  the  servants  of  the  King  of  Great  Britian  have  convinced  the  im- 
partial world,  no  act  of  humanity,  no  stretch  of  despotism,  are  too  great  to  exer- 
cise toward  those  they  term  rebels. 

"Had  any  apparent  advantage  been  derived  from  burning  the  house  on 
Philip's  manor,  last  Monday,  there  would  have  been  some  reason  to  justify  the 
measure ;  but  when  no  benefit  whatever  can  be  proposed,  by  burning  those  build- 
ings and  stripping  the  women  and  children  of  necessary  apparel,  to  cover  them 
from  the  severity  of  a  cold  night,  and  captivating  and  leading  in  triumph  to 
your  lines,  in  the  most  ignominious  manner,  the  heads  of  those  families,  I  know 
not  what  justifiable  cause  to  assign  for  those  acts  of  cruelty ;  nor  can  1  conceive 
a  necessity  for  your  further  order  to  destroy  Tarrytown. 

"  You  cannot  be  insensible  it  is  every  day  in  my  power  to  destroy  the  houses 
and  buildings  of  Col.  Philips,  and  those  belonging  to  the  family  of  De  Laucey, 
each  as  near  your  lines  as  those  buildings  were  to  my  guards ;  and  notwithstand- 
ing your  utmost  diligence,  you  cannot  prevent  the  destruction  of  eveiy  house 
this  side  of  King's  Bridge.  It  is  not  fear,  it  is  not  want  of  opportunity  that  has  pre- 
served those  buildings ;  but  a  sense  of  the  injustice  and  savageness  of  such  a 
line  of  conduct,  has  saved  them ;  and  nothing  but  necessity  will  induce  me  to 
copy  examples  of  this  sort,  so  often  set  by  your  troops. 

"  It  is  not  my  inclination,  sir,  to  war  in  this  manner  against  the  inhabitants 
within  your  lines,  who  suppose  themselves  within  your  king's  protection.  But 
necessity  will  oblige  me  to  retalilate  in  kind  upon  your  friends,  to  procure  the 
exercise  of  that  justice  which  humanity  used  to  dictate,  unless  your  explicit  dis- 
avowal of  your  two  captains,  Emmerick  and  Barnes,  shall  convince  me  these 
houses  were  burned  without  your  knowledge  and  against  your  order. 

"I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  Samuel  H.  Parsons." 

GOVERNOR  TRYON'S  ANSWER,  DATED 

*'  King's  Bridge  Camp,  Nov.  23,  1777. 
"Sir, — Could  I  possibly  conceive  myself  accountable  to  any  revolted  subject 
of  the  king  of  Great  Britian,  I  might  answer  your  letter,  received  by  the  Hag  of 
truce  yesterday,  respecting  the  conduct  of  the  party  under  Capt.  Emmerick's 
command  upou  the  taking  of  Peter  and  Cornelius  Van  Tassell ;  I  have,  however, 
candor  enough  to  assure  you — as  much  as  I  abhor  every  principle  of  inhumanity 
or  ungenerous  conduct— I  should,  were  I  in  more  authority,  burn  every  com- 
mittee man's  house  within  my  reach — as  I  deem  those  agents  the  wicked  instru- 
ments of  the  continued  calamities  of  this  country ;  and  in  order  sooner  to  purge 

a  neath's  Slein.,  114. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


the  country  of  them,  I  am  willing  to  give  twenty-five  dollars  for  every  acting 
committee  man,  who  shall  be  delivered  up  to  the  king's  troops.  I  guess,  before 
the  end  of  next  campagiu,  they  will  be  torn  in  pieces  by  their  own  countrymen, 
whom  they  have  forcibly  dragged  in  opposition  to  their  principles  and  duty 
(after  fining  them  to  the  extent  of  their  property)  to  take  up  arms  against  their 
lawful  sovereign,  and  compelling  them  to  exchange  their  happy  constitution  for 
paper,  rags,  anarchy  and  distress. 

"  The  ruins  from  the  conflagration  of  New  York,  by  the  emissaries  of  your 
party  last  year,  remain  a  memorial  of  their  tender  regard  for  their  fellow  beings 
exposed  to  the  'severity  of  a  cold  night.' 

"  This  is  the  first  correspondence  I  have  held  with  the  King's  enemies,  on  my 
part  in  America  ;  and  as  I  am  immediately  under  the  command  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  your  future  letters— dictated  with  decency— would  be  more  properly  di- 
rected to  his  Excellency,         I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

" To  Gen.  Paksons."  "William  Tbyon,  Major  General. 

This  came  on  Sunday,  the  23d  inst,  and  by  some  means  or  other 
Gen.  de  Lancey's  house  at  Bloomingdale,  on  York  Island,  took  fire  on 
the  25th,  at  night." 

"  The  army  marched  on  the  8th  of  July,  1778,  in  two  columns  to  Ma- 
maroneck ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  were  in  front  of  that,  on  the  right.  On 
the  9th,  the  Commander-in-chief  marched  with  the  army  to  Byram's 
bridge  :  on  leaving  this  camp,  to  return  to  Mamaroneck,  the  next  day,  the 
Queen's  Rangers  formed  the  rear  guard.  Upon  this  march,  three  sol- 
diers, straggling  at  a  small  distance  from  the  huts,  were  taken  by  the 
militia ;  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  expressed,  in  orders,  "  that  he  is  the  most 
sensibly  affected  at  the  loss  of  the  three  men,  who  straggled  from  then- 
posts  during  the  last  march.  He  feels  himself  but  ill-repaid  for  the  con- 
fidence he  has  placed  in  the  regiment,  and  his  inclination  to  ease  then- 
duty,  by  never  posting  an  unnecessary  sentinal ;  at  the  same  time,  he 
trusts,  that,  as  this  has  been  the  first  instance  of  the  kind  during  the 
time  he  has  had  the  honor  of  commanding  the  Queen's  Rangers,  it  will 
be  the  last ;  and  that  the  soldiers  will  reflect  what  they  must  suffer  by  a 
long  imprisonment,  from  a  mean  and  despicable  enemy,  who  never  has, 
or  can  gain,  any  advantage  over  them,  but  what  arises  from  their  own 
disobedience  of  orders."6 

It  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Mamaroneck,  that  Lieut.  Hickford  of  the 
Refugee  corps,  overtook  Col.  White,  of  the  Continental  army,  upon  his 
retreat  from  Mornsania.  Some  thirty  stragglers,  who  had  taken  refuge 
on  the  ice,  were  killed  by  the  British  cavalry. 

De  Lancey's  Neck,  or  East  Neck,  the  ancient  Waumainuck  of  the  abor- 


o  Barber's  Hist.  Col.  St.  N,  Y.,  p.  S91,  592. 
6  Simcoe's  Mil.  Jour.,  p.  102,  103. 


502  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

gines,  lies  immediately  south-east  of  the  village,  upon  the  easterly  side 
of  which  is  situated  the  Seaman  place.  It  obtained  its  present  name 
from  Giles  Seaman,  late  proprietor,  who  married  Lydia  Mott,  a  lineal 
descendent  of  John  Richbell,  the  patentee.  This  dwelling  house  and 
old  Mott  farm,  afterwards  owned  by  Mr.  Isaac  Hall,  is  now  held  by  Mrs. 
Rushmore.  The  former,  a  fine  wooden  structure,  occupies  a  command- 
ing position  overlooking  the  Bay,  and  opposite  the  shores  of  Budd's 
Neck.    Indeed  from  this  spot,  the  best  view  is  obtained  of  the  village. 

Upon  the  extremity  of  a  point  there  is  a  small  cemetery,  containing 
several  memorials  of  members  of  the  Seaman,  Bain,  Disbrow  and  Yan- 
derbilt  families.  From  the  old  Boston  post-road,  a  picturesque  lane 
leads  to  the  south-west  extremity  of  de  Lancey's  Neck,  sometimes  called 
Long  Beach  Point.  Extensive  woods  ornament  the  shores  of  the  Neck, 
and  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  scenery.  The  proprietors  of  this 
Neck  were  the  Right  Rev.  William  Heathcote  de  Lancey,  and  his 
nephew,  Thomas  James  de  Lancey,  Esq. 

Next  in  order,  on  the  west  of  de  Lancey's  Neck,  we  have  the  Prickly 
Pear  Creek,  Eagle  Hammock,  Barker's  Hammock  and  Munro's  Gut, 
which  constitutes  the  division  line  between  it  and  the  Great  or  Middle 
Neck,  called  Munro's  Neck.  Munro's  Neck  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Palmer  family.  Samuel  Palmer,  having  obtained  a  confirmation  for  the 
same,  under  the  hand  of  the  Indian  sachem  Ann  Hook,  in  the  year 
1 700-1.  From  the  heirs  of  Samuel  Palmer  it  passed  by  purcnase  to  the 
late  Peter  Jay  Monro,  in  1798.  From  the  Monro's  it  was  purchased  by 
Edward  K.  Collins,  Esq.,  in  1845,  who  called  it  Larchmont,  and  subse- 
quently sold  it  to  Mr.  Flint,  who  laid  out  upon  it  the  present  suburban 
village  of  Larchmont. 

The  mansion  erected  by  Peter  Jay  Munro  occupies  a  delightful  situa- 
tion near  the  river,  on  the  highest  grounds  of  the  Neck,  commanding, 
on  the  south  and  east,  extensive  prospects  of  the  Sound.  A  grateful  air 
of  seclusion  has  been  studied  in  the  arrangement  of  the  grounds  and  the 
grouping  of  trees.  The  view  from  the  road  was  tastefully  concealed  by 
a  fine  plantation  of  Scotch  larch  (whence  Mr.  Collins  derived  the  name 
of  Larchmont,)  which  added  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  place.  The  late 
owner,  Peter  Jay  Munro,  Esq.,  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Harry  Munro, 
D.D.,  (for  several  years  rector  of  St.  John's  church  Yonkers,)0  by  his 
wife  Eve  Jay,  daughter  of  the  late  Peter  Jay,  of  Rye,  and  sister  of  Hen- 
drick  and  John  Jay. 

Peter  Jay  Munro  was  a  distinguished  member  of  the  bar,  and  one  of 

a  This  family  is  a  branch  of  the  Munro's  of  Foulis.  Scotland,  is  now  represented  by  Mr. 
John  White,  manor  of  Pelham,  the  youngest  son  of  Peter  Jay  Munro. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAMARONECK. 


the  framers  of  the  late  constitution  of  this  State.  By  his  wife  Margaret 
White,  Mr.  Munro  left  two  sons,  Henry  and  John,  besides  several  daugh- 
ters. Mott's  Neck  adjoins  Munro  s  on  the  west,  upon  which  is  situated 
the  farm  and  residence  of  the  late  William  Scott,  Esq.  This  delightful 
spot  commands  pleasing  views  of  the  neighboring  neck  and  Sound 
scenery.  Mr.  Scott  was  the  son  of  James  Scott,  whose  father,  Walter 
Scott,"  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  drama  of  1745,  in  favor  of 
Prince  Charles ;  father  and  son  subsequently  emigrated  to  this  country, 
and  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  distinguished  themselves  as  brave 
and  zealous  patriots. 

Upon  the  Flandreau  hammocks  on  the  next  neck  westwardly,  is  placed 
the  Premium  Mill,  the  property  of  the  late  William  P.  Kellogg,  Esq.  In 
this  vicinity  are  the  estates  of  James  I.  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  (late  member 
of  Congress,)  now  belonging  to  George  E.  Vandenburgh,  and  Mrs.  Susan 
Daubeny ;  the  latter  adjoins  the  Palmer  burying-ground  on  the  west,6 
and  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Meyer. 

We  have  previously  shown  that  the  town  is  well  watered  by  numerous 
streams,  some  of  which  have  one  or  more  mills  standing  on  them. 

The  growth  of  wood  is  of  the  usual  various  sorts.  On  the  highlands, 
oak,  hickory,  walnut  and  chestnut  are  the  chief.  The  lower  grounds, 
are  covered  generally  with  maple,  birch  and  elm,  &c. 

The  principal  minerals  of  the  town,  are  quartz,  drusy,  calcedony,  agate, 
and  jasper.  Serpentine  of  almost  every  variety,  and  cromate  of  iron; 
veins  of  the  dolomitic  marble,  and  gneiss  also  occur  in  various  localities. 

a  The  first  Walter  of  this  family  was  the  famous  "  Auld  Wat."  the  renowned  free-booter  of 
the  Scottish  border. 
b  Near  the  Palmer  burying-ground  stood  the  old  Friends  meeting  house. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 


The  name  of  this  town  denotes  its  pleasant  location  upon  high  hills. 
Mount  Pleasant  has  been  separated  from  the  old  town  of  the  same  name, 
and  erected  into  a  distinct  township ; a  both  having  been  formally  in- 
cluded in  the  Manor  of  Philipsburgh.  It  is  situated  six  miles  north-west 
of  the  village  of  White  Plains,  distant  thirty-three  miles  from  New  York, 
and  one  hundred  and  nineteen  from  Albany ;  bounded  north  by  Ossin- 
ing  and  New  Castle,  and  east  by  North  Castle,  south  by  Greenburgh, 
and  west  by  Ossining  and  the  Hudson  River. 

This  tract  of  land  must  originally  have  formed  a  portion  of  the  an- 
cient domains  of  Weckguaskeck,  as  we  find  Weskora,  Sachem  of  that 
place,  and  Ghoharius,  his  brother,  (a  chief  residing  here,)  conjointly 
selling  lands  bordering  the  Pocanteco  to  Frederick  Philipse,  in  the  year 
1 680. 

Upon  the  district  situated  near  the  mouth  of  the  Pocanteco  River, 
(called  by  the  English,  Mill  River,)  the  Indians  conferred  the  name  of 
Pockerhoe.  Pocanteco,  the  Indian  name  for  the  beautiful  Mill  River, 
is  clearly  derived  from  the  Algonguin,  Pockohantes/  a  term  expressive 
of  "  a  run  between  two  hills."  The  local  term  Pockerhoe,  also  points 
to  the  same  root  for  its  origin. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  however,  no  signification  could  be  more  descriptive 
of  the  Weird  stream,  which  pours  its  swift  current  through  the  foldings 
of  a  hundred  hills.  The  Dutch  styled  it,  the  Sleepy  haven  Kill,'  hence 
the  origin  of  the  present  term  Sleepy  Hollow,  as  applied  to  the  valley. 

a  Mount  Pleascnt  was  originally  organized  on  the  7th  of  March,  1798.  Rec  Stat.  The 
present  town  on  the  With  of  May,  1S45. 
i  The  Indian  name  of  the  illustrious  princess  of  Virginia. 
c  Vau  der  Donck's,  U.  N.  N. 


505 


506  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 

In  the  rear  of  the  Dutch  church,  (situated  near  the  entrance  of  the 
hollow.)  there  formally  stood  an  Indian  fort,  the  remains  of  which, 
together  with  several  mounds,  have  long  since  been  leveled  with  the  sur- 
rounding ground.  For  the  erection  of  these  forts  and  strongholds,  Van 
der  Donck  informs  us,  that  the  Indians  usually  selected  a  situation  on  the 
side  of  a  steep  hill,  near  a  stream  or  river,  which  is  difficult  of  access  ex- 
cept from  the  water,  and  inaccessible  on  every  other  side,  with  a  level 
plain  on  the  crown  of  the  hill,  which  they  enclose  with  a  strong  stockade 
work  in  a  singular  manner.  "  Near  their  plantations  they  also  frequently 
erect  small  works  to  secure  their  wives  and  children  against  the  sudden 
irruption  of  the  small  marauding  parties  of  their  enemies.  When  their 
castles  and  forts  are  constructed  according  to  their  rude  custom,  they 
consider  the  same  very  safe  and  secure  places. "a 

The  vestiges  of  a  military  redoubt  at  present  occupy  the  summit  of 
the  adjoining  hill,  commonly  called  Jones'  hill.  This  elevated  spot  com- 
mands the  valley  of  Sleepy  Hollow,  Tarrytown,  and  splendid  prospects 
of  the  Hudson  River. 

In  1680,  the  Indian  sachem  Ghoharius,  with  the  consent  of  his  brother 
Weskora,  for  a  certain  sum  of  wampum  and  other  goods,  released  unto 
Frederick  Philipse  a  large  strip  of  land,  lying  on  each  side  of  the  Pocan- 
teco  River,  for  which  they  acknowledged  to  have  received  full  satisfac- 
tion. This  sale  was  ratified  before  the  Governor  of  the  province,  at 
Fort  James,  in  New  York,  and  subsequently  confirmed  to  Frederick 
Philipse  by  royal  patent,  the  same  year.  The  patentee  yielding  and  pay- 
ing, therefor,  yearly  unto  his  Royal  Highness,  the  Duke  of  York  and 
Albany,  a  quit  rent  of  one  bushel  of  winter  wheat,  etc. 

Sir  Edmund  Andros,  Knight,  &c,  Whereas  Frederick  Philipse  of 
this  city,  merchant,  hath  made  application  unto  me  for  a  grant  of  a 
certain  creek  or  river,  called  by  the  Indians,  Pocantico,  (whereon  to  set 
a  mill,)  with  a  proportion  of  land  on  each  side  adjoining  thereur.to  ;  the 
same  lying  within  the  bounds  of  the  Indians'  land  at  Wickers  creek. on 
the  east  side  of  Hudson's  river ;  and  by  my  leave  and  approbation  hath 
made  purchase  thereof  from  the  native  Indian  proprietors,  the  which 
they  have  acknowledged  before  me,  as  likewise  to  have  received  full 
satisfaction  for  the  same,  from  the  said  Frederick  Philipse.  The  said 
land  adjoining  to  the  creek  or  river  aforesaid  lying  on  each  side  thereof, 
north  and  south  1600  treads  or  steps,  which  at  twelve  feet  to  the  rod 
makes  400  rods ;  and  runs  up  into  the  country  as  far  as  the  said  creek 
or  river  goeth,  provided  always,  that  if  the  said  creek  or  river,  called  by 
the  Indians  Neppera,  and  by  the  Christians  the  Yonkers  creek  or  kill, 
shall  come  within  that  space  of  land  of  400  rods  on  the  south  side  of 


a  Van  der  Donck's  Hist.  N.  N.  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  N.  Ser.  vol.  1.  p.  197. 
b  A  corruption  of  the  Indian  name,  Weckquaskeck. 


THE  TOWN  OK  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


5°7 


the  aforesaid  creek  or  river,  that  it  shall  extend  no  further  than  the  said 
creek  or  river  of  Neppera,  but  the  rest  to  be  so  far  up  into  the 
country  on  each  side  as  the  said  creek  or  river  called  Pocantico  runs, 
being  about  north-east.  Know  ye  that  by  virtue  of  the  commission  and 
authority  unto  me  given  under  his  Royal  Highness,  I  have  given  and 
granted,  and  by  these  presents  do  hereby  give,  ratify,  confirm  and  grant 
unto  said  Frederick  Philipse,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  the  afore-recited 
creek  or  river,  parcels  of  lands  and  premises  hereinbefore  expressed  and 
set  forth,  together  with  all  the  woodlands,  meadows,  pastures,  marshes, 
fishing,  hawking,  hunting  and  fowling,  as  also  the  privilege  of  erecting 
and  building  a  mill,  making  a  dam,  or  whatsoever  else  shall  be  neces- 
sary and  requisite  thereunto,  with  all  profits,  commodities  and  emolu- 
ments unto  the  said  creek,  river  and  land  belonging,  or  in  any  wise 
appertaining,  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  creek  or  river  and  land  with 
their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances  to  the  said  Frederick  Philipse, 
his  heirs  and  assignees  unto  the  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him  the  said 
Frederick  Philipse,  his  heirs  and  assignees  for  ever,  he  making  improve- 
ment thereon  according  to  law,  and  yielding  and  paying  therefor  yearly 
and  every  year  unto  his  Royal  Highness,  a  quit  rent,  one  bushel  of 
winter  wheat  in  New  York,  unto  such  officer  or  officers  as  shall  be  em- 
powered to  receive  the  same.  Given  under  my  hand  and  sealed  with 
the  seal  of  the  Province,  in  New  York,  the  first  day  of  April,  in  the 
thirty-second  year  of  his  Majesty's  reign,  Anno  Domini,  1680." 

From  this  period  we  find  the  Indians  gradually  yielding  their  territory 
to  the  above  patentee.  Upon  the  5th  of  June,  1684,  (the  royal  patent 
says  7th  of  May.)  the  Indians,  Sepham,  Ghoharim,  (Ghoharius,)  Kakin- 
sigh,  Enhoak,a  Arradppanint,  Kewanghis,  a  squaw,  Niepack,  Kewigh- 
takem,  and  Teatangoom,  sell  to  Frederick  Philipse. 

INDIAN  DEED  OF  WECKQUASKECK. 

All  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  lying,  and  being  to  the  eastward  of  the 
land  of  Frederick  Philipse,  between  the  creek  called  Neppierha,  or  the  Yoncker'a 
Kill  and  Bronck's  River  beginning  on  the  south  side  at  the  northerly  bounds  of 
the  Yoncker's  land,  and  from  thence  along  the  aforesaid  creek  Nippierha,  how- 
ever it  runs,  till  you  come  to  the  most  northerly  bounds  of  the  said  Frederick 
Philipse's  land,  and  from  thence  northeast  into  the  woods  unto  Bronck's  river, 
bo  as  it  runs  southerly  to  the  eastward  of  the  Yoncker's  land  aforesaid,  and 
from  thence,  with  a  westerly  line,  to  the  aforesaid  Yoncker's  Kill,  or  Nip- 
pierha, &c,  <fcc.  The  goods  paid  by  the  grantee  were  as  follows:* 
130  fathoms  of  white  Wampum,  10  Spoons. 
12  Guns,  2  Knives, 

14  Fathoms  of  Duffels,  12  Pair  of  Stockings. 

12  Blankets,  15  Hatchets, 

8  Coats,  10  Hoes, 

6  Kettles,  10  Earthen  Jugs, 

6  Fathoms  of  Stroudwater.  10  Iron  Pots, 

16  Shirts.  4$  Vats  of  Beer, 

25  lbs  of  Powder,  2  Ankers  of  Rum, 

20  Bars  of  Lead,  2  Rolls  of  Tobacco, 


a  The  real  name  of  this  chief  was  Wampage,  the  place  of  his  residence  Annhook's  Neck 
(Pelham  Point). 
6  Soe  Town  of  Yonkers. 


5°8  '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

The  above  purchase,  (together  with  other  sales,  from  the  Indians.) 
was  confirmed  to  Philipse  by  his  Excellency,  Thomas  Dongan,  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province,  on  the  23d  of  December,  1684.  The  whole  were 
subsequently  included  within  the  Royal  Patent  of  Philipsburgh.  From 
the  Indian  grants  and  royal  patents,  we  proceed  to  give  our  readers  a 
brief  account  of  the  Philipse  family,  collected  from  the  best  authorities 
and  original  manuscripts  still  extant. 

Frederick  Philipse  or  (as  the  name  was  spelt  at  that  early  period) 
Vreedryk  or  Vrederyck  Felypsen,  was  a  native  of  Bohemia,"  while  others 
say  of  Bolswert  or  Bolsward,  in  West  or  East  Friesland,  Holland,  a  small 
town  near  Wiewerd,  where  he  was  born,  A.  D.  1626.  His  father  was 
the  Honorable  Viscount  Felyps,  of  Bohemia,  who  sprang  from  the 
ancient  Viscounts  of  that  name  and  country.'' 

The  early  members  of  this  family  took  an  active  part  in  favor  of  the 
Reformers,  John  Huss,  and  Jerome  of  Prague;  and  even  after  the 
burning  of  the  former  in  141 5  they  still  adhered,  like  the  rest  of  his 
followers,  to  their  master's  doctrines,  and  engaged  with  John  Zioka,  a 
Bohemian  knight,  in  1420  (who  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  Hussites) 
in  throwing  off  the  despotic  yoke  of  Sigismund  who  had  treated  some 
of  their  brethren  in  the  most  barbarous  manner.  For  their  religious 
opinions  the  Felyps  suffered  severely  both  in  person  and  property,  being 
finally  compelled  to  fly,  for  better  security,  to  Bolsward  in  East  Fries- 
land.  d  From  MSS.  in  the  hand-writing  of  the  late  Hon.  John  Jay  (him- 
self a  descendant  of  Eva  Philipse,  while  his  wife,  Sarah  Livingston,  was 
a  grand-daughter  of  Annetye  Philipse)  we  learn  "  that  the  first  ancestor  of 
this  family  who  settled  in  this  country  was  Frederick  Flypson,  and  that 
he  was  a  native  of  Bohemia,  where  his  family,  being  Protestants,  were 
persecuted.  His  mother,  becoming  a  widow,  was  constrained  to  quit 
Bohemia  with  him  and  her  other  children.*  She  fled  to  Holland  with 
what  little  property  she  could  save  from  the  wreck  of  their  estate.  The 
amount  of  that  little  not  admitting  her  to  provide  better  for  Frederick, 
she  bound  him  to  a  carpenter,  and  he  became  an  excellent  workman. 

a  Mera.  of  PMlipse  family,  from  MSS.  In  hand-writing  of  John  Jay.  Miscellaneous  works 
by  Gen.  De  Pevster,  p.  117.  » 

b  Mem.  of  Long  Island  Hist,  Soc.  vol.  L,  Journal  of  a  vovage  to  Xew  York  in  16741-«S0, 
Brooklyn.  lSfiT. 

c  The  noble  descent  of  this  ancient  family  is  not  only  based  on  tradition,  but  amply  estab- 
lished by  their  coat  armor,  which  was  borne  by  them  long  before  the  modern  assumption  of 
arms,  when  imposition  in  this  respect  was  well  nigh  impossible,  ami  when,  if  had  been  prac- 
ticable, no  such  parvenu  opinions  existed  with  regard  to  their  value.  Let  those  who  differ 
from  us  prove  anything  to  the  contrary.— [Editor.]  In  the  Hall  of  Records,  Amsterdam.  Hol- 
land, is  registered  the  following  coat  of  arms  belonging  to  the  Philipse  family  :  "  Az  a  deml 
Hon  rampant,  rising  out  of  a  ducal  coronet  ar,  surmounted  by  a  ducal  coronet  or."  The  crest 
as  borne  both  by  the  English  and  American  families  is  •'  a  demi  lion  rampant  rising  out  of 
a  Viscount  's  coronet  ar,  surmounted  by  a  ducal  coronet  or." 

d  Burke's  Hist,  of  Landed  Gentry  of  Great  Britain. 

e  This  partly  agrees  wiih  a  statement  made  by  Miss  Susan  Robinson  m  Ihe  Philipse  MSS. 
that  Frederick,  who  lirst  came  to  this  country  had  au  only  brother  named  Adolphus. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


5°9 


He  emigrated  to  New  York,  which  was  then  under  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment, but  in  what  year  I  am  not  informed.  "<*  "  Being  a  man  of  talent 
and  enterprise  he  quitted  his  trade  and  became  a  successful  merchant." 

According  to  another  account  the  Philipses  on  leaving,  "brought  all 
their  servants,  furniture  and  all  their  property  with  the  consent  of  their 
Prince  from  Germany,  which,  at  that  time  all  must  do,  unless  their 
names  had  been  disgraced.  Some  years  ago  the  pass  that  was  given, 
written  on  parchment  and  sealed  with  the  Royal  arms,  was  in  possession 
of  the  family  in  this  country."  The  same  account  adds  "  that  General 
Redhesel  had  seen  the  parchment  that  had  been  given  by  the  Prince  as 
his  leave  to  quit  the  German  dominions  and  he  said  he  must  have  been 
a  man  in  high  favor  with  him  to  have  leave  and  to  bring  all  his  effects 
away  likewise" — MSS.  relating  to  Pedigree  of  the  Philipse  family  be- 
longing to  the  late  Frederick  Philipse  of  Philips  town,  Putnam  County, 
New  York. 

The  Christian  name  Vreedryk*  is  of  Dutch  origin  and  means  literally 
"  peace  rich,"  or  "  rich  in  peace,"'  in  allusion  probably  to  the  bitter 
sufferings  of  former  days,  as  well  as  the  present  enjoyment  of  religious 
peace.  The  surname  Felypsen  is  a  patronymic  from  Philip — the  F  for 
the  PH,  and  the  ij  for  the  single  Y;  hence  the  English  substitute, 
Frederick  Philipse,  which  at  an  early  period  became  the  adopted  name 
of  the  family,  the  Dutch  termination  se  or  sen,  meaning  in  English  son. 
Vrederyck  therefore  the  son  of  Felyp.  Besides  their  high  rank  as 
nobles,  they  appear  also  to  have  held  the  office  of  Grand  Veneurs,  or 
keepers  of  the  deer  forests  in  Bohemia ;  as  there  is  still  preserved  in 
the  family  the  collar  and  badge  of  office,  consisting  of  a  gold  chain  set 
with  amethysts,  diamonds,  rubies  and  emeralds  to  which  was  suspended 
a  deer  beautifully  chased  in  gold.^ 

In  what  year  Frederick  Philipse  left  Friesland  does  not  appear ;  but 
it  was  not  in  1658,  as  some  accounts  state,  for  he  was  in  New  Amster- 
dam in  1653,  when  we  find  him  named  as  an  appraiser  of  a  house  and 
lot  of  Augustine  Hermans  in  that  city.  If  he  came  over  with  Governor 
Stuyvesant,  as  it  is  asserted  and  as  it  is  not  impossible,  then  he  arrived 
here  in  May,  1647/   But  soon  after  his  arrival,  whenever  that  occurred, 

a  Mem.  of  the  Philipse  family  from  MSS.  In  hand-writing  of  John  Jay,  Miscel.  works  of 
Gen.  De  Peyster. 
b  Vrederyck  Felypsen  Is  equivalent  to  Frederyk  Flypsen. 

c  In  German,  peace  is  friedc  and  rich  is  reich  ;  the  compound  therefore  in  that  language 
would  be  Friedreich. 

d  This  badge  of  office  was  last  seen  In  possession  of  Miss  Susan  Robinson,  sister  of  CoL 
Beverly  Robinson. 

e  Mem.  of  the  Long  Island  IT  1st.  Soc.  vol.  I,  Journal  of  a  voyage  to  New  York  in  1674-80., 
Brooklyn,  1867.  The  above  account  represents  Philipse  "as  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  worked 
as  such  at  ilrst  for  Gov.  8tuyve9ant."  If  this  be  correct  it  had  nothing  to  do  with  his  early 
origin.— (Editor. 


5IO'  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

he  purchased  a  large  estate,  and  shortly  became  one  of  the  wealthiest 
merchants  of  New  Amsterdam.  On  the  9th  of  February,  1658,  Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant  granted  certain  lots  within  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam 
to  Frederick  Philipse,  which  were  subsequently  confirmed  to  him  by  the 
Governor  on  the  1 2th  of  April,  1667.  On  the  21st  of  October,  1664 
he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  as  a  British  subject.  In  the  general  tax 
list  of  1674,  raised  by  the  Dutch,  on  their  re-conquest  of  the  city  and 
province,  we  find  the  estate  of  Frederick  Philipse  assessed  at  80.000 
guilders,  "  an  amount  large  in  those  days  and  yet  small  compared  with 
his  subsequent  wealth. "a  He  became  the  largest  trader  with  the  five 
nations  at  Albany,  sent  ships  to  both  East  and  West  Indies,  imported 
slaves  from  Africa  and  engaged,  as  it  was  with  good  reason  alleged,  in 
trade  with  the  pirates  of  Madagascar.  His  gains  and  profits  were  much 
enhanced,  it  was  believed,  by  his  intimacy  with  the  governors,  by  which 
he  obtained  immunities  not  granted  to  others.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Council  under  all  the  Governors,  from  Andros  to  Bellamont,  embrac- 
ing an  uninterrupted  period  of  twenty  years,  with  the  exception  of  the 
brief  usurpation  of  Leisler.  When  the  latter  event  occurred  he  was,  in 
conjunction  with  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt,  left  in  charge  of  the  govern- 
ment by  Lieutentant-Governor  Nicholson.  After  resisting  for  a  few 
days  the  proceedings  of  Leisler,  as  became  his  position,  he  wisely,  when 
the  public  sentiment  pronounced  itself  in  favor  of  them,  submitted  to 
them  as  the  acts  of  the  government  de  facto,  much  to  the  chagrin  of 
Bayard  and  his  associates.  He  was  subsequently  clothed  by  Governor 
Sloughter,*  with  similar  powers,  in  conjunction  with  Nicholas  Bayard 
during  the  absence  of  that  Governor  at  Albany.  He  had  the  ear  of 
Fletcher,  who  bestowed  upon  him  and  his  son,  Adolphus,  extravagant 
grants  of  land.  When  the  Leisler  party  came  into  power  under  Bella- 
mont in  1698,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Council,  in  consequence,  as 
he  alleged,  of  his  advanced  age,  which  was  the  seventy-second,  though 
in  reality  it  would  seem,  to  avoid,  if  possible,  the  blow  which  was  already 
given  in  an  order  for  his  removal  by  the  home  government,  on  account 
of  his  practices  with  the  pirates,  an  order  which  occurred  a  few  weeks 
after  his  resignation."  In  1680,  he  acquired,  as  we  have  already  seen, 
a  piece  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  Pocantico  or  Mill  River,  from 
the  Indian  sachem  Ghoharius  and  others,  the  tittle  to  which  was  con- 
firmed by  Royal  Patent  the  same  year  from  Governor  Andros.  Upon 
the  west  bank  of  the  Pocantico,  Philipse  subsequently  erected  his  first 

a  Mrm.  of  T.ong  Island  Hist.,  Sue,  vol.  I,  as  above. 

b  Vpon  the  arrival  of  Henry  Slonghter  as  governor  of  the  province,  on  the  19th  of  Marco, 
1691,  we  find  the  following  member*  present  at.  a  council  meeting,  holden  the  same  day.  viz., 
Joseph  Dudl.-v.  Frederick  Philippe.  Stephen  van  CorUandt,  Gabriel  Mouville,  Chudley  Broote, 
Thomas  Willet,  and  William  Rinhorae. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


5" 


manorial  residence,  "which  on  account  of  its  great  strength  and  arma- 
ment was  styled  '  Castle  Philipse.'  There  the  first  lord  of  the  manor  lived 
in  rugged  fuedal  style  until  the  lower  manor  house  was  built  at  Yonkers." 

In  the  assize  records  at  Albany,  occurs  "a  pass  to  Frederick  Philipse, 
to  put  on  board  the  sloop  called  ye  Cock  250  schepels  of  wheat,  to  be 
carried  to  Milford  Mill  to  be  ground,"  &c. 

"  Permit  and  suffer  Frederick  Philipse  to  land  on  board  the  sloop  ye 
Cock  250  schepels  of  wheat,  to  be  carryed  to  ye  mill  at  Milford  for  his 
conveniency  of  having  it  ye  sooner  ground  for  his  occasions,  he  engag- 
ing that  the  floure  and  meale  thereof  shall  be  brought  back  to  this  place. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  James,  in  New  Yorke,  the  2  2d  day  of 
April,  167 1. 

To  ye  officers  of  ye  customs, 

or  whom  else  this  may  concern." 

The  annexed  items  are  taken  from  the  family  ledger  of  the  Philipse's : 

1080,  John  Reyder  is  debett,  iPr  Contra  is  Credytt, 

According  to  accounte  de-^|  To  a  house  and 

lijwered,  £3956  :  2  yn  I    o-q-i  .  16      lot  yn  hollans,  £2250 

wampum,  Com  in  hoi-  f          :      To  som  petyoy- 

lans,  J  ans,  left  yn  the 

To  the  Sherryf,  a  byll  of  house,  40 

Exchange  yn  hollans,         1500  : —   

Apoyt  20  Toyn  Sylver,  2290  :  00 

payd  £5:0:0  Com'r, 
Hollars,       "      "  50—      Rest  due  To  me 

To  110  pieces  of  fryer  pr  btllins,  0054:00 

woed  wyth  Cartyng  3 : 4   

  £2344 : 00 

Nyew  Torek,  thys  the  21    £2344 : 00 
day  of  September,  Anno. 

1680  Fredryck  Flypsex. 

The  following  note  occurs  among  some  old  documents  endorsed  Van 
Fredrich  Philipse: 

Net  Bockmaster,  New  York  the  3  Augst,  1694, 
1  have  sacket  to  pay  you'n  de  sume 
Of  sich  pount  twellef  shilling  voor 
par"  of  Elyas  Pudington 

fogge  £6—12 — 0.  Fredryck  Flypsk. 

Margaret  his  first  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Adoloph  Hardenbrook, 
who  came  from  Ervervelt  in  Holland  and  settled  at  Bergen  opposite 
New  Amsterdam.    She  married  Peter  Rudolphus  De  Vries  a  merchant 


512   •  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 

trader  of  New  Amsterdam  in  1659,  and  had  by  him  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, baptized  Oct.  3d,  1660.  Rudolphus  died  in  1661,  leaving  a  con- 
siderable estate,  which  by  law,  devolved  upon  his  widow  and  child  with  a 
community  of  interest  when  the  Court  of  Orphan  Masters  of  New  Am- 
sterdam summoned  her  before  them,  to  render  an  inventory  of  her 
child's  paternal  inheritance.  This  she  declared  she  was  unable  to  do,  prob- 
ably in  consequence  of  the  commercial  character  of  the  assets;  where- 
upon she  received  the  anti-nuptial  contract  between  her  and  Frederick 
Philipse  in  hen  of  the  inventory,  in  consequence  of  its  embodying  an 
agreement  on  his  part  to  adopt  the  child  of  Rudolphus  as  his  own,  and 
to  bequeath  her  one  half  of  his  estate,  unless  he  had  children  born  to 
himself,  and  in  that  case  to  give  her  a  share  equally  with  them.  Adoption 
was  permitted  by  the  laws,  and  also  the  limitation  of  successory  estates 
by  marriage  contracts ;  and  the  child  thus,  in  legal  intendment,  became 
the  child  of  Frederick  Philipse  upon  the  consummation  of  the  marriage 
in  December  following."  "  In  October,  1662,  bans  of  marriage  between 
Frederick  Philipse  and  Margaret  Hardenbrook  were  published.  In  the 
baptismal  record  the  name  of  the  child  is  written,  Maria  This  may 
have  been,  and  probably  was,  an  error  of  the  registrar;  certain  it  is, 
that  Frederick  Philipse,  by  his  will,"  as  we  shall  see  bye  and  bye,  "made 
provision  for  a  child,  which  he  called  his  oldest  daughter,  named  Eva, 
who  was  not  his  child  by  marriage,  as  it  seems,  and  he  makes  no  pro- 
vision for  Maria,  as  he  was  bound  to  do  by  his  marriage  contract,  unless 
it  be  that  for  Eva.  The  conclusion,  therefore,  seems  irresistible,  that 
Eva  and  Maria  were  one  and  the  same  person."  "  It  is  not  certain  when 
Margaret  Harden-brook  died,  though  it  Avas  not  in  1662,  as  strangely 
stated  by  some,  for  this  was  the  year  of  her  marriage  with  Frederick 
Philipse.  She  was  alive  and  a  passenger  on  the  ship  with  our  travelers 
in  1679,  but  she  must  have  died  before  1692,  when  Frederick  Philipse 
espoused  Catharine  Van  Cortlandt,  widow  of  John  Derval  and  daughter 
of  Oloff  Van  Cortlandt,  for  his  second  wife."* 

By  his  second  marriage,  Frederick  Philipse  had  no  children.  By  his 
first  wife,  Margaret  Hardenbrook,  he  had  issue  Philip  Philipse,  baptized 
March  18,  1664,  who  pre-deceased  his  father;  Adolphus,  baptized  Nov. 
15th,  1665,  Annetge,  baptized  Nov.  27,  1667,  and  Rombout,  baptized 
Jan.  9,  1670.  The  latter  probably  died  in  infancy,  as  his  name  does 
not  occur  in  the  will  of  his  father. 

Frederick  Philipse,  first  lord  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  died  on 

a  Mem.  of  Long  Island  nist.,  Soc,  vol.  L,  Journal  of  voyage  to  New  York.  1679-SO.  Brook- 
lyn, 1SCT.  Frederick  Philipse  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  who  was  the  acknowledged  owner  and 
supercargo  of  the  Charles,  and  was  with  her  daughter,  Auuetge,  a  fellow  passenger  of  our 
travelers  in  that  ship  ou  the  voyage  to  New  York  in  1679- 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


the  6th  of  November,  1702,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age.  His  wife  thus 
records  his  death  in  the  family  Bible,  "Anno  1702,  the  6th  of  Novem- 
ber, Sunday  night  at  10  o'clock,  my  husband,  Frederick  Fhilipse  died, 
and  lies  buried  in  the  church  yard  in  the  manor  named  Philipsburgh"* 


Coat  of  Arms  and  Signatures  of  the  Founders  of  Sleepy  Hollow  Church. 

THE  LAST  "WILL  AND  TESTAMENT  OF  FREDERICK  FLIPSE. 

In  the  name  of  God,  amen.  I  Frederick  Flipse  of  ye  city  of  New  York  being 
in  health  of  body  and  of  sounde  and  perfect  memory,  thanks  be  to  Almighty 
God,  doe  make  and  declare  this  to  be  my  last  Will  and  Testament  in  manner  and 
forme  following  Revoking  and  Annulling  all  former  Wills  and  Testaments  by  me 
made  either  by  word  or  writing.  First,  I  surrender  and  bequeath  my  soul  into 
ye  mercy  full  hands  of  ye  infinite  God  who  gave  it,  and  I  order  my  body  to  be 
interred  at  my  burial]  place  at  ye  upper  mills  with  such  charges  and  in  such 
decent  manner  as  to  my  executors,  herein  after  named,  shall  seem  concicnt ;  and 
as  touching  and  disposing  of  my  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments,  goods,  chattels 
and  credittes  I  will,  devise  and  dispose  of  them  as  follows :    1  give,  grant,  de- 


a  Copied  from  the  Bible  of  Catharine  Van  Cortlandt  now  In  possession  of  Gen.  J.  Watts  De 
Peyster,  of  Sew  York. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHES 7  ER. 


vise  and  bequeath  to  Frederick  Flipse,  my  grandson,  born  in  Barbadoes,  ye  only 
son  of  Philip  my  eldest  son  late  deced  ye  following  houses  and  tenements  in  ye 
city  of  New  York  (to  wit)  that  dwelling  house,  with  the  appurtenances  I  now 
live  in  with  ye  house  called  ye  Bolting  house  as  also  that  house  down  to  ye  said 
dwelling  house  a;id  ye  ground  adjoining  soe  farr  as  yeLeanto  stands  andsoefarr 
as  j'e  Gavell  end  of  ye  old  kittcliin  and  ye  fence  of  ye  widow  Dekey  and  also  a 
warehouse  called  ye  midle  warehouse  and  ye  ground  bchindc  it  ye  breadth  of  ye 
same  warehouse  towards  ye  New  street  and  so  extend  in  length  to  ye  Broad 
street  ye  same  ground  lying  there  in  breadth  between  my  coopers  house  and  ye 
ground  of  Isaac  Kipp  and  all  those  two  dwelling  houses  and  lotts  of  ground  with 
'their  appurtenances  lying  and  being  near  ye  old  Slaat  house  at  present  in  ye 
tenure  of  Mrs.  Carree  and  Mr.  Droylett  and  also  those  lands,  tenements  and 
hereditaments  in  the  County  of  Westchester  (to  wit)  that  island  called  Papiriui- 
man,  with  the  meadows  and  bridge  and  toll  and  all  ye  right  and  title  I  leave  to 
ye  same,  and  all  those  lands  and  meadows  called  ye  Yoncker's  Plantation  to- 
gether with  all  and  singular  ye  houses,  mills,  mill  dams,  orchards,  gardens, 
negroes,  negroes  children,  cattle,  horses,  swine  and  whatsoever  else  belongs  to 
nice  within  that  Patent  as  well  what  is  tenanted,  as  nott,  as  also  a  piece  of  land 
in  the  Mille  Square  by  mee  late  bought  of  Michaell  Hawdon  and  all  that  tract  or 
piece  of  land  extending  from  the  Yonckers  patent  or  Plantation  to  a  creek  called 
by  ye  Indians,  Wysquaqua,  and  by  the  Christians,  William  Portuguee's  creek, 
and  thence  according  to  ye  course  of  that  creek  into  ye  woods  to  ye  head  of  the 
same  and  from  thence  on  an  east  line  to  the  creek  called  ye  Yonckers  creek,  and 
then  to  continue  on  the  same  course  to  Bronk's  river  and  as  far  as  my  right  ex- 
tends, as  also  all  that  ye  equal  half  of  my  meadow  lying  at  Tappan  with  ye  rights, 
hereditaments,  emoluments  and  appurtenances  to  ye  same  and  all  ye  other  es- 
tate herein  before  given  and  devised  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  to  have 
and  to  hold  all  ye  said  reall  estate,  tenements  and  hereditaments,  with  ye  appur- 
tenances herein  before  given  and  devised  to  ye  said  Frederick  Flipse,  my  grand- 
son, and  ye  heirs  male  of  his  body  lawfully  to  be  begotten  ;  and  for  lack  of  such 
issue  ye  remainder  thereof  to  my  son,  Adolphus  Flipse,  and  ye  heirs  male  of  his 
body  lawfully  to  be  begotten  and  for  lack  of  such  issue  to  ye  next  right  heirs 
of  mee  ye  said  Frederick  Flipse,  ye  grandfather,  forever. 

Item,  I  give  and  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  said  grandson,  Frederick  Flipse, 
besides  ye  negroes  at  ye  Yoncker's  Plantation  herein  before  given  and  devised  him 
a  negroe  man  called  Harry  with  his  wife  and  child,  a  negroe  man  called  Peter, 
a  negroe  man  called  Wan,  ye  boat  Yoncker  with  her  furniture  apparel  and  ap- 
purtenances and  ye  equall  half  of  all  ye  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  upon  and  be- 
longing to  ye  plantation  at  ye  upper  Mill.  To  have  and  to  hold  all'ye  said 
negroes  and  ye  said  personall  estate  to  him  his  heirs,  ecxecutors  and  .  Tsignees 
forever.  Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  said  grandson,  his  executors  and  as- 
signees for  ever  an  equall  fourth  part  of  all  shipps,  vessells,  money,  plate,  goods, 
merchandise,  debts,  and  personall  estate  whatsoever  which  shall  belong  to  mee 
at  ye  time  of  my  decease  ;  my  Debts  and  ye  particular  legacy's  in  this  my  will 
given,  being  first  satisfyed  and  discharged,  provided  always  and  I  do  hereby 
declare  it  my  will,  mind,  aud  true  meaning  that  I  give  yo  lands,  hereditaments 
and  their  appurtenances,  extending  from  ye  Yonckers  Plantation  to  William 
Portuguee's  creek,  and  so  to  Bronck's  River,  to  my  said  grandson  with  this  re- 


To  face  page  »l 4,  vol.  L 


PEDIGREE  OF  PHILIPSE,  PHILIPSBOROUGH, 


AniiH.  as,  ti  deflol  UOD  rampant,  tiring  out  of  a  ducal  coronet  ar,  surmouuted  by  a  ducal  coronet,  or.    Crest,  n  demi  lion  rampant  rising  out  of  a  Viscount's  coronet  ar,  surmounte<l  by  a  ducal  coronet,  or. 

BlbttO.— QdOd  tihi  eft  fien 'facia*. 

Right  Hon.  Viscount  FnlTPlIBi  J  ffri     i.  of  ..  noble  Bohemian  Family, 
of  Bohemia  t  who  Bed  with  her  hod  Vrederyck,  to 

East  FrieBland. 


Hod.  Vredervck  Felypsen,  of  Bolawaerl,_,Margaret  Dacres,  descended  of  the  family  of 
Holland/emigrated  from  East  Fries-  i       nacre,  of  Dacre. 
land  to  New  Amsterdam,  In  1647.   


Hon.  Vrederyck  Felypsen.  ov  1'hiiipse.^ 
first  Lord  of  ibe  Manor  of  PhillpebO-. 
rough,  nat  1666,  ob.  1702.   Win  dat. 
f»th  Dec  170?,  CbL  vi.  p.  i»8,  w.  Snr. 
Rec.  N.  Y. 


Margaret  llardcnbroch.  widow  of  Peter  iOHiolphus,  ob.  lflfits 
<  iillianne  van  Corliainlt,  da  of  the  High'  lion.  OlolT  Stevens 
van  Corllainir,  nat.  90th  of  Oct.  1652.   Win  dated  Ttb  Janu- 
ary, 1730.   Interred  nt  Sleepy  Hollow. 


I'hUip  AlllpBe,  proprietor  of  theat=Marla  Sparkes,  da.  of  Gov. 
Springhead  estate,  island  of  i  Sparkes,  of  Barbadoes, 
Barbadoen,  nat.  u»7fl.  ob.  1700.         mar.  1697,  ob.  1700. 


Adolphus  Phllipse,  proprietor  of  the  High- 
land, Upper  Patent  and  northern  part  ot 
Phlllpsborough,  nat.  1657,  oh.  s.  p.  1748. 
Burled  at  Sleepy  Hollow. 


L 


Annetje  Phllipse,. Philip  French. 


Hon.  Frederick  Phllipse,  second  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Philip9l>orough,  heir  to_joanua,  da.  of  Anthony  Brockholes.  Thin 
hiB  grand-father  Vrederyck  and  his  uncle  Adolphus,  born  at  RurbadoesA.  i  lady  was  unfoitunateh  killed  by  a  full 
D.  1698;  died  of  consumption,  1751;  founder  of  St.  John's  Church,  from  her  carriage  on  the  Highland  es- 
Yonkcrs.   Will  dated  6th  .lune,  1751,  No.  is,  p.  x—  Sur.  Rec.  N.  Y.  fate.   Married  1720. 


Col.  Frederick  Phllipse.^Ellzabeth  Williams,   Phltl'p  Phllipse.  proprleto 


last  I/ml  of  the  Manor 
of  Phlllpsborough,  ob. 
clr.  Hay.lTBS,  at  Ches- 
ter, England. 


widow  of  Rut- 
gers da.of  Charle 
Williams,  Esq. 


of  the  Highland  Vpper 
Patent  :  impt.  in  Hutch 
Ch.  N.  Y  ITU.  Will 
dated  1768.  No  26.  p 
3*6.   Sur.  Rec.  N.Y. 


visee  wtth_jCoL  Beverley 


her  brother  Philip  of  Robinson. 
tn»'  I'pper  Patent, nat. 
27th  Sept  ,  1727,  ob. 


II  J 
Mary  nat  3d  July _ Col  Rojier  Morris,  Margaret,  ob. 

£.    iTeOuner,  m  Jan.      member  of  the 
wt    uai'T,  175S,  ob.  is      (;ov.  council. 
;=     July,  1825. 


n  i       i  i    i  i         i         i      »  i  ■ 

Frederick  PI  llpse_Harnct  Charles  Phil-  s  Philip,    '>  John,  killed  at  Catharine,  mar- Sarah  mar-  g  Ellzab'th  Charlotte 

QrUBtnt,  Ipse.drowued  g  ob.  s.  p.  *    the  battle  of  ried  Bt  Hon.    ried  Mun-  JE      ob.  married 

ofltheiit,  InerossingS            <g      Trafalgar,  Viscount       goNoble,  ■<   March  Captain 


Adolph,  s.  p.  17s.->. 


N  Wales,  t  he  Bay  of  ■ 
Fundy. 


1605. 


straugford. 


1828.  Webster. 


Frederick,  an  offloer^-l.  Mary  Marstou,  da.  of 
in  the  British  eer-  Nathaniel  Marston 
vice.  ob.  1829.  «.  Maria  Kimble. 


Frederick^! iss  Pailiser,  du.  of  Sir  Hugh  Palllser, 
of  Buck's  Co.,  England. 


Maria  Phlllpse  ^Abraham  (Jouverneur. 


Charlntte_Sir.  Wm.  Johnston. 


Frederick,  proprietor  of  the  Phllipstown 
estate,  Putnam  County,  New  York. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


striction  and  condition  that  it  is  in  lew  of  a  tract  called  Cintqucsingte,  purchased 
by  mee  and  intended  to  he  given  to  his  father,  my  eldest  son,  soe  that  if  at  any 
time  hereafter  ye  said  Frederick  Flipse,  my  grandson,  shall  claime  and  recover 
this  tract  of  land  called  Cintqucsingte,  then  it  is  my  will  and  devise  that  ye  tract 
of  land  and  appurtenances  extending  from  ye  Yonckcrs  Plantation  to  Portuguce's 
creek  before  descrihed,  shall  devolve  unto  and  be  vested  in  my  said  son,  Adolphus 
his  heirs  and  assignes  forever,  and  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath  unto  my  son, 
Adolphus  Flipse,  ye  following  house  and  tenements  in  ye  city  of  New  York  (to 
witt)  that  house  and  ground  that  Isaac  Marque  at  present  lives  in  with  3-e  right 
appurtenances  to  ye  same  belonging,  and  a  house  in  ye  Stone  street  next  Isaac 
De  Forrests  with  an  old  house  formerly  belonging  to  John  Eider  soe  farr  as  to 
ye  Lcanto  and  )-e  Gavellend  of  ye  old  kittchin  in  length  to  ye  fence  of  ye  widow 
Dekay  and  in  breadth  to  ye  fence  of  Isaac  Deforrest  or  soe  farr  as  my  right  ex- 
tends as  also  a  house  and  lott  of  ground  adjoining  ye  house  I  live  in  ;  stretching 
in  breadth  to  ye  house  of  Annakc  Gosers  and  in  length  to  ye  house  of  Mr.  Anthony 
Brocholes  and  also  a  house  and  ground  lying  in  ye  Broad  street  by  ye  ground  of 
Jacobus  Kipp  with  a  -warehouse  in  ye  New  street  and  ye  ground  between  upon  a 
straight  line  from  ye  south  cornerof  ye  warehouse  to  ye  south  corner  of  that  house 
(to  witt")  from  ye  one  street  to  ye  other,  as  also  those  lands,  tenements  and  heredita- 
ments in  ye  County  of  Westchester  (to  witt)  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  at  ye 
upper  Mills,  beginning  at  a  creek  called  by  ye  Indians  Wysquaquas,  and  by  ye 
Christians,  William  Portuguee's  creek  being  ye  bound  of  ye  lands  given  hereby  to 
my  grandson,  and  so  running  up  Hudson's  River  to  ye  creek  called  Wcgheandagh, 
whereon  is  built  two  grist  mills,  and  from  thence  along  ye  said  river  to  a  creek 
called  Kightawan,  or  Croton  River  soe  along  that  river  or  creek,  according  to 
ye  patent,  then  on  an  east  line  into  ye  woods  as  far  as  Bronck's  river  thence  to 
ye  head  of  that  river  and  along  Bronck's  river  according  to  its  to  ye  lands  here- 
in before  devised  to  my  grandson  aforesaid,  as  also  ye  moyety  or  equall  half  of 
a  saw-mill  with  its  appurtenances  att  Mamaroneck,  late  by  me  purchased  of  Dr. 
Selimus,  and  also  all  that  ye  one  full  moyety  or  equall  half  of  yemeadev  at 
Tappan  by  mee  purchased  of  Dr.  George  Lockhart  and  all  that  piece  of  meadow 
on  ye  north  side  of  Tappan  creek  containing  in  quantity  as  is  exprest  in  ye  patent 
for  ye  same.  Together  with  all  and  singular  houses,  mills,  mill  dams,  meadows, 
orchards,  gardens,  rights,  hereditaments,  emoluments  and  appurtenances  to  ye 
estate  herein  before  given  and  devised  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  to 
have  and  to  hold  ye  said  houses,  tenements  and  hereditaments  with  their  appur- 
tenances to  ye  said  Adolphus,  my  son,  and  ye  heirs  made  of  his  body  lawfully 
to  be  begotten  and  for  lack  of  such  issue  to  my  grandson,  Frederick  Flipse,  and 
ye  heirs  male  of  his  body  lawfully  to  be  begotten  and  for  lack  of  such  issue  to 
ye  next  right  heirs  of  mee  ye  said  Frederick  Flipse  ye  father  for  ever.  Item,  I 
give  and  bequeath  to  my  said  son,  Adolphus  Flipse,  these  negroes  and  slaves 
following  (to  witt),  ye  negio  men  called  Symond,  Charles,  Towerhill,  Samson, 
Claes,  Bill}-,  Mingo,  Hendrick,  Bahynne  and  Hector,  ye  negro  boy,  Peter,  ye 
Indian  woman  called  Hannah  and  her  child,  ye  negro  woman,  Susan,  ye  younger 
and  ye  negroe  woman,  Mary.  To  have  and  to  hold  ye  said  negroes  and  slaves 
to  my  said  son,  Adolphus,  his  heirs  and  assignees  for  ever.  Then  I  will  and 
order  that  ye  negroe  woman,  old  Susan,  shall  dwell  and  continue  in  plantation 
at  ye  upper  mills  soe  long  as  she  lives.    Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  sou, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Adolphus,  aforesaid  his  executors  and  assignees  for  ever  ye  other  equall  half  of 
all  ye  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  upon  and  belonging  to  ye  plantation  at  ye  upper 
Mills  a  large  boat  called  ye  Unity  with  her  furniture  apparell  and  appurtenances, 
late  by  mee  bought  of  Dan  Desmaretz,  and  an  equall  fourth  part  of  all  ye  shipps, 
vessels,  money,  plate,  goods,  merchandize,  debts,  and  personall  estate  whatso- 
ever which  shall  belong  to  me  at  ye  time  of  my  decease,  my  debts  and  ye  par- 
ticular legaces  in  this  my  will  mentioned  being  first  paid  and  satisfij-ed.  And  1 
do  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  eldest  daughter,  Eva,  the  wife  of  Jacobus 
Van  Cortlandt,  the  house  and  ground  with  ye  appurtenances  in  ye  city  of  New 
Yorke  where  they  at  present  live  in  with  all  ye  right  and  interest  that  I  have  or 
ever  had  in  and  to  ye  same  as  also  a  lott  of  ground  with  itts  appurtenances  in 
ye  same  city  in  ye  that  to  the  southward  of  ye  old  warehouse  as  it  lyes  at  present 
inclosed  and  fenct  and  by  me  is  owned  and  possest,  and  an  equall  fourth  part  of 
all  ye  shipps,  vessells,  money,  plate,  goods,  merchandise,  debts  and  pesonall  estate, 
whatsoever  which  shall  belong  to  mee  at  ye  time  of  my  decease,  my  debts  and 
the  particulars  legacys  in  this  my  will  exprest  being  first  satisfyed  and  paid  as 
aforesaid.  To  have  and  to  hold  ye  said  houses,  tenements  and  premises  to  ye 
said  Eva,  my  daughter,  for  and  dureing  her  naturall  life,  ye  remainder  after  her 
decease  to  ye  second  son  of  her  body  to  be  begotten  his,  heirs  and  assignees  for 
ever,  but  for  lack  of  such  issues  then  ye  remainder  after  her  decease  to  her  son 
Frederick  Cortlandt  and  his  heirs  and  assignes  for  ever.  Item,  I  doe  give,  de- 
vise and  bequeath  to  my  said  daughter,  Eva,  her  heirs,  executors  and  assignes 
forever  a  certaiue  morgage  of  Dr.  Henricus  Selyns  upon  ye  land  of  John  Rich- 
bell,  deceased,  twenty  miles  into  yc  woods  with  this  proviso  and  exception  not 
to  extend  over  Bronx's  river  into  any  of  ye  land  herein  devised  to  my  son  or 
grandson.  And  I  do  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  daughter,  Anntke  ye  wife 
of  Philip  French,  that  house  and  ground  with  ye  appurtenance  in  ye  citty  of 
New  Yorke  where  they  at  present  live  in,  as  also  ye  old  warehouse  and  ground 
thereunto  belonging  with  ye  appurtenances  in  ye  same  city  lying  in  ye  New 
street  and  all  that  my  estate  of  land  and  the  appurtenances  in  ye  County  of  Ber- 
ghen  in  East  Jersey  (to  witt),  inyetown  of  Berghen,  alarge  garden  and  plantation 
of  fifteen  acres  of  land  with  eight  moyen  or  about  sixteen  acres  garden  ground 
and  ye  right  and  priviledge  in  the  undivided  wood  lands  of  two  farms  and  ye 
plantation  and  all  those  my  lands  in  ye  County  of  Ulster  (to  witt)  a  peace  of 
land  att  Monbachus  containing  about  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres,  and  a  peace 
of  land  at  ye  Rondout  creek  morgaged  to  mee  by  John  "Ward  containing  about 
seaven  hundred  acres,  as  also  after  my  wife's  decease,  that  lott  of  ground  with 
itts  appurtenances  in  ye  city  of  New  Yorke,  extending  from  ye  Broadway  to  ye 
New  street,  lying  between  ye  ground  late  of  Robert  'White,  deceased,  and  within 
the  clock  buyer  with  ye  rights  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  to  all  mid 
singular  ye  premises  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  Further,  1  give 
and  bequeath  unto  Anneke,  my  said  daughter,  an  equale  fourth  part  of  all  ye 
shipps,  vessels,  money,  plate,  goods,  merchandise,  debts  and  personale  estate, 
whatsoever  which  shall  be  found  to  belong  to  mee  at  ye  time  of  my  decease  my 
debts  and  ye  particular  Legacy  in  this  my  will  bequeathed  being  first  discharged 
and  satisfied  as  aforesaid.  To  have  and  to  hold  ye  said  houses,  land  and  premises 
to  ye  said  Anneke,  my  daughter,  for  and  during  her  naturall  life  ye  remainder 
after  her  decease  to  ye  second  son  of  her  body  to  be  begotten,  his  heirs  and  as- 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


517 


signcs  for  ever,  but  for  lack  of  such  issue  to  her  son,  Fhilip  Frcucli,  his  heirs  and 
assignes  for  ever,  and  I  doc  will  order  devise  and  bequeath,  that  my  beloved  wife, 
Catharine,  shall  have  during  her  natural]  life  fifty  pounds  current  money  of  New 
Yorke  pr  annum  to  be  paid  her  out  of  ye  proffitts  of  my  Reall  Estate,  and  that  five 
and  twenty  pounds  thereof  pr  annum  shall  be  charged  and  levyed  iu  nature  of 
a  Rent  charge  upon  my  estate  at  ye  Yonckers  devised  hereby  to  my  grandson, 
Frederick  Flypse,  and  ye  other  five  and  twenty  pounds  per  annum  in  ye  same 
manner  upon  my  estate  and  plantation  at  ye  upper  Mills,  hereby  devise  to  my 
son,  Adolphus  Flipse,  and  that  she,  my  wife,  shall  rcmaine  and  continue  to 
do  in  ye  house  I  now  live  in,  and  shall  have  and  receive  ye  money  1  have  en- 
gaged and  promist  her  according  to  our  agreement  before  and  upon  our  mar- 
riage preferable  to  all  legacy  and  payments  whatsoever.  Item,  I  will  and 
devise  to  my  eaid  wife,  during  her  uaturall  life,  that  lottof  ground  with  ye  appur- 
tenances in  ye  city  of  New  York  extending  from  ye  Broadway  to  ye  New  Street 
lyeing  between  ye  ground  late  of  Robert  White,  deceased,  and  William  ye 
Clockbuyer,  and  I  do  will,  order,  determine  and  direct  that  my  said  wife 
shall  have  ye  custody,  tuition  and  guardianship  of  my  grandson,  Frederick 
Flipse,  and  his  estate  to  his  use  until  he  comes  to  ye  age  of  one  and  twenty  years, 
who  I  desire  may  have  ye  best  education  and  learning  these  parts  of  ye  world 
will  afford  him  not  doubting  of  her  care  in  bringing  him  up  after  ye  best  man- 
ner possibly  shee  can.  Lastly,  I  do  make,  appoint  and  ordaine  my  said  son, 
Adolphus  Flipse,  and  my  son-in-law,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  executors  of  this 
my  last  will  and  testament.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  sett  my  hand 
and  scale  this  26th  day  of  October,  anno  dom,  1700. 

Frederick  Flipse.  (S) 

Signed,  sealed  and  declared  in  ye  presence  of  ye  underwritten  witnesses  who 
also  in  ye  presence  of  ye  Testator  have  subscribed  their  names,  Isaac  de  fforeest, 
Olof  Van  Cortlandt,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  W.  Nicoll,  New  York,  Dec.  0th, 
1702.  Then  personally  came  before  me  Edward  Viscount  Corubury,  Captain 
General  and  Governor-in-chief  of  New  York,  Ed.  William  Nicoll,  Oloff  Van 
Cortlandt  and  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  witnesses,  who  have  subscribed  their  names 
to  ye  within  will  and  made  oath  upon  ye  holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God  that 
they  saw  ye  within  named  ffrederick  fflipse  sign,  scale  and  declare  ye  same  will 
and  testament  and  that  at  ye  time  thereof  he  was  of  sound  mind  and  memory  to 
ye  best  of  their  knowledge,  Jurat  Coram  me  Cobxbury. 

New  York,  December  9th,  1702,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  one  of  ye  within  named 
executors  was  duly  sworue  to  ye  executor  of  ye  within,  Jurat  Coram  me, 

CoRNBtTBY.<* 

Philip  Philipse,  the  eldest  son  of  the  above  testator  was  born  in  New 
York,  1663,  and  baptized  the  18th  of  March,  1664.  From  all  accounts 
this  individual  appears  to  have  been  in  his  youth  very  wild  and  gay, 
and  possessed  withal  of  a  very  delicate  constitution,  which  induced  his 
father  to  send  him  to  the  Island  of  Barbadoes  to  look  after  his  property 
there  consisting  of  a  plantation  called  Penus/    Herein  1697  he  mar- 

a  Rec.  of  Wells  Surrogates  office,  N.  Y.,  1702  to  1712,  pp.  101, 105.  The  above  will  was 

proved  9th  Dec  ,  1702. 

i  Philipse  .US3.  in  possession  of  the  late  Frederick  Philipse  Philipstown,  Putnam  County, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER 


ried  Maria  Sparks,  daughter  of  the  Governor  of  Barbadoes,  who  died  im- 
mediately after  the  birth  of  her  only  child  Frederick  Philipse  in  1698. 
Philip  Philipse  did  not  long  survive  his  wife,  dying  on  the  Springhead 
plantation,  Barbadoes  in  1700  aged,  only  thirty-seven.  Mr.  Philip 
Philipse's  mother  had  been  a  Miss  Joyce  Farmer.  Mrs.  Sparks  brother, 
Mr.  Farmer,  took  his  wife  with  him  and  went  to  the  West  Indies,  and  (on 
his  niece's  marriage  to  Philipse)  they  resided  for  some  time  together. 
Mr.  Fanner  had  no  children  of  his  own,"  which  induced  them  to  take 
charge  of  the  young  orphan,  Frederick.  Old  Mr.  Frederick  Philipse 
was  so  shocked  at  the  death  of  his  eldest  son,  Philip,  that  he  immediately 
sent  for  his  grandson  to  New  York.  This  gave  great  offence  to  the 
child's  uncle  and  aunt,  Farmer,  who  had  set  their  heart  on  the  child;  so 
that  although  they  were  very  rich  they  only  left  him  ^10.000  in  cash 
and  the  Springhead  plantation,  which  was  afterwards  sold  to  a  party 
named  Osbourne/ 

By  the  will  of  Frederick  Philipse  all  that  portion  of  the  manor  of 
Philipsburgh  north  of  Dobb's  Ferry,  including  the  present  town  became 
vested  in  Adolphus  or  Adolph  Philipse,  second  son  of  the  Testator. 
This  individual  was  also  proprietor  of  the  Great  Highland  patent,  which 
included  all  of  the  present  county  of  Putnam,  granted  on  the  17th  of 
June,  1697  ;  and  the  executor  of  his  brother,  Philip  Philipse's  estate,  let- 
ters of  adminstration  having  been  granted  to  him  in  that  capacity  on  the 
2  2d  of  December,  1 7 1 4. 17  Adolphus  Philipse  was  bom  in  New  York  in  the 
year  1665.  On  the  rumor  that  the  French  were  about  to  attack  Albany, 
he  was  sent  in  1691  to  Connecticut  to  demand  assistance  from  that 
Colony.  He  was  called  to  the  Council  on  the  7th  of  February,  1704-5, 
and  in  17 18  was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  for  running  the 
boundary  line  between  Connecticut  and  New  York.  In  17 21  he  was 
removed  from  the  Council,  on  the  representation  of  Gov.  Burnet,  for 
opposing  the  continuance  of  the  Assembly  after  his  Excellency's  arrival/ 
In  the  following  year  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  County  of  'Westches- 
ter in  the  assembly,  and  1725  was  chosen  speaker.  At' the  ensuing 
election  in  1726,  Mr.  Philipse  was  returned  one  of  the  four  members 
for  the  city  of  New  York,  again  elected  speaker  and  filled  that  chair 
until  1737.  At  the  general  election  that  year,  however,  he  lost  his  seat; 
but  Gerrit  Van  Home,  one  of  the  members  elect  for  the  city  dying  soon 

a  Burke's  Hist,  of  Landed  Gentry  of  Great  Britain.  Another  daughter  of  Gov.  Sparks 
married  a  Colonel  Fullerton,  an  only  son  and  a  man  of  large  property  In  Scotland.  Another 
daughter  of  i lie  Governor  remained  unmarried.  When  Gov.  Sparks  went  to  Barbadoes  his 
wife  had  delicate  health  and  remained  at  his  estate,  Worcestershire,  and  kept  her  two  young- 
est daughters  Willi  her.   The  other  two  accompanied  their  father.   Philipsr'*  MSS. 

6  Philipse  MSS.  in  possession  of  the  late  Frederick  Philipse  of  Philipstown. 

e  New  York  Surrogates  office  Kec,  Well's  No.  vli,  286. 

d  Council  Minutes,  VL,  34.  . 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


5*9 


after,  an  election  was  held  to  fill  the  vacany,  and  in  September  Mr. 
rhilipse  was  declared  to  be  chosen.  A  great  clamor  ensued,  Sheriff 
Cosby  was  accused  of  having  committed  the  most  barefaced  villainy  in 
returning  him,  and  the  matter  was  brought  before  the  House  by  petition. 
After  a  month's  scrutiny,  Mr.  Philipse  was  declared  member.'  Mr. 
Philipse  was  re-elected  speaker  in  1739,  and  occupied  that  office  until 
1745/  He  died  a  bachelor  in  January,  1750,  in  the  85th  year  of  his 
age/  and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault  at  Sleepy  Hollow,  leaving  his 
immense  property  to  be  divided  equally  between  his  grand-nephew  and 
grand-nieces,  viz.,  Philip  Philipse,  Susannah  Robinson,  Mary  Morris  and 
Margaret  rhilipse ;  the  latter  dying  underage  in  1752,  her  share  was 
divided  among  the  other  three.  Adolophus  Philipse  "  was  a  man,"  says 
John  Jay,  "  of  superior  talents,  well  educated,  sedate,  highly  respected 
and  popular;  and  except  that  he  was  penurious,  I  have  heard  nothing  to 
his  disadvantage."'' 

The  following  inventory  of  money,  plate  jewels,  and  household  fur- 
niture, &c,  &c,  belonging  to  the  manor  house,  which  was  taken  in 
1752  (after  the  death  of  Adolph  Philipse,)  affords  a  curious  specimen  of 
the  habits  and  tastes  of  a  gentleman  at  that  early  period.  It  is  tran- 
scribed from  the  original,  preserved  among  the  family  papers  of  Philips- 
town,  Putnam  County,  entitled: 

A  old  acc't  by  Jos.  Read,  Administrator  of  Adolph  Philipse. 

Dr.  the  estate  of  Fred.  Philipse,  Esq.,  dec.  to  Jos.  Read,  against  estate  of  Fred 

Philipse. 
174y.  Jan'y  25,— 

To  1  Boston  shilling  and  1  lead  meddal   £0  12 

1  cask  of  apples   0  6  0 

1-3  of  a  ps.  broad  cloth  qt.  10  yards  a  20s.  10  0  0 

I  steel  or  iron  tobacco  box   0  2   0      10   9  2 

1750,  April  6,— 

To  l-8th  pt.  of  cloth,  &c.,  divided  among  the 

relations   4   0  0 

II  bottles  of  wine,  &c.,  &c.,  a  small  jug 

with  ink   1   3  C 

5   3  6 

1750,  May  8,— 

To  the  picture  of  Mr.  Adolph'   6   0  0 

a  N.  Y.  Doc.  Col.  MSS.,  vol.  vL  p.  56.— [Editor's  notes. 
i  Journal  I.  Tin,  TIT.  T!>0,  II  2. 

e  N.  Y.  Doc.  Col.  MSS.  vol.  vi,  p.  56.— [Editor's  notes. 

d  De  Peyster's  Genealogy,  118,  N.  Y.  Doc.  Col.  MSS  ,  vol.  vi,  p.  56.— [Editor's  note. 
*  This  picture  is  still  preserved  at  Pnilipstowu. 


520 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


1750,  May  20,— 

To  a  razor  strap  with  silver   0   6  0 

1  silver  tankard,  wt.  26oz.  lOp.  Ogr.  at  9«. 

Qd.  pr.  ounce   12  11  9 

1  ditto,  wt.  23oz.  Up.  12gr.  at  10s.  Gd   12   9  H 

1  ditto  shaving  basin  and  box,  wt.  21oz. 

15/>.  at  10s.  Gd.  pr.  oz   11   8  4} 

1  ditto  tooth  case  pick   0  13  3 

12  ditto  spoons,  wt.  2302.  lip.  12gr.  at  10*. 

3d.  per  ounce    12  3  2 

6  ditto,  wt.  902.  15p.  at  9s.  3d   4  10  ^ 

3  ditto,  "  3     10     "   "  "   1  12  4i 

1  ditto  beker,  wt.  702.  Sp.  at  9s  9d.  pr.  oz.  3  12  If 
1  ditto  cup,  wt.  2o2.  13p.  \2gr.  at  9s.  9d. 

pr.  oz  .   1    6  1 

6  ditto  tea  spoons,  wt.  loz.  I9p.  at  12s.  3d. 

pr.  oz   1    3  10f 

1  reading  glass  with  a  silver  rim   14  0 

1  deer's  foot  tipt  with  gold    0  11  3 

1  black  box  with  a  ps.  gold  and  a  ps.  sil- 

ver  3  15  0 

A  parcell  of  gold  beads  and  pearl,  wt.  2oz. 

Up.  at  61.  4s   16  14  10 

2  trunks   0    6  0 

•    £  pt.  of  a  parcell  homspun  and  parcell 

linnen   1  13  0 

£  pt.  of  a  parcell  wampum  valued  at  £40.  6  6  6 
£  pt.  of  23602. 9p.  1 2gr.  silver  pigs,  valued 

by  A.  B   11  11  6 

4  Arabian  ps.  gold   2  16  0     106   7  114 


85  11  5 

To  sundrys  bought  at  public  vendue  in  March, 

1749-50,  as  per  acct  

To  ditto  at  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh  in  April, 

1750,  as  per  acct   534  16  11     620   8  4 

November  25. — 

To  John  Chambers,  Esq.,  pr.  assignn  for  a 
sadle  and  bridle  54s.  Sd.,  a  pr.  pistols  capt 
with  silver  82s.,  bo't  at  vendue  and  paid 

s'd  Philipse   6  16  0 

1752,  July  16.— 

To  Jas.  Read  for  sundreys  bo't  in  co.  at  ven- 
due as  per  acct  here  enclosed   10   7  2 

17    3  2 

£  pt.of  a  parcell  whetstones  divided  among 

the  relations,  supposed  to  be  worth  20s       0   2  6 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  52I 

Philip  Philipse,  pr.  assignm't,  for  2  ps. 
linnen  bo't  at  vendue  23  March,  1749- 
50   1  17  6 

492  bushels  wheat  rec'd  by  Elbert  Aartsen 
for  rent  due  to  Adolph  Philipse,  w  hich 
ball.  Philipse  sold  to  Johanis  Schank 
at  4s.  per  bushel   98   8  0 

a  field  of  green  wheat  of  ab't  8  bushels 
sewing  which  by  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Win.  Curry,  belonged  to  the  personal 
estate  of  Adolph  Philipse   8  0  0 

a  bolting  box  reel  and  bolting  cloath  valu- 
ed by  E.  By vanck   6  10   0     112  18  0 

£880   1  0 

Errors  E. ' 

Jas.  Read, 

Estate  of  Mr. 

The  daughters  of  Frederick  Philipse  and  Margaret  Hardenbrook  were: 
Eva,  born  in  September,  1660,  and  baptized  3d  of  October,  following 
who  married  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  from  whom  descend  the  Van  Cort- 
landts  of  Yonkers  and  the  Jays,  of  Rye  and  Bedford.  Annetje,  the 
second  daughter,  married  Philip  French,  originally  of  Kelsale,  Suffolk 
County,  England,  where  his  family  were  extensive  land-holders.  He 
died  in  1707  leaving  issue  a  son,  Philip  French  (by  a  second  wife),  who 
married  Sussanah  Brockholst,  and  five  daughters ;  the  eldest  of  whom 
was  Susan  who  married  William  Livingston,  Governor  of  New  Jersey, 
whose  daughter,  Sarah,  married  the  Hon.  John  Jay.  Philip  French,  the 
third  of  that  name  died  unmarried. 

By  the  death  of  Adolph  Philipse  the  whole  manor  of  Philipsburgh  be- 
came vested  in  his  nephew,  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse,  as  the  nearest 
male  heir  of  his  grandfather,  Frederick.  This  distinguished  personage 
was  born  upon  the  Springhead  estate,  island  of  Barbadoes,  A.D.  1698. 
From  1721  to  1728  he  filled  the  office  of  speaker  to  the  House  of  As- 
sembly in  the  province  of  New  York,  and  in  1733  was  Baron  of  the 
Exchequer,  and  third  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court — an  office  which  he 
held  until  the  day  of  his  death.  He  also  founded  St.  John's  church, 
Yonkers,  and  liberally  endowed  it  with  a  valuable  glebe.  The  Council 
of  New  York  addressing  the  Duke  of  New  Castle  on  December  13th, 
1733,  thus  alludes  to  him  "as  a  very  worthy  gentleman  of  plentiful 
fortune  and  good  education,  third  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court."  a  The 
Hon.  Frederick  Philipse  married  in  1726  Joanna,  daughter  of  Governor 


a  N.  Y.  Doc  Col.  MSS.  vol.  V,  p.  989. 


522 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Anthony  Brockholst"  (who  was  descended  of  a  very  ancient  family, 
originally  of  Brockholls,  which  have  been  seated  at  Claughton  Hall  in 
Lancashire,  England,  for  many  centuries)  by  his  wife  Susanna  Maria 
Schaack  of  Pompton,  New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Philipse  was  unfortunately 
killed  by  a  fall  from  her  carriage  on  the  Highland  estate.  The  Hon. 
Frederick  Philipse  died  just  three  days  before  the  opening  of  the 
Supreme  Court*  on  the  26th  of  July,  1751,  and  was  buried  in  the  family 
vault  in  the  Dutch  church  at  Sleepy  Hollow  on  the  28th  of  the  same 
month.  His  will  bears  date  the  6th  day  of  June,  1751.'  The  follow- 
ing notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  New  York  Gazette,  for  July 
29th,  1 75 1  :  "New  York,  July  29th,  last  Friday  evening,  departed  this 
life  in  the  56th  year  of  his  age,  the  Honorable  Frederick  Philipse,  Esq., 
one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  Province, 
and  a  Representative  in  our  general  Assembly  for  the  County  of  West- 
chester. He  was  a  gentleman  conspicuous  for  an  abundant  Fortune ; 
but  it  was  not  his  wealth  that  constituted  his  Merit — his  Indulgence  and 
Tenderness  to  his  tenants,  his  more  than  parental  affection  for  his 
Children,  and  his  incessant  liberality  to  the  Indigent,  surpassed  the 
splendor  of  his  Estate ;  and  procured  him  a  more  unfeigned  regard  than 
can  be  purchased  with  opulence,  or  gained  by  Interest.  There  were, 
perhaps,  few  men  that  even  equalled  him  in  those  obliging  and  benevo- 
lent Manners,  which,  at  the  same  time  that  they  attracted  the  Love  of  his 
Inferiors,  gained  him  all  the  respect  and  veneration  due  to  his  rank  and 
station.  That  he  was  a  Lover  of  his  Country,  is  gloriously  attested  by 
his  being  repeatedly  elected  into  the  Assembly  for  the  last  twenty-seven 
years  of  his  Life.  He  had  a  disposition  extremely  social,  and  was  what 
few  ever  attain  to  be,  a  good  companion.  But  what  I  have  said  of  his 
character  is  far  from  being  a  finished  Portrait,  it  is  only  a  sketch  of 
some  few  of  his  excellent  Qualities ;  many  features,  I  am  sure,  have 
escaped  me,  but  I  dare  say  that  those  I  have  attempted,  are  not  set  off 
with  false  colors,  but  drawn  faithfully  from  the  Life." 

His  two  sons,  by  Joanna  Brockholes,  were  Frederick  and  Philip ;  also 

a  Gov.  Brockholst  had  been  a  colonel  in  the  Gnards  and  a  great  friend  of  Jarws  II.  and  a 
rigid  Papist.  When  James  abdicated  the  English  Throne,  he  gave  up  his  government  and 
retired  to  Pompton  with  his  wife,  Susanna  Maria  Schaack,  whose  family  had  emigrated  from 
West  Frieslaud,  Holland,  about  the  same  time  that  Frederick  Philipse  left  that  country.  Their 
eldest  daughter,  Mary,  was  Injured  by  a  fall  at  the  fort  in  New  York  Anthony  was  the 
eidest :  Susanna,  the  second  daughter,  married  Philip  French,  sou  of  Philip  French  by 
Annetje  Philipse,  daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse,  who  had  Issue  four  daughters— a  Philip 
French  who  died  a  bachelor,  and  a  daughter  was  by  a  second  wife.  The  four  daughters  of 
Philip  French,  by  Susanna  Brockholst  were  adopted  by  their  aunt,  Brockholst.  One.  Susanna, 
married  Gov.  Wm.  Livingston,  another  married  Mr.  Van  Home ;  a  third  Mr.  Clarkson  of  New 

Jersey;  and  a  fourth  married  .  Another  daughter  of  Gov.  Brockholst  married  Mr.  Van 

Vactek,  but  left  no  children ;  Joanna,  another  daughter,  married,  as.  we  have  seen,  the 
richest  man  In  the  province  or  New  York. 

b  N.  Y.  Doc,  Col.  MSS.  vol.  vi,  737 

c  Surrogates  office,  N.  Y.,  No.  xviil,  p.  3. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  523 


three  daughters,  Susannah,  Mary  and  Margaret.  The  eldest  son, 
Frederick  l'hilipse  being  heir  of  his  father,  became  devisee  intail  male 
of  the  manor  in  Philipsburgh,  tenant  for  life,  under  the  wall  of  his  father, 
with  remainder  intail  male,  while  the  upper  Highland  Patent  of  Philips- 
town  passed  to  the  second  son,  Philip  devisee  intail  of  those  lands  among 
whose  descendants  it  still  remains. 

Frederick  Philipse,  the  eldest  son  and  last  lord  of  the  manor  of  Philips- 
burgh, was  born  in  New  York,  12th  of  September,  1720.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Kings  College  (now  Columbia),  New  York,  and  became  a 
most  accomplished  gentleman,  and  a  person  of  considerable  literary  at- 
tainments. He  was  also  an  ardent  Churchman,  and  a  liberal  bene- 
factor. In  fact,  to  his  untiring  efforts,  under  God,  does  St.  John's 
parish,  Yonkers,  owe  much  of  her  present  prosperity ;  it  was  through 
his  generosity  that  the  parochial  church  was  erected,  in  1752-3.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society  in  1764, 
and  his  name  appears  among  the  list  of  vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church, 
New  York,  from  1779  to  1782.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Assembly  and  held  the  commission  of  Colonel  in  the  Provincial  militia. 
"This  Frederick,"  says  the  late  Hon.  John  Jay,  "I  knew.  He  was  a 
well-tempered,  amiable  man;  and  a  kind,  benevolent  landlord.  He  had  a 
taste  for  gardening  planting,  &c,  and  employed  much  time  and  money  in 
that  way.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Charles  Williams,  Esq.  (an 
English  gentleman,  who  held  an  office  in  the  Custom  House),"  by  his 
wife,  Sarah  Olivier.  "  She  was  a  handsome,  pleasing  woman,"  born  in 
New  York,  5th  of  August,  1732,  and  married  9th  Sept.,  1756.  Her 

first  husband  was    Rutgers.    "At  the  commencement  of  our 

Revolution,"  continues  Mr.  Jay,  "he,  Frederick  Philipse,"  was  inclined 
to  the  Whigs,  but  was  afterwards  persuaded  to  favor  the  tories."  He 
was  removed  to  Connecticut  on  his  parole.  Nothing  could  have  been 
more  favorable  to  him,  circumstanced  as  he  was,  than  to  be  placed  in 


a  Babtne  In  his  Biographical  skercH.es of  American  loyalists,  says  of  Frederick  Philipse: 
"  He  occupied  an  elevated  position  in  colonial  sociely,  but  he  d6es  not  appear  to  have  been 
a  prominent  actor  In  public  affairs.  He  was,  however,  a  member  of  the  House  of  Assembly, 
and  held  tli !  c  immlssion  of  colonel  in  the  militia.  Nor  does  It  seem  that,  though  a  friend  of 
existing  iustutions,  and  an  opposer  of  the  \\  higs,  he  was  an  active  partisan.  lu  April,  1775, 
he  went  to  the  gtouml  appointed  by  the  Whigs  of  Westchester  i  ounty,  to  elect  deputies  to 
Congress,  and  declared,  that  he  would  not  join  lu  the  business  of  the  day ;  and.  that  his  sole 
purpose  in  going  there  was  to  protest  against  their  illegal  and  unconstitutional  proceedings. 
On  some  other  occasion  he  pursued  a  similar  line  of  conduct,  but  his  name  is  seldom  met 
Within  the  documents  of  the  tune.  Soon  after  1771,  Colonel  David  llumphrcvs.  who  subse- 
quently b  c  imean  aid  to  Washington,  and  under  the  Federal  government,  minister  to  Portu- 
gal a  id  Spain,  and  who  had  just  completed  his  stmli.  -  at  ~i  ii.-  «  I. 'cm  ii  i  -  a  re-  lent  in 
his  family,  then  living  on  Philipse  manor.  The  late  President  Dwight  was  well  acquainted 
with  him  at  this  time,  and  speaks  of  him  as  "  a  worthy  and  respectable  man,  not  often  ex- 
celled in  personal  and  domestic  amlableness :"  and  of  Mrs.  Philipse,  he  remarks,  that  she 

was  an  excellent  woman."  In  the  progress  of  events.  Col.  Philipse  abandoned  his  home, 
and  took  refuge  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  finally  embarked  for  England.  In  person  he 
was  extremely  large,  and  on  account  of  his  bulk  his  wife  seldom  rode  in  the  same  carriage 
with  him."  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


such  a  state  of  tranquil  neutrality  On  a  certain  occasion  he  obtained 
permission  to  go  to  New  York  while  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  On 
being  afterwards  required  to  return,  he  very  improperly  and  unwisely 
yielded  to  the  importunities  of  certain  of  his  friends,  and  refused  to  re- 
turn. His  estate  was  confiscated.*  He  left  issue  Frederick  Philipse — 
who  married  Harriet  Griffith,  of  Rhent,  North  Wales — father  cf  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Frederick  Charles  Philipse,  of  Rhual,  Flint  County,  whose 
two  sons  are  Frederick  Philipse,  born  1829,  and  Edward  William 
Philipse,  born  8th  of  April,  1830. 

Charles  Philipse,  second  son  of  Col.  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Williams, 
was  drowned  in  crossing  the  Bay  of  Funday.  Philip  died  without  issue, 
Captain  John  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Trefalgar  in  1S05.  Maria 
Eliza,  their  eldest  daughter,  married,  in  1779,  Lionel  Smythe,  seventh 
Viscount,  Strangford,  father  of  Percy  Clinton  Sydney  Smythe  Viscount 
Strangford  and  Baron  Penshurt  of  Penshurst  in  the  the  County  of  Kent, 
England  ;s  Sarah,  the  second  daughter,  married  Major  Mungo  Noble  ; 
Elizabeth  died  8th  of  March,  1828,  and  Charlotte,  the  youngest,  married 
Captain  Webber. 

Col.  Frederick  Philipse  died  at  Chester,  England,  on  the  30th  of  April, 
1785  ;  and  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral  church  of  that  city,  where  there  is 
a  monument  erected  to  his  memory,  on  which  is  the  following  inscription  : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of 
FREDERICK  FHILIPSE,  ESQ. , 
late  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 
A  gentleman,  in  whom  the  various  social,  domestic,  and 
religious  virtues  were  eminently  united.    The  uniform 
Rectitude  of  his  conduct,  commanded  the  esteem  of  others, 
whilst  the  Benevolence  or  his  heart  and  gentleness  of  his 
manners  secured  their  love.   Firmly  attached  to  his  sov- 
ereign a'id  the  British  constitution  he  opposed  at  the 
hazard  of  his  life,  the  late  Rebellion  iuNotth  America; 
and  for  this  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty  to  his  King 
and  Country,  he  was  proscribed,  and  hi3  e^tat'-,  one  of  the 
largest  in  New  York  was  confiscated  by  the  usurped  Legis- 
lature of  that  Provinci.    When  th"  'British  troops  were 
withdrawn  from  New  York  in  1TS3,  he  quitt<  d  a  province 
to  which  h  ;  had  always  been  an  ornament  and  Benefactor 
and  came  to  England,  leaving  all  his  Property  behind  him, 
which  reverse  of  fortune  he  bore  with  that  calmness, 
Fortitude  and  Dignity  which  had   distinguished    him  '  - 
through  every  former  stage  of  life. 

Bom  at  New  York  the  12th  day  of  September  in  the  year  1720, 
Died  in  this  placa  the  30th  day  of  April  in  the  year  17S5,  Aged  65  Years. 


a  MSS.in  hand-writing  of  John  Jay.  furnished  by  his  son,  the  late  Judge  Wm.  Jay,  brother 
of  the  late  Peter  A.  Jay,  Misc.  books  of  Oen.  I)e  Peyster.  Sabine  in  his  biographical  sketches 
of  American  Loyalists',  says,  "  Frederick  Philipse  applied  t'>  the  British  government  for  com- 
pensation and  was  allowed  ^GV1^  sterling,  or  about  $ao<\onu  In  1S">>,  in  an  English  work, 
the  value  of  the  two  manors  was  estimated  at  six  or  seven  hundred  thousand  pounds,  But 
It  la  lobe  remembered,  lhat  lands  in  17*1  hardly  had  a  fixed  value ;  while  in  isn't,  ine  impulse 
which  the  Revolution  had  given  to  settlements,  to  increase  of  population,  Ac.,  had  already 
created  v:i-t  changes  in  the  marketable  prices  of  real  property." 

6  Penshurst  was  brought  into  the  Smvthe  family  bv  the  mat  liageof  Sir  Thomas  Smythe,  K. 
B.,  first  Viscount  Strangford  in  ICS  with  Lady  Barbara  Sydney,  seventh  daughter  of  Robert 
first  Earl  of  Leciester. 


0 

THE  TOWN  OK  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  525 

The  Beeckmans  who  succeeded  the  Philipses  in  this  portion  of  the 
manor  of  Philipsburgh,  Willem  or  William  Beekman,  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor of  the  South  River  (Delaware).  His  ancestors  had  been  respected 
for  their  talents  and  virtues,  and  had  suffered  much  persecution  for  re- 
ligion's sake.  He  was  the  son  of  Henry  Beeckman  and  Maria  Bandartus 
(a  celebra'ted  name  among  the  clergy  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Hol- 
land), and  was  born  at  Hasselt  in  Overyssel,  April  1 8th,  1623.  We  are 
indebted  to  the  Evening  Gazette  for  the  subjoined  notice  of  this  remark- 
able lady :  "  Cornelia  Beeckman  was  the  second  daughter  of  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  by  his  wife,  Joanna  Livingston,  whose 
birth  took  place  in  the  old  manor  house,  by  the  banks  of  the  Croton,  on 
the  2d  of  August,  1753.  Here  her  infancy  and  youth  glided  away,  and 
but  a  short  time  before  the  war,  she  left  its  scenes  for  a  life  in  New 
York,  whither  she  removed  upon  her  marriage  with  General  Beeckman. 
When  the  Revolutionary  troubles  ran  high,  she  came  back  to  the  old 
house  at  Peekskill,  where  part  of  her  family  resided.  Exposed,  of  course, 
to  all  manner  of  insult  and  aggression,  well-known  herself,  and  in  con- 
nection with  her  father,  subsequently  Lieutenant-Governor  of  this  State, 
under  Clinton,  (but  at  that  time,  president  of  the  Committee  of  Public 
Safety.)  with  her  brother  serving  in  the  army,  and  many  relatives  and 
intimates,  all  zealous  Whigs  and  devoted  Americans,  her  unconquerable 
will  and  high  spirit  bore  her  safely  and  uncompromisingly  through  those 
trying  scenes.  We  copy  from  a  graphic  sketch,  by  an  able  and  we  fancy 
well-known  pen  the  following  notice  of  her  life  during  this  disastrous 
period. 

"  One  little  incident  we  recollect  to  have  read  in  a  letter  written  by 
herself,  in  1777.  A  party  of  royalists,  under  Colonels  Bayard  and  Fan- 
ning, came  to  the  Peekskill  house,  and  commencing  their  customary 
course  of  treatment,  one  insultingly  asked  her,  '  Are  you  not  the  daugh- 
ter of  that  old  rebel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  ? '  She  replied,  '  I  am  the 
daughter  of  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  but  it  becomes  not  such  as  you  to  call 
my  father  a  rebel.'  The  tory  raised  his  musket,  when  she,  with  great 
calmness,  reproved  him  for  his  insolence  and  bade  him  begone.  The 
coward  turned  away  abashed,  and  she  remained  uninjured.  The  nar- 
rative thus  continues: — 'Her  letters  written  about  this  time,  many  of 
which  are  now  in  existence,  abound  in  patriotic  spirit.  Excited  by 
personal  wrongs  and  the  aggressions  she  witnessed  all  around  her,  she 
gave  vent  to  her  feelings  in  most  severe  reproaches  upon  the  enemy, 
and  in  frevent  prayers  for  the  American  success.  But  although  thus 
exposed,  she  refused  to  leave  her  home,  and  continued  to  reside  in  the 
same  place  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mrs.  Beeckman  possessed  a 
powerful  memory,  and  to  the  close  of  her  life  could  relate  with  exact 
minuteness,  the  interesting  events  of  which  she  was  cognizant ;  and  the 


526 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


recital  of  those  incidents  abounded  in  interest,  as  all  who  know  her  can 
well  bear  witness.' 

"  A  number  of  years  after  the  war,  Mrs.  Beeckman  removed  to  the 
old  manor  house,  on  Philips'  manor,  situated  in  what  is  now  known  as 
Beeckmantown,  where  she  continued  to  reside  to  the  day  of  her  death. 

"  Mrs.  Beeckman  was  a  lady  of  the  old  school,  possessed  of  a  high  sense 
of  honor,  exact  principles  and  an  unconquerable  will,  with  a  vigorous 
mind  and  a  powerful  memory.  She  retained  her  faculties  unimpaired 
to  the  day  of  her  death.  She  lived  beyond  the  allotted  period  of  life, 
and  could  almost  gaze  upon  the  face  of  a  second  century  of  existence. 
The  scenes  of  her  childhood  were  ever  before  her ;  but  of  the  friends  of 
her  childhood,  how  few  remained.  Her  destiny  was  fulfilled ;  and  on  the 
fourteenth  of  March,  1847,  a  Sabbath  morning,  she  gave  a  farewell 
glance  o'er  the  scenes  of  her  eventful  life,  and  without  a  sigh  resigned 
her  spirit  to  the  God  who  gave  it." 


Dutch  Reformed  Churcli,  Sleepy  HoUow. 


This  ancient  Dutch  church  is  agreeably  situated  a  short  distance  from 
the  manor  house,  near  the  northern  edge  of  the  Hollow.  The  venera- 
ble edifice,  believed  to  be  the  oldest  church  now  standing  in  the  State,  is 
built  of  stone  and  brick,  the  latter  having  been  imported  from  Hojland 
for  the  express  purpose.  Its  antique  belfry  and  hipped  roof,  presents 
quite  a  picturseque  appearance.  The  entrance  was  formerly  through  a 
porch  on  the  south  side ;  this  has  been  recently  changed  to  the  western 
end  facing  the  road. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  doorway  is  inserted  a  stone  tablet,  inscribed 
as  follows : 

ERECTED  AND  BUILT  BY 
FREDERICK  PHILIPS  AND  CATHARINE  VAN  CORTLANDT 
HIS  WIFE,  IN  1699. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


527 


"Tradition  says  that  when  Frederych  Vlypse,  the  first  lord  of  the 
domain,  began  to  build  the  church,  he  laid  the  foundation,  and  then 
withdrew  his  laborers  that  they  might  repair  the  damage  done  to  the 
dam  by  a  recent  freshet.  No  sooner,  though,  had  they  finished  the  dam 
than  another  freshet  came  one  night  and  washed  it  away  the  second 
time.  Nothing  daunted,  they  soon  had  a  stronger  structure  erected, 
when,  lo  !  another  freshet  came  and  destroyed  it.  This  discouraged  the 
proprietor,  and  he  was  about  to  give  up  in  despair,  when  Harry,  his  fav- 
orite slave,  dreamed  that  the  cause  of  his  ill-success  was  the  withdrawal 
of  his  men  from  the  church.  Let  that  be  finished  first,  the  warning  said, 
and  the  dam  will  stand.  He  forthwith  resumed  work  on  the  church, 
and  afterwards  built  the  dam  which  is  doing  good  service  at  this  day."" 

The  interior  of  the  building  has  undergone  considerable  repairs  and 
alterations,  semi-Gothic  lights  having  supplanted  the  old  fashioned 


Communion  Table. 

square  headed  windows.  The  pulpit  and  Heilig  Avondmaal  (holy  com- 
munion table)  were,  like  the  bricks,  originally  imported  from  Holland. 
The  former  being  a  capacious  affair,  surmounted  by  a  sounding  board. 
Like  the  church  itself,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  the  pulpit  and  canopy  have 
not  escaped  the  hands  of  modern  innovation ;  we  believe  they  are  now 
spread  piece  meal  throughout  the  country ;  but  thanks  to  a  few  gener- 
ous spirits,  the  communion  table  still  remains  unchanged,  a  venerable 
relic  of  a  by-gone  age. 

The  bell  of  this  church  was  cast  to  order  in  Holland,  and  presented 
by  Frederick  Philips.  It  is  richly  ornamented,  and  bears  the  following 
inscription : 


S  I  -  D  F.US  •  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^TO  S  ;  1685  ] 


<i  Reminiscences  of  Sleepy  Hollow.  Ilarper's  Xcw  Monthly  Magazine,  No.  CCCXi,  April, 
lSZu,  VOL  lii,  p.  23. 


528 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  western  end  of  the  building  is  surmounted  by  a  curious  vane,  in 
the  shap  of  a  flag  bearing  the  initials  of  the  illustrious  founder,  Vrederick 
Felypsen. 

At  an  early  date,  Mr.  Felypsen  of  the  city  of  New  York,  records  the 
brand  mark  for  himself  and  all  his  plantation  in  the  county  of  West- 
chester, viz.  :a 


The  communion  service  presented  by  the  Philipse  family,  consists  of 
two  silver  bekers  j  the  first  richly  engraved  with  floriated  tracery,  bears 
the  name  of  Fredryck  Flypse,  and  stands  about  seven  inches  high.  The 
second  is  also  richly  engraved  with  antique  figures,  representing  angels, 
birds,  fruits  and  flowers,  besides,  three  ovals  containing  emblematic  fig- 
ures of  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity ;  near  the  top  is  engraved  the  name  of 
Catharina  Van  Cortlandt ;  this  cup  stands  nearly  six  inches  and  a  half 
high. 


There  is,  likewise,  a  baptismal  bowl  composed  of  solid  silver,  eight 
inches  and  half  in  diameter,  bearing  the  name  of  Fredryck  Flypse. 

These  articles  are  rendered  extremely  valuable  by  the  distinguished 
character  who  gave  them,  and  well  deserve  the  stranger's  notice ;  they 
are  at  present  under  the  care  of  the  sexton,  who  resides  at  Tarrytown. 
Catharine  Philipse  the  liberal  benefactress  of  this  church,  by  her  last 
will  dated  on  the  7th  of  January,  1730,  bequeathes  one  of  the  bekers, 
the  damask  table  cloth  and  communion  table  to  her  son-in-law,  Adolph 

a  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  A.  221. 


The  Bekers  and  Baptismal  BowL 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


529 


Philipse,  and  to  his  heirs  forever  in  trust  for  the  church,  in  the  following 
manner : 

Item.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son-in-law  Adolph  Philipse  and  to  his 
heirs  forever,  a  large  silver  beaker,  on  which  my  name  is  engraved,  a  damask 
table  cloth,  five  Dutch  ells  and  three  quarters  long,  and  two  and  a  half  broad, 
with  a  long  table,  in  trust  to  and  for  the  congregation  of  the  Dutch  church  erect- 
ed and  built  at  Philipsburgh,  by  my  late  husband  Frederick  Philipse  deceased, 
according  to  the  discipline  of  Dort,  which  beker  and  cloth  I  will  and  direct  shall 
be  always  kept  at  the  mansion  house  of  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  and  his  heirs, 
in  that  part  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  whereon  the  said  church  is  erected,  to 
and  for  the  use  of  the  said  church  and  congregation,  and  to  and  for  no  other 
use  or  purpose  whatever,  &c.  Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  the  children  of 
Paules  Vauderhiders,  the  sum  of  £25  current  money,  &c.  Item,  I  will  and  di- 
rect, that  Matty  and  Sarah,  my  Indians  or  muster  slaves,  shall  be  manumitted 
and  set  at  full  freedom. <*  Item,  all  the  residue  and  remainder  of  my  whole 
estate,  both  real  and  personal  whatsoever  and  wheresoever,  I  do  give,  devise  and 
bequeath,  to  my  brother  Jacobus  van Coitlandt,  one  fifth;  and  to  all  the  children 
of  his  deceased  brother  Stephanus,  and  the  daughters  of  his  eldest  son  Johannes, 
a  filth  part,  share  and  share  alike;  another  fifth  part  to  the  children  of  my  de- 
ceased sister,  Marietje  van  Renssalear,  &c. ;  another  fifth  part  of  my  said  estate 
to  the  three  grand  children  of  my  deceased  sister  Sophia  Teller,  to  be  divided  be- 
tween her  grand-son  Andrew,  and  the  children  of  her  son  Oliver,  deceased  ;  the 
remaining  fifth  part  and  residue,  unto  the  children  of  Philip  Schuyler  deceased, 
eldest  son  of  my  sister,  Cornelia  Schuyler  deceased,  and  Oliver  Schuyler,  &c* 

Tradition  asserts  that  Catharine  Philipse  was  in  the  habit  of  riding  up 
from  the  city  of  New  York  on  horseback,  mounted  on  a  pillion  behind 
her  favorite  brother,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  for  the  purpose  of  superin- 
tending the  erection  of  this  church ;  her  husband  was  at  this  time  a 
merchant  in  the  city.  These  journeys  were  generally  performed  during 
moonlight  nights.  Who  could  relate  the  interesting  conversations  that 
must  have  passed  between  the  affectionate  brother  and  sister,  as  they 
thus  sat  on  horseback  pursuing  their  lonely  route  from  the  metropolis, 
and  the  joy  of  the  latter  when  the  glorious  work  was  completed  ?  This 
illustrious  lady  must  certainly  have  taken  a  very  active  part,  not  only  in 
the  building,  but  in  the  procuring  and  subsequent  settlement  of  the 
ministry  therein — which  plainly  appears  from  the  ancient  records  of  the 
Dutch  church,  where  her  name  occurs,  as  first  on  the  list  of  its  members, 
in  1697. 

a  It  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  slavery  existed  In  this  county  at  an  early  period  of  its  settle- 
meut,  of  which  abundant  evidence  can  be  produced;  but  no  record  appears  that  native  Indians 
were  enslaved  until  1705,  when  we  Hud  the  following  deed  of  (rift  executed  by  Elizabeth  Leg- 
get,  of  Westchester,  in  favor  of  her  daughter  Mary :  "  I  hereby  give,  grant  and  confirm,  unto 
the  said  Mary,  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  my  two  negro  children,  born  of  the  body  of  Han- 
nah, my  negro  woman,  of  the  issue  of  the  body  of  Robin,  my  Indian  slave.  There  are  also 
several  bills  of  sale  recorded  of  Indian  squaws  being  furnished  by  a  dealer  in  New  York, 
naiix  d  Jacob -Decay.    Westchester  Rec. 

6  Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y.,  No.  XI.  85. 


53° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"  First  and  before  all  the  right  honorable,  God-fearing,  very  wise  and 
prudent,  my  lady  Catharina  Philipse,  widow  of  the  lord  Frederick 
Philipse,  of  blessed  memory,  who  have  promoted  service  here  in  the 
highest  praiseworthy  manner."  The  Dutch  church  and  its  vicinity  is 
thus  described  in  the  well-known  legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow.  "  The 
sequestered  situation  of  this  church,"  says  the  author  of  the  legend, 
"  seems  always  to  have  made  it  a  favorite  haunt  of  troubled  spirits. 
It  stands  on  a  knoll  surrounded  by  locust  trees  and  lofty  elms,  from 
among  which  its  decent  whitewashed  walls  shine  modestly  forth,  like 
Christian  purity,  beaming  through  the  shades  of  retirement.  A  gentle 
slope  descends  from  it  to  a  silver  sheet  of  water  bordered  by  high  trees, 
between  which  peeps  may  be  caught  at  the  blue  hills  of  the  Hudson. 
To  look  upon  its  grass-grown  yard  where  the  sunbeams  seem  to  sleep  so 
quietly,  one  would  think  that  there  at  least  the  dead  might  rest  in 
peace.  On  one  side  of  the  church  extends  a  wide  woody  dell,  along 
which  laves  a  large  brook  among  broken  rocks  and  trunks  of  fallen 
trees.  Over  a  deep  black  part  of  the  stream,  not  far  from  the  church, 
was  formerly  thrown  a  wooden  bridge ;  the  road  that  led  to  it  and  the 
bridge  itself  were  thickly  shaded  by  overhanging  trees,  which  cast  a 
gloom  about  it  even  in  the  day  time,  but  occasioned  a  fearful  darkness 
at  night. "a 

The  second  son  of  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse  by  Joanna  Brock- 
holes,  and  brother  of  the  last  mentioned  Col.  Frederick,  was  Philip 
Philipse,  proprietor  and  devisee  intail  of  the  Upper  Hight  and  Patent. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  A.  D.  1724,  and  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  Marston,  b  who  is  described  as  "  a  worthy  woman,"  and  died 
May  9th,  1768.  The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  New 
York  Mercury,  for  May  16th,  1768: — "  Monday  last,  departed  this  life 
at  his  house  in  King  Street,  in  this  city,  Philip  Philipse,  Esq.,  in  the 

forty-fourth  year  of  his  age."    His  will  bears  date   1768.^  His 

eldest  son,  Adolph  Philipse,  was  "admitted  to  King's  College  in  1758  "d 
He  died  without  issue  in  1785.  Frederick,  the  second  son  of  Philip 
Philipse,  was  an  officer  in  the  British  service,  and  died  in  1829,  leaving 
issue  by  Mary,  (a  daughter  of  his  mother's  brother,  Nathaniel  Marston, 
Jr.,)  a  daughter,  Mary  Philipse,  who  married  Samuel  Gouverneur  and 
left  Frederick  Philipse,  who  assumed  the  name  of  Philipse  and  became 
proprietor  of  the  Philipstown  estate,  Putnam  County  t  New  York. 


a  Legend  of  Sleepy  ITollow,  by  Washington  Irving. 

b  The  anus  of  Marston  as  taken  from  the  Philipse  MSS.  sa.  a  fess  ermine  between  three 

crescents  nr.  :i  mullet  fur  difference.    Motto—"  Deems  virtute  soli." 
c  Suit.  Offloe  N.  Y.    Kec  of  Wills  No.  W,  p.  326. 
d  Rec.  of  Kiugd  College. 


< 


a 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


531 


In  1779  tne  lands  in  this  town,  together  with  the  rest  of  the  manor 
of  I'hilipsburgh,  became  by  the  attainder  of  Colonel  Frederick  Philipse, 
vested  in  the  State  of  New  York,  after  having  been  in  possession  of 
the  Philipse  family  nearly  a  century.  In  the  year  1784,  the  State,  by 
commission,  parcelled  out  these  lands  to  various  individuals.  One  of 
the  principal  gTantees  was  Gerard  C.  Beeckman,  Esq.,  who  purchased 
one  thousand  six  hundred  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  Tarrytown.  upon 
which  is  situated  the  old  manor  house.  Mr.  Beeckman  married  Cornelia 
van  Cortlandt;  thus  after  the  forfeiture  of  the  Philipses  a  portion  of  the 
manor  again  reverted  to  a  connection  of  that  ancient  family  ;  Jacobus 
van  Cortlandt  having  married  Eva  Philipse,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Fred- 
erick Philipse. 

In  the  south-west  corner  of  Mount  Pleasant,  between  the  Andre" 
brook  and  the  Mill  river,  (Pocanteco,)  is  situated  Beekmantown,  com- 
monly called  the  Pocanteco  suburb  of  Tarrytown.  This  place  derives 
its  name  from  the  family  of  the  Beeckmans.  The  residence  of  the  late 
Stephen  D.  Beeckman,  M.  D..  son  of  the  former  proprietor,  stands  upon 
the  highest  ground  of  the  village  immediately  west  of  the  Irving  Insti- 
tute. 

To  the  north  of  Beeckmantown  lies  the  romantic  region  of  Sleepy 
Hollow. 

"  A  pleasing  land  of  drowsy  head  it  was, 
Of  dreams  that  wave  before  the  half-shut  eye ; 
And  of  gay  castles  in  the  clouds  that  pass, 
For  ever  flushing  round  a  summer  sky." 

— Castle  of  Indolence. 

Castle  Philipse,  the  ancient  residence  of  the  lords  of  Philipsburgh, 
occupies  a  pleasant  position  on  the  west  side  of  the  mill-pond,  nearly 
facing  the  old  Dutch  church  ;  having  acquired  the  appellation  from  the 
fact  that,  in  the  early  days  of  the  colony,  it  was  strongly  fortified  with 
cannon — a  necessary  precaution  against  any  sudden  attack  of  the 
Indians.  The  embrasures  or  port  holes  can  yet  be  traced  on  the  cellar 
walls. 

The  western  end  of  the  building  is  evidently  the  remains  of  a  much 
older  edifice,  probably  coeval  with  the  erection  of  a  mill  in  16S3. 

The  mansion  is  seen  to  the  best  advantage  from  the  Sleepy  Hollow 
bridge.  The  principal  entrance  is  through  a  porch  on  the  north-east 
front. 

Here  within  the  compass  of  a  broad  territory,  the  Philipses  enjoyed 
every  distinction,  feudal  and  ecclesiastic,  which  the  Colonial  Govern- 
ment could  bestow.    The  manor,  baronial  courts,  hunting,  fishing, 


532 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


advowson,  and  family  sepulchre,  together  with  all  the  blessings  which 
the  retirement  of  a  country  life  and  religion  could  afford. 

The  old  mill  adjoining  the  mansion  is  quite  in  unison  with  the  scenery 
of  the  Hollow.  In  the  palmy  days  of  the  manor,  the  tenants  brought 
hither  their  grain  to  be  ground,  and  from  hence  the  lords  of  the  manor 
shipped  their  flour  for  the  metropolis. 

The  keel  of  the  famous  Roebuck  that  so  often  navigated  the  neigh- 
boring waters  with  her  cargo  to  and  from  the  city,  quietly  reposes  in  the 
muddy  bed  of  the  Pocanteco  creek.  The  old  miller  (who  lived  to  the 
advanced  age  of  94,)  was  in  the  habit  of  calling  it  his  iron  mine,  as  the 
keel  actually  furnished  him  with  bolts  and  nails  for  his  lifetime. 

The  manor  house  was  for  many  years  the  residence  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Cornelia  Beeckman,  widow  of  Gerard  G.  Beeckman,  Esq. 

The  old  house  is  full  of  associations.  In  1756  Colonel  George 
Washington,  then  Commander-in-chief  of  the  Virginia  forces,  had  occa- 
sion to  communicate  with  General  Shirley,  and  for  this  purpose  left  his 
head-quarters  at  Winchester  and  travelled  to  Boston  on  horseback,  at- 
tended by  his  aides-de-camp.  On  his  way  he  stopped  in  New  York  for 
a  few  days  ;  and,  while  there,  was  entertained  by  Mr.  Beverly  Robinson, 
between  whom  and  himself  a  strong  friendship  existed.  It  happened 
while  he  was  the  guest  of  his  host  that  he  met  Miss  Mary  Vlypse,  or,  as 
we  spell  it  now,  Philipse — the  daughter  of  Vrederyck  Vlypse,  who  was 
born  and  reared  here — and  was  deeply  impressed  by  her  rare  accom- 
plishments and  beauty.  "  My  father,"  said  the  narrator,  "used  to  tell 
it  as  a  fact,  well  established  in  his  day,  that  the  Colonel  once  rode  up 
here  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  object  of  his  regard.  However  that  may 
be,  it  is  certain  that  he  did  stop  at  the  castle  very  frequently  in  after 
years,  when  the  country  was  in  the  throes  of  the  Revolution." 

A  very  singular  story  illustrates  well  the  bravery  of  the  matrons  of  the 
times  which  tried  men's  souls.  The  subject  of  it  was  the  before  men- 
tioned Mrs.  Cornelia  Beeckman : 

"  Some  time  before  the  capture  of  Andre,  John  Webb,  an  aide-de- 
camp of  the  Commander-in-chief,  while  on  his  way  from  New  York  to 
Peekskill,  stopped  at  the  castle  and  asked  Mrs.  Beeckman  to  take  charge 
of  his  valise,  which  contained  his  new  uniform  and  a  sum  of  gold.  '  I  will 
send  for  it,'  he  added,  '  in  a  few  days ;  but  do  not  deliver  it  to  anyone 
without  a  written  order  from  me.'  A  fortnight  after  his  departure,  Mrs. 
Beeckman  saw  an  acquaintance,  Joshua  Smith,  (whose  loyalty  to  the  na- 
tional cause  was  doubtful.)  ride  up  to  the  house,  and  heard  him  ask  her 
husband  for  Lieutenant  Webb's  valise.  Mr.  Beeckman  was  about  to 
comply  with  his  request,  when  his  wife  advanced  and  demanded  a  writ- 


BEE&.MAN  MILL,  MT.  FLEASANT. 


1,532. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


533 


ten  order  before  she  would  relinquish  her  custody  of  it.  Smith  replied 
that  he  had  none,  the  officer  having  had  no  time  to  write  one;  but 
added:  'You  know  me  very  well,  Madam;  and  when  I  assure  you  that 
Lieutenant  Webb  sent  me  for  the  valise,  you  ought  not  to  refuse  to  de- 
liver it  to  me,  as  he  is  in  very  great  need  of  his  uniform?'  Mrs.  Beeck- 
man  had  conceived  a  great  dislike  for  Smith  before  this;  his  known 
sympathy  with  the  royalist  cause  being  in  marked  contrast  to  her  enthu- 
siastic devotion  to  the  colonies;  and  influenced  by  it,  she  determined  to 
hold  on  to  her  charge  until  a  written  order  of  undoubted  genuineness 
should  compel  her  to  surrender  it.  Smith  was  vexed  at  her  doubts;  but 
his  entreaties  had  no  effect  on  her  resolution;  and  disappointed  at  the  ill- 
success  of  his  effort,  he  rode  away.  The  result  proved  that  he  had  no 
authority  to  make  the  application  ;  and  it  was  subsequently  ascertained 
that,  at  the  very  time  of  this  attempt  on  his  part  to  secure  the  uniform, 
Andre"  was  concealed  in  his  house.  After  Andre's  capture,  the  Lieu- 
tenant called  in  person  for  his  valise,  and  bore  a  message  from  Wash- 
ington, thanking  Mrs.  Beeckman  for  the  prudence  that  had  prevented  an 
occurrence  which  might  have  caused  a  train  of  disasters,  for  Webb  and 
Andre  were  of  the  same  height  and  form  ;  and,  beyond  all  doubt,  had 
Smith  obtained  possession  of  the  uniform,  Andre  would  have  made  his 
escape  through  the  American  lines."" 

"  It  was  in  this  church  that  the  never-to-be-forgotten  Yankee  peda- 
gogue, "  Ichabod  Crane,"  in  rivalry  of  the  old  dominie,  led  off  the  choir, 
making  the  welking  ring  with  the  notes  of  his  nasal  psalmody.  It  was, 
too,  in  the  ravine,  just  back  of  the  church,  that  this  redoubtable  hero, 
Ichabod,  had  his  fearful  midnight  encounter  with  the  headless  horseman 
and  forever  disappeared  from  the  sight  of  the  goodly  inhabitants  of 
Sleepy  Hollow.* 

The  following  notice  of  the  death  of  "  Ichabod  Crane  "  appeared  in 
the  Westchester  Herald  for  Nov.  3o.th,  1852  : — Jesse  Merwin  died  at 
Kinderhook  on  the  8th  instant,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years :  Mr. 
Merwin  was  well  known  in  this  community  as  an  upright,  honorable 
man  in  whom  there  was  no  guile.  He  was  for  many  years  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  scrupulous  fidelity 
and  conscientious  regard  to  the  just  claims  of  suitors,  ever  frowning 
upon  those  whose  vocation  it  is  to  a  foment  discord  and  perplex  right." 
At  an  early  period  of  his  life,  and  while  engaged  in  school  teaching, 
he  passed  much  of  his  time  in  the  society  of  Washington  Irving, 

a  A  Reminiscence  of  Sleepy  Hollow.— Harper's  Xew  Monthly  Magazine,  No.  CCCXI,  April, 
1876,  Vol.  LI1.,  p.  23.  »  *«t 

i  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow,  by  Washington  Irving. 


534 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


then  a  preceptor  in  the  family  of  the  late  Judge  Van  Ness,  of  this 
town. 

Both  were  engaged  in  congenial  pursuits,  and 
their  residences  being  only  a  short  distance  apart, 
the  author  of  the  "  Sketch  Book  "  frequently  visited 
the  "  Old  School  House,"  in  which  "  Squire  Mer- 
win "  was  employed  in  teaching  the  young  idea 
how  to  shoot,  and  subsequently  immortalized  his 
name  by  making  him  the  hero  of  one  of  his 
inimitable  tales — "The  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hol- 
low." 

Every  one  who  has  read  that  inimitable  legend 
— and  what  lover  of  genuine  humor  has  not  ? — 
will  remember  that  hapless  wight,  Ichabod  Crane, 
and  his  terrible  adventure  with  the  "  Headless 
Horseman."  Mr.  Merwin  was  the  original  of 
that  character,  in  the  portrayal  of  which  Irving's 
matchless  fancy  glows  and  sparkles  as  brilliantly 
ichauoa  crane.*      as  in  almost  anything  he  ever  penned. 

The  following  letter  will  show  how  intimate  Irv- 
ing was  with  Merwin,  the  teacher  of  the  "  Old  School  House." 

ONE  OF  IRVING'S  LETTERS. 

(Kinderlwok  Correspondence  of  the  Albany  Express.) 

While  seated  last  evening  in  the  library  of  the  friends  whose  guest  I 
had  the  fortune  to  be,  looking  over  some  famous  autograph  letters,  I 
came  across  one  written  thirty  years  ago  by  Washington  Irving  to  Jesse 
Merwin,  of  this  village.  Irving  was  a  great  admirer  of  Kinderhook  in 
the  long  ago,  and  used  to  spend  months  enjoying  its  moral  and  social 
delights.  Merwin  was  the  village  pedagogue,  and  was  the  original 
Ichabod  Crane  in  Irving's  "  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow."  The  letter  to 
which  I  allude  is  so  charming  and  flowing,  so  rich  in  that  eloquent  de- 
scription which  was  a  graceful  characteristic  of  the  purest  writer  in 
American  literature,  that  I  obtained  a  copy  of  it  by  kind  permission,  and 
here  it  is : 

SrxxvsiDB,  Fbb.  12,  1851. 
You  must  excuse  me,  my  good  friend  Merwin,  for  suffering  your  letter  to  re- 
main so  long  unanswered ;  you  can  have  no  idea  how  many  letters  I  have  to 
answer,  besides  fagging  with  my  pen  at  my  own  literary  tasks,  so  that  it  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  avoid  being  behind-hand  in  my  correspondence.  Your  letter 
was  indeed  most  welcome,  calling  up,  as  it  did,  recollections  of  pleasant  scenes 


a  This  sketch  is  probably  the  only  authentic  one  of  the  original  and  genuine  Ichabod  Crane 
now  in  existence.  It  Is  supposed  to  represent  the  gentleman  whose  quann  Ugure  and  pecu- 
liar style  lirst  suggested  to  Washington  Irving  the  outlines  of  his  hero  of  Sleepy  Hollow. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  535 

and  pleasant  days  passed  together  in  times  long  since  at  Judge  Van  Nbss's,  at 
Kinderhook.  Your  mention  of  the  death  of  good  old  Dominie  Van  Xest  recalls 
the  apostolic  zeal  with  which  he  took  our  little  sinful  community  in  hand,  when 
he  put  up  for  a  day  or  twoat  the  Judge's  ;  and  the  wholesome  castigat  ion  he  gave 
us  all  one  Sunday,  beginning*  with  the  two  country  belles  who  came  fluttering 
into  the  school-house  during  the  sermon,  decked  out  in  their  city  finery,  and 
ending  with  the  Judge  himself  on  the  stronghold  of  his  own  mansion.  How 
soundly  he  gave  it  to  us !  How  he  peeled  off  every  rag  of  self-righteousness 
with  which  we  tried  to  cover  ourselves,  and  laid  the  rod  on  the  bare  backs  of 
our  consciences !  The  good,  plain-spoken,  honest,  old  man!  Howl  honored 
him  for  his  simple,  straightforward  earnestness,  his  homely  sincerity.  He 
certainly  handled  us  without  mittens,  but  I  trust  we  were  all  the  better  for  it. 
How  different  he  was  from  the  brisk,  dapper,  self-sufficient  little  apostle  who 
cantered  up  to  the  Judge's  door  a  day  or  two  after ;  who  was  so  full  of  himself 
that  he  had  no  thought  to  bestow  on  our  religious  delinquencies :  who  did  noth- 
ing but  boast  of  his  public  trials  of  skill  in  argument  with  rival  preachers  of  ot  her 
denominations,  and  how  he  had  driven  them  off  the  field  and  crowed  over  them. 
You  must  remember  the  bustling,  self-confident  little  man  with  a  tin  trumpet  iu 
the  handle  of  his  riding-whip,  with  which  I  presume  he  blew  the  trumpet  in  Zion. 

Do  you  remember  our  fishing  expedition  in  company  with  Congressman  Van 
Allen  to  the  little  lake  a  few  miles  from  Kinderhook,  and  John  Moore,  the  vaga- 
bond admiral  of  the  lake,  who  sat  couched  in  a  heap  in  the  middle  of  his  canoe 
in  the  centre  of  the  water,  with  fishing-rods  stretched  out  in  every  direction, 
like  the  long  legs  of  a  spider ;  and  do  you  remember  our  piratical  prank,  when 
we  made  up  for  our  bad  luck  in  fishing  by  plundering  his  canoe  of  its  fish  wheu 
we  found  it  adrift  ?  And  do  you  remember  how  John  Moore  came  splashing 
along  the  marsh,  on  the  opposite  border  of  the  lake,  roaring  at  us ;  and  how  we 
finished  our  frolic  by  driving  off  and  leaving  the  Congressman  to  John  Moore's 
mercy,  tickling  ourselves  with  the  idea  of  his  being  scalped,  at  least  ?  Oh,  well- 
a-day,  friend  Merwin  ;  these  were  the  days  of  our  youth  and  folly ;  I  trust  we 
have  grown.wiscr  and  better  since  then ;  we  certainly  have  grown  older.  I  don't 
think  we  could  rob  John  Moore's  fishing  canoe  now.  By  the  way,  that  same 
John  Moore,  and  the  anecdote  you  told  of  him,  gave  me  the  idea  of  a  vagabond 
character — Dirk  Schuyler,  in  my  Knickerbocker  history  of  New  York,  which  I 
was  then  writing. 

You  tell  me  the  old  school  building  is  torn  down,  and  a  nice  one  built  in  its 
place.  I  am  sorry  for  it.  I  should  have  liked  to  see  the  old  school-house  once 
more,  where,  nfter  my  morning's  literary  task  was  over,  I  used  to  come  and  wait 
for  you,  occasionally,  until  school  was  dismissed ;  and  you  would  promise  to 
keep  back  the  punishment  of  some  little  tough,  broad-bottomed  Dutch  boy, 
until  I  should  come,  for  my  amusement— but  never  kept  your  promise.  I  don't 
think  I  should  look  with  a  friendly  eye  at  the  new  school-house,  however  nice  it 
may  be. 

Since  I  saw  you  in  New  York  I  have  had  severe  attacks  of  billious  intermit- 
tent fever,  which  shook  me  terribly ;  but  they  cleared  out  my  system,  and  I  have 
ever  since  been  in  my  usual  excellent  health — able  to  mount  my  horse  and  gallop 
about  the  country  almost  as  briskly  as  when  I  was  -a  youngster.  Wishing  you 
the  enjoyment  of  the  same  inestimable  blessing,  and  begging  you  to  remember 


536 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 


me  to  your  daughter,  who  penned  your  letter,  and  to  your  son — whom,  out  of  old 
kindness  and  companionship,  you  have  named  after  me — I  remain  ever,  my  good 
friend,  yours,  very  truly  and  cordially,  WASHINGTON  IRVING. 

Jesse  Merwin,  Esq. 

The  grave-yard  is  delightfully  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the 
church,  upon  a  gentle  declivity.  "  Some  of  the  tomb-stones  are  of  the 
rudest  sculpture;  upon  many  of  them  are  inscribed,  in  Dutch,  the 
names  and  virtues  of  the  deceased,  with  their  portraitures  curiously 
carved  in  the  similitude  of  cherubs." 


Heer  legt  Begraven  Heer  legt  Begraven 

Het  Lechaam  van  Het  Lechaam  van  Jochum  van 

Hendrick  van  Tassel,  Wert  overleeden  den  18 

Gebooren  den  7  Aug.  1704.  van  Aug.  1770,  out 

zynde  omtrent  72  yaaren. 


Mobs  vtncit  omnia 


Te  Geduchtenis  van 
Catriena  Ecker,  wedue  van 
Peirus  van  Tessel,  geboren 
Nov.  10,  1736,  overleeden 
de  10  van  Jan'y,  1793,  out  zynde 
56  yaaren  en  i  maanden,  &c. 


PETER  PAULDING, 
an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  army, 
who  died  March  3, 1842, 
in  the  73d  year  of 
his  age. 


Sacred 
to  the  memory  of  Colonel 
BARNARDUS  SWARTWOUT,  Jra., 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
born  Sept.  26tb,  1761. 
deceased  Oct.  8th,  1824. 


In 

Memory  of  Captain 
JOHN  BUCKHOUT, 
who  departed  this  life  April  the  10th,  1785, 
aged  103  years,  and  left 
behind  him  when  he  died, 
124  children  and  grand-children. 

There  are  vaults  in  the  yard  belonging  to  the  Paulding,  Brown, 
Beeckman  and  Brush  families. 

A  short  distance  north  of  the  church,  beautifully  situated  upon  a 
gentle  slope  which  descends  into  the  gorge  of  the  Pocanteco,  is  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


537 


Irving  lot.  What  strikes  the  visitor  is  the  perfect  simplicity  apparent  in 
all  its  appointments.  Within  the  enclosure,  ranged  in  two  lines,  are  the 
different  graves.  Each  has  a  plain  head-stone  of  marble,  on  which  are 
inscribed  the  name  and  age  at  death  of  the  occupant.  The  grave  of 
Washington  Irving  does  not  differ  from  those  of  the  rest  of  the  family. 
The  inscription  simply  tells  that 

WASHINGTON, 
Son  of  William  and  Sarah  S.  Irving, 
died 
Nov.  28,  1859, 
Aged  76  years,  7  ruo.  and  25  days." 

"  In  a  little  while,"  says  Irving,  "  this  genial  warmth  which  still  lin- 
gers around  my  heart,  and  throbs,  worthy  reader — throbs  kindly  to- 
ward thyself,  will  be  chilled  forever.  Haply  this  frail  compound  of 
dust,  which,  while  alive,  may  have  given  birth  to  naught  but  unprofit- 
able weeds,  may  form  a  humble  sod  of  the  valley,  whence  may  spring 
many  a  sweet  wild  flower,  to  adorn  my  beloved  island  of  Manna-hata !  "* 
"-  Why,"  he  writes,  "  should  we  thus  seek  to  clothe  death  with  unneces- 
jary  terrors,  and  to  spread  horrors  around  the  tomb  of  those  we  love? 
The  grave  should  be  surrounded  by  everything  that  might  inspire  ten- 
derness and  veneration  for  the  dead,  or  that  might  win  the  living  to 
virtue.  It  is  the  place  not  of  disgust  and  dismay,  but  of  sorrow  and 
meditation." 

Irving  appears  to  have  had  a  special  fondness  for  this  spot.  In 
"  Wolfert's  Roost"  he  says: — 

"And  now  a  word  or  two  about  Sleepy  Hollow,  which  many  have  rashly 
deemed  a  fanciful  creation,  like  the  Lubberland  of  mariners." 

In  the  Legend,  in  the  Sketch  Book,  he  thus  fancifully  describes  it: — 

"  From  the  listless  repose  of  the  place,  and  the  peculiar  character  of  its  inhab- 
itants, who  are  descendants  from  the  original  Dutch  settlers,  this  sequestered 
glen  has  long  been  known  by  the  name  of  Sleepy  Hollow,  and  its  rustic  lads  are 
called  Sleepy  Hollow  Boys  throughout  all  the  neighboring  country.  A  drowsy, 
dreamy  influence  seems  to  haug  over  the  land,  and  to  pervade  the  very  atmos- 
phere. Some  say  that  the  place  was  bewitched  by  a  high  German  doctor,  during 
the  early  days  of  the  settlement ;  others,  that  an  old  Indian  chief,  the  prophet  or 
wizard  of  his  tribe,  held  his  powwows  there  before  the  country  was  discovered 
by  Master  Hcndrick  Hudson.  Certain  it  is,  the  place  still  continues  under  the 
sway  of  some  witching  power  that  holds  a  spell  over  the  minds  of  the  good 


a  Reminiscence  of  Sleepy  Hollow. 
i  History  of  New  York. 


53^  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


people,  causing  them  to  walk  in  continual  reverie.  They  are  given  to  all  kinds 
of  marvellous  beliefs ;  are  subject  to  trances  and  visions,  and  frequently  see 
strange  sights,  and  hear  music  and  voices  in  the  air.  The  whole  neighborhood 
abounds  with  local  tales,  haunted  spots,  and  twilight  superstitions ;  stars  shoot 
and  meteors  glare  oftener  across  the  valley  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  country, 
and  the  nightmare,  with  her  whole  nine  fold,  seems  to  make  it  the  favorite 
scene  of  her  gambols." 

The  Dutch  church  at  Sleepy  Hollow  appears  to  have  been  first  or- 
ganized in  1697  ;  for  the  ancient  books  are  still  extant,  containing  the 
names  of  members  at  that  early  date.  We  have  previously  shown  that 
the  present  edifice  was  erected  in  1699. 

Prior  to  the  year  1771,  this  society,  (like  the  rest  of  the  Dutch 
churches  in  the  colony  of  New  York,)  was  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  the  latter  body  being  subordinate  to  the  Synod 
of  North  Holland.  In  the  contest  concerning  the  substitution  of  the 
English  for  the  Dutch  preaching  cir.  1764,  the  members  of  this  church 
took  an  active  part — some  supposing  that  by  the  suppression  of  the  last 
it  would  necessarily  involve  in  course  of  time  the  loss  of  the  doctrines, 
the  mode  of  worship,  the  government,  nay  even  the  very  name  of  the 
church  itself.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Johannes  Ritzema,  at  this  time  the  offici- 
ating minister  at  Sleepy  Hollow,  uniformly  acted  throughout  this  trying 
period,  as  the  friend  of  the  English  party.  Upon  the  formation  of  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  North  America,  in  1771, 
.his  church  was  decreed  to  belong  to  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  now 
called  the  Classis  of  New  York.  The  articles  of  union  agreed  upon  by 
the  Synod  of  177 1  were  subscribed  (among  others)  by  Johannes  Ritze- 
ma and  Pierre  van  Cortlandt  of  Westchester  County.  The  Dutch  Re- 
formed church  at  Tarrytown  is  attached  to  the  mother  church,  its  pastor 
having  the  charge  of  both  congregations.  The  first  minister  of  the 
church,  A.  D.,  1697,  was  the  Rev.  William  Barthoff — styled  in  the  1 
church  records,  the  well  learned  and  Godly  Dominus  Guilliaume  Bar- 
thoff. 

This  individual  resided  at  Hackensack,  New  Jersey,  but  performed 
services  here  three  or  four  times  a  year;  he  continued  his  ministrations 
with  great  acceptance  until  the  year  17 15. 

The  following  item  occurs  in  the  church  books,  (relating  to  the  ex- 
pense of  bringing  and  returning  the  abovesaid  minister:)  "We  have 
paid  Thomas  van  Houtten,  who  has  fetched  said  minister  and  brought 
him  over  and  taken  him  back  again,  whom  we  have  satisfied  according 
to  our  bounden  duty ;  and  with  that,  it  may  please  the  Almighty  and 
merciful  God  to  grant  him  to  come  for  a  long  time." 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Barthoff  was  the  Rev.  Johannes  Ritzema, 


- 


THE  TOWN  OK  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  539 

styled  in  the  church  records  "verse  doctrina;  minister,"  (minister  of  the 
true  doctrine.)  This  gentleman  continued  to  supply  the  church  until 
the  commencement  of  the  Revolution." 

From  this  general  account  of  the  church,  we  proceed  to  give  a  few 
extracts  from  its  original  records.  The  oldest  book  is  thus  entitled, 
"  Het  notitie  der  Christeutycke  Kerck  op  de  Manner  op  Philipsburgh ; " 
that  is,  "  The  Memorandum  Book  of  the  Christian  Church  of  the 
Manor  of  Philipsburgh."  Upon  the  back  of  this  volume  is  the  follow- 
ing motto : — 

"  Eudraght  maakt  magt,  maar  twist  verquist." 
"Unity  makus  might,  but  discoid  squanders. " 

The  first  line  of  the  above  was  originally  adopted  as  the  national 
motto  of  the  United  Netherlands,  in  1578,  "when  the  seven  northern 
provinces  united  for  mutual  interest  and  defence,  which  union  actually 
proved  the  precursor  of  their  deliverance  and  establishment  as  a  nation.* 

The  preface  of  the  original  book  runs  thus,  viz. : 

"  To  give  the  kind  reader  a  right  idea  why,  and  at  what  time,  this 
church  book,  or  particular  memorandum  according  to  Christian  church 
order,  is  made,  to  be  for  the  satisfaction  of  every  one.  Also,  first  with 
regard  to  his  Royal  Majesty  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and  Ireland, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  has  pleased  towards  the  year  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  1680,  by  prerogative,  consent  and  license  to  give  to  the 
Hon.  Lord  Frederick  Philipse  to  purchase  freely  as  or  for  hereditary 
purchase,  a  parcel  of  land  or  valley,  so,  and  as  it  is  situated  in  the  county 
of  Westchester  in  America,  beginning  at  the  river  of  Spyten  Devil's  kill, 
running  north  along  the  river,  until  the  kill  of  Kitchawong,  &c,  &c,  as 
in  the  license  and  patent  is  contained,  which  is  called  Philipsburgh ;  to 
indicate  further  in  what  manner  and  good  affection  these  first  Christian 
inhabitants  have  shown  in  the  middle  of  heathenism,  and  with  and  about 
heathens  to  live,  as  true  Christians,  having  first  thought  good  and  highly 
necessary,  on  the  Lord's  day,  to  gather  together,  and  in  a  place  for  that 
purpose  fit,  to  pray  together,  God  the  Lord  with  their  whole  heart  to 
praise,  and  thank  Him  with  psalms  and  hymns,  &c. 

"  Furthermore  it  was  also  thought  very  necessary  to  look  for  a  Reformed 
preacher,  and  to  want  him  to  preach  three  or  four  times  in  the  year, 
and  to  administer  the  holy  sacraments,  and  that  the  congregation  might 
become  participant  thereby,  and  so  much  the  better  by  the  grace  of  God, 
with  the  covenants  of  His  holy  sacraments,  according  to  the  true  Chris- 
tian Reformed  religion. 

"  And  as  the  Hon.  servants  of  the  church  experience  that  up  to  this 
time,  being  the  3d  day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  17 15,  there 
are  no  church  memorandum,  it  has  appeared  necessary  and  good  to  us 

a  One  of  the  sons  of  the  Rev.  T.  Ttitzema  was  a  Colonel  under  Washington  at  New  York, 
and  tried  for  treason  in  August  lTTti;  when  he  left  the  American  cause  and  became  a  com- 
missioned officer  in  the  British  service.  This  gentleman,  prior  to  the  Kevolutlon,  kept  a 
military  school  at  Tarrvtowi. 

*  Pro.  N.  Y.  tlist.  So'c.  p.  56. 


S4o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


for  what  is  past,  forasmuch  as  we  can  find  out  according  to  the  upright 
proof  to  put  it  down,  also  first  and  successively  to  put  down  the  annota- 
tions in  this  book,  by  one  of  our  members  of  Jesus  Christ,  whom  we 
judge  to  be  able  and  to  possess  the  knowledge  thereto,  to  put  rightly 
and  successively  what  will  come  to  our  knowledge  and  experience,  that 
which  we  can  find  out  with  truth  as  will  follow." 

The  volume  itself  is  divided  into  eight  special  books,  the  last  of  which 
contains  the  previous  memoranda  abbreviated  and  concluded  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  kind  reader. 

The  first  book  contains  the  first  memorandum  of  the  yearly  ministry 
of  the  word  of  God  and  the  holy  sacraments,  as  also  the  salary  for  each 
journey,  per  year  and  date  as  noted. 

In  the  second  book  is  registered  the  names  of  the  members  of  Jesus 
Christ,  who  after  Christian  examination  and  exhortation  have  disposed 
themselves  to  receive  the  Lord's  holy  communion. 

In  the  third  book  of  the  church  memorandum  are  also  registered  the 
names  from  year  to  year  of  the  election  of  elders  and  deacons  to  be  ac- 
cepted and  confirmed  thereto,  the  year  and  date,  with  the  addition  of 
the  resigning  elders  and  deacons  after  they  will  have  served  two  years. 

The  fourth  book  contains  the  names  of  the  baptized  children,  together 
with  the  names  of  their  respective  parents,  also  the  names  of  the  wit- 
nesses, and  in  what  year  and  month,  etc. 

The  fifth  book  contains  the  names  of  those  who  in  the  sight  of  God 
and  His  communion,  after  three  previous  solemn  proclamations,  have  let 
themselves  been  confirmed  in  the  lawful  matrimonial  state,  and  in  what 
year  and  month. 

The  sixth  book  in  which  is  notified  the  receipt  and  the  expenditure  of 
the  deacons,  according  to  the  list  thereof,  etc.,  in  order  to  see  the  settle- 
ment of  accounts. 

The  seventh  book  in  which  is  noted  the  expenditure  and  receipt  of  the 
chest  of  the  poor,  with  addition  to  whom  and  wherefore. 

The  eighth  and  last  book  being  the  conclusion  of  all  the  previous 
books. 

In  the  first  book  occurs  the  following  entry : 

"  Finding  out  from  the  memorandum  of  Mr.  Abraham  de  Riviere  that 
the  well-learned,  godly  Dominus  Guilliaume  Barthoff  has  accepted  ac- 
cording to  request  of  the  first  inhabitants  and  respective  congregation  of 
Philipsburgh,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1697,  to  come  to  preach  here  three 
or  four  times  God's  holy  word,  and  to  teach  and  to  serv  e  the  holy  sacra- 
ments, which  through  God's  particular  grace  he  has  continued  to  do 
laudably  up  to  this  present  date,  the  2d  November,  17 15,  and  have  given 
the  said  minister,  according  to  our  bounden  duty,  his  contentment  and 
satisfaction  ;  as  also  to  Theunis  van  Houtten  who  has  fetchen  said  min- 
ister from  Hackinsack,  etc.,  for  which  we  are  particularly  and  gratefully 
obliged,  to  show  for  the  beneficence  of  the  High,  Hon.  and  very  pru- 
dent my  lady  Mrs.  Catharine  Philipse." 

"In  the  second  book  is  registered  all  the  names  of  the  Hon.  persons, 
who  after  Christian  examination  and  exhortation,  have  disposed  them- 
selves to  have  been  accepted  members  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  worthy  ta 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  54! 

appear  at  the  tabic  of  the  Lord,  and  to  receive  the  holy  sacrament  of 
communion,  A.  D.  1697.  First  and  before  all  the  Right  Honorable 
God-fearing,  very  wise  and  prudent  my  Lady  Catharine  Philipse,  widow 
of  the  Lord  Frederic  Philipse  of  blessed  memory,  who  have  promoted 
divine  service  here  in  the  highest  praiseworthy  manner." 
"  The  continuation  of  the  congregation  of  Philipsburgh  : — 
Abraham  de  Reviere ;  Uirck  Storm  and  Maria  his  wife ;  Isaac  Sie, 
the  elder,  and  Esther  his  wife;  Isaac  Sie,  Jr. ;  Jacob  van  Texel  and 
Aletje  his  wife ;  Joacham  van  Weert  and  Christyntje  his  wife ;  Sebastiaen 
Micligielze  and  Galanti;  Sybouvvt  Kranckheyt  and  Marytje  his  wife; 
Gregoris  Storm  and  Engeltje  his  wife;  Ryck  Abramse  and  Tryntje  his 
wife;  Powlus  Reetan  and  Angelica  his  wife;  Albret  Gardenier  and 
Maritje  his  wife;  Peter  Sie  and  Pizonella  his  wife  ;  Jan  Eckerand  Mag- 
daleentje  his  wife ;  Jacobus  Sie  and  Catharina  his  wife ;  Jan  Fowseer 
and  Eva  his  wife;  Jan  Louwrenzs  and  Marytje  his  wife;  Andries  van 
Dyck  and  Gessje  his  wife;  Jan  van  Texel  and  Catharina  his  wife  ;  Isaac 
van  Dyck  and  Barbera  his  wife;  Abram  de  Vauw  and  Marytje  his  wife; 
Abram  de  Reviere,  Jr.,  and  Weijntje  his  wife;  Geertje  wife  of  Pieter 
Breys  ;  Gerridit  van  Weert  and  Cathalijna  his  wife  ;  Annetje  Branckert 
wife  of  Hendrick  Krankheyt;  Jan  Hart  from  Switzerland;  Beellitje 
wife  of  Jacob  van  Weert;  David  Storm  and  Esther  his  wife  ;  Louwrens 
Mathysie  Banckert  and  Neitje  de  Groot  his  wife ;  Barent  Duytsen  and 
Maritje;  Lodewyck  Ackerman  and  Hillegenda;  Margarietje  wife  of 
Joseph  Escoth  ;  Rachel  the  wife  of  Thos.  Hyert ;  William  Artzen,  his 
daughter  above  named;  Abram  van  Dyck  and  Elizabeth;  Herman 
Jurckze  and  Maria;  Antje  van  Weert  wife  of  Samuel  Canckle ;  Antje 
Sybouwt  wife  of  Jan  Beesly;  Peter  Storm  and  Margarietje;  Antje  wife 
of  Henderick  Kranckheyt ;  Antje  van  Lent  wife  of  Corel  Davidson ; 
Cornelius  van  Texel  and  Antje  his  wife ;  Antje  Keninck  wife  of  Lowies 
Bowie." 

The  sixth  church  book  commences  with  the  following  preface : 
"  In  this  book  is  noted  from  the  existing  notes  the  receipt  and  ex- 
penditure of  each  outgoing  deacon,  since  the  year  of  our  Lord,  A.  D. 
1697.  Being  intended  to  note  said  accounts  uprightly,  as  per  contents 
of  the  notes  in  this  book,  as  much  as  will  be  possible  according  to  truth ; 
but  as  it  is  very  dangerous  for  a  good  pilot  to  arrive  safely  in  a  strange 
harbor  without  falling  on  a  bar  or  rock,  principally  in  dark  weather,  I 
request  accordingly  very  earnestly  and  in  a  friendly  manner,  from  the 
kind  reader,  to  please  to  take  in  good  part  if  any  obscure  notes  might 
come  in  my  way  as  according  to  our  opinion,  we  find  some  somewhat 
obscure  ;  it  is,  however,  my  intention,  with  the  help  of  God,  according 
to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  to  close  the  following  accounts  according 
to  truth  and  to  make  a  beginning  firstly  outgoing  deacon  as  follows : 

1697,  the  30th  October,  Jan  Ecker  received  in  his  deaconship  for 
£S5  IX. 

1699,  the  6th  of  August,  Jan  Ecker  having  finished  his  time,  as  ap- 
pears by  his  delivered  notice  of  his  service  as  deacon,  shows  his  receipt 
of  the  communion  money  to  be  ^54  16.  Further  I  find  a  notice  dated 
25th  August,  1702,  in  which  Jan  Ecker  acknowledges  when  he  was  dea- 


542 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


con,  to  remain  of  his  receipts  above  the  expenditure  up  to  ^149  in 
money.  By  which  it  would  appear  as  said  above.  The  receipt  at  two 
periods  of  the  deaconship  by  said  Jan  Ecker  has  been  and  will  amount 
to  ^288  17  o. 

The  receipts  of  Jacobus  Sie,  deacon  in  1701,  were  ^254  if.  Credit 
expenditure  for  the  church  for  bread  and  wine  for  communion  to  the 
sum  of  ^61  10.  And  the  present  moneys  are  found  to  be,  £192  11  ; 
which  have  been  put  in  the  box  at  the  church.    ^254  1." 

Upon  the  24th  of  August,  1787,  Isaac  Stoutenburgh  and  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt  (Commissioners  of  forfeitures  for  the  southern  district  of  New 
York,)  conveyed  to  the  trustees  of  this  church  and  their  successors,  etc., 
"  all  that  certain  church  and  two  acres  of  land  adjoining  thereto,  includ- 
ing the  burial  ground  situated  near  the  upper  mills  in  the  said  manor, 
bounded  southerly  and  west  by  the  post  road  or  highway,  and  north  and 
eastwardly  by  the  land  of  Gerardus  G.  Beeckman;  and  also  that  certain 
farm  of  land  situate  and  lying  and  being  in  the  said  manor  of  Philips- 
burgh,  etc.,  bounded  westwardly  by  Hudson's  river,  northerly  by  land 
now  or  late  belonging  to  John  van  Wart,  easterly  by  land  now  or  late 
belonging  to  Jacob  Buckhout,  and  southerly  by  land  now  or  late  Gloud 
Requa's  containing  100  acres  more  or  less,"  etc.a 

The  first  incorporation  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  church  in 
Philips  manor  took  place  on  the  24th  of  January,  1792/ 

Pkedikanten  van  db  Kbrk  of  Philipsbubg. 

Ttd  van  Bevesteging.  Predikanten. 

1697,  Dom.  GruELMrs  Bap.tholff,  vera  doctrince  minister. 
1760,  Dom.  Johannes  Ritzema. 
1785,  Dom.  Stephen  van  Vorhees, 
1795,  Dom.  John  F.  Jackson, 
17S8,  Dom.  Thomas  Smith, 
1838,  Dom.  George  Dubois, 
Jan.  28tb,  1845,  Dom.  Joseph  Wilson, 

KERKELYK  AANTEKEN. 

A  D.  1697,  Communicants,  73,  Baptisms,'  11, 

A.D.  1707,          "  "  13, 

A.D.  1760,          "  "  4S, 

A.D.  1843,          "          218,  "  3, 


V. 

D. 

M. 

V. 

D. 

M. 

V. 

D. 

M. 

V. 

D. 

M. 

V. 

D. 

M 

V. 

D. 

11 

a  From  the  original  (locnment  in  possession  of  the  Trustees. 

b  This  church  was  again  incorporated  ou  the  20t!i  of  June,  1T92.    Religions  Soc.  Lib.  A.  99. 
e  The  first  child  baptized  in  this  church  was  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Jan  and  Maria  Hejert, 
Ryck  Abrainsu  and  Clyutje,  hia  wife,  witnesses. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


543 


DE  OEDERLINGEN  EN  DIA 

A.D.  OuDERLINGEN. 

1697.  Abram  de  Reviere, 

1698.  Ryok  Abramse. 

1699.  Joachim  Wouters, 

1700.  Syboi:t  Herriksen, 

1701.  Jan  Hart, 

1702.  David  Storm, 

1703.  David  Storm, 

1704.  Jan  Ecker, 

1705.  Jan  Hart, 

1706.  Woi.ffert  Ecker, 

1707.  David  Storm, 

1708.  Abram  de  Revieke, 

1709.  David  Storm, 

1710.  David  Storm, 

1715.  Jan  IIarmse, 
Jan  Hart, 

1716.  David  Storm, 

1717    Cornelius  Van  Texel, 

1718.  Sybott  Harckse,- 
Barent  Duylser, 

1719.  Gerrit  Van  Weert, 

1720.  Abram  Van  Dyok, 

1722.  Barent  Duyster, 

1723.  David  Storm, 

1724.  Abram  de  Votrw, 

1725.  Jeremias  Henniff, 

1726.  David  Storm, 

1727.  Jan  Van  Tessel. 

1728.  Abram  Martelingh. 

1729.  David  Storm, 

1730.  Abram  Martelingh, 
TnoMAS  Storm, 

1731.  Gerrit  Van  Weert, 

1732.  Jacobus  Stoutenburgh, 

1733.  David  Storm, 

1734.  Jan  Bouckhout, 

1735.  William  Kemmen, 

1736.  Jan  Van  Tessel, 
Thomas  Storm, 

1737.  Barent  Duytseb, 
Peter  Buys, 

173S.   Jacobus  Stoutenburgh, 
Jan  Van  Texel, 


ENEN  VAN  DE  KERK  OF  PIIIL1PS- 
BDRG 

DlAKENEN. 

Jan  Ecker, 
Wolffert  Ecker, 
David  Storms, 
Abram  de  Reviere,  Jr., 
Jacobus  Sie, 
Jan  Ecker, 
Andries  Van  Dyok, 
Abram  de  Reviere, 
Gerrit  Van  Weert, 
Barent  Duytser, 
Isaac  Van  Dyok, 
Abram  de  Vouw, 
Cornelis  Van  Texel, 
Gerrit  Van  Weert, 
Jacob  Sie, 

Jan  Van  Texel, 
Thomas  Storm, 
Deliefferius  Concklin, 
Abram  Martelingh, 
Jan  Bouckhout, 
Thomas  Storm, 
Peter  Buys, 

ELENDRIGK  KRANCKnEYT, 

Deliefferius  Concklin, 
Wille.m  Kemmen, 
Jan  Bouckhout, 
Jacobus  Stoutenburgh, 
Matthes  Canokelt, 
Jacobus  Stoutenburgh, 

Jonas  Juel, 
Joannes  Clemens, 
Jan  Belyoe, 
Joachim  Van  Weert, 
Deliefferius  Concklin, 
Joannes  de  Vouw, 
Adoli'h  Banckert, 
Stephen  Eckkr, 
David  Ackerman, 
Hendrick  Van  Texel, 
AD01.ru  Banckert, 


544 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


1739. 

David  Storm, 

Jacob  Van  Weert, 

Jan  Bouckhout, 

Harmanis  Gardenieb, 

1742. 

JOHAKNIS  Cl.EMANS, 

JOHANIS  SYFFER, 

Tiiomas  Stokm, 

Jan  Storm, 

1743. 

Petek  Buys, 

William  Davidsen, 

Jonas  J  i  el, 

Dirck  Van  Texel, 

1744. 

Johannes  Clemans, 

Everett  Bruyn, 

Johannes  de  Vodw, 

Hendericus  Storm, 

1745. 

Jan  Bouckiiout, 

Johannes  Duytseb, 

Hendeiok  Van  Tessel, 

Jacob  Buys, 

1746. 

Juris  Juel, 

Harmen  Jurckse, 

Thomas  Storm, 

Jan  Balye, 

1748. 

William  Davids, 

Matthys  Cancklingh, 

JoiIANNET  SEYFER. 

Barent  Diyster, 

1749. 

Abaham  Martlingh, 

William  Van  Weaet, 

Hbnbeiok  Van  Tessel, 

David  Srorm, 

1750. 

Thomas  Storm, 

Hendricis  Storm, 

Hendrick  Van  Tessel, 

Harman  TrRCKSE, 

1751. 

"William  Davids, 

Hendrick  Storm, 

Jan  Boyle, 

JoAcniM  Van  Waert, 

1753. 

Willam  IIemman, 

William  Brit, 

JORIS  JCELL, 

Jeremias  Meve, 

1754. 

Hendrick  Van  Tessel, 

Barent  Dlytser, 

Jan  Bockhout, 

Harman  Davids, 

1756. 

J  ORIS  JUELL, 

Dirck  Storm, 

Hendrick  Storm, 

Abraham  Martlinghs,  jb.} 

1757. 

Thomas  Storm, 

JonANNES  Van  Tessel, 

Johannes  Siffer, 

William  Van  Noostrand, 

1758. 

William  Aertse, 

Jan  Entens, 

David  Storm, 

Johannes  Van  Tessel, 

1760. 

Hendrick  Storm, 

David  Sie, 

JonANNES  DlTYTSER, 

Johannes  Van  Tessel, 

1762. 

Hendrick  Van  Tessel, 

William  Tfrckse, 

Benjamin  Brown, 

Henry  Van  Wormer, 

1763. 

Isaac  Hemmen, 

1764. 

Thomas  Storm, 

Nicklass  Storm, 

Jan  Entens, 

1766. 

William  Van  Wert, 

William  Breis, 

William  Arse, 

Arie  Van  Wormer, 

1767. 

Dirck  Van  Tessel, 

Abram  Bruin, 

Hendrick  Storm, 

Jan  Hemmen, 

1769. 

William  Van  Norstrand, 

Abraham  Storm, 

1769. 

William  Aerse, 

TnoMAS  Samrewa, 

1770. 

Claes  Storm, 

Marteines  Van  Wert, 

William  Tfrckse, 

Jacob  Van  Tessel, 

1771. 

William  Van  Wart, 

Jacobes  Davids, 

Abraham  Bruyn, 

Jacobi s  Sie, 

1773. 

Jan  Enters, 

Barent  Le.metter, 

THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


545 


1773.  Abraham  Storm, 

1774.  William  Aaksb, 


Jacob  Bockoout, 
Peter  IIiok, 
Jan  Stokm, 
Jacob  Van  Waet, 
Peteu  Sie. 
Wii.i.ia.m  Van  Wart, 
Jan  Van  Tessel. 


Martynis  Van  Wart, 
1776.    Hbndrk  k  Storm, 

David  Sie, 
1790.    Isaac  Johnson, 

IIendrick  Storm, 

Thomas  Buys, 


The  Pocanteco  river  has  a  two-fold  source ;  the  first  being  on  the 
lands  of  Isaac  Lounsberry,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chappequa  hills,  and 
the  other  a  short  distance  from  it. 

After  a  progress  of  four  miles,  these  streams  unite  and  become  a 
beautiful  river,  which  is  subsequently  strengthened  and  augmented  by 
numerous  tributaries  flowing  from  an  extensive  district  of  hills  and 
valleys. 

The  whole  course  of  this  river,  from  its  spring-heads  to  its  outlet  in 
the  Hudson,  is  fraught  with  scenes  of  picturesque  and  romantic  beauty. 
"  Far  in  the  foldings  of  the  hills,"  says  the  author  of  the  Sketch  Book, 
"winds  this  wizard  stream — sometimes  silently  and  darkly  through 
solemn  woodlands,  sometimes  sparkling  between  grassy  borders  or  fresh 
green  meadows,  sometimes  stealing  along  the  feet  of  rugged  heights, 
under  the  balancing  sprays  of  beech  and  chestnut  trees.  A  thousand 
chrystal  springs,  with  which  this  neighborhood  abounds,  sent  down  from 
the  hill-sides  their  whimpering  rills,  as  if  to  pay  tribute  to  the  Pocante- 
co."'* In  the  neighborhood  of  the  acqueduct,  is  a  deep  ravine,  which 
forms  the  dreamy  region  of  Sleepy  Hollow.  A  narrow  and  broken  path 
which  sweeps  along  the  south-east  bank  of  the  Hollow,  leads  to  the 
foot  of  the  redoubted  hill  where  once  stood  the  school-house,  in  which 
the  celebrated  Ichabod  Crane  "  tarried,"  for  the  purpose  of  instructing 
the  youth  of  this  vicinity.  "The  whole  of  the  neighborhood,"  observes 
the  author  of  the  Sketch  Book,  "  abounds  with  local  tales,  haunted  spots 
and  twilight  superstitions."  "  The  dominant  spirit,  however,  that  haunts 
this  enchanted  region,  and  seems  to  be  commander-in-chief  of  all  the 
powers  of  the  air,  is  the  apparition  of  a  figure  on  horseback  without  a 
head.  It  is  said,  by  some,  to  be  the  ghost  of  a  Hessian  trooper,  whose 
head  had  been  carried  away  by  a  cannon  ball  in  some  nameless  battle 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  who  is  ever  and  anon  seen  by  the 
country  folks,  hurrying  along  in  the  gloom  of  the  night,  as  if  on  the 
wings  of  the  wind." 

"  It  is  alleged  that  the  body  of  the  trooper  having  been  buried  in  the 


o  Knickerbocker  Magazine  for  1S39. 


546 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


church-yard,  the  ghost  rides  forth  to  the  scene  of  battle,  in  nightly  quest 
of  his  head,  and  that  the  rushing  speed  with  which  he  sometimes  passes 
along  the  Hollow,  like  a  midnight  blast,  is  owing  to  his  being  belated 
and  in  a  hurry  to  get  back  to  the  church-yard  before  daybreak." 

Such  is  the  general  purport  of  this  legendary  superstition.  The 
spectre  is  known  by  the  name  of  the'  "Headless  Horseman  of  Sleepy 
Hollo7o."a 

The  bridge  so  famous  in  goblin  story,  crossed  the  Hollow  a  few  yards 
east  of  the  present  structure ;  the  road  having  been  altered  within  a  few 
years. 

A  little  north  of  Sleepy  Hollow  church,  lies  the  Beeckman  forest,  an 
entensive  tract  of  woodland,  ranging  principally  east  and  west  of  the 
Albany  post-road.  These  woods  formerly  covered  a  much  larger  district 
of  country,  and  abounded  in  fine  timber;  while  the  thickets  and  glades 
served  as  a  favorite  haunt  for  large  herds  of  wild  deer.  The  perpetual 
harrassing  of  this  noble  game,  in  spite  of  fines  and  imprisonment,  has 
long  ago  exterminated  the  whole  race  in  this  country.  In  the  year 
1705,  (to  prevent,  if  possible,  their  entire  destruction,)  it  was  enacted  by 
the  governor,  council,  and  general  assembly,  "  that  whosoever  within  the 
County  of  Westchester,  Christian  or  Indian,  freeman  or  slave,  after  the 
first  day  of  January,  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1705,  shall 
kill  or  destroy  any  buck,  doe  or  fawn,  or  any  sort  of  deer  whatsoever,  at 
any  time  of  the  year,  except  only  between  the  first  day  of  August  and 
the  first  day  of  January,  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  twenty  shillings 
lawful  money  of  New  York,  or  in  default  thereof,  suffer  imprisonment 
for  the  time  and  space  of  twenty  days  without  bail  or  mainprise ;  and  all 
dogs  also  found  chasing  deer,  to  be  shot  during  those  times."6 

These  special  enactments  were,  doubtless,  procured  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Philipses  and  Van  Cortlandts,  whose  families  were  both 
represented  in  the  governor's  council  at  that  period,  especially,  as  the 
lord  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt  was  ranger  within  the  forests  of  Cort- 
landt.  The  manorial  proprietors  of  Philipsburg  and  Cortlandt,  had  a 
charter  of  free  warren,  e.,  an  exclusive  right  of  pursuing  and 'killing 
game  throughout  their  respective  patents,  a  privilege  which  they  pre- 
viously conceded  to  their  tenantry.  This  beautifully  wooded  region 
contains  many  wild  and  picturesque  scenes,  united  with  charming  pros- 
pects of  the  river. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity,  and  bordering  the  shores  of  the  Hudson, 
are  located  several  fine  residences,  among  which  may  be  enumerated 

a  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow. 

6  Acts  of  Colonial  Assembly,  64. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


547 


those  of  A.  C.  Kingsland;  L.  Ludovici  j  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont;  Mrs. 
Anson  G.  Phelps;  Bartlett  Castle,  the  seat  of  the  late  William  H. 
Aspinwall,  Esq.;  Rockwood,  the  seat  of  Lloyd  Aspinall;  and  Inclen- 
bury,  the  residence  of  \V.  F.  Beams.  About  a  mile  north  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Pocanteco  is  a  beautiful  little  cove  called  the  "  Havenje," 
a  Dutch  term,  which  is  the  diminutive  of  haven,  and  means  a  little 
haven  or  harbor,  near  which  is  situated  the  former  estate  and  residence 
of  Gen.  James  Watson  Webb.  The  Beeckman  family  can  be  traced 
to  a  remote  period  in  Germany.  Cornelius  Beeckman,  (who  mar- 
ried Christiana  Huygens  of  Cologne,  who  died  December  4,  1506,) 
flourished  about  1478;  his  son  Gerard,  born  at  Cologne  on  the  17  th 
of  May,  1558,  married  Agnes  Stuning  of  Cleves,  (born  January  13, 
1557,)  studied  divinity  at  Frankendoel,  1576,  1577  and  1578,  and  was 
conversant  with  the  Latin,  French,  Italian  and  German  languages ; 
after  completing  his  education  he  traveled  extensively  through  Europe. 
During  the  great  religious  persecution,  which  commenced  about  this 
time,  (161 2,)  several  delegates  were  selected  to  meet  the  Duke  of  New 
Berg,  the  elector  of  Brandenburg  at  Berlin,  and  King  James  of  England 
— whom  the  Protestant  world  flatteringly  denominated  "  Protector  de  la 
Fois"  (Protector  of  the  Faith)  to  obtain  assistance  in  behalf  of  the  re- 
formed religion.  Gerard  Beeckman  and  Velt  Keyser,  a  gentleman  of 
inferior  abilities,  were  chosen  for  this  important  mission,  which J:hey  ex- 
ecuted with  so  much  credit  to  themselves  that  King  James  caused  the 
coat  of  arms  of  the  Beeckman  family  to  be  remodelled,  as  it  now  is,  viz  : 
"a  rose  on  either  side  of  a  running  brook."  After  the  death  of  his  wife 
at  Mulheim,  on  the  10th  of  March,  16 14,  he  became  auditor  and  sec- 
retary of  the  electoral  chamber  at  Cleves,  in  the  service  of  the  Elector 
of  Bradenburgh.  He  died  at  Emeric  on  the  31st  of  January,  1625, 
aetat  66.  His  eldest  son  was  Hendrick  or  Henry  Beeckman,  who  was 
born  at  Cologne,  Sept.  14,  1585;  fled  from  Emeric  and  settled  at 
Berg.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mary,  daughter  of  Wilhelmus 
Bandetius,  minister  of  the  Reformed  church  at  Tutphen  Guilderland; 
she  was  born  January  24,  1621,  and  died  the  17th  of  September,  1631. 
Hendrick  Beeckman  died  at  Wezel,  Dec.  2,  1642.  Their  son,  William 
Beeckman,  was  born  at  Hasselt,  Overyssel,  April  18th,  1623.  In  1647, 
he  came  to  New  Amsterdam,"  and  was  appointed  Lieut.  Governor  of 
the  South  River  in  1659.  He  continued  in  that  station  till  1664.  "In 
the  summer  of  1664,  Gov.  William  Beeckman  was  transferred  from 
the  Delaware  and  commissioned  Sheriff  of  Esopus — an  appointment 
which  he  held  until  the  close  of  Lovelace's  administration,  when  he 

a  Beeckman  Family.   Misc.  works  of  Gen.  Depeyster.   See  nolgate's  Geneology  pp.  66- GS. 


548 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


returned  to  New  York.  He  filled  the  office  of  Burgomaster  of  New 
Orange  in  1674,  and  was  Alderman  subsequently  under  the  English, 
from  1678  to  1682;  and  again  in  1685;  and  1691  down  to  1696, 
when  he  retired  from  public  life."*1  "  In  1652  he  purchased  Corlear's 
Hook  for  750  guilders;  in  1677  he  is  mentioned  as  a  brewer  in  New 
York,  where  the  present  "  William  "  and  "  Beeckman  "  streets  still  bear 
his  name."  He  died  in  New  York  in  1707  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age, 
leaving  by  his  wife,  Catharine  de  Bough,  six  children.  Henry  Beeck- 
man, the  eldest  son,  settled  in  Kingston,  was  Judge  of  Ulster  County 
and  member  of  the  Provincial  Legislature.  Gerardus,  the  second  son, 
was  President  of  the  Provincial  Council;  and,  in  17 10,  temporarily 
Governor  of  the  Colony  of  New  York.  By  his  wife  Magdalen  Abeel 
he  had  a  son,  Gerardus  Beekman,  who  was  born  in  1693.  In  the 
north-west  corner  of  this  town  is  situated  the  parochial  church  of  St. 
Mary's,  Beechwood.  Mount  Pleasant  was  formerly  included  within  the 
Manor  of  Philipsburgh,  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  the  parish  of  West 
Chester. 

From  the  MSS.  of  the  venerable  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel,  it  appears  that  as  early  as  1759,  there  were  people  enough 
in  Philips'  Manor  for  a  large  congregation  without  any  minister  at  all. 
In  1 76 1  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibble  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  who  visited  this 
part  of  the  country,  says : — "  I  found  a  great  want  of  a  regular  clergy- 
man to  officiate  in  these  parts,  to  prevent  confusions  in  religion,  which 
hath  too  much  obtained ;  and  there  seems  a  general  good  disposition  to 
the  Church,  if  they  could  be  favored  with  a  settled  teacher.  This  defi- 
ciency was  in  some  measure  supplied  by  the  appointment  of  the  Rev. 
Harry  Munro  to  the  mission  of  Philipsburgh  in  1765;  but  for  nearly 
seventy  years  afterwards,  St.  John's  church,  Yonkers,  served  the  purposes 
of  divine  worship  to  a  district  which  now  contains  seven  Episcopal 
churches.  It  is  more  than  probable  that,  as  the  last  lord  of  the  Manor 
was  an  active  Churchman  and  also  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Propa- 
gation Society,  some  of  the  ministers  of  the  county  were  induced  to  visit 
this  part  of  the  county  even  before  176 1. 

St.  Mary's  church  is  beautifully  located  on  high  ground  above  the 
Hudson  River,  about  two  miles  south  of  the  village  of  Sing  Sing,  and 
was  erected  in  1850,  principally  at  the  cost  of  the  late  Rev.  Wm. 
Creighton,  D.D.,  and  of  his  son-in-law,  the  late  Rev.  Edward  N.  Mead 
The  whole  structure  cost  about  $7,500.  Besides  the  lot  of  one  acre,  on 
which  the  church  stands,  the  Rev.  Founder  has  purchased  two  and  a 
half  acres  adjoining,  for  a  glebe  and  parsonage.  The  chancel  arrange- 
a  O'Callaghan's  Hist,  of  New  Netherlands,  Vol.  II,  p.  472.  Note. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  549 

mcnts  are  not  yet  completed.  Towards  these  George  H.  Swords,  Esq., 
has  made  the  very  liberal  donation  of  $300. 

Besides  St.  Mary's  church,  Beechwood,  Sunday  services  are  now  reg- 
ularly performed  at  St.  Johns,  Pleasantville,  in  this  Parish,  where  a  con- 
gregation was  gathered  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Harris  in  1853,  and  incor- 
porated under  the  title  of  "  St.  John's  church,  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Pleasant;"  a  lot  was  purchased  on  Rail  Road  Avenue,  and  a  neat 
wooden  edifice  erected  the  same  year. 

Within  the  vertile  valley  of  the  Nepara  or  Saw  Mill,  a  few  miles  east 
of  Beeckmantown  (on  what  is  now  termed  East  Tarrytown)  stands  the 


8t  Mary's  P,  K.  Church,  (Beechwood.) 


county  poor  house,  or  hospital,  an  incorporated  and  endowed  institu- 
tion for  the  afflicted  and  indigent.  Its  officers  consist  of  three  superin- 
tendents, (who  are  nominated  by  a  board  of  county  supervisors,)  a 
keeper,  a  physician  and  teacher.  The  buildings  are  extensive  and  prin- 
cipally constructed  of  stone.  Its  inmates,  at  present,  number  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four.  There  are  accomodations  for  three  hundred,  if 
necessary.  To  the  south-east  of  the  poor-house,  lies  the  Paulding 
Homestead  farm. 

Mrs.  J.  E.  See  related  the  following  anecdote  about  her  uncle,  Col. 
Hammond : — He  lived  in  the  first  house  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the 
road  leading  from  Tarrytown  to  White  Plains,  just  beyond  the  brick 
school,  now  known  as  D.  C.  Reynolds'  property,  directly  west  of  Mr. 
Bonnar's  farm,  and  adjoining  it.  The  house  used  to  have  tall  pine  trees, 
and  very  old  box  borders  in  front ;  it  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Kingsland. 
A  part  of  the  American  army  under  his  command  had  been  laying  in 
front  on  the  fine  plateau.    General  Washington  came  one  day  to  con- 


55° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 


suit  with  him,  and  stayed  quite  late  in  the  evening,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  his  head-quarters  near  White  Plains.  The  army  had  also 
been  withdrawn,  and  the  Colonel  was  left  alone  for  the  night.  Just  be- 
fore day-break  the  Colonel's  wife  was  awakened  by  a  heavy,  rumbling 
noise,  and  she  awoke  her  husband ;  but  he  thought  it  was  only  distant 
thunder.  Soon  it  became  louder  and  louder,  and  then  it  stopped  di- 
rectly opposite  their  door.  This  was  followed  by  loud  rapping  at  the 
door,  and  demands  to  open.  The  Colonel  dressed  as  quickly  as  possible ; 
and,  as  he  opened  the  door,  several  English  soldiers  demanded  his  sur- 
render and  all  within.  The  Colonel  replied,  "  I  do  surrender,  and  all 
with  me."  They  then  demanded  :  "  Where  is  General  Washington?" 
The  Colonel  replied,  "  He  left  yesterday  evening."  Upon  looking  out  of 
the  door,  he  saw  two  small  field  pieces  planted  directly  opposite.  They 
were  very  much  disappointed,  but  took  him  prisoner  to  Brooklyn,  and 
there  he  remained  for  a  whole  year.  The  truth  was,  a  loyalist  woman 
living  in  the  neighborhood  had  seen  General  Washington  go  there,  and 
immediately  started  on  foot  for  the  English  line,  and  came  back  with 
the  company.  I  asked  who  she  was.  With  a  toss  of  the  head  and 
considerable  contempt,  Mrs.  See  replied,  "One  Anna  Brity — good-for- 
nothing  old  thing-!  "  Whilst  the  Colonel  was  prisoner  in  Brooklyn, 
there  was  also  a  Dutchman  confined  with  him.  One  day  he  came  to  the 
Colonel  and  asked  him  to  write  a  letter  to  the  officer  in  command.  The 
Colonel  asked,  "  What  do  you  want  me  to  say  ?  "  "Tell  him  I  a'int  no 
hog.  I  a'int  no  hog  !  "  "  What  do  you  mean  by  that  ?  "  "  Why,  they 
give  us  nothing  but  corn  to  eat — I  a'int  no  hog,  I  tell  you  ! " 

The  surrounding  neighborhood  is  rendered  peculiarly  attractive,  from 
the  contiguity  of  high  hills  rising  to  bold  heights,  crowned  with  rich 
hanging  woods.  One  of  these  is  that  noble  hill  called  "  Kaakeout." 
The  meaning  of  the  word  being  "  Look  out."  This  hill  is,  therefore,  a 
sort  of  Lookout  mountain  of  the  North.  It  was  occupied  by  the  coast 
surveyors,  and  considered  the  second  highest  hill  in  Westchester  County. 
The  landscape  which  it  overlooks  is  magnificent ;  from  it  a  long  and 
large  sweep  of  the  Hudson  River  is  seen,  extending  from  the  Highlands 
at  the  North  to  the  sea  itself — where  the  river  is  lost  in  the  beautiful  bay 
of  New  York.  From  it  can  be  seen  the  city  of  New  York  with  its  spires, 
and  glancing  across  the  river  you  behold  the  fields  and  towns  of  New 
Jersey;  and  turning  to  the  westward  and  northward,  you  see  the  spurs  by 
which  the  Kaatskills  descend  to  the  plains ;  and  turning  to  the  east  you 
behold  hill  and  dale,  wood  and  meadow  simply  charming.  Washington 
Irving  must  have  often  climbed  its  summit.  Sleepy  Hollow  winds  along 
beneath  its  feet ;  to  the  west  of  it  gleams  a  shaft  in  Sleepy  Hollow  Cem- 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


etery,  near  by  the  plain  and  simple  slab  that  marks  the  grave  of  the 
modest  and  gentle  author  of  the  "  Legend." 

Near  the  foot,  southward,  lives  J.  R.  Stevens  upwards  of  eighty  years 
of  age,  in  full  possession  of  all  his  faculties.  He  married  a  Miss  Davis,  de- 
scended from  Wm.  Davids,  born  in  1707  (the  name  having  been  cor- 
rupted). Her  parents  had  owned  the  place  long  before ;  here  she  was 
born  and  brought  up.  They  cannot  remember  when  the  family  of  the 
Davids  first  came  in  possession  of  it.  The  house  is  old  fashioned,  with  the 
same  doors  as  stood  there  during  the  Revolution.  At  one  time  it  was 
occupied  by  four  or  five  English  soldiers,  who,  returning  after  a  raid, 
amused  themselves  by  hacking  with  their  swords  the  doorway  casings. 
The  front  door  has  five  or  six  deep  hacks  now,  and  the  inner  door  two. 
In  the  south  sitting-room  is  a  door  leading  into  the  kitchen  with  a  small 
pane  of  glass  inserted  in  it,  which  was  used  in  old  times  when  slaves 
were  kept  to  peep  occasionally  at  the  little  darkies,  especially  when  there 
was  any  disturbance. 

In  the  west  room  of  the  house  General  Washington  had  several  times 
passed  hours,  in  consultation  with  his  officers  and  other  friends  of  the 
cause  of  liberty;  and  we  can  easily  imagine  him  ascending  the  summit  of* 
the  hill  and  there  standing  wrapped  in  thought  and  prayer,  during  those 
dark  and  glomy  days  of  the  Revolution,  and  looking  and  planning  for 
the  future.  He  could  there  look  down  on  Arnold's  treason  and  Andre's 
forlorn  and  desperate  venture,  and  wonder  at  the  mysterious  ways  of 
providence  that  lead  to  its  defeat. 

The  road  leading  north  from  the  county  house,  passes  near  the  cele- 
brated Raven  Rock,  around  which  cluster  a  thousand  strange  stories 
and  superstitions  The  rock  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the 
fact,  that  it  was  once  the  favorite  haunt  of  that  ominous  bird,  whose 
hoarse  croakings  were  believed  to  prognosticate  approaching  ill.  The 
ferocious  wife  of  Macbeth,  on  being  advised  of  the  approach  of  Duncan, 
whose  death  she  had  conspired,  is  made  to  say  in  the  language  of  the 
poet : 

"  The  raven  himself  is  hoarse 
That  croaks  the  fatal  entrance  of  Duncan 
Under  my  battlements." — Macbeth,  Act  I.  Scene  5. 

This  ill-omened  bird — once  very  numerous  on  our  coasts — has  long 
since  retired  with  the  wild  game  into  the  interior. 

But  the  dark  glen  of  Raven  Rock  is  now  haunted  by  a  far  different 
object,  viz.,  the  lady  in  white ;  whose  shrill  shrieks  are  said  to  be  often 
heard  during  the  long,  weary  winter  nights,  as  if  presaging  a  storm. 
Tradition  asserts  she  perished  here  in  a  deep  snow. 


552  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER.      '  ■ 

"  The  hungry  worm  my  sister  is, 
This  winding  sheet  I  wear, 
And  cold  and  weary  lasts  my  might, 
Till  the  last  morn  appear." — Margaret's  Gfiost. 

The  wild  and  romantic  scenery  of  the  glen,  seems  to  favor  these 

superstitions. 

In  this  vicinity,  Jacob  Acker  and  Isaac  Van  Wart,  two  well  known 
patriots,  made  a  bold  attack  upon  a  small  party  of  British  cavalry.  For 
the  purpose  of  annoying  the  enemy  they  concealed  themselves  in  a 
neighboring  wood,  from  whence  they  could  obtain  a  view  of  the  road; 
and,  as  the  British  passed  in  full  gallop,  Acker  fired  at  the  commanding 
officer.  The  sudden  report  of  the  musket  frightened  the  horse,  which 
immediately  commenced  plunging  ;  the  rider  in  his  efforts  to  restrain  the 
restive  animal,  lost  his  hat,  which  Acker  determined  to  possess  himself 
of;  he  was  again  reloading  his  piece,  when  the  enemy,  not  knowing  the 
number  of  assailants,  deemed  it  proper  to  retire,  which  they  effected 
with  much  haste  and  confusion. 

Jacob  Acker,  commonly  called  Rifle  Jake,  is  reported  to  have  killed 
with  his  own  hands,  on  different  occasions,  five  or  six  of  the  enemy. 

Two  miles  north-east  of  the  county  house  are  situated  the  l'four 
corners"  (so  called  in  contradistinction  to  the  upper,)  better  known  as 
Young's  hurt  house. 

We  learn  from  the  petition  of  Martha  Young,  Samuel  Young,  and 
Thomas  Young,  (former  proprietors  of  this  place,)  and  the  report  of  the 
committee  made  thereon,  that  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution- 
ary war  Joseph  Young,  father  of  said  Samuel  Young,  resided  about  four 
miles  east  of  Hudson  river,  on  the  road  leading  from  Tarrytown  to  the 
White  Plains ;  that  after  the  British  took  possession  of  the  city  of  New 
York  and  part  of  the  county  of  Westchester,  that  road  was  denominated 
the  American  lines.  The  elevated  situation  of  the  dwelling  house  and 
the  number  of  out-buildings,  rendered  it  a  convenient  post  for  the 
American  troops;  that  from-  August,  1776,  until  February,  17S0,  the 
said  dwelling-house  was  occupied  as  headquarters  for  the  several  com- 
manders in  those  lines,  and  the  out-houses  were  occupied  as  barracks 
for  the  soldiers,  and  places  of  deposit  for  their  provisions  and  military 
stores  ;  that  on  the  night  of  the  24th  of  December,  1778,  Captain  Wil- 
liams of  the  American  army,  who,  with  about  forty  soldiers,  was  quar- 
tered in  the  dwelling-house  and  barns,  was  attacked  by  the  British 
refugees,  under  the  command  of  Major  Barrymore;  that  said  Captain 
Williams  and  a  party  of  soldiers,  and  said  Joseph  Young,  were  taken 
prisoners ;  that  the  said  Young  was  himself  confined  in  the  provost  of 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


553 


the  City  of  New  York  about  one  year;  that  the  bam  of  the  said  Joseph 
Young  was  burned  by  the  British  refugees,  who  also  took  from  the  said 
Joseph  Young  a  large  and  valuable  stock  of  cattle;  that  in  the  winter 
of  1779,  said  dwelling-house  and  other  buildings  were  occupied  by  the 
said  continental  troops,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Burr,  and  in  the 
spring  of  that  year  by  Major  Hull,  (afterwards  General  and  Governor  of 
Michigan) ;  that  in  the  winter  of  1780  they  were  occupied  by  Colonel 
Thompson  of  the  American  army,  who  then  commanded  the  American 
troops  stationed  on  the  lines ;  that  the  prisoners  and  military  stores  be- 
longing to  said  detachment  were  deposited  in  said  buildings ;  that  on 
the  third  of  February,  17S0,  an  attack  was  made  on  that  post  by  about 
1000  British  troops  and  refugees,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Nor- 
ton ;  the  action  commenced  in  the  dwelling-house,  and  continued  in 
and  about  it  until  Colonel  Thompson  had  lost,  either  in  killed"  or 
wounded,  about  50  of  his  men,  when  he  surrendered ;  that  immediately 
thereupon  the  buildings  of  the  said  Joseph  Young  were  burnt,  by  order 
of  the  British  commander  ;  that  all  the  clothing,  bedding  and  furniture 
of  the  said  Joseph  Young  were  destroyed  at  that  inclement  season  of  the 
year." 

This  spot  is  celebrated  in  the  Westchester  Spy,  as  the  site  of  the 
hamlet  of  the  Four  Corners ;  whilst  a  little  west  of  the  present  Van  Wart 
residence  stood  the  "  Hotel  Flanagan,  a  place  of  entertainment  for  man 
and  beast."  In  front  of  this  imposing  edifice,  on  a  rough  board  sus- 
pended from  a  gallows-looking  post,  was  written  in  red  chalk, 

"ELIZABETH  FLANAGAN,  HER  HOTEL." 

This  illustrious  personage,  (who  is  said  to  have  invented  the  well- 
known  beverage  vulgarly  called  "  cock-tail,"}  was  the  widow  of  an 
American  soldier  who  had  fallen  in  the  service  of  his  country.  She  ap- 
pears to  have  gained  her  livelihood  by  driving  a  cart  to  the  various 
military  encampments ;  and  as  the  Four  Corners  happened  at  this  time 
to  be  the  headquarters  of  the  Virginia  horse,  Betty  Flanagan  had  emi- 
grated thither  with  the  troops.  Here  she  was  stationed  when  the  law- 
less Skinners  dragged  in  the  pedler  spy.3 

After  Colonel  Burr  left  the  command  of  the  troops  on  the  lines, 
m  the  year  1779,  Colonel  Thompson,  a  man  of  approved  bravery, 
assumed  it,  and  fixed  his  headquarters  at  this  place.  "  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  3d  of  February,  1780,  about  nine  o'clock,  says  General 

a  American  State  Papers  on  Revolutionary  Claims.  Doc.  600,  page  S5S.  Joseph  Tonng 
had  been  exchanged  but  a  short  time  previous  to  this  eveut.  lie  died  in  1789.  Anier.  State 
Papers,  Vol.  XIX.  Claims,  p.  85». 

i  See  Weetchester  Spy,  by  Feuimore  Cooper. 


554 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTEft. 


Heath.)  the  enemy  made  an  attack  on  Lieut.-Colonel  Thompson,  who 
commanded  the  troops  on  the  lines ;  the  colonel's  force  consisted  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  in  five  companies,  properly  officered; 
they  were  instructed  to  move  between  Croton  River  and  the  White 
Plains,  Hudson's  River  and  Bedford ;  never  to  remain  long  at  any  one 
place,  that  the  enemy  might  not  be  able  to  learn  their  manner  of  doing 
duty,  or  form  a  plan  for  striking  them  in  any  particular  situation.  The 
colonel  had  for  some  days  taken  post  himself  at  Young's,  not  far  from 
the  White  Plains.  Capt.  Watson,  with  his  company,  was  with  the  Lieut- 
Colonel,  Capt.  Roberts  and  Capt.  Stoddard,  with  their  companies,  were 
on  the  right ;  Capt.  Lieutenant  Farley,  and  Capt.  Cooper,  on  the  left. 
The  force  of  the  enemy  consisted  of  four  flank  companies  of  the  first 
and  second  British  regiments  of  guards,  detachments  from  two  Hessian 
battalions,  some  mounted  yaugers,  and  mounted  refugees — the  whole 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Norton,  of  the  guards.  The  roads  were 
so  filled  with  snow,  that  the  enemy  advanced  but  slowly,  and  were  obliged 
to  leave  their  field-pieces  behind  on  the  road.  They  were  discovered  at 
a  distance  by  Mr.  Campbell,  one  of  our  guides,  who,  from  the  goodness 
of  his  horse,  reconnoitred  them  pretty  near.  He  gave  the  lieutenant- 
colonel  notice  of  their  advancing,  and  that  their  force  was  considerable, 
and  advised  him  to  take  a  stronger  position  a  little  in  his  rear.  But  the 
lieutenant-colonel  was  very  confident  that  the  enemy  were  only  a  body 
of  horse,  and  that  he  could  easily  disperse  them,  and  would  not  quit 
his  ground.  They  first  attacked  a  small  advanced  guard,  consisting  of  a 
sergeant  and  eight  men,  who  behaved  well,  and  meant  to  reach  the 
main  body  in  season ;  but  were  prevented  by  the  horse,  and  all  taken 
prisoners.  The  enemy's  horse  soon  appeared  in  sight  of  the  Americans, 
and  discharged  their  rifles  at  long  shot,  and  waited  the  coming  up  of  the 
infantry,  when  a  warm  action  commenced;  the  enemy  scattered,  taking 
advantage  of  the  ground  and  trees  in  the  orchard,  and  closing  up  on  all 
sides.  The  three  companies  of  the  detachment  which  had  joined,  fought 
well.  After  about  fifteen  minutes  sharp  conflict,  our  troops  broke; 
some  took  into  the  house,  and  others  made  off ;  the  enemy's  horse  rush- 
ing on  at  the  same  instant,  and  the  whole  shouting.  At  this  time,  the 
two  flank  companies  came  up,  but,  finding  how  matters  stood,  judged  it 
best  to  retreat;  Capt.  Stoddard's  company  giving  a  fire  or  two  at  long 
shot.  Capt.  Cooper's,  from  their  distance,  not  firing  at  all.  Some  who 
were  engaged  effected  their  escape,  others  were  overtaken  by  the  horse. 
The  enemy  collected  what  prisoners  they  could,  set  Mr.  Young's  house 
and  buildings  on  fire,  and  returned. 

Of  the  Americans,  thirteen  were  killed  on  the  spot ;  and  Captain 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


555 


Roberts,  who  was  mortally  wounded,  lived  hut  a  few  minutes.  Seven- 
teen others  were  wounded,  several  of  whom  died.  Lieut. -Colonel 
Thompson,  of  Marshall's;  Capt.  Watson,  of  Grcaton's;  Capt.-Lieut. 
Farley,  of  Wesson's ;  Lieut.  Burley,  of  Tupper's ;  Lieut.  Maynard,  of 
Greaton's ;  Ensign  Fowler,  of  Nixon's ;  Ensign  Bradley,  of  Bigelow's ; 
with  eighty-nine  others,  were  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy  left  three 
men  dead  on  the  field,  and  a  captain  of  grenadiers  was  wounded  in  the 
hip,  and  a  lieutenant  of  infantry  in  the  thigh.  The  British,  in  their  ac- 
count of  their  action,  acknowledged  that  they  had  five  men  killed,  and 
eighteen  wounded.  Lieut. -Colonel  Badlam,  with  the  relief  for  the  lines, 
was  at  the  time  of  the  action  far  advanced  on  his  march ;  but  not  within 
reach  of  those  engaged. 

One  Mayhew,  a  pedler,  well  known  in  Massachusetts,  was  of  this  de- 
tachment ;  he  made  off  up  the  road,  but  finding  the  horse  rushing  on, 
he  struck  off  into  the  snow,  almost  up  to  his  hips.  Two  of  the  enemy's 
horse  turned  in  his  track  after  him ;  and,  gaining  fast  upon  him,  he  asked 
them  if  they  would  give  him  quarter ;  they  replied,  "  Yes,  you  dog,  we 
will  quarter  you."  This  was  twice  repeated,  when  Mayhew,  finding  them 
inflexible,  determined  to  give  them  one  shot  before  he  was  quartered ; 
and,  turning  round,  discharged  his  piece  at  the  first  horseman,  who" 
cried  out,  "  The  rascal  has  broken  my  leg  ; "  when  both  of  them  turned 
their  horses  round,  and  went  off,  leaving  Mayhew  at  liberty  to  tread  back 
his  path  to  the  road,  and  come  off."a 

Thacher,  in  his  Military  Journal,  thus  describes  the  action : — 

"February,  17S0,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson  had  the  command  of  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  as  an  advanced  party,  on  our  lines.  He  was  in- 
structed to  be  constantly  alert,  and  in  motion,  that  the  enemy  might  not  be  able 
to  take  advantage,  and  form  a  plan  for  his  destruction.  It  happened,  however, 
that  a  detachment  of  British,  Hessians,  and  mounted  refugees,  were  discovered 
advancing  towards  him ;  but  on  account  of  a  very  deep  snow  obstructing  the 
road,  they  marched  slowly,  and  Col.  Thompson  resolved  to  defend  his  ground. 
The  enemy's  horse  first  advanced  and  commenced  skirmishing  till  their  infantry 
approached,  when  a  sharp  conflict  ensued,  which  continued  about  fifteen  min- 
utes ;  some  of  our  troops  manifested  symptoms  of  cowardice,  and  gave  way. 
The  enemy  secured  the  advantage,  and  rushed  on  with  a  general  shout,  which 
soon  decided  the  contest.  The  Americans  lost  thirteen  men  killed,  and  Captain 
Roberts, b  being  mortally  wounded,  soon  expired;  seventeen  others  were 

a  Heath's  Mem.,  p  "29. 

b  It  was  afterwards  related  by  Isaac  van  Wart,  that  the  day  previous  to  this  fata!  occur- 
rence, Captain  Roberts,  In  a  conversation  with  him.  mentioned  that  his  father  had  been 
piled  in  the  old  French  war.  and  be  was  sure  he  should  fall  in  the  present  Btruggle,  He 
fell,  alas!  not  by  the  hand  of  a  foe,  but  by  one  of  his  own  countrymen,  a  refugee  named 
Hammond,  who,  as  he  recognized  this  brave  officer,  exclaimed,  ""Now  I  will  give  it  yon ! " 
and  llred  with  deadly  effect.  His  bod  v  w:is  found  after  the  conflict,  with  one  of  his  lingers 
barbarously  bitten  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  gold  ring.  His  murderers  had  also  inhu- 
manly placed  their  feet  upon  the  body  to  draw  off  his  boots.  It  mav  he  as  well  to  mention 
here  that  Col.  Nortou  was  promoted  for  his  services  on  this  occasion.— Editor. 


556 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


wounded.  Lieut.  Col,  Thompson,  and  six  other  officers,  with  ninety-eight  rank 
and  file,  were  made  prisoners.  Of  the  enemy,  two  officers  and  eighteen  men 
were  wounded  ;  and  five  men  killed."* 

The  British  advanced  by  the  southern  road,  and  divided  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Four  Corners — one  party  going  west,  the  other  marching  di- 
rectly upon  the  house.  The  party  moving  west  intercepted  or  cut  off 
Isaac  van  Wart  and  a  small  company  under  his  command,  who  were 
attempting  to  succor  their  comrades.  The  dead,  who  fell  in  this  en- 
gagement, were  buried  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  upon  the  rising 
bank  of  a  small  hollow  north-east  of  the  Van  Wart  residence. 

"  On  this  occasion,"  (says  Samuel  Young,  in  a  letter  written  to  Com- 
modore Valentine  Morris,  dated  Mount  Pleasant,  25th  January,  1814,) 
"  my  father's  house  with  all  his  out-houses  were  burnt.  After  this  dis- 
aster our  troops  never  made  an  effort  to  protect  that  part  of  the  country. 
The  American  lines  were  afterwards  changed  and  extended  from  Bed- 
ford to  Croton  bridge,  and  from  thence  following  the  course  of  that 
river  to  the  Hudson.  All  the  intermediate  country  was  abandoned  and 
unprotected,  being  about  twenty  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  ground  which 
Colonel  Burr  had  maintained,  when  posted  on  the  lines.  Samuel  Young 
served  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Burr  during  the  Revolutionary 
war. 

A  letter  from  Judge  Young,  of  Westchester  County,  New  York.'' 

MorNT  Pleasant,  Jan.  25,  1814. 

Dear  Sir  : 

Your  letter  of  the  30th  ult.,  asking  for  some  account  of  the  campaign  in  which 
I  served  under  the  command  of  Col.  Burr,  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  was 
received  some  davs  ago,  and  has  been  constantly  in  my  mind.  I  will  reply  to  it 
with  pleasure,  but  the  compass  of  a  letter  will  not  admit  of  much  detail.  I  re- 
sided in  the  lines  from  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution  until  the  winter  of 
1777,  when  my  father's  house  was  burnt  by  order  ci  the  British  General. 
The  County  of  Westchester,  very  soon  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities, 
became,  on  account  of  its  exposed  situation,  a  scene  of  the  deepest  distress. 
From  the  Croton  to  Kingsbridge  every  species  of  rapine  and  lawlessness  pre- 
vailed. Jso  man  went  to  his  bed  but  under  the  apprehension  of  having  his  house 
plundered  or  burnt,  or  himself  or  family  massacred  before  morning.'  Some, 
under  the  character  of  Whigs,  plundered  the  Tories;  while  others,  of  the  latter 
description,  plundered  the  Whigs.  Parties  of  marauders  assuming  either  charac- 
ter, or  none,  as  suited  their  convenience,  indiscriminately  assailed  both  Whigs 
and  Tories.  So  little  vigilance  was  used  on  our  part,  that  the  emissaries  and 
spies  of  the  enemy  passed  and  repassed  without  interruption.  These  calamities 

a  Thachcr's  Military  Journal,  185. 
b  Davis's  Mem.  of  Burr,  vol,  i,  165. 

c  We  are  indebted  for  this  important  letter  to  our  friend  and  neighbor,  T.  R.  Randall,  LL.D., 
of  tills  village.  Editor  Historical  Magazine.  Copied  from  Historical  Magazine,  new  series, 
vol.  ix,  No.  G.  June,  1871.  page  284. 


THE  TOWN  OK  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  557 

continued  undiminished  until  the  arrival  of  Col.  Burr,  in  the  autumn  of  the 
year  1778.  He  took  command  of  the  same  troops  which  his  predecessor,  Col. 
Littlefield,  commanded.  At  the  moment  of  Col.  Burr's  arrival,  Col.  Littlefield 
had  returned  from  a  plundering  expedition  (lor  to  plunder  those  called  Tories 
was  then  deemed  lawful)  and  had  brought  up  horses,  cattle,  bedding,  clothing, 
and  other  articles  of  easy  transportation,  which  he  had  proposed  to  distribute 
among  the  party ;  the  next  day  Col.  Burr's  flrct  act  of  authority  was  to  seize  and 
to  secure  all  this  plunder,  and  he  immediately  took  measures  for  restoring  it  to 
the  owners.  This  gave  us  much  trouble,  but  it  was  abundantly  repaid  by  the 
confidence  it  inspired.  He  then  made  known  his  determination  to  suppress 
plundering.  The  same  day  he  visited  all  the  guards,  changed  the  position,  dis- 
missed some  of  the  officers  whom  he  found  totally  incompetent,  gave  new  in- 
structions. On  the  same  day,  also,  he  commenced  a  register  of  the  names  and 
characters  of  all  who  resided  near  and  be'.ow  his  guards— distinguishing  by 
secret  marks  the  Whig,  the  timid  "Whig,  the  Tory,  the  horse-thief  and  those  con- 
cerned in  or  suspected  of  giving  information  to  the  enemy.  He  also  began  a 
map  of  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort — of  the  roads,  bye-roads,  paths, 
creeks,  morasses,  etc.,  which  might  become  hiding-places  for  the  disaffected,  or 
for  marauding  parties.  This  map  was  made  by  Col.  Burr  himself,  from  such 
materials  as  he  could  collect  on  the  spot,  but  principally  from  his  own  observa- 
tions. He  raised  and  established  acorpsof  horsemen  from  among  the  respectable 
farmers  and  young  men  of  the  country,  of  tried  patriotism,  fidelity  and  courage. 
These  also  served  as  aids  and  confidential  persons,  for  the  transmission  of  orders. 
To  this  corps  I  attached  myself  as  volunteer,  but  did  not  receive  pay.  He  em- 
ployed discreet  and  faithful  persons,  living  near  the  enemy's  lines,  to  watch 
their  motions  and  give  him  immediate  intelligence.  He  employed  mounted 
videttes,  for  the  same  purpose,  directing  two  of  them  to  proceed  together ;  so 
that  one  might  be  dispatched,  if  necessary,  with  information  to  the  Colonel, 
while  the  other  might  watch  the  enemy's  movements.  He  established  signals 
throughout  the  lines;  so  that,  whether  by  night  or  by  day, instant  notice  might 
be  had  of  an  attack  or  movement  of  the  enemy.  He  enforced  various  regulations 
for  concealing  his  position  and  force  from  the  enemy. 

The  laxity  of  discipline,  which  had  before  prevailed,  enabled  the  enemy  fre- 
quently to  employ  their  emissaries  to  coma  within  the  lines  and  learn  the  pre- 
cise state  of  our  forces,  supplies,  etc.  Col.  Burr  soon  made  an  end  of  these  dan- 
gerous intrusions,  by  prohibiting  all  persons  residing  below  the  lines,  except  a 
few  whom  he  selected — such  as  Parson  Barstow,  Jacob  Smith,  and  others  whose 
integrity  was  unimpeachable — from  approaching  the  out-posts.  If  any  one  had 
a  complaint  or  request  to  make  of  the  Colonel,  he  procured  one  or  more  of  the 
persons  he  had  selected,  to  come  to  his  quarters  on  his  behalf.  This  measure 
prevented  frivolous  and  vexatious  applications,  and  the  still  more  dangerous 
approach  of  enemies  in  disguise.  All  these  measures  were  entirely  new ;  and, 
within  eight  or  ten  days,  the  whole  system  appeared  to  be  in  complete  opera- 
tion, and  the  face  of  things  was  totally  changed. 

A  few  days  after  the  Colonel's  arrival,  the  house  of  one  Gedney  was  plundered 
in  the  night,  and  the  family  abused  and  terrified.  Gedney  sent  his  son  to  make 
a  representation  of  it  to  the  Colonel.  The  young  man,  not  regarding  the  orders 
which  had  been  issued,  came  to  the  Colonel's  quarters  undiscovered  by  the  sen- 


558 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER^ 


tinels,  having  taken  a  secret  path  through  the  fields  for  that  purpose.  For  this 
violation  of  orders  the  young  man  was  punished.  The  Colonel  immediately 
took  measures  for  the  detection  of  the  plunderers;  and,  though  they  were  all 
disguised  and  wholly  unknown  toGedney,  yet  Col.  Burr,  by  means  which  were 
never  yet  disclosed,  discovered  the  plunderers,  and  had  them  all  secured  within 
twenty-four  hours.  Gedney's  family,  on  reference  to  his  register,  appeared  to 
be  Tories;  but  Burr  had  promised  that  every  quiet  man  should  be  protected. 
He  caused  the  robbers  to  be  conveyed  to  Gedney's  house,  under  the  charge  of 
Capt  Benson  ;  there  to  restore  the  booty  they  had  taken  ;  to  make  reparation  in 
money  for  such  articles  as  were  lost  or  damaged  ;  and  for  the  alarm  and  abuse, 
the  amount  of  which  the  Colonel  assessed ;  to  be  flogged  ten  lashes,  and  to  ask 
pardon  of  the  old  man.  All  which  was  faithfully  and  immediately  executed. 
These  measures  gave  universal  satisfaction  ;  and  the  terror  they  inspired  effectu- 
ally prevented  a  repetition  of  similar  depredations.  No  further  instance  oceured 
during  the  time  of  Col.  Burr's  command. 

The  measures  adopted  by  him  were  such  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  ene- 
my to  have  passed  their  own  line  without  his  having  immediate  knowledge;  and 
it  was  these  very  measures  which  saved  Major  Hull,  on  whom  the  command  de- 
volved for  a  short  time,  when  the  state  of  Col.  Burr's  health  compelled  him  to 
retire. 

These  measures,  together  with  the  deportment  of  Col.  Burr  gained  him  the 
love  and  veneration  of  all  devoted  to  the  common  cause;  and  conciliated  even  its 
bitterest  foes.  His  habits  were  the  subject  of  admiration.  His  diet  was  simple 
and  spare  in  the  extreme — seldom  sleeping  more  than  one  hour  at  a  time,  with- 
out taking  off  his  clothes,  or  even  his  boots;  he  was  on  a  blanket  or  a  mattress, 
before  the  fire.  Between  midnight  and  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  accompanied 
by  two  or  three  of  his  corps  of  horsemen,  he  visited  the  quarters  of  all  nis  cap- 
tains and  their  picket  guards,  changing  his  route,  fro;n  time  to  time,  to  prevent 
notice  of  his  approach.  You  may  judge  of  the  severity  of  this  duty,  when  I 
assure  you  that  the  distance  he  thus  rode,  every  night,  must  have  been  from  six- 
teen to  twenty-four  miles ;  and  that,  wTith  the  exception  of  two  nights  only,  in 
which  he  was  otherwise  engaged,  he  never  omitted  these  excursions,  even  in  the 
severest  and  most  stormy  weather.  Except  the  short  time  necessarily  consumed 
in  hearing  and  answering  complaints  and  petitions  from  persons  both  above  and 
below  the  lines,  Col.  Burr  was  constantly  with  the  troops.  He  attended  to  the 
minutest  article  of  their  comfort,  to  their  lodgings,  and  to  their  diet ;  fo.-  those 
off  duty,  he  invented  sports— all  tending  to  some  useful  end. 

During  two  or  three  weeks  after  the  Colonel's  arrival  we  had  many  sharp  con- 
flicts with  the  robbers  and  horse  thieves,  who  were  hunted  down  with  unceasing 
industry.  In  many  instances,  we  encountered  great  superiority  of  numbers, 
but  always  with  success.    Many  of  those  were  killed  and  many  taken. 

The  strictest  discipline  prevailed,  and  the  army  felt  the  fullest  confidence  in 
their  commander  and  in  themselves,  and  by  these  means  became  really  formid- 
able During  the  same  winter,  Gov.  Tryon  planned  an  expedition  to  Horse- 
ueck,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  Salt  Works  erected  there,  and  marched 
with  about  two  thousand  men.  Col.  Burr  received  early  information  of  their 
movements,  and  sent  word  to  Gen.  Putnam  to  hold  the  enemy  at  bay  for  a  few 
hours;  and  he,  Col.  Burr,  would  be  in  their  rear  and  be  answerable  for  them. 


THE,  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


559 


By  a  messenger  from  him,  Col.  Burr  was  informed  by  that  general  that  he  had 
been  obliged  to  retreat,  and  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  into  Connecticut. 
This  information,  which  unfortunately  was  not  correct,  altered  Col.  Burr's  route 
towards  Mamaroneck,  which  enabled  Tryon  to  get  the  start  of  him.  Col.  Burr 
then  endeavored  to  intercept  him  in  East  Chester  according  to  his  first  plan,  and 
actually  got  within  cannon  shot  of  him.  But  Tryon  ran  too  fast ;  and  in  all  haste, 
left  most  or  all  of  his  cattle  and  plunder  behind  him,  and  many  stragglers  who 
were  picked  up. 

I  will  mention  another  enterprize  which  proved  more  successful,  though  equally 
hazardous.  Soon  after  Tryon's  retreat,  Col.  De  Lancy,  win  commanded  the 
British  Refugees,  in  order  to  secure  themselves  against  surprise,  erected  a  block 
house  on  a  rising  ground  below  De  Lancy's  bridge.  This,  Col.  Burr  resolved  to 
destroy.  1  was  in  that  expedition,  and  recollect  the  circumstances.  He  pro- 
cured a  number  of  Grenades,  also  rolls  of  port  fire  and  canteens  filled  with  in- 
flammable material,  with  contrivances  to  attach  them  to  the  side  of  the  Block 
Douse.  He  set  out  with  his  troops  early  in  the  evening,  and  arrived  within  a 
mile  of  the  block  house  by  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  Colonel  gave  Capt. 
Black  the  command  of  about  forty  volunteers  who  were  first  to  approach,  twenty 
of  them  to  carry  the  port  fires,  &c.,  &c-  Those  who  had  hand  grenades  had 
short  ladders  to  enable  them  to  reach  the  port  holes,  the  exact  height  of  which 
Col.  Burr  had  ascertained.  Col.  Burr  gave  Capt.  Black  his  instructions  in  the 
hearing  of  his  company,  assuring  him  of  his  protection  if  they  were  attacked  by 
superior  numbers ;  for  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy,  who  had  several  thousand 
men,  at  and  uear  Kingsbridge,  would  endeavor  to  cut  us  off  as  we  were  several 
miles  below  them.  Burr  directed  those  who  carried  the  combustibles  to  march 
in  front  as  silently  as  possible  ;  that  on  being  hailed,  they  should  light  the  hand 
grenades,  &c,  with  a  slow  match,  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  throw  them  in- 
to the  port  holes.  I  was  one  of  the  party  that  advanced.  The  sentinel  hailed 
and  fired.  We  rushed  on — the  first  hand  grenade  that  was  thrown  in  dro\e  the 
enemy  from  the  upper  story,  and,  before  they  could  take  any  means  to  prevent 
it,  t lie  block  house  was  on  fire  in  several  places.  Some  few  escaped  and  the 
rest  surrendered,  without  our  having  lost  a  single  man.  Though  many  shots 
were  fired  at  us,  we  did  not  fire  a  gun.  During  the  period  of  Col.  Burr's  com- 
mand, but  two  attempts  were  made  by  the  enemy  to  surprise  our  guards  -  in  both 
of  which  they  were  defeated. 

After  Col.  Burr  left  this  command,  Col.  Thompson,  a  man  of  approved  brav- 
ery, assumed  it ;  and  the  enemy,  in  open  day,  advanced  to  his  head-quarters, 
took  Col.  Thompson  and  took,  killed  and  wounded  all  his  men  with  the  exception 
of  thirty.  My  father's  house,  with  all  his  out-houses,  were  burnt.  After  these 
disasters  our  troops  never  made  an  effort  to  protect  that  part  of  the  country. 
The  American  lines  were  afterwards  changed  and  extended  from  Bedford  to 
Croton  Bridge,  and  from  thence,  following  the  course  of  that  river,  to  the  Hud- 
Son.  All  the  intermediate  country  was  abandoned  and  unprotected ;  being  about 
twenty  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  ground  which  Col.  Burr  had  maintained.  The 
year  after  the  defeat,  Col.  Thompson,  (a  brave,  and  in  many  respects  a  valuable 
officer.)  took  the  command  ;  making  his  head-quarters  at  Danford's,  about  a 
mile  above  the  Croton.  The  position  was  well  chosen  ;  but  Col.  Greene  omitted 
to  inform  himself  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and,  consequently,  was  sur- 


56o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 


prised  ;  himself,  Major  Flagg,  and  other  officers  were  killed  ;  and  a  great  part  of 
the  men  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Yet  these  officers  had  the  full 
benefit  of  Col.  Burr's  system. 

Having  perused  what  I  have  written,  it  does  not  appear  to  me  that  I  have 
conveyed  any  adequate  idea  of  Burr's  military  character.  It  may  be  aided  a 
little  by  reviewing  the  effects  it  produced. 

The  troops  of  which  he  took  command  were  undisciplined,  negligent  and  dis- 
contented. Desertions  were  frequent.  In  a  few  days,  these  very  men  were 
transformed  into  brave,  honest  defenders — orderly,  contented  and  cheerful ;  con- 
fident in  their  own  courage ;  and  loving  to  adoration  their  commander,  whom 
every  man  considered  as  his  personal  friend.  It  was  thought  a  severe  punish- 
ment, as  well  as  a  disgrace,  to  be  sent  up  to  the  camp,  where  they  had  nothing 
to  do  but  to  lounge  and  eat  their  rations.  During  the  whole  of  his  command, 
there  was  not  a  single  desertion — not  a  single  death  by  sickness— not  one  made 
prisoner  by  the  enemy — for  Col.  Burr  had  taught  us  that  a  soldier,  with  arms  in 
his  hands,  ought  never,  in  any  circumstances,  to  surrender ;  no  matter  if  he  was 
opposed  by  thousands,  it  was  his  duty  to  fight. 

After  the  first  ten  days  there  was  not  a  single  instance  of  robbery.  The  whole 
country  under  his  command  enjoyed  security.  The  inhabitants,  to  express  their 
gratitude,  frequently  brought  presents  of  such  articles  as  the  country  afforded ; 
but  Col.  Burr  would  accept  no  presents.  He  fixed  reasonable  prices,  and  paid  in 
cash  for  everything  that  was  received ;  and,  sometimes  I  knew  that  these  pay- 
ments were  made  with  his  own  money ;  whether  these  advances  were  ever  re- 
paid I  knew  not. 

Col.  Simcoe,  one  of  the  most  daring  and  active  partizans  in  the  British  army, 
was,  with  Col.  Emerich  and  De  Lancy,  opposed  to  Burr,  on  the  fines;  j*et,  they 
were  completely  held  in  check. 

But,  perhaps  the  highest  eulogy  of  Col.  Burr  is,  that  no  man  could  be  found 
capable  of  executing  his  plans,  though  the  example  was  before  them. 

When  Burr  left  the  lines,  a  sadness  overspread  the  country  ;  and  the  most 
gloomy  forebodings  were  too  soon  fulfilled,  as  you  have  seen  above.  The  period 
of  Col.  Burr's  command  was  so  full  of  activity  that  every  day  afforded  some  les- 
son of  instruction. 

But  you  will  expect  only  a  general  outline ;  and  this  faint  one,  is  the  best  in 
my  power  to  give.    I  am,  with  real  esteem, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
To  R.  V.  Morkis,  Esq.,  SAMUEL  YOUNGS. 

Mem.  of  Assembly. 

In  the  summer  of  1820,  a  stranger  was  observed  loitering  around  the 
residence  of  Mr.  Van  Wart.  Upon  being  questioned,  this  person  stated 
that  he  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  above  engagement,  and  well 
remembered  the  spot  where  he  stood  (pointing  to  a  stone)  when  the 
British  guard  was  first  seen  advancing  from  the  west.  He  had  just  dis- 
charged his  piece,  and  was  engaged  in  loading  it,  when  he  received  a 
bullet  in  his  breast,  which  passed  through  his  body.  Fortunately  he 
happened  to  be  leaning  a  little  to  the  right,  otherwise  the  vitals  could 


THE  TOWN  OK  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


not  have  escaped.  The  old  veteran  further  stated  that  he  was  then 
on  his  way  to  obtain  certificates  for  a  pension. 

At  the  Four  Corners,  Thaddeus  Kosciusko  also  fixed  his  head- 
quarters, when  the  American  army  lay  encamped  in  this  vicinity.'*  From 
Samuel  Young  the  Corners  passed  to  Isaac  van  Wart,  one  of  the  cap- 
tors of  Andre,  who  exchanged  the  original  farm  granted  by  the  State 
for  this  property.  It  is  at  present  owned  by  his  son,  the  Rev.  Sandy 
van  Wart. 

In  the  south-east  corner  of  this  town  is  situated,  upon  lands  of  Wil- 
liam Fowler,  a  gloomy  cavern,  commonly  called  Kettle  Hole,  near  the 
mouth  of  which  rises  a  mineral  spring. 

The  settlement  of  the  upper  corners  is  situated  three  miles  north  of 
the  lower.  Here  stands  the  well  known  tavern  of  Isaac  Twitchings, 
whose  name  has  conferred  on  the  place  the  appellation  of  Twitching's 
Corners.  During  one  period  of  the  Revolution,  a  Continental  picket 
guard  was  stationed  here. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  1779,  Captain  Hopkins,  of  Moylan's  light 
dragoons,  together  with  a  small  detachment  from  Sheldon's  horse,  pro- 
ceeded from  their  quarters  in  North  Castle,  to  the  vicinity  of  the  upper 
cross  roads ;  here  they  ascertained  that  Colonel  Emmerick  was  advanc- 
ing by  way  of  White  Plains.  Emmerick  himself  having  received  similar 
information  of  Hopkin's  advance,  had  previously  dispatched  Colonel 
Baremore,  with  a  strong  body  of  De  Lancey's  cavalry,  directing  them  to 
proceed  by  the  way  of  Davis's  brook,  east  of  the  upper  cross  roads. 
Hopkins  pursued  another  route,  inclining  west  of  Twitchings',  passing 
the  residences  of  Mr.  Avery  and  Colonel  Hammond,  where  he  posted  a 
strong  detachment  of  light  dragoons,  under  the  command  of  Cornet 
Pike,  (afterwards  General  Pike)  south  of  the  Tarrytown  road.  He  then 
proceeded  with  the  rest  of  his  detachment,  to  meet  Emmerick  in  person. 
He  soon  perceived  the  enemy  advancing  with  a  small  body  of  cavalry. 

Hopkins  now  retreated,  leading  Emmerick  into  his  ambuscade  sta- 
tioned in  Storms's  wood.  The  consequence  of  this  sudden  surprisal  was 
the  destruction  of  the  whole  corps,  with  the  exception  of  Emmerick  and 
a  few  dragoons.    Twenty-three  of  the  enemy  were  killed  in  this  en- 

a  Near  the  blacksmith's  shop,  (on  the  road  leading  from  the  Corners  to  White  Plains,)  a  duel 
Was  fought  between  General  Gates  and  Colonel  Wiikins, September  11,  1779.  Two  shots,  says 
Thacher,  were  exchanged  without  bloodshed,  and  a  reconciliation  was  effected.  The  gentle- 
men, it  is  said,  displayed  a  tirmness  and  bravery  becoming  their  rank  and  character,  and  have 
established  their  claim  to  the  title  of  gentlemen  of  honor,  &.C.,  &c.  Thacher's  Military  Jour- 
nal, p.  145. 

In  this  neighborhood  resided  the  noted  Brom  Boyce,  "who  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen,  en- 
roll. -A  himself  among  the  minnte  men  of  the  American  army.  He  was  soon  distinguished  for 
his  bravery  and  daring, and  was  recognized  as  the  best  guide  to  he  procured  in  tins  vicinity." 
"Boyce,  after  the  Revolution,  followed  the  business  o?  a  carman  in  the  city  o*  New  York. 
Be  was  a  member  of  the  Bedford  Street  church  about  thirty-five  years,  and  died  in  1S39,  aged 
eighty-two  years.   His  remains  were  interred  at  Tarrytown.''— Noah's  Sunday  Times. 


562 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


counter.  Hopkins  now  turned  upon  Emmerick,  pursuing  him  so  closely 
for  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  that  several  strokes  were  exchanged  be- 
tween both  parties,  until  Emmerick  cleared  a  stone  wall,  behind  which 
he  had  concealed  his  riflemen.  The  whole  company  instantly  rose  and 
fired  simultaneously  upon  Hopkins,  who  escaped  uninjured;  but  Isaac 
Odell,  who  rode  by  his  side,  was  slightly  wounded.  Hopkins  thus  in 
turn  taken  by  surprise,  wheeled  to  the  west  with  his  party,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  overtaking  his  prisoners,  resolving  to  make  good  his  retreat 
by  the  way  of  the  poor-house  road.  He  had  proceeded  no  great  dis- 
tance, when  he  beheld  approaching  a  strong  body  of  Baremore's  horse, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Avery's  mill,  a  little  north  of  the  poor  house. 
Finding  his  retreat  thus  intercepted,  he  was  compelled  to  take  the  Bed- 
ford road ;  but  hi  had  scarcely  arrived  at  See's  store,  when  he  found 
Emmerick  again  drawn  up  to  dispute  the  passage.  Hopkins  a  second 
time  discovering  his  retreat  terminated,  decided  upon  a  vigorous  charge, 
and  succeeded  in  cutting  his  way  through  the  detachment  with  the  loss 
of  a  few  prisoners.  A  running  fight  now  ensued  for  about  two  miles, 
when  Hopkins  again  found  his  course  blockaded  by  Colonel  W'urmb's 
yagers.  The  post  road  also  was  guarded  by  Pruschanck's  corps,  so 
that  Hopkins  had  no  resource  left  but  the  fields.  He  therefore  crossed 
the  mill  creek  a  little  north  of  the  Dutch  church,  Sleepy  Hollow,  the 
whole  body  of  the  enemy  joining  in  the  pursuit.  This  was  kept  up  until 
Hopkins  arrited  near  the  house  of  Job  Sherwood,  a  short  distance  from 
the  present  arch  of  the  Croton  Acqueduct,  on  the  road  to  Sing  Sing. 
Hopkins  now  rightly  judging  that  the  best  horses  of  his  pursuers  were  far 
in  advance  of  their  comrades,  instantly  checked  his  horse,  and  in  turn 
became  the  pursuer.  At  the  spring  brook  which  crosses  the  roid  in  the 
Beeckman  wood,  he  succeeded  in  capturing  one  or  two  prisoners,  in  the 
very  face  of  the  enemy,  and  made  good  his  retreat." 

Near  Twitchings'  tavern  formerly  resided  John  Yerks,  one  of  the 
seven  volunteers  connected  with  the  capture  of  Andre.  -Mr.  Yerks 
served  for  several  years  in  the  capacity  of  a  water  guard,  and  remem- 
bered to  have  seen  on  one  occasion  as  many  as  fifty  British  vessels  and 
galleys  stationed  on  the  Hudson  River.  Near  his  place  of  residence, 
himself  with  nine  others  engaged  in  a  deadly  conflict  with  a  party  of 
twenty  Cow  Boys.  In  this  skirmish  they  brought  off  three  prisoners 
and  four  horses,  besides  leaving  six  of  the  enemy  dead  on  the  field. 

The  road  from  Twitchings'  descends  gradually  to  the  valley  of  the 
saw  mill,  on  the  east  bank  of  which  stands  the  church  and  hamlet  of 
Unionville,  delightfully  sheltered  by  high  hills.    The  most  prominent 
a  The  above  was  related  to  the  author  by  Jacob  Ronier,  an  eye-witness  of  the  engagement. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT. 


5^3 


object  in  the  immediate  vicinity  is  the  Buttermilk  mountain,  which 
towers,  like  a  giant,  far  above  the  neighboring  scenery.  A  small  peren- 
nial spring  rises  on  its  eastern  edge,  which  has  conferred  this  fanciful 
name  on  the  hill.  The  summit  of  the  mountain  commands  an  exten- 
sive view  of  the  Hudson  River  and  surrounding  country. 

During  the  progress  of  the  United  States  coast  survey,  the  Butter- 
milk formed  one  of  its  stations. 

The  Dutch  Reformed  church  of  Unionville,  was  first  organized  in 
iS^o,"  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  and  incor- 
porated on  the  8th  of  August,  1842,  by  the  title  of  the  "  Minister, 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of 
Unionville."  First  elders,  John  Newman,  Abraham  Onderdonck,  and 
Isaac  G.  Graham,  Jun.;  first  deacons,  Abraham  Yerks,  Thomas  Ange- 
vine  and  Ebenezer  Newman.*  This  church  is  in  connection  with  the 
New  York  Classis. 

In  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Unionville  is  the  residence  and 
estate  of  the  late  Isaac  G.  Graham,  M.D.,  for  some  years  a  member  of 
General  Washington's  medical  staff,  and  a  lineal  descendant  of  the 
ancient  and  honorable  family  of  the  Grahams  of  Montrose  in  Scot- 
land, who  derive  their  origin  from  the  renowned  Grame  in  the  fifth  cen- 
tury. In  this  vicinity,  also,  resided  the  late  Mr.  Walter  Hunt,  an  aged 
soldier  of  the  revolution. 

Pleasantville,  (formerly  Clark's  Corners,)  lies  nearly  midway  between 
the  Pocanteco  and  Saw  Mill  rivers  on  the  north-east  border  of  Mount 
Pleasant;  the  village  is  delightfully  situated  on  the  western  edge  of 
Bear  Ridge.  A  beautiful  vale  extends  south,  while  through  the  gap  of 
the  western  hills  may  be  seen  the  distant  mountains  of  Rockland.  It 
contains  one  church,  two  stores,  a  post-office,  and  several  dwellings. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Pleasantville  appears  to  have 
been  the  first  of  that  denomination  founded  in  this  section  of  the 
country.  As  early  as  1S00  a  class  meeting  was  organized  on  Bear  ridge, 
near  the  residence  of  Mr.  Jesse  Barker.  The  present  building  was 
erected  in  1820.  Its  pastor,  in  1847,  was  the  Rev.  Charles  T.  Pelton. 
A  small  burying-ground  surrounds  the  church,  which  contains  memorials 
to  the  Clarks,  Brouwers,  Montroses,  Searles,  Romers,  Ackers  and  others. 

A  short  distance  west  of  the  village  is  situated  the  Westchester  rail- 
road depot  ar.d  hotel,  in  front  of  which  rise  high  hills  crowned  with 
luxuriant  woods ;  among  the  former  are  most  conspicuous,  Searles'  and 
Wild  Boar  hills. 


a  The  present  church  edifice  was  erected  the  same  year. 
b  Religious  3oc  Co.  Reo.,  Lib.  B.  73. 


564 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


To  the  West  of  Pleasantville,  almost  bordering  the  Bronx  river,  rises 
Bear  Ridge — so  called  from  a  venerable  relict  of  the  bruen  race,  that 
in  early  provincial  times  resided  in  the  stump  of  an  ancient  oak  on  its 
summit.  Upon  the  south-eastern  extremity  of  this  elevated  portion  of 
the  town,  is  situated  the  "  Westchester  Nursery,"  the  property  of  the 
late  Edward  Jessup  Carpenter,  whose  father,  David  R.  Carpenter,  bought 
the  estate  about  twenty-five  years  ago  of  Underhill  Quimby;  it  having 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Baker  family.  Nothing  can  be  finer  than  the 
views  from  this  beautiful  spot,  which  commands  a  most  extensive  pros- 
pect of  eight  counties,  viz  :  Suffolk,  Queens  and  Kings,  Long  Island ; 
Fairfield,  Conn.;  Putnam,  New  York;  Rockland,  Orange  and  Bergen; 
besides  beautiful  views  of  the  North  and  East  rivers,  the  Palisades  and 
the  Hook  on  the  west  side  of  the  former,  the  Dunderberg  or  Bread 
Tray  Mountain,  (so  called  on  account  of  its  shape.)  on  which  the  line 
runs  between  Orange  and  Rockland  Counties.  Bear  Ridge,  too,  is 
noted  as  being  the  water-shed  of  this  section  of  Westchester  County — 
on  the  east  the  Bronx,  which  rises  in  the  Dark  valley,  within  only  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile,  flows  into  the  East  River ;  while  on  the  west,  the 
Nepera,  which  has  its  source  from  among  the  springs  or  little  trout 
streams  of  the  neighborhood,  rising  from  Prospect  Ridge,  Fox  Hill, 
Locust  Hill  and  other  high  points.  The  neighboring  estates  belong  to 
the  late  James  M.  Bard-^Fairview,  to  James  V.  Stoutenburg ;  Valley- 
view,  to  Edward  Haight;  Brook  Dale,  to  David  H.  Lane;  Prospect 
Hill,  to  Stephen  White;  Casa  Perdida,  to  E.  C.  F.  Judson;  Palmer 
Homestead,  to  John  W.  Palmer;  Fruit  Farm,  to  G.  M.  Purdy;  and 
Prospect  Ridge,  to  D.  Hull,  with  many  others. 

"  There  is  in  this  town  a  great  variety  of  timber  and  wood,  being  a 
good  proportion  of  almost  every  kind  which  is  known  to  grow  in  this 
part  of  the  counrty."  The  surface  of  the  town  is  mostly  hilly,  the  soil 
productive  and  well  cultivated.  Mount  Pleasant  has  the  reputation  of 
being  rich  in  mineral  productions;  an  iron  mine  has  recently  been 
opened  on  the  land  of  the  late  David  Acker.  Native  iron  ore  also 
(probably  of  meteoric  origin)  is  frequently  found  on  the  surface  of  the 
earth  in  various  parts  of  the  town.  The  following  town  officers  were 
elected  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of  1845  : 

Isaac  Coutant,  Supervisor; 

Jacob  T.  Brower,  Town  Clerk; 

William  Brown,  Town  Svperintendant; 

Abrah  am  Broi  wer,  Trustee  of  the  Poor; 

Hkrvey  Romeb,  Assessor; 

Henry  Clark,  Jr.,  Commissioner  of  Highways; 

Amos  Clark,  Overseer  of  the  Poor; 

Hebby  Brown,  Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures; 

Andrew  Vincent,  Constable. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 

ISTS"W  CASTLE. 


This  township  is  situated  ten  miles  north  of  the  village  of  White 
Plains,  and  distant  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  miles  from  Albany; 
bounded  North  by  Cortlandt,  Yorktown  and  Somers,  East  by  Bedford, 
South  by  North  Castle,  and  West  by  Ossining  and  Mount  Pleasant. 
New  Castle  was  taken  from  the  older  town  of  North  Castle,  and  set 
off  as  a  separate  or  distinct  township  on  the  18th  of  March,  1791. 

By  the  Indians  it  was  called  Shappequa,  or  Chappequa ;  which  tradition 
asserts  to  mean  literally,  "  The  Laurel  Swamp" a  it  might  have  been, 
however,  a  mere  corruption  of  the  Algonquin  term,  "  Chapacour." 
which  signifies  "  a  vegetable  root."*5  The  name  still  survives  in  the  Chap- 
pequa hills,  and  has  been  conferred  on  a  small  hamlet  in  the  Southern 
part  of  the  town. 

The  chief  aboriginal  proprietor  of  these  lands,  in  1696,  was  the  Indian 
Sachem  Wampus,  whose  principal  residence  is  said  to  have  been  situ- 
ated near  the  pond  of  that  name  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town.  An 
Indian  village  formerly  stood  on  the  Chappequa  hills  in  the  rear  of  the 
late  Abraham  Hyatt's  residence  ;  while  another  settlement  was  located 
on  the  southern  bank  of  Roaring  Brook.  There  is  also  an  Indian  bury- 
ing ground  in  this  locality  on  the  property  of  the  late  James  Weeks  now 
owned  by  his  grandson,  James  Hunt ;  human  bones  are  occasionally 
disinterred,  here  on  working  the  roads,  together  with  Indian  pestels  or 
pounders  and  arrow  heads.  The  late  Abraham  Hyatt,  Esq.,  well  re- 
membered, when  a  youth,  to  have  seen  seventeen  Indians  from  the 
Chappequa  hills  passing  the  old  homestead,  near  Roaring  Brook,  in 
file  on  their  way  to  Rye  or  Sawpitts  by  the  sound  for  salt  or  "  to  salt " 

a  Testimony  of  the  late  Abraham  Hyatt,  Esq.,  of  Chappoona,  who  ha*  alwavs  hoard  this 
meaning  given  to  the  word  for  eighty  years  past.  There  Is  an  extensive  laurel  swamp  on  the 
Hyatt  farm  near  Roaring  Brook. 

b  Beverly's  Hist,  of  Virginia,  p.  121. 

BBS 


566 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  WESTCHESTER. 


as  they  termed  it.  On  the  south  side  of  Kirby's  pond,  at  New  Castle 
corner,  the  Indians  had  their  wigwams  and  a  burying  ground.  Their 
tools  are  frequently  found  in  the  adjoining  fields.  The  Indians  are  said 
to  have  been  very  numerous  in  this  town  seventy  years  ago. 

In  1666  John  Richbell.  of  Mamaroneck,  purchased  of  the  Indians  (who 
claimed  to  be  lords  of  the  soil)  a  large  tract  of  land  extending  twenty 
miles  north  of  the  sound.  This  grant  comprised  the  entire  township  of 
New  Castle. 

The  next  proprietor  was  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  obtained  of 
Mrs.  Anne  Richbell  a  patent  right  to  purchase  lands,  '-which  are  already 
included  in  her  husband's  sale  of  1660;"  upon  the  12th  of  October,  1696, 
his  excellency,  Benjamin  Fletcher,  captain  general  and  governor  of  his 
Majesty's  province  of  New  York,  &c,  did  grant  unto  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Esq.  "  Free  liberty  and  license  to  purchase  vacant  land  in  the  County  of 
Westchester,  between  Croton's  river  and  the  south  bounds  of  Mr.  Har- 
rison's purchase,  &c." 

Twelve  days  after  the  date  of  the  above  license,  occurs  the  following 
deed  from  the  Indians: 

THE  INDIAN  DEED  OF  WAMPUS'S  LAND. 

"  This  indenture  made  on  the  19th  of  October,  hi  the  eighth  year  of  the  reign 
of  our  Sovereign  Lord  William  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  etc.,  &c.,  and  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  Christ,  169(5,  between  Wampus,  Indian  sachem,  and  others, 
whose  names  are  hereunto  set  and  seals  affixed,  native  proprietors  of  all  that 
tract  of  laud,  situate,  lying,  aud  being  in  the  county  of  Westchester  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York  in  America,  bounded  north  by  Scroton  (Croton)  river,  e:<st- 
erdly  by  Byram  river  and  Bedford  line,  southerly  by  the  land  of  John  Harrison 
and  his  associates,  and  the  line  stretching  to  Byram  river  aforesaid,  and  west- 
erdly  by  the  land  of  Frederick  Phil  ipse." 

''Now  knoicall  men  that  said  Wampus,  Cornelius  aud  Coharuith,  Indian  sach- 
ems, and  others,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed  aud  seals  affixed,  the 
native  proprietors  of  all  the  aforesaid  tract  of  laud,  have,  for  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  sum  of  £100,  good  and  lawful  money  of  New  York  to  them  in  hands 
paid  by  the  said  Caleb  Heathcote,  at  and  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  t  hey  do  hereby  acknowledge,  and  themselves 
and  each  and  every  of  them  to  be  therewith  full}7  satisfied,  contented  and  paid, 
and  thereof  and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  they  do  by  these  presents  fprever 
acquit  and  discharge  the  said  Caleb  Heathcote,  his  heirs,  executors  and  adminis- 
trators, &c.  having  given,  granted,  bargained  and  sold,  aliened,  enfeeoffed.  re- 
leased and  confirmed,  aud  do  by  these  presents  clearly  aud  absolutely  give, 
grant,  bargain  and  sell,  alien,  enfeof,  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Caleb 
Heathcote,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  for  ever,  all  that  the  before  mentioned  tract  of 
land  within  the  county  of  Westchester,  bounded  as  above  expressed  and  set 
forth,  together  with  all  and  singular,  the  messuages,  tenements,  gardens,  orch- 
ards, arable  lands,  pastures,  feedings,  woods,  underwoods,  meadows,  marshes, 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


567 


lakes,  ponds,  rivers,  rivulets,  mines,  minerals,  (royal  mines  only  excepted,)  fish- 
ing, fowling,  hunting  and  hawking,  rights,  privileges,  hereditaments,  and  ap- 
purtenances to  the  same  belonging  or  in  any  way  appertaining,  and  all  the  estate, 
right,  interest,  claim,  possession,  property  and  demand  of  the  said  Wampus, 
Cornelius  and  Coharnith,  sachems,  and  the  other  Indians  whose  names  are  here- 
unto subscribed,  and  each  and  every  of  them,  in  and  to  the  premises,  in  and  to 
ever}'  part  and  parcel  thereof,  to  7iavc  and  to  hold  the  before  mentioned  tract  of 
land  and  all  other  the  above  granted  premises  to  him  the  said  Caleb  Heathcote, 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  only  proper  benefit  and  behoof  of  him  the  said  Caleb 
IIe:ithcole,  his  heirfl  and  assigns  forever.  In  testimony  whereof,  the  parties  to 
these  presents  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  affixed  their  seals,  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written.* 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  Pathunck. 
presence  of  Coharnus. 


Wacapo  M  her  mark. 
Wampus,  Indian,  O  his  mark. 
Cornelius,  3D  his  mark. 
Roe  Roe,  ^  his  mark. 

The  above  sale  included  the  township  of  New  Castle,  and  all  that 
portion  of  North  Castle  lying  West  of  the  Byram  river. 

Upon  the  fourteenth  day  of  February,  1 701-2,  the  following  letters 
patent  were  issued  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province  of  New  York, 
to  Robert  Walters  and  his  associates ;  they  rendering  and  paying  there- 
fore to  the  King  or  his  heirs  and  surveyors,  the  yearly  rent  of  six  pounds 
five  shillings,  current  money  of  New  York,  in  lieu  and  stead  of  all  other 
demands,  &c. 

THE  WEST  PATENT  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 
"William  the  Third,  bjr  the  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  France,  and 
Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  etc.,  to  all  whom  these  presents  shall 
come,  sendeth  greeting :  Whereas,  our  loving  subjects,  Robert  Walters,  Leigh 
At  wood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Heathcote,  Matthew  Clarkson,  John  Chol- 
well,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  Simes,  Robert  Lurting,  and  Barne  Cosens, 
have,  by  their  petitions,  presented  unto  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  John  Nan- 
fan,  Esq.,  our  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  province  of 
New  York,  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  etc.,  prayed  our 
grant  and  confirmation  of  a  certain  tract  of  laud  in  our  County  of  Westchester, 
bounded  northerly  by  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  eastwardly  with  Bedford  line 
of  three  miles  square,  the  white  fields  and  Byram  River,  southerly  by  the  land 
of  John  Harrison,  Rye  line  stretching  to  Byram  River  aforesaid,  and  the  White 
Plains,  and  westwardly  by  Bronck's  River  aud  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  ex- 
cepting out  of  the  bounds  aforesaid,  all  the  land  in  Mr.  Richbell's  patent,  accord- 
ing to  the  lines  of  the  said  patent,  now  in  the  tenure  and  occupation  of  Colonel 


William  Lawrence,  and 
Joseph  Samuel. 


Betty  Pathunck. 
Willro  Coharnus's  wife. 


a  Alb.  Rec.  Indian  deeds,  warrant  for  survey.  Lib.  I,  52-63. 


568 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Caleb  Heatheote,  -which  first  above  named  tract  of  land  was  purchased  by  Col- 
onel Caleb  Heatheote  and  others,  -w  ith  whom  he  has  agreed,  excepting  James 
Mott  and  Henry  Disbrow,  whom  he  hath  nndertaken  to  satisfye.  Within  which 
bounds  there  are,  by  estimation,  about  five  thousand  acres  of  profitable  land, 
besides  wastes  and  woodlands,  which  reasonable  request  we  being  willing  to 
grant,  know  ye,  that  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  meer  motion, 
wee  have  given,  granted,  ratified,  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  doe,  for 
us,  our  heirs,  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  our  said  loving 
subjects,  Robert  Walters.  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Heath- 
cote,  Matthew  Clarkson,  John  Cholwell,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  Simes,  Rob- 
ert Lurting,  and  Barne  Cosens,  all  the  above  recited  tract  of  land  within  our 
County  of  Westchester,  and  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid,  together 
with  all  and  singular  the  woods,  underwoods,  trees,  timber,  feedings,  pastures, 
meadows,  marshes,  swamps,  ponds,  pools,  waters,  water  courses,  rivers,  rivulets, 
runs,  brooks,  streams,  fishing,  fowling,  hunting  and  hawking,  mines,  minerals, 
(silver  and  gold  mines  excepted,)  and  all  other  profits  and  benefits,  privileges, 
and  libertyes,  advantages,  hereditaments,  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  the 
aforesaid  tract  of  land  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid  mentioned,  be- 
longing, or  in  any  ways  appertaining,  to  have  and  to  hold,  all  the  aforesaid  tract 
of  land,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  woods,  underwoods,  trees,  timber, 
feedings,  pastures,  meadows,  marshes,  swamps,  ponds,  pools,  waters,  water 
courses,  rivers,  rivulets,  runs,  brooks,  streams,  fishing,  fowling,  hunting  and 
hawking,  mines,  minerals,  (silver  and  gold  mines  excepted.)  and  all  other 
profits,  benefits,  privileges,  liberties,  advantages,  hereditaments  and  appurten- 
ances whatsoever  to  the  aforesaid  tract  of  land  within  the  limits  and  bounds 
aforesaid,  belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining  unto  them,  the  said  Robert 
Walters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Heatheote,  Matthew  Clark- 
son,  John  Cholwell,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  Simes,  Robert  Lurting,  and  Barne 
Cosens,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  of 
them,  the  said  Robert  Walters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb 
Heatheote,  Matthew  Clarkson,  John  Cholwell,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  Simes, 
Robert  Lurting,  and  Barne  Cosens,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  to  be  holden 
of  us,  our  heirs,  and  successors,  in  free  and  common  soccage,  as  of  our  manor  of 
East  Greenwich,  in  our  County  of  Kent,  within  our  Realm  of  England,  yielding, 
rendering  and  paying  therefore  yearly,  and  every  year  forever,  at  our  city  of 
New  York,  unto  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  or  to  such  officer  or  officers  as 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  empowered  to  receive  the  same,  the  annual  and 
yearly  rent  of  six  pounds,  five  shillings,  current  money  of  New  York,  in  lieu 
and  stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues,  duties,  services  and  demands  whatsoever.  Iu 
testimony  whereof,  we  have  caused  the  great  seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  here 
unto  affixed.  Witness,  John  Nanfan,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Governor  and  Commander-in- 
chief  of  our  province  of  New  York,  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in 
America,  and  vice-Admiral  of  the  same,  at  our  fort  in  New  York,  this  14th  day 
of  February,  1701,  and  in  the  13th  year  of  our  reign  " 
M.  Clakkson,  By  his  Honour's  Command, 

Secretary.  JOHN  NANFAN. 


a  Albany  Book  of  Patents,  Vol.  VI. ,  p.  3S3.  Original  iu  possession  of  David  W.  Smith  of 
Kensico. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


This  grant  was  subsequently  known  as  the  West  Patent  of  North 
Castle. 

Upon  the  18th  of  February,  1701,  occurs  an  "  Indenture  Decempar- 
tite"  between  Robert  Walters,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  Esq.,  of  the 
first  part;  Leigh  Atwood  of  the  same  place,  Esq.,  of  the  second  part,  and 
eight  others,  named  in  the  before  mentioned  patent,  which  recites  the 
patent  of  14th  of  February,  1701,  and  wherein  it  is  covenanted  and 
agreed  upon  between  all  parties  "  that  no  survivorship  shall  take  place 
or  affect  in  case  of  death  of  any  of  them,  the  said  parties ;  and  the  lands 
and  premises  aforesaid  shall  with  all  convenient  expedition  be  set  out 
and  divided  equally  into  ten  several  distinct  parts,"  &c,  and  cause  de- 
vises, conveyances  and  assurgents  in  the  law  whatsoever  for  the  better, 
more  sure,  perfect  and  absolute  settling  of  said  land  and  premises,  &c; 
"  also  to  receive  one-tenth  part  of  all  the  rents  and  yearly  profits  which 
in  the  meantime  shall  be  due,  &c,  sharing,  costs,"  &c.a 

February  21st,  1743,  an  agreement  between  the  Receiver  General 
and  others,  "  concerning  money  that  is  coming  to  the  former  on  the 
behalf  of  the  King,  for  quit-rent  of  the  West  Patent."6 

The  same  year  Robert  Walters  and  Peter  Fauconier  had  rights  con- 
cerning quit-rents  in  the  West  Patents.  Peter  Fauconier, c  Esq.,  one  of 
the  early  proprietors  of  this  town,  "was  an  attendant  of  Lord  C'ornbury 
to  this  country  in  1702,  afterwards  a  New  York  merchant,  and  receiver- 
general  of  the  province,  who  in  1 7 1 7  purchased  Milesard's  interest  in 
one  of  the  Newtown  Patents  on  Long  Island.""' 

Baird  speaks  of  him  as  "  a  native  of  France,  high  in  favor  with  Rella- 
mont  and  Cornbury,  Governors  of  New  York,  by  the  latter  made  col- 
lector and  receiver-general  of  the  province  in  1705.  He  obtained 
large  grants  of  land  from  the  governors,  and  among  the  rest  a  patent  to 
a  tract  within  the  territory  originally  claimed  by  the  town  of  Rye.  This, 
long  known  as  Fauconiers  West  Patent,  is  now  a  part  of  the  town  of 
North  Castle.  On  the  application  of  the  people  of  Rye  for  a  patent  in 
1720,  the  council  examined  Mr.  Fauconier,  who  made  no  objection  to 
the  granting  of  the  petition."' 

Peter  Fauconier,  Esq.,  left  issue,  William,  whose  children  were  Josiah. 
Ruth,  Catharine  and  Hannah.  John,  second  son  of  Peter,  who  resided 
at  East  Chester,  was  born  December  18th,  1747,  and  died  June  24th, 


a  Copied  from  the  original  doc.  in  possession  of  David  W.  Smith,  of  Kenslco. 
6  Town  Kec,  vol.  i.  p.  4. 

c  A  family  by  the  name  of  Fankcnner  was  seated  in  Surrey  Connty,  England.  Arms,  Paly 
of  8,  ar  and  sa  over  all  on  a  bond  of  the  last,  3  cinqnefoils  or  Crest  a  falcon  ppr.  belled  or. 
The  same  arms  with  little  variation,  belong  to  the  Fawconers  or  Fuwkoners. 

d  Keeker's  Annals  of  Newtown,  L.  I.,  p.  152. 

e  liaird's  Hist,  of  Hye. 


57o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


i83t,  married  Elizabeth  Purely  who  was  born  May  31st,  1749,  and  died 
Dec.  22d,  1799.  Their  children  were  David,  of  New  York,  born  Dec. 
10th,  1772;  Jonathan,  of  Miltown,  New  York,  born  February  14,  1774; 
Roger,  of  New  Jersey,  born  Aug.  20th,  1775;  Josiah,  of  New  York, 
born  May  1st,  1780;  William,  of  New  York,  born  May  1st,  1780; 
Anne,  born  Dec.  9th,  1779,  married  Matthew  Fogel ;  Elizabeth,  born 
July,  1 781,  married  William  Baldwin;  and  Catharine,  born  Jan.  8, 
1782,  married  John  Fisher  of  White  Plains. 

In  1744  Joseph  Hutchins  and  Caleb  Green  were  appointed  "assess- 
ors for  the  west  side  of  the  branch  of  Byram  river;"  "also  Thomas 
Walters  for  the  West  Patent." 

John  Halleck,  of  North  Castle,  in  1755,  "sold  to  Joseph  Fowler  and 
Caleb  Fowler  three  quarters  of  an  acre  of  undivided  land  in  North 
Castle,  within  a  certain  Patent  known  and  called  by  the  name  of  Fau- 
conier*s  West  Patent,  and  to  be  in  the  right  of  Thomas  Weaver,  who 
was  one  of  the  Patentees  of  said  Patent,  it  being  a  part  of  a  greater 
right  purchased  13th  of  March,  1753,  of  John  Thomas,  one  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  Westchester  county." 

In  the  Secretary  of  State's  office  at  Albany  is  a  map  of  part  of  a  tract 
of  land  (granted  by  letters  patent  under  the  great  seal  of  the  colony  of 
New  York,  bearing  date  the  fourteenth  day  of  February,  1701-2,  to 
Robert  Walters  and  others)  "  which  remains  unsold,  and  contains  four 
thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  acres,  divided  into  sixteen  lots  by 
Charles  Clinton,  Jonathan  Brown,  and  Elisha  Budd,  Commissioners, 
and  Nathaniel  Merritt,  Surveyor,  appointed  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the 
Lieutenant  Governor,  the  Council,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
colony  of  New  York,  passed  the  eighth  day  of  January,  1762,  entitled 
an  act  for  the  more  effectual  collecting  of  his  Majesty's  quit-rents  in  the 
colony  of  New  York,  and  for  partition  of  lands  in  order  thereto,"  Szc.a 

Upon  the  10th  of  June,  1776,  occurs  the  following  public  notice  for 
the  sale  of  the  above  lands  : 

"  WnEREAS  his  late  majesty.  King  William  the  Third,  by  letters  patent  under 
the  great  seal  of  the  colony  of  New  York,  bearing  date  the  14th  day  of  February, 
1701-2,  and  of  the  13th  year  of  his  reign  j  did  grant  and  confirm  unto  Robert 
Walters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Reathcote,  Matthew  Clark- 
son,  John  Cholwell,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  Simes,  Robert  Lurting.  and 
Barne  Cosens  j  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  bounded 
northerly  by  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  easterly  with  Bedford  line  of  three  miles 
square,  the  White  Fields  and  Byram  river ;  southerly  by  the  land  of  John  Har- 
rison, Bye  line  stretching  to  Byram  river  aforesaid,  and  the  "White  Plains:  and 
westerly  by  Bronck's  river,  and  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  excepting  out  of  the 
a  Field  Book,  Sec,  of  State's  office. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


571 


bounds  aforesaid,  all  the  lauds  within  Richbell's  patent,  according  to  the  lines  of 
the  said  patent,  now  in  the  teuurc  and  occupation  of  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote; 
which  first  above  named  tract  of  land  was  purchased  by  Col.  Caleb  Hcathcote, 
aud  others,  with  whom  lie  has  agreed,  except  James  Mott,  and  Henry  Disbrow, 
whom  he  hath  undertaken  to  satisfy;  within  which  bounds,  there  are  by  esti- 
mation, about  5,000  acres  of  profitable  land,  besides  wastes  and  wood  lands. 
And,  whereas,  we,  the  subscribers,  in  pursuance  of  a  certain  act  of  the  lieuten- 
aut-governor,  the  council,  and  general  assembly  of  this  colony,  entitled,  An  Act 
for  the  more  effectual  collecting  of  his  majesty's  quit-rents  in  the  colony  of  New 
York,  and  for  partition  of  lands  in  order  thereto,  have  lately  made  a  survey  of 
all  that  part  of  the  lands  above  mentioned,  which  have  not  been  sold  by  the  pro- 
prietors and  owners  thereof.  We  do  hereby  give  notice,  that  true  maps  and 
Meld  books  of  the  survey  of  the  said  part  thereof,  and  of  the  allotments  made, 
specifying  the  bounds  of  every  lot ;  on  which  maps  the  lots  are  laid  down  and 
numbered,  and  the  number  of  acres  in  every  lot ;  and  the  said  maps  aud  field 
books  signed  by  us,  and  by  Nathaniel  Merrit,  our  surveyor,  are  filed,  one  of  the 
said  maps  and  field  books  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  County  of  Westchester, 
and  the  other  in  the  Secretary's  office  in  the  city  of  New  York.  And  we  do  here- 
by appoint  Wednesday,  the  6th  of  August  next,  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  to  be  the  day  aud  place  for  balloting  for  the  said  lots  and  allotments; 
and  do  require  all  persons  interested,  then  aud  there  to  attend,  aud  to  see  the 
several  allotments  balloted  for.  Given  under  our  hands  this  23d  day  of  June, 
1766. 

[Pat.  7,223.]  "CHAR.  CLINTON,       )  Surviving 

"JONATHAN  BROWN,  )  Commissioners." 

We  find  thq  following  indenture,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1774,  between 
Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  all  of  the  West  Patent 
of  the  North  Castle,  &c.,  of  the  first  part,  and  Caleb  Sands  of  Bedford, 
of  the  other  part,  witnesseth  that  his  gracious  majesty,  King  William  the 
Third,  of  glorious  memory,  by  letters  patent,  under  the  great  seal  of 
the  province  of  New  York,  bearing  date  the  fourteenth  day  of  February, 
in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign,  granted  unto  Robert  Walters  and 
others  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  bounded, 
&c,  &c,  all  of  which  tract  of  land  is  called  the  West  Patent  of  North 
Castle;  and  whereas  the  said  Benjamin  Smith.  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph 
Sutton  were  deputed  for  to,  and  did,  make  a  purchase  of  the  greater  part 
of  the  above-said  tract  of  land  for  themselves  and  their  associates,"  as 
by  a  general  map  of  the  same  may  appear.  Now  this  indenture  witness- 
eth. that  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  ^15  12s.  of  good  cur- 
rent and  lawful  money  of  the  province  of  New  York,  well  and  truly  paid 
by  the  said  Caleb  Sands,  one  of  the  associates  in  making  of  the  above 
said  purchase,  we  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph 
Sutton  doth  acknowledge  by  these  presents,  and  therefore  have  given, 
granted,  and  released  unto  him,  the  said  Caleb  Sands,  his  heirs  and 
assigns,  all  that  certain  part  of  the  above  recited  tract  of  land  contain- 
ing thirty-nine  acres,  bounded  as  follows :  by  a  heap  of  stones  at  the 
south-west  corner  of  Bedford  new  purchase,  so  called,  and  running 


a  The  original  document  was  in  the  possession  of  tlie  late  Mr.  Caleh  Bands,  of  North  Castle. 


572 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


north  with  Bedford  line  till  it  comes  to  a.  chestnut  oak  tree,  marked 
with  a  heap  of  stones  about  it,  at  the  south-east  corner  of  the  land  of 
Benjamin  Hall,  then  westward  to  a  white  wood  tree  with  a  heap  of 
stones  about  it,  then  south-eastwardly  as  the  fence  stands  to  a  large 
black  oak  tree,  marked,  then  more  southerly  as  the  fence  stands  to  an 
oak  stump  or  a  cliff  of  rocks,  still  southerly  to  a  chestnut  sapling,  on  a 
knoll  of  rocks,  then  eastwardly  as  the  fence  stands,  to  a  chestnut  oak 
tree,  marked,  still  eastwardly  as  the  fence  stands  to  the  land  of  Peter 
Disbrow,  from  thence  to  the  first  bounds,  a  heap  of  stones,  &c,  &c. 

Bexj.  Smith, 
Caleb  Fowler. 

The  principal  proprietors  of  New  Castle  are  the  Wards,  Concklins, 
Hiatts,  Underhills,  Haights,  Carpenters,  Greens,  Kirbys,  Davenports, 
Van  Tassels,  Griffens,  Tomkins,  Kipps,  Secors,  Bradys,  Reynolds,  Quin- 
bys,  Suttons,  Sarles,  and  Merrits,  &c,  &c. 

The  Sutton  family,  who  have  been  seated  in  this  town  for  136  years, 
derive  their  origin  from  Joseph  Sutton,  whose  father  John  emigrated 
from  the  county  of  Linconshire,  England,  to  Massachusetts.  The  fam- 
ily were  anciently  resident  at  Sutton,  in  Lincolnshire,'1  and  represented 
by  Robert  Sutton,  armiger,  sheriff  of  that  county,  2 2d  of  Henry  VII 
(1506).  Joseph  Sutton,  who  removed  to  Long  Island,  died  between 
1765  and  1770,  aged  80;  married  Mary  Sands,  and  had  issue;  Joseph 
Sutton  of  this  town,  who-  died  aged  80,  leaving  several  children  by  his 
wife  Deborah  Haight,  of  Chappaqua.  Caleb,  the  second  son  of  first 
Joseph  married  Abby  Pell,  and  died  aged  70,  leaving  issue,  Edward, 
Andrew,  Pell,  Mary,  Sophie,  Solomon,  Henry  and  Caleb.  James,  third 
son  of  first  Joseph,  resided  in  Croton  Valley,  married  Elizabeth  Brown, 
and  left  issue,  Mary,  Jerusha,  Hannah,  Joseph,  Amy  and  James.  'Wil- 
liam of  Croton,  fourth  son  of  first  Joseph,  married  Dorcas  Clapp,  and 
died  aged  80,  leaving  Jesse,  William  and  Alice.  Richardson  of  Croton, 
fifth  son  of  Joseph  first,  was  born  July  11,  1732,  and  died  1776  ;  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Moses  Quimby,  who  was  born  February  28, 
1736 — their  issue  being,  Esther,  born  March  15,  1752,  married  Joseph 
Totten;  Moses,  born  March  15,  1756;  Daniel,  born  May  22,  1758; 
Deborah,  born  June  17,  1760;  Robert,  born  April,  1762  ;  Samuel, 
born  January  22,  1764;  Phoebe,  born  August  27,  1765;  Mary,'  bom 
March  7,  1767 ;  Jerusha,  born  September  2,  1768 ;  Abigal,  born  Decem- 
ber 12,  1770;  and  Frances,  born  December  13,  1772.  The  daughters  of 
the  first  Joseph  were :  Abby, who  married  Robert  Fields;  Mary, who  marri- 
ed Samuel  Palmer ;  Sophia,  and  Jerusha,  who  married  Benjamin  Field. 


a  The  arms  of  Sutton  are— ar.  on  a  chev.  betw.  three  annulets  pa.  as  many  crescents  or 
Crest,  a  greyhound  head  couped  enn.,  collared  gu.  garnished  and  ringed  or.  on  the  collar 
three  annulets  of  the  last. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  CASTLE. 


573 


Among  the  associate  patentees  of  this  town  appears  to  have  been 
Colonel  Matthews,  who  held  twelve  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  the 
"  West  Patent." 

The  first  election  for  town  officers  took  place  on  the  5th  of  April,  1791, 
when  the  following  individuals  were  chosen  for  the  year  ensuing :  Isaac 
Smith,  supervisor;  Abraham  Hyatt,  town  clerk;  Sutton  Craft,  con- 
stable ;  Benjamin  Carpenter,  collector ;  and  Caleb  Carpenter,  security ; 
Caleb  Haight,  Nathaniel  Smith,  Henry  Slason,  assessors ;  Caleb  Car- 
penter, Abraham  Hyatt,  overseers  of  the  poor ;  Caleb  Haight,  Nathaniel 
Smith,  Henry  Slason,  commissioners  of  roads ;  James  Underhill,  pounder ; 
and  Nathaniel  Concklin,  Jesse  Brady,  Isaac  Powell,  damage  prizers  and 
fence  viewers, 

'•  Isaac  Smith,  Caleb  Carpenter  and  Isaiah  Green,  were  deputed  to 
meet  a  committee  from  the  town  of  North  Castle  for  to  settle  all  dis- 
putes which  may  exist  between  the  town  of  New  Castle  and  the  afore- 
said town  of  any  nature  or  kind  whatsoever,  also  to  settle  the  line  be- 
tween the  two  towns." 

New  Castle  corners'*  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the  north-east  angle  of 
the  town,  on  the  west  side  of  Kirby's  pond.  It  contains  several  stores, 
a  post-office,  a  grist  mill,  optical  works,  and  several  dwelling  houses. 
The  neighborhood  of  this  beautiful  spot  abounds  with  most  romantic 
scenery.  It  is  now  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  years  since  the 
first  families  settled  in  this  place.  They  appear  to  have  met  with  great 
discouragements,  and  to  have  endured  severe  trials ;  for  they  were  in  the 
midst  of  a  wilderness,  and  constantly  exposed  to  Indian  depreciations. 
The  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  minister  of  Rye,  writing  to  the  Propagation 
Society  in  1722,  thus  alludes  to  the  place  :  "I  have  lately  been  to  a 
settlement  in  the  woods,  where  I  had  good  success,  having  baptized 
a  whole  family,  parents  and  children."6  This  evidently  refers  to  the 
present  village,  for  in  1728  the  Rev.  T.  Wetmore,  his  successor  informs 
the  same  society,  that  "  at  North  Castle,  a  new  settlement  in  the  u'oods^ 
there  are  more  than  forty  families — most  of  which  are  unbaptized,  and  that 
he  preaches  there  every  fifth  Sunday."0 

Prior  to  the  Revolution,  North  Castle  formed  one  of  the  precincts  or 
districts  of  Rye  Parish,  which  accounts  for  the  parochial  clergy  officiat- 
ing here  at  this  early  period.  In  1 7  25,  North  Castle  contributed  towards 
the  minister's  rate  and  poor  of  the  parish,  £2  ox.  od.  The  same  year  Mr. 
Dwight  was  school-master  at  North  Castle  with  a  salary  of  £10  a  year. 


a  Formerly  called  Xovth  Castle. 
b  Kep.  Propagation  Soc. 
c  Propagatiou  soc  Rec. 


574 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


At  a  vestry  meeting,  held  March  the  ist,  1730,  for  the  parish  of  Rye, 
it  was  ordered,  that  "whereas  the  vestrymen  of  the  district  of  North  Castle 
have  neglected  to  make  up  their  parish  rate  last  year  and  this  year, 
though  often  requested  thereto,  ordered  therefore  by  ye  vestry  and  jus- 
tices, that  the  North  Castle  vestrymen,  for  ye  last  year  and  this  year  do 
appear  at  Rye  at  Francis  Doughty's,  on  the  16th  of  this  month  at  noon, 
in  order  to  make  their  rates  without  any  farther  delay,  or  ordered  to  be 
presented  immediately,  and  that  the  clerk  do  send  forthwith  a  copy  of 
this  order  to  said  North  Castle  vestrymen.""  The  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore, 
writing  to  the  Propagation  Society  in  1753,  states,  "that  his  congrega- 
tions at  Rye,  White  Plains,  North  Castle  and  Bedford  are  large  and 
flourishing ;  the  new  light  preachers  have  removed  from  Bedford,  and  there 
is  some  .hopes  of  the  people  uniting  with  North  Castle  towards  support- 
ing a  minister." 

Among  the  reports  of  the  Society  in  1761,  occurs  the  following: 
"Second  Sunday  in  October,  1761,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble  preached  at 
the  opening  of  St.  George's  church,  North  Castle.  Mr.  St.  George  Tal- 
bot, the  pious  and  noble  benefactor,  was  present,  and  was  highly  pleased 
with  the  number  and  devout  behaviour  of  the  people.  The  same  day, 
Mr.  Dibble  baptized  thirteen  infants,  and  one  adult. 

In  the  spring  of  1762,  St.  George's  church  was  visited  by  the  Rev. 
George  Dibble  and  St.  George  Talbot,  Esq.  Of  the  latter  gentleman, 
Mr.  Dibble  thus  writes  to  the  Society  :  "  He  is  indefatigable  in  his  en- 
deavors to  serve  the  interests  of  true  religion  and  our  holy  Church, 
whose  services  I  find  universally  acceptable,  and  his  life  agreeable  to  his 
public  character.  He  was  (continues  Mr.  Dibble)  surprised  both  at  the 
number  and  devout  behaviour  of  the  people  at  North  Castle,  for  the 
church  could  not  contain  them,"  &c.b 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave 
yard  : 


Who  was  born  October  11th,  1703.        Who  was  born  March  14,  1721, 


There  are  also  memorials  to  the  Greens,  Woolseys,  Ferrises,  Sarleses, 


IN 

Memory  of 
ISAAC  LOUNSBERRY. 


IN 

Memory  of 
JAMES  WRIGHT. 


and  died  March  3, 
1773. 


and  departed  this  life 
May  the  17th,  1776. 
Aged  55  years,  1  mo.  and  25  days. 


a  Rye  Rpc. 

6  Hawkln'a  Hist.  Not,  of  the  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England.  Original  letters  in  Lam- 
beth collection,  vol.  xix.  20S. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


575 


Harts,  Pinckneys,  Tompkinscs,  Carys,  Seamans,  Forshays,  Haineses, 
Millers,  Carpenters,  Clapps,  Merritts,  Montrosses,  &c. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  this  place  was  first  incorporated 
in  1824.  Caleb  Kirby,  James  Fish,  John  B.  Horton,  Tyler  Fountain 
and  Benjamin  Kirby,  trustees." 

The  second  church  was  enlarged  in  1843,  and  the  present  church 
was  erected  in  1867. 

During  the  war,  this  part  of  the  country  was  greatly  annoyed  by  the 
enemy,  who  frequently  made  sudden  inroads,  plundering  and  capturing 
the  defenceless  inhabitants.  Religious  services  were  consequently  sus- 
pended ;  and,  for  a  long  time,  St.  George's  church  was  occupied  as  a 
guard-house  and  hospital  by  the  Continental  troops. 

The  first  incorporation  of  this  church,  subsequent  to  the  Revolution, 
took  place  on  the  19th  of  April,  1784,  under  the  styLe  and  title  of  "  The 
Trustees  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  townships  of  Bed- 
ford and  North  Castle."3 

In  consequence  of  an  Act  passed  for  the  relief  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  on  the  17th  of  March,  1795,  this  church  was  again 
incorporated  under  the  name  and  title  of  "the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  in  the  united  towns  of  Bedford  and  New  Castle,  to  continue  by 
the  regular  name  of  St.  George's  church."  Charles  Ffaight  of  New 
Castle,  and  William  Miller,  Esq.,  of  Bedford,  church-wardens;  Samuel 
Raymond,  Gabriel  Smith,  David  Ffaight,  James  McDonald,  Marma- 
duke  Foster,  Gilbert  Martin,  Nicholas  Haight  and  Samuel  Smith, 
vestrymen.*'  Chas.  Haight  gave  the  site  for  the  church  ;  and,  being  a 
carpenter  and  vestryman,  built  the  church.  At  this  period  the  Rev. 
Theodosius  Bartow  appears  to  have  been  officiating  minister  for  the 
united  parishes  of  Bedford  and  New  Castle.  From  1804  to  1819  ser- 
vices were  performed  here  by  the  clergy  of  Bedford.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
vestry,  November  12th,  1796,  it  was  ordered  "that  William  Miller,  Esq., 
be  empowered  to  commence  and  carry  on  a  suit  against  Philip  I.  Liv- 
ingston, for  money  left  by  St.  George  Talbot  to  the  churches  of  Bed- 
ford and  North  Castle."  At  a  meeting  of  the  same,  held  on  the  third 
of  March,  1803,  "Mr.  Miller  informed  the  board,  that  the  money  be- 
queathed to  the  united  churches  by  the  late  St.  George  Talbot,  had 
been  recovered  by  a  judgment,  obtained  in  the  Supreme  Court,  against 
Philip  I.  Livingston  ;  and  the  said  money,  after  deducting  charges,  will 
probably  amount  to  about  twenty-five  hundred  dollars."  In  1804,  Trin- 
ity church,  New  York,  liberally  endowed  the  united  parishes  with  the 

a  Religious  Soc  Co.  Rec  Lib.  A.  183. 

b  Incorporation  of  Religious  Societies,  Lib.  A,  12. 

c  Incorporation  ol  Religions  societies,  Lib.  A,  to. 


576 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars;  also  in  1808,  the  further  sum  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

St.  George's  church,  which  had  stood  for  nearly  sixty  years,  was  dis- 
mantled in  1819 ;  and,  by  Mr.  Godfrey  Haines,  (acting  under  authority 
of  the  vestry,)  sold  at  public  auction  for  the  paltry  sum  of  forty  shillings. 
It  deserves,  however,  to  be  recorded  that  Judge  Miller,  one  of  the  war- 
dens of  the  united  parishes,  strenuously  opposed  its  destruction.  The 
principal  part  of  the  timber  is  still  preserved  in  a  barn  on  the  property 
of  Mr.  Hezekiah  Raymond,  a  short  distance  only  from  the  old  burying- 
ground.  From  that  time,  until  within  a  short  period,  services  have 
been  entirely  confined  to  Bedford. 

In  1852,  through  the  zealous  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Harris,  of  White 
Plains,  a  new  church  was  built  within  a  few  yards  of  the  site  of  old  St. 


St.  Mark's  Churcli ;  built  1S52. 


George's.  It  is  a  very  neat  and  church-like  structure,  and  is  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  Kirby*s  pond,  the  waters  of  which  empty 
into  the  Pepemighting  or  Kisco  river.  St.  Mark's  church  was  opened 
for  divine  service,  January  25th,  1852;  on  which  occasion  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Harris  preached  a  sermon  from  Haggai  ii :  9 — "  The  glory  of  this  latter 
house  shall  be  greater  than  of  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts :  and 
in  this  place  will  I  give  peace,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts." 

St.  Mark's  church  was  incorporated  on  the  7th  of  October,  1S50  ;  Gil- 
bert Martin  and  Henry  D.  Tyler,  wardens ;  Gilbert  Brundage,  Thomas 
Wright,  Thomas  Searles,  John  Cary,  Andrew  Dunn,  Simeon  Woolsey, 
George  W.  Brower,  and  Lewis  Tripp,  vestrymen. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTI.E. 


577 


LIST  OF  CLERGY. 

Rectors. 

Rev.  Robert  W.  Habbis, 

Rbv.  Isaac  Dyckman  Vbrmilyka, 

Rev.  Joseph  AV.  Hyde, 

Rev.  C.  W.  Bolton, 

Rev,  Alexander  Hamilton, 

Rev.  James  W.  Spabks, 

Rev.  Joseph  H.  Young, 

Rev.  Cuarles  B.  Mee. 

During  the  Revolution,  this  part  of  the  country  was  greatly  annoyed 
by  the  enemy,  who  frequently  made  sudden  inroads,  plundering  and 
capturing  the  defenceless  inhabitants.  February  7th,  1782,  (says  Gene- 
ral Heath,)  about  fifty  of  De  Lancey*s  horse  came  out  within  four  miles 
of  Chappequa,  where  they  halted.  On  the  8th  they  moved  toward 
North  Castle,  but  turned  off  by  Wright's  Mills;  from  thence  to  King 
Street,  Rye."  tt  For  a  long  time  St.  George's  church  was  occupied  as  a 
guard-house  and  hospital  by  the  Continental  troops. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Abraham  Week's  mill-dam,  in  this  town,  a  party  of 
British  refugees  waylaid  and  murdered  a  French  doctor  of  some  dis- 
tinction. It  appears  that  the  unfortunate  man  was  on  his  route  to  the 
American  hospital  at  New  Castle,  when  arrested  by  his  murderers,  who 
dragged  him  from  his  horse,  and  conveyed  him  into  an  adjoining 
swamp.  Here,  having  secured  their  victim,  they  proceeded  to  play  a 
game  at  cards — as  to  which  of  them  should  be  his  executioner.  In  vain 
their  victim  pleaded  in  broken  English  for  his  life,  numbering  his  chil- 
dren upon  his  fingers.  The  lot  fell  upon  one  Totten,  who,  approaching 
the  doctor,  instantly  shot  him  dead  as  he  knelt  on  the  ground.  He 
was  now  stripped  of  his  clothing,  watch  and  money,  and  dragged  a  few 
rods  further  into  the  bushes.  The  skeleton  was  afterwards  found,  and 
interred  upon  the  spot.b 

Near  the  centre  of  the  town  is  situated  the  small  hamlet  of  Sarles- 
ville.    Here  the  town  business  is  principally  transacted. 

In  the  south-west  corner  are  located  the  Friends'  meeting  houses. 
The  Friends'  Society  was  organized  here  some  time  prior  to  the  Revo- 
lution. c 

a  Heath's  Mem.  32a 

b  Tradition  reports  that  the  following  remarkable  accident  befell  the  assassin  soon  after: 
he  was  struct  by  lightning,  which  dissolved  the  metal  on  his  shoe  buckles.  When  asked  if 
this  was  a  fact,  the  conscience-stricken  murderer  replied,  "  If  I  should  say  yes,  that  would  be 
an  admission  of  my  guilt."  Totten  is  said  to  have  been  a  terror  not  only  to  himseU,  but  all 
who  knew  him.   This  miserable  man  lies  in  the  Friends'  bunylng-ground  at  Pines  Bridge. 

c  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  elected  in  1S45. 


578 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  general  surface  of  New  Castle  is  uneven,  hills  and  vales  inter- 
spersed ;  soil  gravelly,  clay  and  sandy  loam.  The  natural  growth  of 
wood  is  of  various  kinds — as  oak,  chestnut,  hickory,  ash,  maple,  walnut, 
elm  and  white  wood,  &c.  The  Chappequa  hills  in  this  town  are  worthy 
of  particular  notice.  They  begin  near  the  great  hill  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Buttermilk  Mountain,  and  extend  north-easterly  four  miles,  ter- 
minating northward  in  the  Kisco  Mountain.  These  hills  are  very  stony 
and  rocky  in  general,  but  afford  vast  quantities  of  excellent  timber.  At 
the  foot  of  the  Kisco  Mountain  is  situated  the  Westchester  and  Harlem 
railroad  depot.  New  Castle'is  exceedingly  well  watered  by  rivers,  rivu- 
lets and  springs.  The  Saw  Mill  River  (Nepera)  takes  its  rise  from 
two  springs  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  one  of  them  situated  on  the 
land  of  Job  Collins,  the  other  on  the  property  of  Willett  Kipps.  The 
Bronx  River  (Aquehung)  has  its  source  in  the  Dark  Valley  of  this  town. 
The  Mill  River  (Pocanteco)  rises  on  the  lands  of  Isaac  Lownsberry. 

There  are  two  or  three  large  ponds,  which  supply  valuable  mill  seats. 
Kirby's  Pond  receives  its  waters  from  Simmons's  Pond,  while  its  outlet 
passes  into  the  Pepemighting,  or  Kisco.  Wampus  Pond  is  situated  on 
the  boundary  line  between  New  and  North  Castle.  This  pond  covers 
about  fifty  acres,  and  empties  into  the  Byram  (Armonck)  River.  Fish 
were  never  caught  here  until  within  a  few  years,  when  pike  were  put 
therein,  which  have  multiplied  exceedingly. a  Upon  the  west  side  of 
Wampus  Pond  rises  Prospect  Hill,  the  property  of  Mr.  Edward  Quim- 
by.6  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  variegated  prospect  that  meets  the 
eye  from  its  summit,  a  more  extensive  view  is  not  to  be  had  in  the 
town.  Near  this  hill  an  iron  mine  was  opened  seventy-four  years  ago ; 
but,  the  war  commencing,  put  a  stop  to  the  project,  which  has  never 
since  been  resumed. 

The  Chappequa  sulphur  springs,  which  have  acquired  some  celebrity, 
are  situated  "four  miles  north-east  of  Sing  Sing.  They  issue  from  a 
cleft  in  the  rock,  near  the  base  of  a  hill  about  two  hundred  feet  in 
height.  The  water,  as  it  rises  from  the  rocks,  is  transparent,  but  in  its 
course  deposites  a  reddish  yellow  powder.  The  salts  held  in  solution 
are  said  to  be  sulphate  of  lime,  chloride  of  calcium,  and  the  muriate 
of  iron,  and  manganese.  The  water  is  supposed  to  possess  medicinal 
properties,  similar  to  those  usually  ascribed  to  sulphur  springs."'7 

a  Ten  years  ago  vast  flocfes  of  wild  duck  and  geese  used  to  frequent  tills  pond. 

b  The  Quimby  family  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  this  part  of  New  Castle,  and  descend 
from  John  Quimby,  one  of  the  patentees  of  the  town  of  Westchester,  in  1664.  Jno.  ymmby.  of 
Stratford,  1654,  had  one  child  born  there,  but  after  some  years  removed,  and  was  oue  of  the 
first  settlers  of  W.C. 

c  Nat.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  Part  III,  141 .  Sulphuretted  hydrogen  is  the  gas  evolved. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


579 


It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  sulphuretted  springs  are  to  be  found  at  short 
distances  from  this  spot  to  Fort  Miller,  in  Washington  County,  a  dis- 
tance of  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

In  the  north-east  corner  of  the  town  lies  the  romantic  valley  of  the 
Pepemighting,"  through  which  the  river  of  that  name  meanders  in  its 
passage  to  the  Croton.  This  part  of  New  Castle  has  been  recently 
taken  from  the  adjoining  township  of  Somers.6 


a  Misnamed  the  Klsco. 
b  Laws  of  N.  Y.,  May  12, 1846. 
part,  of  the  towu  104  years  ago. 


C9th  Session,  chap.  249.   The  Sutton  family  settled  In  this 


THE  TOWN 


OP 

HXTE^W  ROCHELLE. 


The  town  of  New  Rochelle  (so-called  after  La  Rochelle,  capital  of 
the  department  of  Lower  Charente  in  France,  named  Rupella  by  the 
ancient  Romans)  formerly  constituted  a  portion  of  the  manor  of  Pelham, 
and  is  situated  on  the  south-east  side  of  the  county,  distant  eight  miles 
south  of  the  village  of  White  Plains,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  miles 
from  Albany — bounded  by  Scarsdale  on  the  North,  by  Mamaroneck  and 


Indian  Image  Stone. 


Scarsdale  on  the  East,  by  Hutchinson's  river  and  Pelham  on  the  West, 
and  on  the  South  by  the  Sound. 

This  tract  of  land  was  originally  included  in  the  grant  made  by  the 
Indians  in  the  year  1640,  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company;  but  no 
settlement  was  actually  commenced  upon  it  until  long  after  Thomas 
Pell's  purchase,  which  occurred  in  1654. 

The  Aborigines,  who  were  one  of  the  seven  tribes  of  the  sea  coast 
called  "  Siwandys,"  appear  to  have  resided  principally  on  Davenport's 
Neck,  where  they  had  a  large  settlement  denominated  "  S/iippa."  About 
1746,  as  we  are  assured  by  the  old  inhabitants,  the  Neck  was  covered 
with  Indian  wigwams ;  of  this,  the  extensive  "  shell-beds  "  on  its  southern 
shore  afford  conclusive  evidence.  A  few  settlements  were  also  scattered 


582      .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

along  the  fertile  meadows  bordering  the  various  fresh  water  streams, 
especially  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  One  of  these  was  situated 
on  the  property  of  the  late  John  Soulice,  where  there  is  also  a  quarry  of 
quartz  from  which  the  Indians  manufactured  their  javelins  and  arrow- 
heads. Here  also  was  discovered,  a  few  years  ago,  the  celebrated  image- 
stone, — an  object  of  great  veneration  with  the  Aborigines.  Beneath  this 
curious  object  lay  a  smooth  stone  (weighing  seven  pounds)  resembling  in 
shape  a  kidney  and  encompassed  with  a  circular  groove. 

As  late  as  1695  the  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of  coming  down  into  the 
northern  part  of  New  Rochelle  from  the  neighborhood  of  White  Plains, 
for  a  cider  frolic,  which  they  considered  as  a  kind  of  usu-fruct  title  to  the 
soil.  The  remains  of  an  oak  tree  which  they  burnt  upon  one  of  these 
occasions,  is  still  visible  on  the  farm  of  the  late  John  Soulice.  This 
seems  to  have  been  the  last  chapter  in  their  history  connected  with  New 
Rochelle;  although  as  late  as  1767  a  small  remnant  of  the  Aborigines 
(then  inhabiting  the  Highlands)  visited  the  town. 

Upon  the  sixth  day  of  October,  1666,  Richard  Nicolls,  governor  of 
the  province,  did  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  Thomas  Pelk 
gentleman,  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  to  the  eastward  of  Westchester 
bounds  (subsequently  known  as  the  manor  of  Pelham.)  &c,  "which 
said  tract  of  land  hath  heretofore  been  purchased  of  the  Indian  pro- 
prietors, and  ample  satisfaction  given  for  the  same."'* 

In  1669  the  patentee  devised  the  whole  manor  of  Pelham  to  his 
nephew,  John  Pell  (commonly  called  Lord  Pell,)  who  obtained  a  further 
confirmation  for  the  same  from  Thomas  Dongan,  governor  of  the 
province,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1687. 6 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  some  of  the  French  Huguenots  had  al- 
ready commenced  a  settlement  at  New  Rochelle  prior  to  the  above  men- 
tioned confirmation  from  Dongan  to  Pell ;  for  Maria  Graton,  widow  of 
William  Cothonneau,  had  conveyed  to  Alexander  Allaire  a  tract  of 
land,  in  what  is  now  New  Rochelle,  on  the  24th  of  September,  1686; 
and  Allaire  also  states  that  he  had  sold  a  tract  of  land  to  Theophelus 
Forestier,  of  New  Rochelle,  on  the  17th  of  March,  1687/ 

Upon  the  20th  of  September,  1689,  we  find  John  Pell,  lord  of  the  manor 
of  Pelham,  and  Rachel,  his  wife,  conveying  to  Jacob  Leisler  of  the  city 
of  New  York,  merchant,  "  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  and  being  within 
the  manor  of  Pelham  containing  six  thousand  acres  of  land,  &c,  &c. 
(the  present  township  of  New  Rochelle.)    The  grantee  and  his  heirs 


a  See  Pelham  for  Thomas  Pell's  Patent. 

b  See  Pelham  for  John  Pell's  confirmation. 

t  White  Plains  Hec.  Book  of  Deeds,  vol.,  E,  p.  29,  vol.  F  p.  2. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


583 


yielding  and  paying  unto  the  said  John  Pell  and  his  heirs,  &c,  as  lords 
of  the  said  manor,  one  fat  calf  on  every  four  and  twentieth  day  of  June 
(festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist)  yearly,  &c,  if  demanded,  &c." 

JOHN  PELL'S  GRANT  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 
To  all  Christian  people  to  whom  this  present  writing  shall  come,  John  Pell, 
proprietor  of  the  manor  of  Pelham,  within  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  the 
province  of  New  York,  williiu  the  dominion  of  New  England,  gentleman,  and 
Rachel  his  wife,  sendeth  greeting  in  our  Lord  God  everlasting.  Know  tee  that 
the  said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of 
sixteen  hundred  aud  seventy-five  pounds  and  twenty-five  shillings  sterling, 
current  silver  money  of  this  province,  to  him  in  hand  paid  and  secured  to  be 
paid  at  the,  or  before,  the  ensealing  and  delivery  thereof  by  Jacob  Lcisler  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  the  receipt  whereof  the}-,  the  said  John  Pell 
aud  Rachel  his  wife,  do  thereby  acknowledge  themselves  to  be  fully  satisfied  and 
contented,  and  thereof,  and  of  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  do  hereby  freely  and 
clearly  acquit  and  exonorate  and  discharge  the  said  Jacob  Lcisler,  his  heirs,  ex- 
ecutors, administrators,  and  every  of  them,  by  these  presents  have  granted,  bar- 
gained and  sold,  and  by  these  presents  do  grant,  bargain  aud  sell  unto  the  said 
Jacob  Lcisler,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  and  being 
within  said  manor  of  Pelham,  containing  six  thousand  acres  of  land,  and  also 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  more,  which  the  said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife, 
do  "freely  give  and  grant  for  the  French  church  erected,  or  to  be  erected,  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of  land,  or  by  their  assignees,  being  butted  and 
bounded  as  herein  is  after  expressed,  beginning  at  the  west  side  of  a  certain 
white  oak  tree,  marked  on  all  four  sides,  standing  at  high  water  mark  at  the 
south  end  of  Hog  Neck,  by  shoals,  harbour,  and  runs,  north-westerly,  through 
the  great  fresh  meadow  lying  between  the  road  and  the  sound,  and  from  the 
north  side  of  the  said  meadow  where  the  said  line  crosses  the  said  meadow,  to 
run  from  thence  due  north  to  Bronckes  river,  which  is  the  west  division  line 
between  the  said  John  Pell's  land  aud  the  aforesaid  tract,  bounded  on  the 
south-easterly  by  the  sound  and  salt  water,  and  to  run  east-northerly  to  a 
certain  piece  of  salt  meadow  lying  at  the  salt  creek  which  runneth  up  to 
Cedar  Tree  brook,  or  Gravelly  brook,  and  is  the  bounds  to  southern.  Bounded 
on  the  east  by  a  line  that  runs  from  said  meadow  north-westerly  by  marked 
trees,  to  a  certain  black  oak  tree  standing  a  little  below  the  road,  marked  on 
four  sides,  and  from  thence  to  run  due  north  four  miles  and  a  half,  more  or 
less,  and  from  the  north  side  of  the  said  west  line,  ending  at  Bronckes's  river, 
and  from  thence  to  run  easterly  till  it  meets  with  the  north  end  of  the  said 
eastermost  bounds,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  islands  and  islets  before 
the  said  tract  of  land  lying  and  being  in  the  sound  and  salt  water,  with  all 
the  harbors,  creeks,  rivers,  rivuletts,  runns,  waters,  lakes,  meadows,  ponds, 
marshes,  salt  and  fresh,  swamps,  soils,  timber,  trees,  pastures,  feedings,  en- 
closures, fields,  quarries,  mines,  minerals,  (silver  and  gold  mines  only  excepted,) 
fishing,  hunting,  fowling,  hawking,  and  also  all  the  messuages,  houses,  tene- 
ments, barns,  mills,  mill  dams,  as  they  were  at  the  time  of  the  ensealing  aud 
delivery  of  the  articles  of  agreement  of  sale  for  said  land,  bearing  date  the 
second  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  and 


5^4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


eighty-seven.  As  relation  being  thereto  had,  cloth  more  fully  and  at  large  appear, 
as  also  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  remainders  of  a  certain  lott 
of  land  and  meadow,  now  in  the  tenure  and  occupation  of  John  Jefferd,  and 
Olive  his  wife,  being  part  of  the  aforesaid  six  thousand  acres  of  land,  with  all 
the  privileges  belonging  thereto  or  any  wise  appertaining,  or  therewith  now  used, 
occupied  and  enjoyed,  as  all  the  right,  title,  interest,  reversion,  remainder,  prop- 
erty, claime,  and  demand  whatsoever,  of,  in,  and  to  the  same,  and  any  part 
thereof,  as  is  hereafter  expressed.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  aforesaid  tract  of 
land,  with  all  other  the  above  granted  premises,  unto  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  his 
heirs  and  assigns,  for  ever,  to  his  and  their  own  soul  and  proper  use,  benefit, 
and  behoof,  for  ever,  yielding  and  paying  unto  the  said  John  Pell,  his  heirs  and 
assigns,  lords  of  the  said  manor  of  Pelhara,  to  the  assignees  of  him  or  them,  or 
their  or  either  of  them,  as  an  acknowledgment  to  the  lords  of  the  said  manor, 
one  fat  calf  on  every  four  and  twentieth  day  of  June,  yearly  and  every  year  for- 
ever if  demanded.  The  said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife,  for  themselves, 
their  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators  respectively,  do  hereby  covenant, 
promise,  and  grant  to  and  with  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  his  heirs  and  assignees, 
in  manner  and  form  following,  that  is  to  say,  at  the  time  of  the  ensealing  hereof, 
they,  the  said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife,  do  avouch  themselves  to  be  true, 
sole,  and  lawful  owners  of  all  the  afore  bargained  premises,  and  that  the)'  are 
lawfully  seized  of  and  in  the  same  and  every  part  thereof  in  their  own  proper  right 
of  a  good  and  indefinable  estate  of  inheritance  in  fee  simple,  and  have  in  them- 
selves good  right,  full  power  and  lawful  authority  to  sell  and  dispose  of  the  same  as 
aforesaid  ;  and  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  shall  and  may  from 
henceforth  and  forever  hereafter,  peaceably,  quietly,  have,  hold,  occupy,  possess, 
and  enjoy  the  above  granted  premises,  and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  free  and 
clear  without  any  charge  or  intimidation,  caused,  made,  suffered,  or  granted  by 
said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife,  or  either  of  them,  their  or  either  of  their 
heirs  in  estate,  right ,  title,  interest  in  law  or  equity,  trust,  charge,  or  other  molesta- 
tion, whatsoever.  And  the  said  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife,  for  themselves 
respectively,  and  for  their  respective  heirs,  do  covenant,  promise,  and  grant  to  war- 
rant and  defend  the  above  granted  premises  with  their  appurtenances,  and  every 
part  and  parcel  thereof,  unto  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  his  heirs  and  assignees,  for- 
ever, against  the  lawful  charges  and  demands.  In  witness  whereof  t  lie  said  John 
Pell  and  Rachel  his  wile  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  add  seals  in  Xew  York, 
the  twentieth  day  of  September,  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord 
and  lady,  William  and  Mary,  King  and  Queen  of  England,  &c.,  &c.,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  and  nine.  Jonx  Pell. 

The  mark  of" 
R 

Rachel  Pell. 

Whenever  the  fat  calf  was  demanded  as  an  acknowledgment  by  the 
lords  of  the  manor  on  the  festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  each  Hugue- 
not paid  his  proportion  toward  its  purchase.  This  ceremony  was  last 
performed  in  a  house  which  occupied  the  site  of  James  Morgan's  resi- 
dence in  Eastchester  ;  a  feast  invariably  followed  the  presentation. 

a  Copied  from  original  document  in  possession  of  the  late  Bonnet  Underbill,  Esq.,  of  Up- 
per Kochelle. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHE  LLE. 


585 


Leisler,  the  above  grantee  (who  only  survived  this  conveyance  about 
eighteen  months)  was  authorized  by  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety  (a 
body  appointed  by  the  people)  on  the  16th  of  August,  16S9,  "to  use  the 
power  and  authority  of  commander-in-chief,  until  order  should  come 
from  their  majesties,"  King  William  and  Queen  Mary;  "and  further,  to 
do  all  such  acts  as  are  requisite  for  the  good  of  the  province,  taking  coun- 
sel with  the  militia  and  civil  authority  as  occasion  shall  require." 

For  assuming  the  government  on  this  occasion  Leisler  was  afterwards 
tried  on  a  charge  of  high  treason  and  executed  on  the  17th  of  May, 
169 1.  "  But  everything  proves  that  Leisler  was  condemned  unlawfully  and 
executed  unjustly,"  but  afterwards  the  act  of  attainder  was  reversed;  this 
was  done  at  the  instance  of  young  Leisler  and  the  French  Huguenots. 

It  has  been  the  policy  (continues  Dunlap)  of  men  of  all  ages  to  pre- 
serve the  memory  of  the  founders  of  the  nation  they  claimed  as  their 
own.  It  serves  to  perpetuate  nations.  Rome,  the  eternal,  bears  the 
name  of  its  reputed  founder.  The  founder  of  the  Democracy  of  New 
York  was  Jacob  Leisler,  and  New  York  is  now  an  empire  founded  on 
Democracy.  The  line  that  says,  "  an  honest  man  is  the  noblest  work 
of  God,"  has  been  received  as  a  truism.  And  Jacob  Leisler  was  truly 
an  honest  man,  who — though  a  martyr  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  sacri- 
ficed by  injustice,  aristocracy  and  party  malignity— ought  to  be  considered 
as  one  in  whom  New  York  should  take  pride.  In  the  possession  of  E. 
N.  Bibby,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  is  a  gold  piece,  of  the  time  of  James  II., 
said  to  have  been  in  the  possession  of  the  unfortunate  Leisler,  the  night 
preceding  his  execution.  Around  the  edge  of  which  is  an  inscription 
cut  with  his  penknife. 

The  descendants  of  this  illustrious  man  were  once  quite  numerous 
in  this  county,  as  may  be  best  described  in  the  following  table : 

Descendants  of  Leisler,  resident  in  Westchester  County. 

Hou.  Jacob  Leisler  Elsje  Thy  mens. 

 I  

Jacob  Leisler,  da  1.  Jacob  MUbourne,  execut- 

I      cd  with  his  father-in-law. 
 )  2.  Abraham  Gouverneur. 

da— Hon.   Samuel  Gouverneur— Experience  Sarah— Hon.  Lewis  Morris 
I  David  I   Johnston.  I       of  Morrisauia. 

]  Ogden.   I 


Abraham— Sarah  Ludlow.  Rebecca— Thomas  Bibby.  Hon.  douverncur-Anne  Isabella— Rev.  I. 
Ogden.  I  I  Morris.    I  Cary  I  Wilkins 

I  J  I  Randolph.  I  1).D. 


Catharine— Abijah  E.N.  Bibby,  M.D.  Gouverner  Morris,        Martin- Sarah 
I  Hammond.      Youkera.  Morrlsania.  Wilkins  |  Nutter. 

I  I  ™ 

•Ogden  namniond,  tGouverneur  Wilkins, 

•  DkmmI,  Castlehill  Neck, 

t  ivccomij!  Westchester. 


586 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Throughout  the  year  1690,  (the  one  preceding  his  execution,)  we  find 
Jacob  Leisler  releasing  to  the  exiled  Huguenots,  the  lands  which  he 
had  purchased  in  their  behalf,  of  John  Pell,  in  1689. 

To  all  Christian  people  to  whom  this  present  writing  shall  come,  Jacob  Leisler 
of  the  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  sendeth  greeting  in  our  Lord  God  everlasting. 
Whereas,  John  Pell  of  the  manor  of  Pelham,  Esq.,  together  with  Rachel  his 
wife,  have,  by  their  certain  deed  in  writing,  from  under  our  hands  and  seals, 
bearing  date  the  20th  of  September,  A.D.,  1689,  given,  granted,  bargained  and 
sold,  unto  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  all  that  tract  of 
land  lying  within  the  said  manor  of  Pelham,  containing  six  thousand  acres  of 
land,  and  also  one  hundred  acres  of  land  more,  which  the  said  John  Pell  and 
Rachel  his  wife,  hath  given  freely  to  such,  or  cause  to  be  erected  for  the  French 
Church,  by  the  inhabitants  residing  thereon  as  relation  thereunto  being  had,  doth 
more  fully  and  at  large  appear,  now  know  ye,  that  I  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  for 
and  in  consideration  of  a  certain  sum  of  money  to  me  in  hand  paid  or  secured,  at 
or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  hereof,  by  John  Neufville,  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  thereof,  and  of  any 
part  and  parcel  thereof,  have  granted,  bargained  and  sold,  and  by  these  presents 
do  grant,  bargain  and  sell,  unto  the  said  John  Neufville  all  that  certain  piece  or 
parcel  of  land  situate  and  being  within  the  manor  of  Pelham,  being  200  acres  of 
land,  40  acres  thereof  being  in  the  small  lot  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Boston 
road,  on  the  south  by  the  creek,  on  the  east  by  the  laud  of  Mary  Levilaine,  and 
on  the  west  by  the  land  of  Lewis  Carre  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
on  the  great  lott  with  Mary  Levelaine,  Gabriel  Le  Yoiteurs  and  Machett.  wliich 
are  not  divided  lands,  his  proportionable  interest  in  the  commons  of  the  six 
thousand  acres  of  land,  and  iu  the  fresh  and  salt  meadows  of  the  said  six  thous- 
and acres  therein,  comprehending  four  acres  of  land  on  the  little  commons,  to- 
gether with  all  the  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  to  have  and  to  hold  the 
said  land  and  premises  with  their  appurtenances,  unto  the  said  John  Neufville, 
his  heirs  and  assignees  for  ever,  and  the  said  Jacob  Leisler  doth  by  these  presents 
covenant,  grant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  John  Neufville,  his  executors, 
administrators  and  assignees,  in  his  and  their  quiet  and  peaceable  possession  and 
seizen,  according  to  the  same  right  and  title,  as  to  me  appertaineth  by  the  afore- 
said deed  of  sale,  made  and  delivered  to  me,  the  said  Jecob  Leisler,  and  no 
farther,  he  the  said  John  Neufville,  paying  his  proportion  of  the  quit-rent  on 
the  land  mentioned  and  expressed.  In  witness  whereof,  I,  the  said  Jacob  Leis- 
ler, have  set  my  hand  and  seal  to  these  presents,  this  one  and  twentieth  day  of 
May,  A.D.  1699. 

The  quantity  of  acres  I  acknowledge  be  above  the  limits,  I  will  not  engage  at 
all.  Signed, 

New  York,  31  May,  1690.  JACOB  LEISLER,  ELSJE  LEISLER. 

The  same  year,  Jacob  Leisler,  with  the  consent  of  Elsje,  his  wife, 
conveyed  to  Alexander  Allaire,  one  hundred  acres.  Also  to  Louis 
Guion,  a  tract  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  acres,  Szc,  &c. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


587 


The  annexed  receipt  is  taken  from  the  town  records : 

New  York,  8th  Sept.  1690. 
a  Item :  received  of  Mr.  Jolm  Bouteillier,  the  sum  of  niue  aud  twenty  pounds 
seveu  shillings  aud  two  pence,  being  in  full  for  the  last  payment  of  his  lauds. 

Received  by  me, 

RACHEL  PELL. 

The  township  of  New  Rochelle  was  first  surveyed  and  divided  into 
lots  or  farms  on  the  20th  of  November,  1693,  by  Alexander  Allaire  and 
Captain  Bond,  the  latter  being  a  surveyor.  This  division  was  made  by 
running  a  straight  line  directly  north  from  the  old  Boston  road  to  Hutch- 
inson's river,  and  laying  out  lots  on  each  side  of  it.  The  land  south  of 
the  Boston  road,  was  divided  into  twenty-six  lots.  Leisler's  and  La- 
counte's  neck  (now  Davenport's  neck)  contained,  according  to  the  sur- 
vey, two  hundred  acres. 

Upon  the  20th  of  November,  1700,  Sir  John  PelU  and  Rachel,  his 
wife,  granted  to  Daniel  Sampson  and  Isaac  Cantin,  one  hundred  acres, 
"provided  that  the  purchasers  and  their  assignees,  shall  do  suit  and 
service,  now  or  at  any  time  hereafter,  from  time  to  time  in  the  manor 
court,  and  pay  their  proportion  to  the  minister  of  the  place. f 

The  Hugnenots,^or  French  Protestants  of  New  Rochelle,  were  a  part 
of  the  vast  multitude  who  were  driven  from  France  by  persecution  for 
conscience  sake,  and  sought  a  refuge  in  lands  where  they  might  enjoy 
religious  freedom.  Some  of  them,  it  is  said,  came  directly  from  the 
West  Indies,  where  they  had  lived  for  some  years  after  leaving  France, 
while  others  came  no  doubt  from  England,  and  were  a  part  of  the 
50,000  persecuted  who  fled  into  that  country  four  years  before  the  re- 
vocation of  the  edict  of  Nantz.  This  is  confirmed  by  the  charter  of 
Trinity  Church  in  New  Rochelle,  wherein  they  specify  that  "  they  fled 
from  France  in  1681." 

They  were,  no  doubt,  aided  in  their  escape  from  France  by  the  Eng- 
lish vessels  that  lay  for  some  time  off  the  Island  of  Rhe,  opposite  La 
Rochelle,  in  which  they  were  conveyed  to  England.  Tradition  says, 
that  they  were  subsequently  transported  to  this  place  in  one  of  the 
King's  ships,  and  landed  on  Davenport's  Neck,  at  a  place  afterwards 
called  Bauffet's  or  Bonnefoy's  Point.  Soon  after  their  arrival  we  find 
them  thus  addressing  Governor  Fletcher : 

a  Town  Rec.  20. 

b  So  styled  in  the  Town  Records. 
e  Town  Rec.  p.  10. 

d  The  epithet  Ilupiienot  (which  has  been  a  subject  of  much  discussion)  is  traced  to  the 
word  Eiguot,  derived  from  the  German  Eide-genossen— federati  or  allied.— Mr.  G.  P.  Disos- 
way. 


588 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


PETITION  FROM  NEW  ItOCHELLE. 

"To  His  Excellency  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Governor  in 
Chief,  and  Captain  General  of  ye  Province  of  New- York, 
and  dependencies,  &c. 
The  humble  petition  of  ye  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle, 

Humbly  Suewbth, 

That  your  petitioners  having  been  forced  by  the  late  persecutions  in  France  to 
forsake  their  country  and  estates,  and  flye  to  ye  Protestant  Princes.  Their 
Majesty es  by  their  proclamation  of  ye  25th  of  Aprill,  1 689,  did  grant  them  an 
azile  in  all  their  dominions,  with  their  Royall  protection ;  wherefore  they  were 
invited  to  come  and  buy  lands  in  this  province,  to  the  end  that  they  might  by 
their  labour  help  the  neccssityes  of  their  familyes,  and  did  spend  therein  all  their 
smale  store,  with  the  help  of  their  friends,  whereof  they  did  borrow  great  sums 
of  money.  They  are  above  twenty  (MS.  torn)  poor  and  needy,  not  able  .... 
ties  and  clothing,  much  ....  they  did  hitherto  beare  above  their  .... 
thereby  reduced  to  a  lamentable  condition,  as  having  been  compelled  to  sell  for 
that  purpose  the  things  which  are  most  necessary  for  their  use.  Wherefore 
your  petitioners  humbly  pray, 

That  your  Excellency  may  be  pleased  to  take  their  case  in  serious  considera- 
tion, and  out  of  Charity  and  pity,  to  grant  them  for  some  years  what  help  and 
priveleges  your  Excellency  shall  think  convenient, 

And  your  petitioners  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Thau  vet  Elsi  CoTnorNEAU.  "<* 

"  The  cruelties  which  they  suffered  in  France  are  beyond  anything  of 
the  kind  on  record,  and  in  no  age  was  there  ever  such  a  violation  of  all 
that  is  sacred,  either  with  relation  to  God  or  man ;  and  when  we  con- 
sider the  exalted  virtues  of  that  glorious  band  of  brothers,  we  are 
amazed,  while  we  are  delighted  with  their  fortitude  and  courage.  Rather 
than  renounce  their  Christian  principles  they  endured  outrages  shocking 
to  humanity,  persecutions  of  unheard  of  enormity,  and  death  in  all  its 
horrors.  The  complaint  of  Justin  Martyr  to  the  Roman  Emperor,  that 
the  Christians  were  punished  with  torture  and  death  upon  the  bare  pro- 
fession of  their  being  such,  might  have  been  made  by  the  French  Pro- 
testants.    To  be  a  Huguenot,  was  enough  to  ensure  condemnation. 

a  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii,  p,  926.  The  Rev.  Antoino  Verren,  D.D.,  in  a  discourse  delivered 
ou  the  2fith  June,  1862,  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  Prot.  Epis.  French  eh.  IHeu  St, 
Esprit,  N.  Y,  says:  l-I  have  it  from  a  parishioner  more  than  octogenerian  (the  deceased 
pious  Vaultiere  of  Reade  street,  whose  loneliness  during  the  first  months  of  my  arrival  among 
you  I  used  frequently  by  the  side  of  his  bed  to  comfort  with  the  words  of  the  Lord),  who  re- 
lated to  me  that  he  had  seen  here  himself  old  men  the  fathers  of  whom  had  told  them  often 
that  they  had  emigrated  to  this  country  after  the  capture  (162S)  of  La  Rochelle,  by  the  Cardi- 
nal ministre,  and  by  hundreds,  hundreds,  hundreds,  under  his  successors,  and  before  that 
monarch  had  repealed  the  Edict  of  Jfa  ntes ;  for  already  our  poor  brethren  had  settled  churches 
and  pastors  at  Narraganset  and  Boston,  which  is  a  /net  shown  by  our  correspondenc-  wi*h 
them  all  then  preserved  to  this  day,  in  our  archives,  and  the  first  minutes  of  our  own  old 
records,  are,  by  several  years,  of  a  date  anterior  to  that  revocation.  "The  Hugenots."  A 
discourse  by  Rev.  Antonlne  Verreu,  D.I).  Translated  from  the  French  by  Rev.  William  Mor- 
ris, LL.D.   New  Yor!' :  George  F.  Nesbit  &  Co.,  printers,  1SC2. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


589 


Whoever  bore  this  name  were  imprisoned,  arraigned  for  their  lives ;  and 
adhering  to  their  profession,  were  condemned  by  merciless  judges  to  the 
flames.  Some,  of  the  name  and  character,  were  murdered  in  cold 
blood,  and  massacred  without  any  legal  forms  of  justice. 

"  It  is  a  singular  fact,  (continues  Mr.  Disosway,  to  whom  we  are  in- 
debted for  the  materials  of  this  sketch,)  that  the  Reformation  originated 
in  France,  upon  her  own  soil,  and  its  earliest  seeds  were  germinated  in 
the  University  of  Paris,  then  a  stronghold  of  Romanized  faith,  At  this 
time,  the  University  was  the  principal  seat  of  European  learning  and 
Roman  Catholic  orthodoxy. 

"  Among  the  people  of  Picardy  and  Dauphiny,  the  first  principles  of 
the  great  work  appeared  before  they  were  manifest  in  any  other  country. 
This  is  the  fact,  if  we  regard  dates ;  and,  therefore,  the  earliest  honors 
of  the  Reformation  belong  to  France ;  a  circumstance  which  has  been 
generally  overlooked.  Still  Luther,  in  zeal,  knowledge  and  success, 
was  the  master-spirit  of  the  age ;  and,  in  its  fullest  sense,  he  deserves 
the  epithet  of  the  first  reformer. 

"  Among  the  first  doctors  of  theology  in  Paris,  who  zealously  em- 
braced the  ever-blessed  Reformation,  was  Lefevre  ;  who,  while  engaged 
in  a  task  of  collecting  the  legends  of  saints  and  martyrs,  felt  a  ray  of 
divine  light  from  on  higli  suddenly  flash  into  his  mind;  and,  abandoning 
his  work,  cast  away  such  foolish  things  and  embraced  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. The  new  impulse  grew  rapidly  in  his  heart,  and  he  soon  com- 
municated its  divine  truth  to  his  classes  in  the  University.  Of  this 
individual,  Beza  remarked ;  '  It  was  he  who  boldly  began  the  revival  of 
the  holy  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.'  Thus  a  new  era  opened  in  France, 
and  the  Reformation  soon  niade  rapid  progress.  One  of  its  first  wit- 
nesses in  the  court  of  royalty  was  the  celebrated  princess,  Margaret  of 
Valois,  Duchess  of  Alencon,  and  sister  to  the  reigning  monarch,  Francis 
the  First.*  She  is  said  to  have  dignified  her  profession  by  a  pure,  relig- 
ious and  blameless  life,  amidst  the  dissolute  and  literary  household  of 
her  royal  brother,  etc. 

"  The  Bishop  of  Meaux,  through  Margaret,  sent  to  the  king  a  trans- 
lation of  St.  Paul's  epistles  richly  illuminated,  adding  :  '  They  will  make 
a  truly  royal  dish  of  a  fatness  that  never  corrupts ;  and,  having  a  power 
to  restore  all  manner  of  sickness,  the  more  we  taste  them,  the  more  we 
hunger  after  them,  with  desires  that  are  ever  fed  and  never  cloyed.' 

"  The  fires  of  persecution  now  began  to  rage  against  this  new  sect. 

<»  Margaret  selected  for  her  emblem  the  marigold, "  Which,''  says  Brantome,  the  annalist  of 
the  court,  "in  its  flower  and  leaf  has  the  most  resemblance  to  the  sun,  and,  turning,  follows 
its  course.  Her  device  was.  'Non  inferiora  secutus'— '  I  seek  not  things  below; '— signify- ' 
tng,"  continues  our  author,  that  her  actions,  thoughts,  purposes  and  desires,  were  directed 
to  that  exalted  Sun,  namely  God." 


59°        '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

John  Le  Clerc  was  the  first  martyr  of  the  gospel  in  France.  He  was 
the  pastor  of  the  Church  at  Meaux.  For  writing  against  Antichrist  of 
Rome,  he  was  seized  by  the  enraged  priest,  whipped  three  successive 
days,  and  then  branded  as  a  heretic  with  a  heated  iron  on  his  forehead. 
But  the  martyr  uttered  not  a  groan,  and  he  was  again  set  at  liberty.  He 
then  withdrew  to  Metz,  where  more  awful  sufferings  awaited  him  ;  and 
again  in  the  power  of  his  enemies,  they  cut  off  his  right  hand ;  and,  tor- 
menting him  with  red-hot  irons,  he  was  at  last  consumed  by  a  slow  fire. 
During  all  these  horrid  tortures  his  mind  was  kept  in  perfect  fidelity 
and  peace,  and  he  ejaculated  solemnly:  '  Israel  trust  in  the  Lord;  He 
is  their  help  and  their  shield.'  Such  was  the  first  confessor  of  Jesus 
Christ  who  suffered  and  died  in  France  ;  and,  therefore,  demands  our 
especial  notice.  A  system  of  terror  soon  began  over  the  whole  of 
France. 

"But  in  vain,  did  its  enemies  oppose;  the  glorious  march  of  the  Ref- 
ormation was  onward  and  sure.  France  had  now  been  baptized  with 
the  blood  of  the  martyrs  ! 

"In  the  midst  of  perils,  opposition  and  persecution,  the  first  national 
synod  was  called  at  the  metropolis  of  the  kingdom.  This  council  pub- 
lished to  the  world  their  confession,  which  is  entitled,  '  The  Confession 
of  Faith  held  and  Professed  by  the  Reformed  Churches  of  France,  Re- 
ceived and  Enacted  by  their  First  National  Synod,  Celebrated  in  the 
City  of  Paris,  and  year  of  our  Lord,  1559.' 

"  In  their  contests  at  this  period  the  Huguenot  forces  were  led  by  the 
celebrated  and  brave  Coligny  and  the  Prince  of  Conde,  two  illustrious 
names  in  their  annals.  The  Duke  of  Guise  headed  the  papal  annies. 
Towns  were  taken  and  retaken;  when  the  Huguenots  triumphed,  they 
destroyed  altars  and  images ;  and  the  Romanists  in  their  turn  burned  all 
the  Bibles  they  could  seize.  Such  were  the  effects  of  fanaticism  on 
both  sides.  To  assert  that  the  excesses  were  only  commited  by  one 
party  would  be  untrue,  and  that  some  of  our  race  were  allied  to  angels ; 
but  we  hazard  nothing  in  saying  that  the  reformed,  in  almost  every  in- 
stance, resorted  to  arms  from  motives  of  self-preservation." 

"  Upon  Sunday,  August  the  24th,  1572,  was  perpetrated  the  massacre 
of  St.  Bartholomew.  De  Thou,  a  popish  historian,  relates  that  thirty 
thousand  perished  on  this  terrible  occasion.  Another  estimates  one 
hundred  thousand.  In  Paris  alone,  they  amounted  to  ten  thousand; 
and,  among  the  number,  five  hundred  Huguenot  lords,  knights,  and 
military  officers,  with  several  thousand  gentlemen. 

"  This  massacre,  which  was  perpetrated  on  St.  Bartholomew's  day,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1 5  7  2 — a  year  most  aptly  designated  as  infamous  by 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE.  5yl 

Lord  Clarendon,  may  be  pronounced  the  foulest  and  the  bloodiest  of 
ancient  or  modern  times.  The  black  deed  has  handed  down  the  names 
of  Catherine  de  Medicis  and  her  son,  Charles  IX.,  to  the  universal  de- 
testation of  after  ages. 

"Charles,  by  a  public  edict,  proclaimed  himself  the  author  of  it,  pre- 
tending that  he  was  forced  to  the  measure  by  the  Admiral  Coligny  and 
his  friends.  In  honor  of  it,  high  mass  was  performed  by  the  pope;  sal- 
voes of  artillery  thundered  from  the  ramparts  of  St.  Angelo ;  a  Te  Dev.m 
was  sung  to  celebrate  the  atrocious  event,  and  a  medal  was  struck  for 
the  same  purpose.    If  every  Protestant  account  of  this  terrible  trans- 


Pac-slmllie  of  Papal  Medal  in  honor  of  the  Massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew. 
Kindly  furnished  by  Mr.  Edward  Walker,  publisher  of  "Dowling's  History  of  Romanism." 

action  must  encounter  suspicion,  we  ourselves  will  be  satisfied  with  the 
testimony  of  this  medal  alone  of  Gregory  XIII.,  at  that  time  the  Pope ; 
— evidence  that  scatters  to  the  winds  of  heaven  all  the  excuses  and  at- 
tempted apologies  for  those  who  perpetrated  the  St.  Bartholomew  Mas- 
sacre. The  medal  has,  as  usual,  on  the  obverse  a  head  of  the  Pope,  Gre- 
gorius  XIII.  Pont.  Max.  An.  I.  The  reverse  exhibits  a  destroying  angel, 
with  a  cross  in  one  hand  and  a  sword  in  the  other,  pursuing  and  slaying 
a  flying  and  prostrate  band  of  heretics.  Strange  work  for  an  angel  !<* 
The  legend  is : — '  Ilugonottorum  Strages,' — ('  Slaughter  of  the  Hugu- 
enots.') 1572/ 

The  city  of  La  Rochelle  in  France,  which  had  always  stood  firmly  at- 

a  Sketch  of  the  Huguenots,  by  Mr.  O.  P.  Disostfay.   S.?e  Christian  Intelligencer. 

b  There  was  an  original  medal  in  the  possession  of  the  late  Rev.  S.  Farmer  .larris,  D.D., 
LL.l).,  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  who  obtained  it  at  the  mint  in  Rome.  Electrotype  copies  of 
this  medal  are  very  numerous ;  "  and  vet  we  are  told  that  the  Papa!  Church  is  not  answer- 
able for  its  acts  and  deeds;  but  only  for  such  words  as  it  thinks  proper  at  this  time  to  ac- 
knowledge? That  it  is  not  answerable  for  the  crusade  which  it  proclaimed  against  the  Al- 
higeuses?  For  the  Marian  Persecution  ?  For  the  tragedy  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Day?  For 
the  Inquisition?  Forthe  sufferings  of  the  Vandois?  For  the  Insh  Massacre ?  and  for  the 
Draggonnades  of  Louis  XIV.  ?  Sir,  it  is  to  history  that  I  look  for  what  the  papal  religion  has 
manifested  itself  to  be.  I  tind  its  character  111  its'  actions,  "  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth 
evil  fruit,  neither  can  a  corrupt  true  bring  forth  good  fruit.  Wherefore,  by  their  fruits  ye 
shall  judge  them."— Vind.  Eccles.  Anglicamc,  by  Robert  Southley,  Esq.,  LL.D.,  London. 
John  Murray,  1S26. 


592 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


tached  to  the  reformed  interests,  appears  to  have  afforded  (in  1572,)  an 
asylum  for  the  survivors  of  the  bloody  masssacre  of  St.  Bartholomew. 
It  was  here  they  issued  their  famous  declaration  stating  the  affair  to  be 
one  of  unheard  of  cruelty,  and  bidding  defiance  to  their  enemies  the 
house  of  Guise.  "  And  it  was  here  they  armed  and  fortified  themselves, 
trusting  in  a  just  cause  and  to  the  favor  of  Heaven.  For  nine  months 
they  fought  most  gallantly  in  defence  of  La  Rochelle,  killing  40,000  of 
their  enemies,  who  besieged  them  with  the  strongest  and  mightiest  army 
of  France  without  success.  It  was  however  in  1627,  that  this  city  made 
its  last  and  ever  memorable  stand  for  the  cause  of  the  Huguenots. 

"  And  it  may  safely  be  said,  that  this  mighty  city  would  never  have 
fallen  (such  was  the  undaunted  heroism  of  the  Rochellese  themselves) 
had  it  not  been  for  the  powerful  minded  genius  of  Cardinal  Richelieu, 
who  planned  and  executed  such  a  mighty  work  against  it,  that  in  gigantic 
extent  it  has  been  compared  by  historians  to  the  similiar  one  executed 
by  Alexander  the  Great,  for  Tyre.  The  powerful  mind  of  Richelieu  saw 
at  a  glance  that  it  was  useless  to  carry  on  the  longest  siege  against  the 
city  of  La  Rochelle,  whilst  a  free  communication  remained  open  to 
the  sea,  on  which  the  town  was  situated.  He  therefore  closed  the  mouth 
of  their  channel  by  the  erection  of  a  prodigious  mole,  4482  feet  across 
the  harbor,  with  a  central  opening.  The  frame  work  of  this  mole  con- 
sisted of  huge  piles  which  was  filled  up  with  stones,  and  sixty  hulks  sunk 
with  the  same  material,  for  the  purpose  of  buttresses.  One  arm  of  this 
immense  dyke  overlapped  the  other,  so  that  the  entrance  instead  of 
being  in  front  was  lateral.  A  stockade  of  piles,  interlaced  with  chains 
effectually  stopped  the  passage.  This  work  he  completed  and  defended 
by  45,000  men,  while  forty  pieces  of  cannon  on  the  one  shore,  and 
twenty-five  on  the  other,  flanked  the  approaches ;  and  the  narrow  pas- 
sage in  its  centre  (of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet)  guarded  by  a  flotilla  of 
vessels."" 

"  The  brave  Rochellese  manfully  defended  themselves  amidst  warfare 
and  stravation.  They  were  reduced  from  over  27,000  to  5000,  and  out 
of  a  company  of  nearly  600  English  allies,  only  62  survived.  'Assure 
the  Rochellese  that  I  will  not  abandon  them,'  was  the  message  of 
Charles  of  England  to  the  closely"besieged  city;  and  just  as  Buckingham 
was  taking  command  of  the  desired  expedition,  he  was  assassinated. 
This  event  created  further  delay,  and  the  expedition  arrived  too  late  to 
relieve  the  place.  The  citizens  bore  their  trials  most  manfully,  and  with 
perseverance  seldom  equalled.  The  bearer  of  a  letter  was  arrested,  and 
compelled  by  torture  to  confess  that  he  had  swallowed  it  concealed  in  a 
a  Smedley's  History  of  Reform.  Religion  ia  France,  vol,  iiL,  p.  "74,  Harper's  edition. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


593 


silver  almond  j  and  he,  with  the  silver-smith  who  made  the  almond,  were 
both  hanged.  Two  illustrious  ladies,  the  Duchess  of  Rohan  and  her 
daughter,  who  were  not  named  in  the  capitulation,  are  thus  referred  to 
by  a  writer  of  that  day.  '  Rigor  without  precedent,  that  a  person  of  her 
quality,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  on  quitting  a  siege  in  which  she  and  her 
daughter  had  lived  for  three  months  on  horse  flesh  and  four  or  five 
ounces  of  bread  per  day,  should  be  held  a  captive,  deprived  of  the  exer- 
cises of  religion.'  '  Protestants  were  no  longer  allowed  to  reside  in  this 
1  city  of  refuge,'  unless  they  had  been  inhabitants  before  the  arrival  of 
Buckingham's  expedition.  The  walls  were  prostrated,  the  fortifications 
razed,  and  a  cross  erected.  Thus  perished  this  little  Christian  republic 
which  had  defied  the  crown  of  France  for  seventy  years." 

"  History  does  not  afford  an  example  of  more  malignant  or  desolating 


war  than  that  which  raged  in  France  during  the  seventeenth  century. 
Louis  XIV.,  the  easy  dupe  of  the  Jesuits,  confessors,  and  the  designing 
Madame  de  Maintenon,  and  led  on,  also,  by  the  Cardinal  Mazarine, 
determined  to  convert  the  Reformers  to  the  Roman  faith.  Not  only 
force,  but  bribery  was  now  employed ;  converts  were  to  be  purchased, 
and  proselytism  in  every  form  resorted  to."* 

To  enter  into  the  minute  particulars  of  this  disastrous  period  would 
be  surperfluous;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  now  commenced  a  renewal  of  the 
outrageous  proceedings  of  former  years.  Commissioners  were  sent  into 
the  provinces  to  dispossess  the  Reformed  of  all  they  held  as  citizens ; 
nothing  awaited  them  but  fines,  humiliation,  and  poverty.  Troops  of 
soldiers  were  quartered  among  them,  who  inflicted  the  most  horrid  bar- 
barities, while  others  scoured  the  country,  and  dragooned  men  into  false 
confessions.    And  not  only  this  ;  hundreds  were  condemned  to  the  gal- 


Anna  of  La  RocheUe. 


a  Sketch  of  the  Huguenots,  Christian  Intelligencer,  Mr.  Disosway. 


594 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


leys,  and  sent  to  the  French  provinces  in  America.  One  of  their  6\vn 
ministers,  Jurieu,  informs  us  that  a  friend  of  his  saw  a  great  number  of 
men,  at  Aries,  fastened  to  the  horses,  underneath,  by  means  of  cords, 
followed  by  long  carts  filled  with  men  and  women,  tied  by  their  waists 
to  the  carts  !  and  these  were  carried  to  Marseilles,  to  be  shipped  to 
America ;  others  again  were  sent  to  the  islands  of  this  country  in  the 
king's  ships,  to  be  sold,  like  slaves,  to  those  who  would  give  most  for 
them.'1  Wearied  with  the  incessant  persecution,  and  despairing  of  re- 
pose around  their  native  hearths,  the  Huguenots  began  to  leave  France 
for  more  secure  regions.  Their  well-known  industry  and  skill  made 
them  welcome  in  every  Protestant  country.  No  less  than  five  hundred 
thousand  thus  escaped,  and  found  homes  in  Germany,  Holland,  and 
England. "b  King  Charles  II.  granted  letters  of  denization  in  council, 
under  the  great  seal,  and  assured  the  exiles  that,  at  the  next  meeting  of 
Parliament,  he  would  introduce  a  bill  by  which  they  should  be  natural- 
ized; relieved  them  at  the  moment  from  importation  duties  and  pass- 
port fees,  and  encouraged  voluntary  contributions  for  their  support. "e 
This  order  was  issued  on  the  28th  of  July,  1681,  the  same  year  in  which 
many  of  the  Huguenots  of  New  Rochelle  fled  from  France/  conclusive 
evidence  that  they  constituted  a  part  of  those  exiles  who  accepted  the 
royal  offers,  and  afterward,  under  the  patronage  of  the  government, 
purchased  and  settled  here  in  1689.  Some  of  the  Huguenots  must  have 
been  "  aided  in  their  escape  from  France  by  the  English  vessels  that  lay 
for  some  time  off  the  Island  of  Rhe,  opposite  La  Rochelle,  in  which 
they  were  conveyed  to  England."'  Tradition  says  that  many  of  them 
were  subsequently  transported  to  this  place  in  one  of  the  king's  ships. 
The  point  on  Davenport's  Neck  called  Bauffet's  or  Bonnefoy's  Point, 
was  the  spot  where  they  first  landed.  Others  who  afterwards  joined 
them — viz.,  Theroulde,  Allaire,  Le  Vilain,  Machet,  Bongrand,  Thauver, 
Mercier,  Mastier  and  Jouneau,  &c,  had  been  in  New  York  a  year  or 
more  previous  to  their  settlement  at  New  Rochelle. 

Upon  the  17th  of  April,  1695,  we  find  letters  of  denization  granted 
to  Francis  Le  Count,  under  oaths  appointed  to  be  taken/ 

On  the  6th  of  February,  1695-6,  letters  of  denization  were  issued 
under  the  seal  of  the  province,  "  to  David  de  Bonrepos,  Alexander 
Allaire,  Henry  Beignon,  Esaye  Valleau,  Andrew  Thaunet,  David  Bonne- 

a  Jurieu's  Pastoral  Letters. 

b  Christian  Intelligencer ;  Mr.  Disosway's  Sketch  of  the  DuguenotS. 
c  Smedley'B  Hist,  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  iii.  21T. 
rfSee  Charter  of  Trinity  Church  in  this  town. 

e  So  rapid  and  instantaneous  appears  to  have  been  their  flight,  that  one  family  in  particu- 
lar (the  GralonB)  "  left  their  pot  boiling  on  the  lire."   An  earthen  jug,  rescued  on  this  occa- 
sion, was  in  ihe  possession  of  the  late  Airs.  Julia  Law-ton,  daughter  of  Frederick  Gulon. 
/Alb.  Book  of  Pat.  vi.  527. 


THE  TOWN  Ol"  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


595 


foy,  Louis  Guion,  and  Louis  Guion  his  son,  Pierre  Das,  Pierre  Palcot, 
Andrew  Naudin,  and  Andrew  and  Louis  Naudin  his  sons,  Theophile 
Fourrestier,  Charles  Fourrestier,  Ambroise  Sycard,  and  Ambroise, 
Daniel,  and  Jacques,  his  sons,  Giulliamme  Landrin,  Guilleaume  Cothon- 
neau  (/.  e.,  senior)  Isaac  Caillard,  Marie  Cothonneau,  and  Guilliaume 
Cothonneau  her  son,  Jean  Neufuille,  Estensie  Livinge,  and  Jean  Cou- 
stant  (i.e.)  Jean  Coutanti,  of  foreign  birth,  and  a  writ  of  1  dcdimus 
potestatem'  directed  to  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  for  administering  the 
oaths  under  them."" 

They  continued  to  arrive  from  England,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained, 
till  the  year  1700;  for  there  is  still  preserved  in  the  Bonnett  family 
(of  this  town)  the  following  passport  from  the  mayor  of  Bristol,  in  Eng- 
land, of  this  date,  to  their  ancestor,  Daniel  Bonnett : 

Civitas  Bmstol. — These  are  to  certify  that  the  hearer  thereof,  Daniel  Bon- 
nett, weaver,  (as  we  arc  very  well  assured  by  persons  of  credit  and  repute  of  the 
French  refugees  here,)  is  a  French  Protestant  of  good  repute,  and  hath  here  lived 
ten  years..  But  iu  hopes  of  better  maintaining  himself  and  family,  is  intending 
to  settle  himself,  with  his  wife  and  four  children,  in  some  of  his  Majestie's  plan- 
tations in  America.  In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereto  subscribed  our 
names,  and  caused  the  seal  of  the  mayoralty  of  this  city  to  be  hereto  affixed  this 
sixteenth  day  of  November,  one  thousand  and  seven  hundred. 
Tuos.  Caky,  Clerk.  William  Daines  Mayor. 

Richard  La:;e, 
Samuel  Wallis, 
William  Jackson-, 
Thomas  Day. 

On  Daniel  Bonnett's  arrival  in  New  Rochelle,  he  purchased  land  of 
Bartholomew  Le  Roux,  one  of  the  first  settlers,  which  property  is  still 
occupied  by  his  descendants.  Some  of  his  family  appear  to  have  been 
elders  in  the  Church  of  Chaalous  upon  Saone,  for  at  the  Synod  of  Gap 
in  1603,  for  Burgundy,  Lyonois,  &c,  was  one  Job  James  Bonnett.6 
Daniel  was  born  in  France  in  1665,  his  wife  Judy  in  1670.  Their  chil- 
dren were  Daniel,  John,  Peter,  Mary,  Johanna,  and  Susanna.  Daniel 
Bonnett  took  out  naturalization  papers  in  New  York  on  the  3d  of  July, 
1700. 

The  following  incident  is  related  of  this  family:  "Daniel  and  his  wife 
were  attempting  to  reach  the  French  coast  with  two  small  children 
concealed  in  the  paniers  of  a  donkey,  covered  with  fresh  vegetables. 
The  mother  having  enjoined  upon  the  children  to  keep  perfect  silence, 
no  matter  what  might  occur,  they  had  scarcely  commenced  their  jour- 


a  Alb.  Hook  (jf  Pat.  Vol.  L 

6  (Quick's  Synodicon,  Vol.  II,  306.  The  artists  and  mechanics  of  the  Iluguenots  remained  In 
the  city,  ami  the  farmers  removed  Into  the  country. 


596 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ney  when  they  were  overtaken  by  a.gend'arme,  who  demanded  to  know 
what  the  paniers  contained.  The  mother  replied,  1  fresh  vegetables  for 
the  market'  As  if  doubting  her  words,  the  rough  soldier  rode  up  to 
the  side  of  the  donkey,  and  thrust  his  sword  into  the  nearest  panier, 
exclaiming  as  he  rode  away,  '  Bon  voyage  tnesamis/'  The  agony  of 
the  parents  may  be  conceived,  until  the  soldier  was  well  out  of  sight, 
when  the  panier  was  immediately  opened,  and  the  child  was  found  to 
have  been  pierced  through  the  calf  of  his  leg.  Fortunately  nothing 
more  occurred  to  interrupt  their  journey  to  the  coast. 

On  the  testimony  of  Dr.  John  Pintard,  we  were  assured  that  on  some 
occasions  the  devoted  inhabitants  of  this  town  walked  on  communion 
Sundays  to  New  York,  a  distance  by  the  road  at  that  time  of  twenty 
miles,  to  attend  the  services  at  the  old  French  church  in  Pine  street ;  and 
returned  on  the  same  evening  to  their  homes  to  be  ready  for  their  weekly 
avocations  on  Monday.  To  them,  the  service  of  the  temple  was  a  delight. 
They  invariably  commenced  their  march  on  Sunday  morning,  by  singing 
one  of  the  psalms  of  Clement  Marot.  The  6oth  psalm  appears-  to  have 
been  a  particular  favorite. 

"  O  Lord  Thou  didst  us  clean  forsake, 
And  scatter  all  abroad,  &c" 

We  are  also  indebted  for  the  following  particulars,  to  the  recollections 
of  the  late  John  Pintard,  LL.D. 

"  The  holy  sacrament  was  administered  to  the  Huguenots  at  New 
Rochelle,  four  times  a  year,  viz.,  Christmas,  Easter,  Whit-Sunday,  and 
the  middle  of  September.  During  the  intermissions  that  occurred,  the 
communicants  walked  to  New  York  for  that  purpose.  Prior  to  their  de- 
parture on  a  Sunday,  they  always  collected  the  young  children,  and  left 
them  in  the  care  of  friends,  while  they  set  off  early  in  the  morning  and 
walked  to  the  city  barefooted,  carrying  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  their 
hands.  About  twelve  miles  from  New  York,  at  a  place  since  called  the 
Blue  Bell,  there  was  a  large  rock  by  the  road  side  covered  with  cedars ; 
here  they  stopped  for  a  short  time  to  rest  and  take  some  refreshment, 
and  then  proceeded  on  their  journey  till  they  came  to  a  freshwater 
pond,  (within  the  bounds  of  the  city)  here  they  washed  their  feet,  put 
on  their  shoes  and  stockings,  and  walked  to  the  French  church,  where 
they  generally  arrived  by  the  time  service  begun.  After  they  had  re- 
ceived the  sacrament,  they  adjourned  to  the  consistory  room  and  par- 
took of  the  provisions  they  had  brought  with  them.  The  interval  be- 
tween the  services  was  short  for  their  accommodation,  as  they  had  to 
walk  home  again  the  same  evening  to  their  families.  This  religious  duty 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHEI.I.E. 


597 


was  often  repeated,  an  evidence  that  their  piety  was  ardent  and  sincere. 
They  continued  to  worship  after  this  manner,  till  the  American  Revolu- 
tion broke  out,  when  this  part  of  the  county  became  harassed  and  over- 
run by  the  British  troops.  The  people,  in  consequence,  were  scattered, 
and  the  younger  folks  grew  up  without  going  to  any  regular  place  of 
worship. 

The  French  church  in  New  York  had  two  do'ors,  behind  which  boxes 
were  placed  to  receive  the  contributions  of  the  congregation.  At  the 
conclusion  of  the  services,  the  minister  never  failed  to  add  '  Souvenez 
vous  les  pauvrcs'  remember  ye  the  poor.  Upon  which,  every  person, 
old  and  young,  on  going  out  of  church,  dropped  a  copper  into  the  box.* 
The  money  collected  in  this  manner  was  divided  the  next  morning 
among  the  poor,  who  came  regularly  to  receive  their  allowance  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  consistory  room.  At  that  early  period,  a  large  loaf  of 
bread  could  be  purchased  for  four  coppers,  so  that  this  money  supplied 
the  indigent  for  one  week.  It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  the  French 
Huguenots  always  made  it  a  matter  of  conscience  to  support  their  own 
poor,  and  the  Scripture  remark  has  more  than  once  been  applied  to  them. 
'  Yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
bread.'  The  French  clergy  were  derived  from  Geneva,  and  greatly  dis- 
tinguished for  their  learning.  Governor  Burnet,  of  New  York,  the  son 
of  Bishop  Burnet,  was  much  censured  for  his  partiality  to  them ;  but 
being  well  educated,  he  knew  how  to  appreciate  their  merits.  The 
Huguenots  were  very  careful  in  the  domestic  education  of  their  children. 
In  the  common  sitting-room  of  most  houses,  the  mantel-piece  was  finished 
with  Dutch  tiles,  containing  chiefly  the  history  of  the  New  Testament 
and  the  Parables.6 

They  were  taught  to  learn  the  subject  by  these  tiles  on  Sunday  even- 
ings, for  at  that  period  Sunday  evening  services  were  not  common  ;  other 
denominations  first  introduced  them.  The  consequence  has  been  that 
domestic  instruction  has  declined,  a  method  by  which  children  of 
earlier  days  derived  more  benefit,  than  by  being  carried  to  evening 
churches.'v 

In  the  possession  of  the  late  Hon.  Joshua  Purdy,  of  North  Salem,  was 
(a  few  years  ago)  the  original  French  Bible  belonging  to  the  Guion  family 
of  New  Rochelle,  containing  the  forms  of  prayer,  with  the  manner  of 
administering  the  sacraments ;  celebrating  marriage,  and  the  visitation 


0  Mr.  Plntard  remembered,  as  a  child,  lo  have  been  lifted  up  for  the  purpose  of  dropping 
his  mite  Into  the  box. 

1  Such  may  yet  be  seen  In  this  placf  in  the  house  of  the  late  Mr.  Samuel  Davis. 

o  From  John  Pintard's  recollections,  communicated  by  the  late  Mrs.  Serross  of  New 
Rochelle. 


598 


HISTORY  OF  THE   COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  the  sick,  as  formerly  practised  in  the  French  Reformed  church  of  this 
place  in  1697.    One  of  the  prayers  is  thus  entitled: 

u  Oraison  au  fidele  detenu  en  captivite." 

The  catechism  of  the  French  church  is  also  added,  and  the  psalms 
in  metre  with  their  appropriate  tunes.  On  a  blank  leaf  occurs  the  fol- 
lowing memoranda : 

Cette  Bible  appartient 
a  moy  Yaltlicr  Humbert 
du  Locke  &  de  la 
de  fond  Bourgeois 
Mangin  Lau- 
le  Sept  cent 
et  uu 
PI. 

Au  nom  de  Dieu 
Isaac  Gieon  a  Marie  ma  fillc  Marie 
le  25  d'aoust  1710  par  Monsieur  Le  roux  ministre 
de  l'eglise  Francoise  de  la  nouvelle  York  JxJ 
en  presence  de  monsieur  Paul  Drouillet  aucien 
&  pour  temoins  abraham  Girard  et  sa  femme  X 

For  some  time,  all  the  exertions  the  Huguenots  could  make — men, 
women  and  children  united — were  necessary  to  prepare  the  land  for  cul- 
tivation, and  enable  them  to  pay  for  its  purchase ;  which  perseverance  at 
last  accomplished.  Yet,  amid  all  the  hardships  and  suffering  incident 
to  a  laborious  life,  in  an  uncultivated  and  strange  country,  they  wrote  to 
their  friends  in  France,  expressing  their  gratitude  to  Heaven  for  the  ad- 
vantages they  enjoyed  in  this  land  of  liberty. 

That  heart  must  be  hard  indeed  that  cannot  appreciate  the  following 
pious  ejaculations  set  forth  in  the  last  will  of  John  Machet,  one  of  these 
sufferers  for  conscience  sake  : 

Our  help  be  in  the  name  of  God,  which  made  the  heavens  and  earth,  Amen. 

I,  John  Machet,  a  ship  carpenter,  born  and  bred  in  ye  town  of  Tremblade,  in 
France,  and  dwelling  in  Bordeaux,  and  being  fugitive  by  the  persecution,  with 
my  family,  viz:  Jeanne  Thomas  my  wife,  and  Peter,  John,  Jeanne  and  Mary 
Anne  Machet,  my  children,  sons  and  daughters,  and  having  all  abandoned  and 
forsaken  all  my  goods  for  my  religion's  sake,  which  I  profess  in  the  purity  of  a 
Christian  commonly  called  Protestant,  and  being  now  established  in  these  places, 
lands  and  dependencies  of  New  York,  in  the  town  called  New  Jtochelle,  under 
the  dominion  of  the  high  and  mighty  monarch,  our  king,  William  of  plaine 
memory,  to  which  God  preserve  his  sceptre  and  crowne,  and  that  under  his  reign 
we  might  live  in  God's  fear,  and  being  sick  of  body  with  a  fever,  notwithstand- 
ing sound  of  mind  and  memory,  and  willing  to  provide  my  business  for  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


599 


tranquility  of  my  family,  etc.  Iniprimus,  I  commend  my  soul  to  God,  the 
Father  Almighty,  the  Creator  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  that  he  might  receive  her  in 
II is  Heavenly  kingdom  among  His  blessed  children.  And  as  for  my  corpse,  to 
be  buried  after  the  custom  and  manner  of  my  religion  and  discipline,  till  the  ac- 
complishment of  times,  and  until  the  resurrection  when  our  Lord  shall  come  for 
to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  &c,  &c.  The  above  will  is  dated  New  Ro- 
chelle,  17th  of  April,  1694. 

Among  the  Lespinard  papers  (at  Upper  New  Rochelle)  is  preserved 
a  diary  kept  by  a  member  of  that  family,  prior  to  their  leaving  France, 
from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts  (the  originals  are  in  the 
French  language") : 

"September  20th,  1671. — I  have  been  married  to  Abel  de  Forge.  I  beg  the 
good  God,  that  He  gives  us  the  grace  to  live  a  long  time  in  His  holy  fear,  and 
that  it  will  please  Him  to  give  us  a  good  paradise  at  the  end. 

October  2d,  1672.— My  wife  has  been  confined  of  a  girl  Margaret,  at  about  ten 
o'clock  of  the  day,  on  a  Wednesday.  Margaret  died,  and  has  given  her  spirit  to 
God,  between  six  and  seven  o'clock  of  the  afternoon."0 

In  1 710  Margaret  Lespinard,  or  Lepperner,  (as  it  was  then  spelt)  who 
was  born  in  France  in  1644,  was  living  in  New  Rochelle  with  her  two 
children,  Anthony  and  Susanna. 

"  Between  the  French  Huguenots  who  settled  at  Oxford  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  those  who  came  to  New  York,  it  appears  by  the  Bernon 
papers  that  there  was  some  correspondence.'  * 

The  Freeholders  of  New  Rochelle  in  1708  were  as  follows : 

Daniel  Lambert,  Jacoo  Scurman, 

Ehe  Badcau,  Ambroise  Sycart, 

Daniel  Giraud,  Benjamin  Fancuil, 

Gregoire  Gougeon,  Alexander  Allaire, 

Daniel  Bonnett,  Jean  Pemeau, 

Elie  de  Bonrepos,  J.  Levillain, 

Jean  Magnon,   Bolts, 

 Besly,  Daniel  Rayneau, 

Isaac  Mercicr,  Guilleaume  Le  Counte, 

Bartholomew  Le  Roux,  Francois  Le  Counte, 

Pierre  Valleau,  Zacharie  Angevin, 
Frederick  Schorman. 

Upon  the  17th  of  April,  1724,  we  find  the  following  freeholders 

a  Extracts  from  the  Lespinard  Diary  in  possession  of  the  late  Peter  Oanlladet,  T'poer 
Rochelle.  The  French  Huguenot  ladies  brought  out  their  Bibles  rolled  up  in  their  hair,  one 
of  these  Bibles  is  now  in  possession  of  Servoss,  Esq.,  of  Harlem. 

6  -Massachusetts  Hist.  Collect.  Vol.  II.  'H. 


600  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

"granting  to  Anthony  Lespinard  a  portion  of  land  (situated  on  Daven- 
port's Neck)  for  the  erection  of  a  mill."a 

 Besly,  Peter  Samson, 

Oliver  Besly,  John  Coutaut, 

Simon  Mabe,  F.  Bolt,  jr. 

Francis  Ganyard,  Zaccarie  Angevin, 

Frederick  Scurmau,  Pierre  Elisee  Gallaudet, 

Gilleaume  Clapp,  Isaac  Mender, 

John  Cla:k,  Lancinie  Thauvet, 

John  M.  Martin,  Aman  Guion, 

Estienne  Guerin,  Andre  Naudain, 

Benj.  Petit,  Alexander  Allaire, 

Josias  Le  Conte,  Gregoire  Gougeon, 

Abel  Devoux,  James  Roubet, 

Samuel  Barnard,  Henry  Shadden, 

John  Moras,  Rachel  Neufille.6 

The  records  of  this  town  commence  on  the  2d  of  December,  1699. 

"  At  a  general  meeting  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  according  to  Justice 
Pinckney,  his  warrant,  Peter  Le  Roux,  heretofore  Constable,  has  been  dis- 
charged, and  Robert  Bloomer  has  been  named  in  his  place,  for  to  excercise  the 
said  charge  of  Constable,  and  that,  nomine  contradicente.  In  the  same  assem- 
bly, Peter  Frederick  and  Joseph  Devane  have  been  named  for  to  be  surveyors 
about  the  fences  i:i  all  the  plantations  of  this  place,  for  to  preserve  the  peace. 
April,  1700.  Robert  Bloomer,  Supervisor. 

A.mbroise  Sicard,  Collector, 
Peter  Valleau,  Assessor, 

Peter  Frederick,  )  a,  „  „     -  IT.  , 

Andrew  Barchui,;  Su™yors  of  Highways. 

Occasionally  the  entries  occur  in  the  French  language : 

"  Le  premier  jour  d'avril,  1710,  nous  les  inhabitants  de  La  Nouvelle  Rochelie, 
assemble  a  l'autorite  par  un  warant  de  Justice  Gougeon  date  du  en  mars  nous 
eurnes  e  nommer  pour  ofneiers  pour  suvir  le  canton. 

Ponr  Supervoyser,  Ollivier  Besly, 

Pour  Constable,  Zacarie  Angevin, 

Pour  Collectuer,  Jacque  Flandreau, 

Pour  Toon  Man,  Isaac  Mercier  et  Pierre  Valleau, 

Pour  Survoycur,  Jonas  Le  Villain  et  Daniel  Reyneau  " 

The  first  independent  election  for  officers  of  this  town  took  place  in 
1723- 

At  a  town  meeting,  held  the  22d  of  December,  1783,  at  the  house  of  Gilbert 
Brush,  inn-keeper,  for  choosing  town  officers  for  the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  ia 
pursuance  of  an  ordinance  of  the  Council,  appointed  by  the  act  cf  the  Legisla- 
ture, entitled  an  act  to  provide  for  the  temporary  government  of  the  southern 


a  The  site  now  ocr.'oled  by  Mr.  S^cor's  mill. 
*  Co.  Reo.  lib.  Fi  150.' 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


601 


part  of  this  State  whenever  the  enemy  shall  abandon  or  be  dispoesest  of  the 
same,  and  until  the  Legislature  can  be  convened,  passed  23d  of  October  1779, 
the  following  town  officers  are  elected  : 


The  village  of  New  Rochelle,  which  was  incorporated  by  an  Act  Of 
the  Legislature  passed  December  7,  1847,"  is  agreeably  situated  on  the 
Boston  Turnpike,  extending  to  Long  Islaud  on  the  south,  where  there 
is  a  convenient  steamboat  landing,  distant  eighteen  miles  from  the  city 
of  New  York.  There  is  also  a  depot  of  the  New  York  and  New  Haven 
Railroad,  together  with  a  branch  of  the  New  Haven  and  Harlem  River 
Railroad,  connecting  with  steamboats  at  Morrisania,  upwards  of  forty 
trains  running  daily  to  and  fro.  Extensive  engine  and  freight  houses 
have  been  recently  erected  east  of  the  depot.  The  population  is  about 
4,000.  There  are,  1  Protestant  Episcopal,  1  Roman  Catholic,  1  Pres- 
byterian, 2  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  1  German  Lutheran,  1  German  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  a  post  office,  a  bank,  2  hotels,  and  several  ex- 
tensive boarding  houses,  many  spacious  stores,  2  grist  mills,  and  2 
carriage  factories.  There  is  afire-brick  edifice  erected  in  187 1  by  the 
Westchestei  Fire  Insurance  Company.  This  well-known  institution 
was  first  organized  under  the  name  and  title  of  the  "  Westchester  Mutual 
Insurance  Company,"  on  the  1st  of  April,  1837 — David  Harrison,  Presi  ■ 
dent,  and  James  T.  Ells,  Secretary;  George  Fail,  of  Eastchester,  fir^t 
Treasurer.  In  1870  the  company  merged  into  a  stock  company.  It 
had  accumulated  $279,425  87.  The  present  company  put  to  this  sum 
$200,000  paid  up  capital.  In  1874  the  company  removed  to  New 
York  city,  where  they  have  an  elegant  office  and  over  $1,000,000  assets. 

The  settlement  of  New  Rochelle  was  commenced  by  the  Huguenots 
probably  as  early  as  1686-7,  wno  gave  it  the  name  it  now  bears,  in  re- 
membrance of  their  native  residence,  La  Rochelle,  in  France.  Thir. 
favorite  asylum  of  the  French  Protestants  was,  at  a  very  early  period, 

a  First  President,  Albe-t  Smith,  M.D.  An  act  to  amend,  passed  April  20th,  1S(U,  and 
amended  April  11,  lSTa.  Since  lis  incorporation,  the  streets  have  been  lighted  with  gas,  the 
side  aud  cross  walks  of  the  streets  have  beeu  flagged,  and  the  roads  macadamized. 


Benjamin  Stephenson,  Supervisor, 

James  Willis,  Town  Clerk, 

James  Reynolds,  Constable  and  Collector, 

Benjamin  Stephenson, "} 

James  Ronalds,  >  Assessors, 

James  Willis,  ) 

David  Gaion,)     Overseers  of  the  Road 

James  Willis,/  for  the  Upper  Quarter, 


Peter  Flandreau,  > 
Elias  Gruion,  ) 


-  Damage  Viewers, 


602 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


a  place  of  some  resort — not  only  for  the  acquirement  of  the  French  lan- 
guage, but  on  account  of  the  hospitality  and  politeness  of  its  inhabi- 
tants. Here  some  of  the  most  distinguished  men  in  the  country  have 
received  the  elements  of  their  education  (under  the  charge  of  the  French 
clergy.)  Among  them  may  be  enumerated  the  Hon.  John  Jay,  (the 
grandson  of  a  Huguenot),  "  who  made  the  celebrated  treaty  of  Paris,  for 
the  independence  of  our  country,  and  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in 
extending  the  limits  of  the  United  States  to  the  Mississippi."  Also 
General  Philip  Schuyler,  so  conspicuous  for  his  sen-ices  and  successes 
in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  Washington  Irving,  the  world-renowned 
author.  It  is  a  little  remarkable,  "  that  three  of  the  nine  presidents  of 
the  old  Congress  who  conducted  the  United  States  through  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  were  descendents  of  French  Protestant  refugees,  who  had 
emigrated  to  America  in  consequence  of  the  edict  of  Nantes — Henry 
Laurens,  of  South  Carolina,  John  Jay,  of  New  York,  and  Elias  Boudi- 
net,  of  New  Jersey." 

For  two  generations  the  Huguenots  of  New  Rochelle  preserved  in  its 
purity  the  French  language,  thus  testifying  their  attachment  to  their 
native  land,  the  sepulchre  of  their  forefathers,  and  to  which,  perhaps, 
they  cherished  the  hope  of  a  return  at  some  future  period. 

The  first  dwelling-houses  were  erected  on  each  side  of  the  high  street," 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  old  stone  church.  At  a  very  early  date  of  the  set- 
tlement, this  appears  to  have  been  a  flourishing  place;  for  Madame 
Knight,  who  travelled  through  the  village  in  1704,  thus  describes  it: 

"  On  the  22d  of  December  we  set  out  for  New  Rochelle,  where  being  come, 
we  had  good  entertainment,  and  recruited  ourselves  venr  well.  This  is  a  very 
pretty  place,  well  compact,  and  good,  handsome  houses,  clean,  good,  and  pass- 
able roads,  and  situated  on  a  navagable  river,  abundance  of  land,  well  fenced 
and  cleared  all  along  as  we  passed,  which  caused  in  me  a  love  to  the  place,  which 
I  could  have  been  content  to  live  in  it.  Here  we  rid  over  a  bridge  made  of  one 
entire  stone,  of  such  a  breadth  that  a  cart  might  pass  with  safety,  and  to  spare. 
It  lay  over  a  passage  cut  through  a  rock  to  convey  water  to  a  mill  not  far  off,c 
Here  are  three  fine  taverns  within  call  of  each  other,  and  very  good  provision  for 
travellers. v<r 

The  advantages  presented  by  the  proximity  of  the  sound  are  of-  great 
importance  to  New  Rochelle. 

Upon  the  whole,  New  Rochelle  is  a  place  of  considerable  wealth  and 
enterprise,  and  from  its  fine  location  it  must  eventually  arrive  at  some 
importance. 

a  The  present  street  which  passes  In  front  of  the  Episcopal  church.  The  Gulon  family  ap- 
pear to  have  been  among  the  first  residents  and  proprietors  of  the  village. 

b  This  stone  must  have  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  bridge  which  crosses  the  Chrystal 
Lake  stream. 

c  Madame  Knight's  travels  In  1704. 


PELL  AND  PICKNEY  COAT  OP  ARMS,  FOUND  UNDER  THE 
FOUNDATION-STONE  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH, 
NEW  ROCHELLE. 


1,603. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


Coeval  with  the  foundation  of  the  village  was  the  organization  of  a 
church,  in  which  the  Huguenots  appear  to  have  adhered  to  the  principles 
and  as  far  as  they  were  able  at  that  time  to  have  maintained  the  Articles, 
Liturgy,  Discipline  and  Canons,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  France.  "  It  was  for  their  religion  that  they  suffered  in  their 
native  country,  and  to  enjoy  its  privileges  unmolested  they  fled  into  the 
wilderness." 

As  soon  as  the  church  was  organized,  the  most  active  measures  were 
taken  for  the  erection  of  an  edifice.  Provision  had  been  partly  made 
for  this  purpose  in  the  grant  to  Jacob  Leisler  on  the  20th  of  September, 
1689.  It  was  there  declared  that  John  Pell,  lord  of  the  manor,  with  the 
consent  of  Rachel,  his  wife,  did  (besides  the  six  thousand  acres)  give  and 
grant  "  to  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  the  further  quantity  of  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  French  church,  erected,  or  to  be  erected 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of  land." 

The  first  church  edifice  of  which  anything  is  known,  was  built  by  the 
Huguenots  in  1692 — as  appears  from  documents  taken  from  the  comer 
stone  soon  after  the  church  was  burnt,  about  1723. 

It  was  constructed  of  wood,  and  stood  a  little  below  Mr.  Stephen  Car- 
penter's house,  almost  on  the  site  of  his  bam,  near  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  directly  fronting  the  old  Boston  post  road.  It  appears  to 
have  been  held  for  many  years  by  a  small  minority  of  the  Huguenots 
who  resisted  the  conformity  of  their  brethren  to  the  Church  of  England 
in  1709°  Near  the  same  time  that  the  church  was  erected,  Louis  Bon- 
grand  did  give  unto  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  a  piece  of  land 
forty  paces  square  for  a  church  yard  to  bury  their  dead/  A  house  and 
about  three  acres  and  a  half  of  land  were  subsequently  given  by  the  town 
to  the  church  forever.  Upon  this  land  the  parish  house  and  front  road- 
way, or  the  minister's  dwelling  place,  was  afterwards  erected ;  and  upon 
a  portion  of  it  now  stands  the  present  Trinity  church.  At  this  early 
period  the  inhabitants  appear  to  have  enjoyed  the  ministrations  of  the 
Rev.  David  Bonrepos,  D.D.,  a  French  Protestant  minister  who  was  born 
in  France,  circ  1654,  and  accompanied  the  first  settlers  in  their  flight 


a  The  lute  Mr.  William  Lawton,  of  New  Rochelle,  Oct,  15th,  1S61,  informed  the  anthor  that 
th"  ..id  French  church  stood  below  Mr.  Carpenter's  house;  and  her  mother,  Mrs.  .Jemima, 
wife  of  Frederick  Union,  in  her  life  time  always  wondered  how  it  was  that  the  minority  of 
the  Ilujrueiiots  should  have  held  the  church  bo  long  as  they  did.  The  shield  on  th.'  right  of 
the  plate  bears  the  arms  of  Pell,  that  on  the  left  the  coat  armor  of  Picknev,  or  3  fusils  m  fesse 
g". 

*  "  Louis  Rongrand  purchased  of  Jacob  Leisler  and  Elsie,  his  wife,  31st  May,  1690,  and  sold 
to  Francis  Tierena  and  Valentine  O  uger,  onthe  22d  June,  1693.  In  the  conveyance  of  the 
latter  lo  Joost  Pane,  9th  May,  1698,  the  above  Rift  is  specified."  New  Rochelle,  Town  Rec  , 
p.  70.  "  1  n  a  deed  from  Lewis  Guiou  to  Zacarie  Enpevin,  &c.  On  the  26th  Ilea,  1 701.  The 
former  was  to  have  a  particular  lane  or  road  to  Serve  the  latter  fiom  Boston  road  giving  to 
the  church  yard,  all  along  the  swamp,  Ac,  making  a  door  (gate)  which  shall  be  shut  by  those 
who  will  make  use  of  it,"  Ac.    New  Rochelle,  Town  Rec,  p.  20. 


604    .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


from  that  country.  From  which  part  of  France  this  individual  came  it 
is  now  impossible  to  say ;  he  might  have  been  related  in  some  way  to 
the  Sieur  de  Bonrepos,  "  a  French  calvinistic  officer,"  who  accompanied 
the  Canadian  -expedition  in  its  descent  on  New  York  between  the  months 
of  November,  1689,  and  November,  1690,°  whose  family  were  originally 
Seigneurs  de  Bonrepos.* 

The  name  of  Bonrepos,  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  New  Rochelle,  ap- 
pears in  the  following  letter  to  Governor  Leisler : 

[translation.] 

N.  Rochelle,  20  Octob.,  1690. 
Sir : — I  have  too  much  respect  for  your  orders  not  to  execute  them  punctually, 
so  that  pursuant  to  what  you  did  me  the  honour  lately  to  give  me,  I  spoke  to  the 
principals  of  this  New  Colony  about  the  nomination  of  some  persons  for  the 
vacant  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  but  as  the  condition  you  require — that  is  a 
knowledge  of  the  English  tongue — has  precluded  them  from  making  the  election 
of  two  or  three  according  to  your  order,  they  cannot  pitch  upon  any  except  Mr. 
Strang,  saving  your  approbation  which,  if  you  will  have  the  gooduess  to  accord 
them,  you  will  oblige  them  infinitely.  Mr.  Pinton  has  also  delivered  me,  this 
da}',  an  order  to  be  communicated  to  the  Sd  inhabitants  relative  to  the  election 
and  nomination  of  Assessors,  Collectors,  and  Commissaries,  for  levying,  im- 
posing and  receiving  taxes  for  his  Majesty's  service.  The  time  is  very  short, 
since  it  is  the  twenty-seventh  inst,  they  must  be  at  Westchester ;  but  they  look 
for  some  forbearance  and  delay  from  your  goodness  in  case,  notwithstanding 
their  diligence,  they  may  not  be  able  punctually  to  answer.  It  is  not  through  any 
unwillingness  to  exert  themselves  to  meet  it,  but  you  know  their  strength  as  well 
as  I.  Notwithstanding,  despite  their  poverty  and  misery,  they  will  never  lack  in 
submission  to  the  orders  on  behalf  of  his  Majesty,  both  for  the  public  good  and 
interest.  This  they  protested  to  me,  and  I  pray  you  to  be  persuaded  thereof.  I 
am  with  respect,  and  I  pray  God  for  your  prosperity,  Wr, 

1  our  very  humble  and  very  obedient  servant, 

D.  BONREPOS, 

Address,  a  Monsieur,  Pastor  of  this  French  Colony. 

MoNRIEUR  DE  L/EISLAR, 

Lieut.  Gouverneur  pour  le 
Roy  d'Angleterre,  du  fort, 
William  a  la  Nole  York." 

Nothing  is  known  in  regard  to  the  Rev.  David  Bonrepos'  ministry  or 
character.  He  must  have  resigned  his  charge  here  in  1694,  for  the 
Rev.  John  Miller  describing  the  Province  of  New  York  in  1695,  says: 
"  There  is  a  meeting-house  at  Richmond,  (Staten  Island.)  of  which  Dr. 
Bonrepos  is  the  minister."    Upon  the  9th  day  of  March  1696,  "David 

a  Doc.  ntst.  N.  Y.  vol.  1.  p.  29S. 

b  Iu  14(i0  Jean  de  la  Baume  appears  as  Seigneur  de  Bonrepos  and  de  Valusln,  vovcz  tome 
vlj  de  cette  histoire,  p.  45,  420,  Tom  viij. 
c  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  11.,  p.  304. 


THE  TOWN  OV  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


605 


de  Bonrepos  of  New  York  City,  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  Blanche,  his 
wife,  did  grant  to  Elias  de  Bonrepos  of  New  Rochelle,  husbandman — 
all  that  certain  parcel  of  land  situate  and  lying  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the 
manor  of  Pelham,  &c,  containing  fifty  acres  of  ground."'*  Upon  the 
6th  day  of  February,  1696,  letters  of  denization  were  granted  to  David 
de  Bonrepos,  V.  D.  M.&  He  must  have  died  sometime  in  the  Spring  of 
1734. 

THE  WILL  OF  DAVID  DE  BONREPOS. 

lu  the  name  of  God  a-nen  the  sixteenth  day  of  June  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-three,  I,  David  de  Bonrepos.  minister  of 
the  Gospel  in  the  County  of  Richmond  and  the  Province  of  New  York,  being  by 
the  grace  of  God  in  good  health  and  of  pcifcct  mind  and  memory.  Therefore 
calling  to  mind  the  mortality  of  my  body,  and  knowing  that  it  is  appointed  for 
all  men  once  to  die,  Do  make  and  ordain  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  that 
is  to  say  and  principally  and  first  of  all  I  give  and  recommend  it  to  the  earth  to 
be  buried  in  a  Christian  and  decent  manner,  at  the  Discretion  of  my  executors, 
nothing  doubting  but  at  the  General  Resurrection  at  the  Last  Day,  I  shall  re- 
ceive the  same  again  by  the  mighty  power  of  God.  As  touching  such  worldly 
estate  wherewith  it  hath  pleased  God  to  bless  me,  in  this  life  1  Give,  Bequeath, 
Devise  and  Dispose  of  the  same  in  the  following  manner  and  Form.  Item,  I 
Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Dearly  Beloved  wife  Martha  De  Bonrepos  for  her 
Dowery,  fifty  pounds,  to  be  entirely  at  her  Disposal.  Item,  I  give  unto  her  as 
addition  to  the  Dowry,  first  the  three  pounds  conditioned  as  it  will  appear  by 
the  Bonds.  Second  a  negro  woman  called  Tenah  and  her  daughter  called  Sarah, 
which  is  at  Jacob  Bibyous ;  thirdly,  for  her  maintenance  she  shall  have  and  re- 
ceive so  long  as  she  shall  remain  a  widow  the  interest  of  all  my  bonds,  that  shall 
be  due  to  me  at  my  decease ;  and  for  my  other  negro  wench,  named  Judde,  and 
her  child  called  Elizabeth,  I  give  the  child  Elizabeth  to  my  wife,  and  the  mother 
of  the  child  Judde  I  give  unto  my  Heir  named  hereafter.  I  give  unto  my  said 
wife  and  to  her  own  use  and  Disposal,  all  my  household  goods,  excepting  a 
silver  Tankard  and  a  silver  cup.  I  give  and  Bequeath  to  Mr.  John  Lafort  of 
New  York  the  sum  of  forty  pounds.  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  unto  Blanchard 
De  Bonrepos,  wife  to  Henry  Chaden  of  New  Rochelle,  thirty  pounds.  Item,  I 
give  and  Bequeath  to  Anna  Pamer  and  Hester  Le  Count,  my  niece,  the  sum  of 
ten  pounds  to  each  of  them.  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  to  the  three  youngest 
sons  of  Alexander  De  Bonrepos  of  New  York,  Deceased,  the  sum  of  ten  pounds, 
to  be  paid  to  each  of  them.  Item,  I  give  my  Silver  Tankard  and  silver  cup  and 
all  the  Rest  of  my  estate  Real  and  Personal,  unto  David  De  Bonrepos,  and  the 
son  of  Alexander  De  Bonrepos  aforesaid.  Item,  I  will  that  after  my  Decease 
my  negro  man  Sasfasson  shall  be  maintained  by  1113-  heirs  and  executors  at  their 
discretion.  Item,  I  constitute  and  ordain  Messrs.  Barnt  Martlings,  Paul  Mich- 
aux  and  Nicolas  Stillwell,  grandson  to  my  wife,  all  of  Staten  Island,  for  my 
Executors  to  this  my  last  will  and  Testament ;  and  I  do  hereby  Revoke,  utterly 
disallow  and  disannull  all  and  every  other  former  Testaments,  Wills,  Legacies, 


a  Town  Rec.  Liber,  a  112. 

b  Naturalization  Kec.  State  papers,  Albany. 


6o6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


and  Executions  by  me  in  any  wise  before  this  Time  named  and  willed  and  be- 
queathed. Ratifying  and  Confirming  this  and  no  other  to  bo  my  last  will  and 
Testament.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  the  day 
and  year  above  written— 1733.  DE  BONREPOS. 

Signed,  sealed,  pronounced,  published  and  declared  by 
the  said  David  Bonrepos  as  his  last  will  and  Testament, 
in  the  presence  of  us,  Charles  Taylor,  Jacob  Bellum, 
his 

Solomon  cg  Maclean." 
mark. 

His  brother,  Elias  Bonrepos  who  was  born  in  France  in  1656,  by  his 
wife,  Jane,  had  living  at  New  Rochelle  in  17 10  four  children,  namely: 
John,  Hester,  Blanche  and  Mary.  Elias  Bonrepos  was  licensed  to  keep 
school  at  New  Rochelle  in  1705,  as  appears  by  the  following: 

"  Edward  Visco't  Cornbury,  Capt.  General  and  Governor-in-chief  of  ye  prov- 
inces of  New  York,  New  Jersies  and  Terri'es  depending  thereon  in  America  and 
vice-admiral  of  ye  same,  &c.  To  Elias  Bon  Repos  greeting  you  are  hereby  im- 
powered  and  lycens'd  to  keep  school  within  ye  town  of  New  Rochelle  in  ye 
County  of  Westchester  and  carefully  and  diligently  to  instruct  ye  children  under 
yo'  care  and  tuition  in  ye  art  of  Reading  and  writing  during  my  pleasure,  given 
under  my  hand  and  seal  at  New  York  this  23d  day  of  Juue,  1705,  and  in  ye  4th 
year  of  her  ma'tys  Reign,  CORNBURY. 
By  his  Excell'y  command, 

Will  Anderson,  D.  Secretary,6 
Robert  Hunter,  Esq., 

Capt.-Generall  and  Governor-in-charge  of 

New  York,  New  Jesey  and  Territories  thereon 

depending  in  America,  aud  Vice-admiral 
of  the  same  year. 
To  Elias  Bon  Repos  greeting  as  above 
Twelfth  day  of  December,  eleventh  year  of  her  M.  R.  A.D.,  1712, 

R.  N.  Hunter.^ 

The  following  entry  occurs  in  the  town  Records : 

"The  year  of  grace,  1693,  we,  the  elders  of  the  church  of  New 
Rochelle,  in  the  province  of  New  York,  according  to  the  intention  and 
will  and  desire  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  said  church,  have  accorded  to 

a  Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y.,  Rec.  of  Wills,  No.  12, 1733  to  1736,  pp.  75-76-77.  Proved  Cth  May, 
1734.  The  will  of  his  wife  Martha  bears  date  3d  March,  1734-5.  In  which  she  bequeaths  to 
her  daughter  Rachel  her  negro  weueh  Tenno  and  a  large  brass  kettle;  daughter  Martha,  her 
girl  Hess;  daughter  Mary,  "bed  and  furniture  where  I  now  lay:''  daughters  Anne  and 
Rachel,  "the  other  best  bed  and  furniture  and  brass  kettle;  son-in-law,  C'obus  Billoe, 
granda  Martha  Hrittain,  Win.  Brittain,  das.  Nicolas  Brittain,  da.  Martha  C'obus  Billow,  da. 
Martha,  Peter  I.aycount,  da.  Martha.  Remainder  to  be  equally  divided  among  her  children, 
Francis  Brittain,  Anne  Billoe,  Kachel  Brittain,  A  Thos.  Stiliwell's  children— Nicolas  Still- 
well,  Anne  Musko,  Mary  Mapper,  2  eldest  das.  Mary  Jurue.  Kliz  iheth  Jurne.  to  all  of  them  as 
much  as  oae  of  my  das."  Frances,  same  as  Rachel,"  <fec.  Bar.  office,  N.  Y.,  Wills  No.  13,  1736- 
1740,  p.  30. 

b  Albany  deed  book  X  65,  secretary's  office. 

c  Albany  fleed  book  X  65,  secretary's  office.  The  will  of  Elias  Bonrepos  written  in  France 
is  still  preserved  111  theSurogates  office,  N.Y..N0.  9,  p  65,  bears  date  13  April,  1719,  sonEUas, 
beyond  sea,  das,  Ester,  Lamiable  and  Mariauue  exec  Alex.  Bonrepos,  1718  to  1725. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


607 


Ambrose  Sicard,  Jr.,  and  Daniel  Sicard  to  convert  in  moneyed  rents  at 
six  per  cent,  the  forty  shillings  that  each  of  them  owes  which  make  four 
pistoles  for  ten  acres  of  ground  sold  to  them  by  said  inhabitants,  &c, 
and  begin  to  pay  the  rent  from  the  first  to  the  last  of  May  of  the  year, 
1694.       Signed,  Thauvet  Ecotonxeau,    J.  Machet, 

Theroude,     Guillaume  le  Conte  and 
Daniel  Streing."" 

By  an  act  of  General  Assembly  passed  on  the  24th  of  March,  1693, 
which  was  subsequently  confirmed,  the  manor  of  Pelham  became  one  of 
the  four  districts  or  precincts  of  Westchester  parish.  In  1702,  New 
Rochelle  contributed  towards  the  rector's  maintenance  and  poor  of  the 
parish  jQ-j  $s.  In  1720  her  quota  had  increased  to  ^12  14J  i\d.  At 
a  meeting  of  the  church  wardens,  vestrymen,  free  holders  and  parishion- 
ers of  ye  borrough  of  Westchester,  &c,  in  Westchester,  10th  day  of 
January,  Anno  Domini  1709-10,  &c,  &c,  Mr  Anthony  Lespinard  was 
chosen  and  appointed  a  vestryman  of  New  Rochelle. 

The  next  minister  of  the  French  Reformed  church  of  New  Rochelle 
was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet,  A.M.,  a  native  of  France.  He  was  born 
in  the  year  1652,  studied  theology  at  Geneva,  and  afterwards  entered 
the  ministry.  On  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes  he  fled  from 
France  to  England.6  Here  he  received  Holy  Orders  from  the  Right  Rev. 
Henry  Compton,  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  and  soon  after  accompanied 
the  French  emigrants  who  arrived  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in  the  summer  of 
1686.  For  eight  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Corporation  for  propagating 
the  Christian  Faith  among  the  Indians^  at  a  place  called  New  Oxford, 
near  Boston,  and  was  also  a  'minister  of  the  French  congregation  there 
as  appears  from  a  letter  Avritten  by  him  to  some  person  in  authority, 
(probably  Gov.  Dudley,)  complaining  of  the  sale  of  rum  to  the  Indians 
without  order  and  measure,  and  of  its  baneful  effects — the  date  is  lost 
with  a  line  or  two  at  the  beginning,  but  it  is  endorsed :  Air.  Daniel 
Bendof  s  representation  referring  to  New  Oxford,  July  6,  1691.^ 


o  Town  Hoc.  Lib.  A.,  23. 

b  "  I'p'm  th;;  revocation  the  rest  of  the  ministers  were  allowed  fifteen  days  for  their  depar- 
ture: but  it  can  hardly  be  believed  to  what  cruelties  and  vexations  they  were  exposed." 
"  And  yet,"  adds  the  English  historian,  "  through  rich  mercy  very  few  revolted;  the  far 
preat«'>t  part  of  them  escape. I,  either  inio  England,  Holland.  <  w\ many  or  Switzerland  :  yea, 
and  some  are  now  in  New  England  "  Quick's  Syuodicon  introduction  in  Sept.,  16S6.  Twenty- 
six  pounds  were  contributed  for  the  relief  of  the  French  Protestants  who  came  to  New  Eng- 
land, Mass.  llist.  Col.,  3rd  series,  vol.  IV.,  62.  "In  1693,  Cotton  .Mather  sneaks  of  Mr  Pondet 
as  a  faithful  minister  to  the  French  congregation  at  New  Oxford  in  the  Xipmug,"  Magualia 
B.  C.     <>,  32,  vol.  2,  p.  3S2,  Svo.  ed  ,  Hart,  2  vols.,lS20. 

c  Ou  tha  restor  ition  of  *  harles  Second,  the  charter  for  the  Promoting  and  Propagating  of 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  in  N.  E.  (founded  in  1649.)  was  renewed  through  the  influence 
of  Mr.  Ashurst  and  Richard  Baxter,  with  the  Lord  Chancellor  Hyde,  and  the  powers  under  it 
were  enlarged ;  for  now  the  Corporation  was  styled  "  The  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  New  England  and  the  parts  adjacent  in  America." 

d  "Soon  after  tn-?  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  .los.  Dudley  and  other  proprietors, 
brought  over  thirty  French  Protestant  families  into  this  country  and  settled  them  uikhi  the 
eaatermost;  part  or  end  of  the  said  tract  of  laud,  now  kuown  \>y  the  name  of  Oxford.'  —Ox- 
lord  Town  Records. 


6o8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Mr.  Bondet  must  have  continued  his  labors  at  New  Oxford  and  its 
vicinity  until  near  1695  ;  for  in  another  communication  we  find  that  "In 
1695  Mr.  Bondet,  a  French  Protestant  minister,  preached  to  the  Nip- 
mug  Indians."  After  this  we  hear  no  more  of  him  at  New  Oxford." 
He  probably  removed  to  this  place  sometime  during  the  Summer  or 
Fall  of  1695,  for  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  addressing  the  Pro- 
pagation Society  in  1709,  declare  that  "By  the  assistance  of  Colonel 
Heathcote  they  had  befcn  provided  fourteen  years  ago  with  a  worthy  min- 
ister, Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  London."  To  this 
event,  Col.  Heathcote  himself  alludes  in  a  letter  to  the  Society  dated 
10th  of  April,  1704: — "I  did  propose  to  the  Vestry  of  We-tchester  a 
medium  in  that  matter,  which  was,  that  there  being  at  Boston  a  French 
Protestant  minister,  one  Mr.  Bondet,  a  very  good  man,  who  was  in 
orders  by  my  Lord  of  London,  and  could  preach  both  in  English  and 
French  ;  and  the  people  of  New  Rochelle  being  destitute  of  a  minister, 
we  would  call  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  living,  (of  Westchester)  and  the  parish 
being  large  enough  to  maintain  two,  we  would  likewise  continue  Mr. 
Mather  and  support  him  by  subscriptions.  The  Vestry  seemed  to  be 
extremely  well  pleased  with  this  proposal  and  desired  me  to  send  for  Mr. 
Bondet,  which  I  immediately  did — hoping  by  that  means  to  bring  them 
over  to  the  Church  ;  but  Mather  apprehending  what  I  aimed  at,  persuaded 
the  Vestry  to  alter  their  resolutions,  and  when  he  came  they  refused  to 
call  him.6 

So  that  projection  failing,  (of  inducting  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  Farish  of 
Westchester)  Colonel  Heathcote  obtained  his  services  for  the  French 
church  at  New  Rochelle.  At  this  early  period  both  Mr.  Vesey  of  New 
York  and  Mr.  Bondet  preached  in  several  parts  of  the  country,  and  ad- 
ministered the  rite  of  Holy  Baptism.  Mr.  Bondet's  destitute  condition 
soon  after  his  settlement,  is  proved  by  the  following  document : — 

PETITION  OF  REVEREND  MR.  BONDET,  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 
[translated  FROM  THE  FREXCn.] 

"  To  His  Excellency  Milord  Cornbury, 

Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief. 
My  Lord  :  I  most  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  to  be  pleased  to  take  cog- 
nizance of  the  petitioner's  condition. 

I  am  a  French  refugee  minister,  incorporated  into  the  body  of  the  ministry  of 
the  Anglican  Church  ;  I  removed  about  fifteen  years  ago  into  New  England  with 
a  company  of  poor  refugees,  to  whom  lands  were  granted  for  their  settlement ; 
and  to  provide  for  my  subsistence,  I  was  allowed  one  hundred  and  five  pieces 

a  His  name  does  not  occur  in  a  list  of  the  principal  inhabitants  in  169C,  the  year  the  settle- 
ment was  broken  up  by  an  incursion  of  the  Indians. 
b  See  Westchester  Parish,  p.  25. 


*  THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  609 

per  annum,  from  the  funds  of  the  Corporation  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Go.  pel 
among  the  savages.  I  performed  that  duty  during  nine  years  with  a  Buccesa  ap- 
proved and  attested,  by  those  who  presided  over  the  aliairs  of  that  Province. 

The  murders  which  the  Indians  committed  in  those  countries  caused  the  dis- 
persion of  our  company,  some  of  whom  fell  by  the  hands  of  the  barbarians.  I 
remained  after  that,  two  years  in  that  province — expecting  a  favorable  season  for 
the  re-establishment  of  affairs ;  but  after  waiting  two  years,  seeing  no  appearance, 
and  being  invited  to  remove  to  this  province  of  New  York,  by  Colonel  Heath- 
cote, who  always  evinces  an  affection  for  the  public  good,  and  distinguishes  him- 
self by  a  special  application  for  the  advancement  of  religion  and  good  order,  by 
the  establishment  of  churches  and  schools,  the  fittest  means  to  strengthen  and 
encourage  the  people,  I  complied  with  his  request  and  that  of  the  company  of 
New  Rochelle,  in  this  province,  where  I  passed  five  years  011  a  small  allowance 
promised  me  by  New  Rochelle,  of  one  hundred  pieces  and  lodging,  with  that  of 
one  hundred  and  five  pieces  which  the  corporation  continued  to  me  until  the  arrival 
of  Milord  Belamont  who,  after  indicating  his  willingness  to  take  charge  of  me 
and  our  Canton,  ordered  me  thirty  pieces  in  the  Council  of  York,  and  did  me 
the  favor  to  promise  me  that  at  his  journey  to  Boston  he  would  procure  me  the 
continuation  of  that  stipend  that  I  had  in  times  past.  But  having  learned  at 
Boston,  through  Mr.  Nanfan,  his  lieutenant,  that  I  annexed  my  signature  to  an 
ecclesiastical  certificate  which  the  churches  and  pastors  of  this  province  had 
given  to  Sieur  Delius,  Minister  of  Albany,  who  had  not  the  good  fortune  to 
please  his  late  Lordship,  his  defunct  Excellency  cut  off  his  thirty  pieces  which 
he  had  ordered  me  in  his  Council  at  York,  deprived  me  of  the  Boston  pension  of 
twenty-five  pieces,  writing  to  London  to  have  that  deduction  approved,  and  left 
nic,  during  three  years  last  past  in  an  extreme  destitution  of  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence. 

I  believed,  my  Lord,  that  in  so  important  a  service  as  that  in  wliich  I  am  em- 
ployed, I  ought  not  to  discourage  myself ;  and  that  the  Province  of  God,  which 
does  not  abandon  those  who  have  recourse  to  His  aid  by  well  doing,  would  pro- 
vide in  its  time  for  my  relief. 

Your  Excellency's  equity;  the  affection  you  have  evinced  to  us  for  the  en- 
couragement of  those  who  employ  themselves  constantly  and  faithfully  in  God's 
service  induce  me  to  hope  that  I  shall  have  a  share  in  the  dispensation  of  your 
justice  to  relieve  me  from  my  suffering,  so  that  1  may  be  aided  and  encouraged  to 
continue  my  service,  in  which,  by  duty  and  gratitude,  I  shall  continue  with  my 
flock  to  pray  God  for  the  preservation  of  your  person,  of  your  illustrious  family 
and  the  prosperity  of  your  government.  Remaining  your  Excellency's  most 
humble  and  most  respectful  servant.  Daniel  Boxdet." 

"  Order  and  report  on  the  above. 

At  a  Council  held  at  ffort  Wm.  Henry,  tnis  29th  day  of  June,  1702. 

a.  Sh .  Broughton,  I  Caleb  Heathcote,  Esq.,  John  Bridges, 
Garrard  Beekman,  V  Esqrs.  .      r  T        '     H '  J  6  ' 

r>-    -<r  (  Doctor  of  Laws. 

Rip  Van  Dam,  ) 

Upon  the  motion  of  Coll :  Heathcote  that  the  Minister  of  New 

Rochelle  had  formerly  a  salary  allowed  him  out  of  the  Revenue  which 


a  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  VOL  ill.  929. 


6io 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  late  Earl  of  Bellamont  deprived  him  of,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  the 
petition  of  the  said  minister  formerly  Dd  to  his  Excellency,  be  referred 
to  the  sd  Coll :  Heathcote,  who  is  to  examine  into  the  allegations  and 
and  report  the  same. 

By  order  of  his  Excellency  and  Council, 

B.  Cosens,  CVk  Council." 

"  May  it  please  yr  Excell : 

In  obedience  to  yr  Excell  commands :  I  have  examined  into  the  allegations  of 
the  within  Petition,  and  do  find  that  the  Petitioner  was  employed  about  fifteen 
years  ago  by  the:  corporation  for  propagating  the  Xtian  ffaith  amongst  the  Indi- 
ans at  a  place  called  New  Oxford,  near  Boston,  with  the  allowance  of  a  salary  of 
£25  a  year,  where  he  consumed  the  little  he  brought  with  him  from  ffrance  in 
settling  himself  for  that  service,  and  being  afterwards  hy  reason  of  the  War 
compelled  to  fly  from  thence,  his  improvements  were  wholly  lost.  During  the 
time  of  his  stay  there,  which  was  about  eight  years,  it  appears  by  a  certificate 
under  the  hands  of  the  late  Lieut.  Governor  Stoughtou,  of  Boston,  Wait  Win- 
thrope,  Increase  Mather  and  Charles  Morton,  that  he  with  great  faithfullnesse, 
care  and  industry,  discharged  his  duty,  both  in  reference  to  Xians  and  Indians, 
and  was  of  an  unblemished  life  and  conversation.  After  his  being  called  to 
New  Ilochelle  the  Corporation  afore-mentioned,  in  consideration  of  his  past 
services  and  sufferings,  were  pleased  to  still  continue  him  his  salary,  which  he 
enjoyed  until  the  arrival  of  the  late  Earl  of  Bellamont,  who  having  settled  £30 
a  year  upon  him  out  of  the  Revenue,  used  afterwards  his  interest  with  the  said 
Corporation  to  take  off  the  salary,  they  had  all  along  allowed  him,  which  no 
sooner  was  effected  but  he  immediately  suspended  him  also  from  the  £30  a  year 
he  had  settled  upon  him,  by  which  means  the  Petitioner  is  left  with  a  very  de- 
plorable condition,  not  being  able  with  the  salary  that  is  allowed  him  at  New 
Rochelle,  which  is  only  £20  a  year  to  support  hiuiself  and  family.  All  which  is 
humbly  submitted  by 

Yr  Excell  s  obedient  humble  servant, 

Caleb  FlEATncoTE."<* 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  first  settled  Episcopal  minister  in  this 
country  should  have  been  a  French  Protestant  refugee,  and  that  New 
Rochelle,  the  favorite  asylum  of  the  Huguenots,  should  claim  the  honor 
of  having  called  him. 

Upon  the  20th  of  November,  A.  D.  1700,  "Sir  John  Pell/  and 
Rachel  his  wife,  granted  to  Daniel  Sampson  and  Isaac  Cantin,  one 
hundred  acres — provided  that  the  purchasers  and  their  assignees,  shall 
do  suit  and  service,  now  or  at  any  time  hereafter,  from  time  to  time  in 
the  Manor  Court,  and  pay  their  proportion  to  the  minister  of  the  place"0 

"In  consideration  of  ^100 — 150  acres,  beginning  at  the  end  of  25 
rods  westward  from  the  marked  tree,  said  to  be  marked  for  the  division 

a  Doc.  Hist,  of  New  York,  vol.  iil,  pp.  929,  930,  931,  932. 
6  So  Btyled  in  the  Town  Kecords. 
c  Town  Kecords,  p.  10. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


6ll 


lines  of  the  French,  in  New  Rochelle  purchase,  being  between  the  land 
of  the  said  Pell  and  the  aforesaid  purchase." 

"July  the  22nd,  1700.  In  a  General  Assembly  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  place,  according  to  Justice  Mott's  warrant,  it  has  been  agreed  by 
the  plurality  of  votes,  that  above  the  hundred  acres  of  land  given  by 
Sir  John  Pell  for  the  church  of  this  place,  the  said  one  hundred  acres 
shall  be  taken  on  the  undivided  land,  according  to  the  choice  of  the 
elders  of  the  church,  as  they  will  find  the  more  profitable  for  the  church 
and  people. "a 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Justices  and  Vestry,  held  in  the  town  of  West- 
chester, on  the  5th  day  of  May,  1704,  appeared  Mr.  Peter  Hulse,  (con- 
stable for  the  town  of  New  Rochelle  in  1702,)  who  produced  two  re- 
ceipts for  ^5,  the  minister's  rate  for  that  year."6 

The  clergy  of  New  York,  addressing  the  Society  on  the  17th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1704,  says:  "Mr.  Daniel  Bondet  has  gone  further  and  done 
more  in  that  good  work  (converting  the  heathen,)  than  any  Protestant 
minister  that  we  know ;  we  commend  him  to  your  pious  consideration 
as  a  person  industrious  in  ye  service  of  the  Church  and  his  own  nation, 
ye  French,  at  New  Rochelle." 

The  following  is  Dr.  Bondet's  first  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Vener- 
able Society. 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New  Rochelle,  July  24<7<,  1707. 
Sir  :— Col.  Hcatheote  has  done  me  the  favor  to  communicate  to  me  the  extract 
of  a  letter,  where  you  make  mention  to  him  of  me,  and  the  part  the  Honorable 
Society  is  pleased  to  take  in  what  concerns  my  life  and  service.  If  it  had  pleased 
God  that  the  ships  had  come  hither,  which  he  expected,  I  doubt  not  but  accord- 
ing to  your  opinion,  I  had  had  proofs  of  their  good  will  and  approbation,  as  also 
directions  from  my  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  concerning  those  things  whereof  I 
did  myself  the  honour  to  inform  his  Lordship,  with  the  testimony  of  several  emi- 
nent and  creditable  persons.  'Twould  be  needless,  Sir,  to  repeat  things  whereof 
my  Lord  of  London  and  the  Honourable  Society  are  fully  informed.  I'll  only 
say  for  my  comfort  and  the  honour  of  my  service,  that  amongst  the  many  mis- 
fortunes that  have  happened  to  me,  never  any  one  opened  his  lips  to  reproach 
me  of  my  life  and  doctrine,  and  God  lias  supported  me  in  all  those  cases  in  which 
men  have  abandoned  me.  I  immediately  looked  upon  that  which  his  Excel- 
lency, my  Lord  Cornbury,  ordered  me  out  of  Her  Majesty's  revenue  as  a  sure 
fund ;  but  the  payments  thereof  is  so  remote  from  one  another  that  I  am  ready  to 
perish  in  the  mean  time,  insomuch,  that  'tis  very  surprising  to  all  them  that  hear 
it.  My  Lord  is  so  kind  as  to  give  me  some  warrants;  but  to  this  hour  I  have 
some  by  me  of  four  years'  standing,  whereof  Mr.  Neau  is  soliciting  one  with  Mr. 


a  T  own  Records,  Lib.  A,  p.  5. 
b  Westchester  Vestry  Book. 


6l2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Bearsly,  the  Receiver,  without  being  able  to  get  anything.  The  favour  I  ask  of 
you,  Sir,  and  the  Honorable  Society,  is,  that  you  would  be  so  good  as  to  get  me 
such  an  order  from  the  said  Society  as  you  shall  judge  most  proper  for  the  pay- 
ment of  my  arrears ;  and  if  it  be  Her  Majesty's  good  pleasure  to  confirm  to  me 
what  two  Governours,  by  the  advice  of  the  Council,  have  ordered  as  a  necessary 
provision  for  my  subsistance,  viz.,  A 30  out  of  ner  Majesty's  revenue,  and  that 
pension  be  paid  to  me  quarterly  according  to  the  time  of  its  establishment.  If  I 
obtain  this  favour  of  the  Honourable  Society,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  having 
contributed  thereunto  by  your  representation  according  to  your  justice  and 
charity.  I  pray  God  to  give  us  the  opportunity  of  giving  satisfaction  to  that 
venerable  body  (whereof  you  are  a  member)  by  the  joyful  tidings  of  the  great 
progress  which  the  Gospell  makes  in  these  parts,  through  their  great  care  and 
piety.  I  have  seen  with  pleasure  the  beginning  of  Sir.  Neau's  exercises,  as  also, 
from  time  to  time,  the  progress  and  good  order  of  his  proselytes.  It  were  to  be 
wished  that  the  civil  powers  would  take  the  same  care  of  the  slaves  in  the  coun- 
try. I  have  often  proposed  this  to  our  company,  among  whom  there  are  several 
slaves;  the  poor  creatures  might  easily  receive  the  same  edification  by  the  care 
of  the  minister  in  their  several  places ;  if  that  was  recommended  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  the  servants,  the  masters  and  pastors,  might  understand  that  this  order 
which  our  superiors  require  is  both  reasonable  and  just.  I  should  be  always 
ready,  if  it  pleased  the  Lord  with  nis  help,  to  discharge  my  duty  and  follow  the 
directions  which  shall  be  given  me  by  my  superiors,  for  whom  I  will  continue 
to  pray  heartily  that  God  would  direct  them  how  to  labour  successfully  in  all 
things  for  the  advancement  of  His  glory  in  the  midst  of  His  people,  and  that  He 
would  please  to  continue  unto  3rou  life  and  grace  to  further  His  work  in  your 
generation.  I  am,  Sir,  &c,  &c, 

DaXIEL  BoXDET."a 

The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  of  Col.  Heathcote  to  the  Secretary, 
shows  that  the  Society  must  have  immediately  granted  the  favor  which 
Mr.  Bondet  so  earnestly  solicited.  The  writer  also  recommends  the 
payment  of  an  annual  salary  to  Mr.  Bondet,  and  that  he  be  directed  to 
use  the  English  Liturgy  at  all  times : 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

Worthy  Sib:  "Mansor  of  Scarsdale,  Deo.  18th,  170" 

I  desire  my  hearty  thanks  may  be  given  them  for  their  favours  in  remembering 
Mr.  Bondet,  and  it  was  truly  a  seasonable  relief  to  him,  he  having  for  many  years 
been  only  fed  with  fair  promises  from  the  Government ;  being,  I  think,  at  this 
time  about  four  years  in  arrear.  As  to  what  you  mention  of  my  Lord  of  London 
recommending  him  to  our  governour,  I  can't  tell  what  service  it  may  do  him  to 
his  Lordship's  successor ;  but  it  will  be  of  little  use  or  service  to  him  now.  As 
for  his  being  able  to  preach  in  English,  I  do  assure  you  he  can  and  doth  it  every 
third  Sunday,  using  the  liturgy  of  our  Church  in  the  town  where  he  lives,  which 
is  part  of  and  belongs  to  Mr.  Bartow's  parish  and  where  he  hath  to  this  day  never 


o  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i,  pp.  163-4-5.  (Hawk's.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


6l3 


preached  one  sermon,  although  they  contribute  one-fifth  part  or  thereabouts 
towards  his  maintenance.  Now,  if  the  Society  think  fit  to  settle  a  constant  allow- 
ance on  Mr.  Bondet,  he  must  then  be  directed  hy  my  Lord  of  London,  at  all 
times,  whether  he  preacheth  in  English  or  French,  to  use  our  liturgy,  which  he 
above  all  things  desires  ;  and  it  will  then  be  advisable  that  Common  Prayer  Books 
in  French  be  sent  over  for  his  congregation.  And  as  to  the  improvement  of  his 
time,  that  he  may  not  receive  the  Society's  money  without  doing  them  service 
for  it— when  notice  is  given  that  they  have  been  pleased  to  establish  him,  Mr. 
Muirson,  Bartow,  Colonel  Morris  and  myself,  will  have  a  meeting;  and  taking 
to  our  assistance  the  soberest  inhabitants  of  the  country,  we  will  consider 
of  the  properest  ways  not  only  for  improving  Mr.  Bondet,  but  likewise  at  the 
same  time  think  of  the  most  effectual  means  for  taking  care,  besides  the  two 
parishes,  of  such  parts  of  the  country  as  arc  included  in  neither;  and  had  I  not 
formerly  been  opposed,  this  had  not  been  to  be  done  now ;  and  in  case  any  of  the 
missionaries  shall  refuse  a  reasonable  complyance  the  Society  shall  most  faithfully 
have  an  account  thereof  that  if  by  them  they  can't  be  persuaded  to  their  duty, 
their  allowances  may  be  withdrawn;  for  I  can't  tell  what  others  may  think  of  it, 
hut  for  my  own  part,  to  connive  at  the  misapplication  of  the  money  given  to  that 
pious  use,  I  think  to  be  equal  to  one's  being  concerned  in  plundering  of  churches.* 
At  first,  Mr.  Bondet  used  the  French  Prayers,  according  to  the  Protestant 
churches  of  France ;  and  subsequently  on  every  third  Sunday,  as  appears  by  the 
above  letter,  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England;  but  in  1709  his  congrega- 
tion, with  the  exception  of  two  individuals,  followed  the  example  of  their  French 
Reformed  brethren  in  England,  by  conforming  to  the  English  Church.  This 
memorable  event  is  thus  recorded  in  the  charter  :  "  That  on  the  12th  day  of  June, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  nine,  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  township  of  New  Rochcllc,  who  were  members  of  the  said  French 
church,  excepting  two.  unanimously  agreed  and  consented  to  conform  themselves, 
in  the  religious  worship  of  their  said  Church,  to  the  Liturgy  and  rites  of  the 
Church  of  England  as  established  by  law ;  and  by  a  solcir.n  act  or  agreement  did 
submit  to,  and  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  same." 

Six  days  prior  to  their  conformity,  the  members  of  the  church  address- 
ed the  following  letter  to  Colonel  Heathcote.  This  was  probably  the 
document  alluded  to  in  his  letter  of  the  12th,  which  Mr.  Bondet  read  at 
the  meeting : — 

Honob'd  Sir:  "Next)  York,  June  §th,  1709. 

Since  it  is  by  your  charitable  assistance  and  concurrence  that  the  company  of 
New  Rochelle  find  themselves  provided  with  the  ministry,  that  your  prudence 
and  wise  management  hath  hitherto  composed  and  aswaged  our  difficulties  about 
these  matters  of  Church  settlement ;  we  have  thought  that  it  was  our  duty  and 
that  it  should  be  your  pleasure  of  charity,  to  assist  us  with  your  presence  and  di- 
rections, that  we  may  come  to  some  terms  of  Resolution  for  to  ha^e  our  church 
in  full  conformity  with  the  national  Church  of  England ;  and  for  to  have  the  pro- 
tection and  assistance  of  the  rules  and  encouragers  of  the  same,  that  the  service 


a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Falham,  vol.  1,  pp.  167, 16S,  169.  (Hawks). 


6 14 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  God  may  be  established  in  our  place  according  to  that  holy  rule,  and  the  weak- 
ness of  our  place  considered,  that  she  may  be  enabled  to  support  the  charges  of 
the  ministry,  as  your  Honor  knows  enough  of  our  circumstances,  be  upon  that 
trust  of  your  candour,  sincerity  and  charity,  for  refuge  Protestants,  well  meaning 
in  the  duties  of  our  holy  religion.  We  remain,  Honor'd  Sir, 
Your  most  humble  and  dutiful  servants, 

Elias  Badeaf, 
Andrew  Rexeau, 
J.  Levillaixe. 

[Signed  by  twenty-six  others,  "a  ] 

The  services  on  this  occasion  were  held  in  the  old  wooden  church, 
erected  in  1697,  upon  Monday,  June  the  13th,  A.  D.  1709.6  Mr.  Bar- 
tow, the  rector  of  the  Parish,  who  was  present  and  read  prayers,  gives 
the  following  account  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Propagation 
Society : 

[extract.] 

"From  Westchester  in  Neic  York,  in  America, 
June  \0th,  1709. 

Sir  : — This  night  being  Friday,  Mr.  Sharp  is  come  to  my  house  on  his  way  to  Rye 
where  he  intends  to  preach  next  Sunday,  and  I  have  appointed  to  meet  him  at 
New  Rochelle  next  Monday,  to  try  if  we  can  persuade  Mr.  Boudet's  congregation 
to  conform  to  the  Church  of  England,  which  if  they  will  do,  Col.  Nicholson  has 
engaged  to  procure  their  minister  (Mr.  Bondct)  an  allowance  from  the  Society, 
whom  they  are  not  able  to  maintain  \  in  regard  to  the  £30  per  annum,  formerly 
paid  out  of  the  Queen's  revenue,  it  is  discontinued. 

"  Tuesday,  June  lith. 
1  was  at  New  Rochelle  yesterday,  where  I  read  the  service  of  our  Church  and 
Mr.  Sharpe  preached  a  sermon  :  and  Colonel  Heathcote  being  there  likewise,  after 
sermon,  we  proposed  their  conformity  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England, 
to  which  they  all  who  were  there  present  (the  chief  and  principal  inhabitants) 
assented — as  you  will  see  by  their  several  names  subscribed  to  the  writing  sent  by 
Col.  Heathcote,  to  which  I  refer  you.  Jons  Bartow."" 

Colonel  Heathcote,  who  was  also  present  on  the  occasion,  thus  writes : 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
WoRTny  Sir  .  "Manor  of  Scarsdale,  June  13th,  1709. 

After  I  had  finished  my  other  letters,  Mr.  Bondct  gave  me  an  account  by  letter, 
that  his  people  were  in  a  very  good  temper  to  receive  and  conform  to  the  Liturgy 
of  our  Church,  in  their  congregation  ;  whereupon  I  went  to  New  Rochelle.  being 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Sharp,  Chaplain  to  the  fforces — he  being  at  my  house,  having 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  189-M.    f  Hawk's.) 
ft  And  not  on  Sundav  the  12th,  as  the  charter  declares.   The  lessons  for  the  day  were  the 
19th  i  hap.  of  Job,  and  13th  of  St.  Mark. 
c  New  York,  MSS  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i,  pp.  194-5.  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


yesterday  preached  and  administered  the  sacrament  at  Rye.  Mr.  Bartow  did  us 
also  the  favour  to  meet  us  at  Mr.  Bondet's,  and  his  congregation  heing  desired  to 
be  at  church,  after  the  service  had  been  performed  by  Mr.  Bartow,  and  a  very 
good  sermon  preached  to  them  by  Mr.  Sharp,  the  heads  of  their  congregation  de- 
sired Mr.  Bondet  to  read  and  present  me  with  a  paper,  returning  me  thanks  for 
my  endeavours  in  settling  them  in  their  religious  affairs,  which  I  send  you  here- 
with. Whereupon,  those  gentlemen  of  the  clergy  and  I  did  advise  them  to  ad- 
dress the  Society  ;  acquainting  them  with  their  resolution  of  conforming  to  the 
rules  and  discipline  of  the  Church,  to  pray  their  assistance  in  supporting  their 
minister,  and  to  send  them  a  number  of  common  prayer  books  in  the  ffrench 
language,  which  is  here  enclosed,  and  also  an  instrument  in  ffrench,  being  a  de- 
claration of  their  inclinations  to  conform  to  the  rules  of  the  Church.  We  all  of 
us  promised  them  not  only  to  recommend  them  in  the  best  maimer  we  could,  hut 
also  to  prevail  with  Col.  Nicholson  and  Col.  Morris  to  do  the  like.  I  believe  I 
need  not  use  many  arguments  to  persuade  the  Societ  y  to  do  what  they  can  con- 
veniently for  them;  for  Mr.  Bondet,  besides  his  serving  the  people  of  New 
Rochelle,  will  be  of  great  use  in  assisting  the  ministers  of  the  other  Parishes — and 
not  only  that,  but  if  these  people  are  favourahly  received  and  encouraged,  it  will 
be  a  great  means  to  influence  the  ffrench  congregation  in  New  York  likewise  to 
conform  ;  and  I  am  not  without  hopes  of  effecting  my  desired  end  of  having  this 
county  divided  into  three  Parishes,  by  which  means  we  should  effectually  shut 
out  all  sectaries  from  ever  crowding  in  upon  us.  I  can  hardly  express  how  great 
comfort  and  satisfaction  it  is  to  me  to  see  this  work  brought  near  so  happy  an  is- 
sue and  for  which  I  have  been  laboring  in  vain  many  years  ,•  and  the  only  thing 
that  obstructed  it  was.  that  the  Government  would  not  give  us  leave — and  which 
was  almost  the  only  cause  that  none  of  your  churches  have  throve  better  in  this 
Province.  The  ffleet  are  just  upon  sailing,  and  I  am  in  a  very  great  hurry  in 
concluding  my  letters,  but  I  must  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  my  next  and  remain, 
worthy  sir,  Your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote."11 

The  subjoined  address  is  from  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  to  the 
Society.  It  must  have  been  written  in  1709,  and  not  the  previous  year 
as  the  MSS.  has  it : — 

TO  THE  RIGHT   REVEREND  AND    RIGHT  HONOURABLE  AND 
VENERABLE  SOCIETY  FOR  PROPAGATION  OF 
THE  GOSPEL   IN  FOREIGN  PARTS. 

"The  humble  petition  of  several  inhabitants  of 
the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  Province  of  New 
York,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  Place. 
The  extraordinary  care  that  your  Honorable  Society  hath  shewn  in  these  parts 
of  America,  for  the  settlement  of  the  Church  in  places  which  want  directions  and 
encouragement,  to  come  to  the  happy  terms  of  union  and  conformity  to  the 
national  Church  of  England,  makes  us  confidently  to  hope  that  your  charity  will 


a  New  York,  MSS.  from  arcliivea  at  FulUam,  vol.  1,  pp.  187-8-9.  (Hawks.) 


6i6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


be  pleased  to  take  into  your  pious  consideration  the  condition  of  a  poor  company 
of  refugees,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  whose  case  hat li  been  repre- 
sented already  several  times  by  the  Hon.  Col.  Heathcote,  by  whose  assistance 
and  concurrence  we  were  provided  fourteen  years  ago  with  a  worthy  minister, 
Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  ordained  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London ;  who,  by  his  con- 
stancy and  tender  condescension  hath  shewed  us  how  confidently  and  with  good 
conscience  we  may  comply  with  the  Church  of  England  and  further  our  edifica- 
tion in  the  knowledge  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  whose  sake  we  have 
left  our  native  country  and  have  been  with  great  pity  and  charity  relieved  in 
England. 

We  have  now  happily  brought  that  work  to  a  fair  and  resolved  conclusion. 
The  Hon.  Col.  Francis  Nicholson,  Colonel  Heathcote  and  Colonel  Morris,  have 
promised  to  use  their  interest  with  the  Venerable  Society  to  have  some  regard  to 
the  just  representation  of  our  circumstances  which  are  unable  to  support  the 
charges  of  a  ministry,  having  been  able  to  pay  to  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet  but  £20, 
this  country  money,  per  annum — sometimes  more,  often  less.  Notwithstanding 
which,  he  hath  courageously  continued  to  edify  us  by  his  doctrine  and  irreprovea- 
ble  conversation. 

The  £30  per  annum  proposed  to  be  paid  him  out  of  the  revenue  of  this  Prov- 
ince, hath  for  several  years  been  unpaid,  as  will  appear  by  the  joynt  representa- 
tion of  the  said  Col.  Heathcote  and  the  Reverend  Clergy,  with  an  account  of  the 
unpaid  warrants.  The  revenue  is  now  expired  by  its  own  limitation,  and  we 
have  no  other  hope  ot  support  for  the  maintenance  of  oiir  minister  than  in  your 
piety  and  charity,  which  we  beg  leave  to  implore  in  these-  our  indigent  circum- 
stances, and  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  send  over  a  considerable  number  of  com- 
mon prayer  books,  in  the  French  language.  We  are  already  above  one  hundred 
communicants,  and  if  we  can  enjoy  the  benefits  of  an  English  schoolmaster  sent 
amongst  us,  we  hope  we  and  our  posterity  daily  to  improve,  under  the  happy 
constitution  of  the  English  Church  and  Government. 

We  conclude  with  our  hearty  prayers  to  God  for  the  peace  of  the  nation,  the 
enlargement  and  prosperity  of  the  Church,  and  a  blessing  on  your  pious  endeav- 
ors for  promoting  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  are  with  profound  respect, 
Rt.  Reverend,  Rt.  Honorable  and  Venerable, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

Isaac  Gctons, 

Lons  Gcioxs  jE,rErNB, 

ANTnOXY  LlSPENAB, 
PlKRP.E  VALLKAU. 

[With  twenty-two  others.""  ] 

In  this  act  of  conformity  to  the  Church  of  England,  the  Huguenots 
followed  the  sentiments  of  their  own  Church — which  from  the  beginning 
of  the  Reformation  to  this  time,  had  allowed  it  to  be  lawful  to  do  so, 
and  condemned  those  who  made  any  separation,  but  from  the  Church 
of  Rome. 

Beza,  one  of  the  most  powerful  advocates  for  the  Huguenots,  wrote 
o  New  York  5ISS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i,  pp.  107-8.  (Hawt's). 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


6l7 


to  some  of  them  who  were  discontented  in  England,  conjuring  them  by 
all  that  was  good  and  sacred,  not  to  forsake  the  communion  of  the 
Church  of  England,  for  such  indifferent  rites  and  ceremonies  as  were 
there  imposed  upon  them."  Whilst  Calvin,  the  founder  of  the  French 
Churches,  passed  an  anethema  upon  those  who  forsake  the  communion 
of  orthodox  bishops  where  they  are  to  be  had;  witness  that  solemn 
declaration  of  his  in  his  book,  "  De  Necessitate  Reformandre  Ecclesioe : 
"  Talem  si  nobis  exhibeant  hierarchiam,  in  qua  sic  emineant  episcopi, 
ut  Christo  subesse  non  recusent — ut  ab  illo  tanquam  unico  Capite  pen- 
deant,  et  ad  ipsum  referentur — turn  nullo  non  anathemate  dignos  fateor, 
si  qui  erunt  qui  non  earn  reverenter,  summaque  obedientia  observent." 
"  Give  us  such  an  hierarchy,"  says  he,  "  in  which  bishops  preside  who 
are  subject  to  Christ,  and  Him  alone  as  their  Head;  and  then  I  will 
own  no  curse  too  bad  for  him  that  shall  not  pay  the  utmost  respect  and 
obedience  to  such  an  hierarchy  as  that." 

"  The  truth  is,  Calvin  and  Beza,  and  the  French  Church,  set  up  such 
a  government  and  discipline  at  the  Reformation  as  the  state  of  their 
affairs  would  bear ;  but  they  never  absolutely  condemned  Episcopacy, 
or  thought  their  own  model  ought  to  be  the  rule  to  other  churches. 
Beza  expressly  disclaims  that,  as  a  false  and  slanderous  imputation  in 
any  that  should  say,  "They  prescribed  their  own  example  to  be  followed 
by  any  other  Church,  like  those  ignorant  men  who  think  nothing  right 
done  but  what  they  do  themselves."' 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Bingham,  in  that  admirable  discourse  of  his  entitled, 
"  The  French  Church's  Apology  for  the  Church  of  England,"  concludes 
with  "  A  serious  address  to  Dissenters  and  to  the  Refugees  of  the 
French  Church,  to  join  in  constant  and  full  Communion  with  the 
Church  of  England."  "  I  have  nothing  more  to  do,  (he  observes)  but 
to  close  this  discourse  with  a  serious  exhortation  to  such  persons  as  are 
concerned  in  it,  who'are  chiefly  such  dissenters  as  make  use  of  the  argu- 
ments I  have  examined  in  this  book,  to  justify  their  separation  from 
the  Church  of  England." 

Upon  this  conformity  of  the  French  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  we  find 
the  Venerable  Society  making  an  annual  allowance  to  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Bondet,  and  directing  him  to  use  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. 

At  the  same  time,  Governor  Ingoldesby  issued  the  subjoined  order  to 
the  Consistory,  putting  Mr.  Bondet  in  possession  of  the  Church  and  its 
appendages : 


a  B<>za,  Ep.  xil,  p.  105. 

b  biughain's  Antiquities  of  the  Christian  Church,  voL  vlli,  pp.  209-10. 


6i8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


COMMISSION  OF  KEY.  DANIEL  BONDET,  TO  BE  MINISTER  OF 
NEW  KOCHELLE. 

"Richard  Ingoldesby,  Esq.,  Lieut. -Gov.  and  Commandcr-in. Chief  of  thcir 
Majesties  Province  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  &c.    To  Capt.  Oliver  Besly  and 
his  Brethern,  General  of  ye  Consistory  of  New  Rochelle  in  ye  County  of  West- 
chester, greeting : — 
Gentlemen, 

The  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Daniell  Bondett,  an  orthodox  minister  of  the  Church 
of  England,  haveing  laid  before  me  the  orders  of  ye  Right  Hono'ble  and  Right 
Reverend  ffather  in  God,  Henry,  by  Divine  mission,  Lord  Bishop  of  London  and 
Diocesan  of  this  Province,  to  officiate  in  your  church  and  Parrish  according  to  ye 
Rules  &  Constitution  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  bearing 
date  June  16th,  1706,  as  also  a  letter  from  ye  Venerable  Society  for  Propagation 
of  ye  Gospel  in  fforreign  parts,  bearing  date  June  6th,  with  an  Extract  of  their 
Journal,  June  3d,  1709,  Constituting  and  appointing  him  one  of  their  Missionaries, 
and  a  yearly  sallary  for  his  service  in  your  church.  You  are  therefore  hereby 
directed  to  receive  him  as  such. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  ninth  day  of  November,  in  the  eight  year 
of  ye  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lady  Queen  Anne  of  Great  Britain,  &c.  Anno 
Dni.  1709.  Richard  Lngoldesby."<* 

In  Air.  Bondet's  report  to  the  Venerable  Society  for  the  year  1710, 
occurs  the  following  extract : 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

'■New  York,  14th  July,  1710. 
Sir— Our  Church  is  kept  up  in  good  order  by  the  Grace  of  God,  notwithstanding 
the  troubles  and  unexpected  oppositions  it  has  met  with.  I  hope  througu  the  good 
reception  that  his  Excellency  has  given  us  at  our  first  visit,  that  his  equity  and 
prudence  will  remove  those  difficulties  which  still  remain  to  be  surmounted :  to 
the  end,  that  there  may  be  a  good  understanding  amongst  us.  I  acquainted  you 
on  my  last,  that  we  had  celebrated  the  Holy  Communion  three  times  at  the  three 
quarters  that  are  passed.  Since  our  conformity,  there  have  been  two  other  quar- 
ters past  since ;  and  for  fear  that  my  last  should  not  have  come  to  hand,  I  will 
repeat  to  you  the  number  of  communicants  in  each : — 


10th  of  July,  1709,  35 

17th  of  October,  29 

1st  of  January,  1709-10,  38 

9th  of  April,  being  Easter  Day,  43 

11th  of  June,  32 


Yours,  &c, 

Daxiel  Bondet."& 

At  this  period  it  seems  the  congregation  had  so  far  increased  as  to 
stand  in  need  of  further  accommodation,  and  to  require  the  erection  of 
a  new  church.    On  the  20th  of  March,  1709,  nearly  three  months  be- 

a  Poc,  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  til.  p.  941. 

*  N'uw  YurK  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulnam,  vol.  i.  pp.  217-10  (nawfcs). 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


619 


fore  the  conformity,  Governor  I  ngoklesby  issued  an  order  or  license, 
empowering  the  inhabitants  to  erect  the  same."  The  undertaking,  how- 
ever, met  with  such  violent  opposition  from  the  enemies  of  the  Church, 
that  nothing  seems  to  have  been  done — either  towards  locating  or  build- 
ing the  proposed  edifice,  during  the  remainder  of  Ingoldesby's  adminis- 
tration. This  honor  was  reserved  for  his  successor,  Col.  Robert  Hunter, 
who  vigorously  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Church;  and  upon  the  2d  day 
of  August,  17 10,  issued  the  following  : — 

LICENSE  TO  ERECT  A  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  By  His  Excellency  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Capt.  Generall  and 
Commander-in-Chief  of  Her  Majesty's  Provinces  of  New  York, 
New  Jersey,  and  all  the  Territories  Depending  thereon  in 
America,  and  Vice- Admiral  of  the  same,  &c. 

To  the  Hon'ble  Coll.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Coll.  Lewis  Morris.  To  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bondett,  Minister  of  New  Rochelle,  to  Capt.  Oliver  Besley,  Dr.  John  Neville, 
Isaiah  Le  Villain  and  the  other  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the 
Count}'  of  Westchester,  Communicants  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  Law  4 
Established,  Greeting  :  Whereas,  I  am  informed  of  your  pious  design  to  build 
a  church  for  the  worship  and  Service  of  God  according  to  the  form  and  manner 
Prescribed  in  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  &  am  applyed  to  for  Ly- 
cence  to  erect  it  in  the  Publiek  street.  I  have  thought  fitt  and  doe  hereby  give 
Leave  and  Lycence  to  you  to  Erect  such  Building  in  such  Convenenient  Place  of 
the  said  street  as  you  shall  think  most  Proper,  Providing  the  Breadth  of  such 
Church  do  not  Exceed  thirty  foot ;  and  further,  I  do  authorize  and  Impower  you 
to  Receive  and  Collect  such  sums  of  money  and  other  helps  as  Charitable  People 
shall  be  disposed  to  Contribute  to  this  good  work. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  New  York,  this  second  day  of  August,  1710. 

ROBERT  HUNTER. 

By  his  Excellency's  command. 

George  Clarke."' 

In  pursuance  of  this  Lycence,  we,  the  within  Nominated  Trustees,  appoynted 
by  his  Excellency  for  the  building  of  a  Church  for  the  worship  of  God  according 
to  ye  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  at  New  Rochelle,  have  agreed  to  Build 
it  on  the  >"ortb  side  of  ye  high  street  in  the  said  Town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  ye 
County  of  Westchester,  the  said  Church  forty  foot  in  length  and  thirty  foot  in 
breadth,  between  the  Dwelling  houses  of  Francis  Le  Conte  and  Zachary  Anseu- 
vain,  as  Judging  it  the  most  Convenient  Place. 

Witness  our  hand  this  Eighth  day  of  August,  1710,  Newfville,  Daniel  giraud, 
Isaac  Quantin,  Debonreposs  Andre  Naudain,  daniel  bennet,  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Lewis  Morris,  Daniel  Bondet,  Besley,  E.  Valleau,  Pierre  Valleau,  F.  LeConte, 
ambroisc  Sicart,  J.  Levillain."6 

a  See  County  Records,  Lib.  D.  p.  72. 

b  Documentary  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  pp.  942,  943. 


6zb      '  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

As  soon  as  the  site  was  determined  upon,  a  subscription  was  set  on 
foot  for  the  building  of  the  church.  The  names  of  the  subscribers  and 
the  amount  of  their  contributions  are  preserved  in  the  following  docu- 
ment : 

"  An  account  of  the  money  collected  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Sharpe. 
Chaplain  of  the  forces  of  her  majesty  at  New  York,  and  Mr.  Elias 
Neau,  from  the  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  for  building  a 
church  at  New  Rochelle  for  the  worship  of  God  according  to  the  forme 
and  manner  prescribed  in  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  : 


TTw  T^yppIIptipv  f^nll   TTnntpr  our  OnvprTinnr 

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Mr.  Bartholeiny  LeRoux,                           .  . 

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Mr.  Thomas  Dutey,      .         .         .         .  . 

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Mr.  James  Neau,  ..... 

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Alexander  More,  ..... 

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Mr.  Elias  Nean,  ...... 

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Mr.  Peak,  purser  of  the  Kingsale,  2  dolars, 

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Mr.  William  Hacking.    .         .         .         ,  . 

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THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


621 


Mr.  George  Clark,  ..... 

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Mr.  John  Creok,  .... 

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Cap.  Davis,  commander  of  the  Maidstone, . 

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Master  May  Yickley,  .... 

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Mr.  Lawrence  Read,  3  dolars, 

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Mr.  Remison,  ..... 

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Mr.  George  Nethew,  2  dolars, 

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Cap.  Qeyton,  commander  of  the  Kingsale, 

.    1  6 

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Mr.  Christopher  Rougby,  .... 

..10 

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Capt.  Wilson,  mayor  of  the  city, 

.    1  2 

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Capt.  Lancaster  Simes,  .... 

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Mr.  Andrew  Bornet,  . 

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Lieutenant  Tathem,  .  . 

.     .    1  4 

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Mr.  Collector  Bayesly,  .... 

.    2  0 

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Daniel  Rouet,  ..... 

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The  Commander  of  the  Fevershain, 

.    1  6 

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Mr.  Daniel  Airauld,  ..... 

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Capt.  Hamilton,    ...  . 

.    1  2 

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Mr.  Robert,  of  Boston,  Merchant,  . 

.     .    2  0 

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Mr.  John  Read,  ...... 

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Capt.  Gordon,  ..... 

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Coll.  Partridge,  ...... 

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Cap.  A.  Chalwell,  

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Coll.  Heathcote,  ...... 

.    3  10 

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Dan.  Cromelin,  ..... 

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On  Board  of  the  Ship  Feversham's  Company,  . 

.  - 1  1 

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From  the  Cap.  Mostenan,  3  dolars, . 

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From  Mr.  Lisau,          .         .         .         .  . 

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Mr.  Watts,  ...... 

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0 

Mr.  Reggs,  ...... 

.    0  5 

6 

Mad.  Hamilton,  ..... 

.     .    0  11 

0 

The  Col.  Morris,  ...... 

.    2  0 

0 

Mr.  George  Willack,  .... 

..20 

0 

By  a  Legacy  from  Mr.  Zamain, 

.    5  0 

0 

By  Cap.  Wims,  ..... 

..16 

0 

By  Mr.  Broeck,  one  dolar,  .... 

.    0  5 

6 

The  subscriptions,  though  not  very  large,  must  be  regarded  in  refer- 
ence to  the  relative  value  of  money  at  that  period  and  the  present. 
The  new  church,  which  was  begun  in  the  autumn  of  17 10,  and  com- 
pleted by  November  of  the  same  year,  stood  a  little  east  of  the  present 
Episcopal  church,  at  the  entrance  of  the  lane  leading  to  Mr.  Elias 


622 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Guion's  former  residence.  The  building,  which  was  constructed  of 
stone,  formed  nearly  a  square,  being  perfectly  plain  within  and  without. 
So  anxious  were  all  to  contribute  something  towards  its  completion, 
that  even  females  carried  stones  in  their  hands,  and  mortar  in  their 
aprons,  to  complete  the  sacred  work. 


Upon  the  erection  of  the  church,  measures  were  immediately  taken  to 
secure  a  Royal  Patent  for  the  same,  as  appears  from  the  following : 

PETITION  FOR  A  PATENT  FOR  THE  CHURCII  AT  NEW  ROCI1ELLE. 

"  To  his  Excellency  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and 
Governeur-in-Chief  of  her  Majesties  Provinces  of  new-yorck, 
New  Jersey,  and  Territories  Depending  thereon  in  aMeriea, 
&c,  vice  admiral  of  the  same,  &c. 

The  Petition  of  Daniel  Bondet,  minister,  olmer  Besley,  and  other  Inhabitants 
of  New  Rochelle,  of  the  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  behalf  of 
themselves  and  others, 

Humbly  SnswETn : 

That  whereas  they  have  been  favoured  with  your  Excellency's  license  Bearing 
date  the  2d  of  August,  1710,  Empowering  them  to  collect  and  Receive  the  chari- 
table contributions  of  piously  disposed  Christians  anil  apply  them  towards  build- 
ing a  house  for  the  worship  and  service  of  God,  according  to  the  form  and 
manner  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law  established,  and  further  Granting 
unto  them  the  priviledge  to  build  and  Erect  such  church  in  such  place  of  the 
publick  Street  as  to  them  should  seem  most  convenient  and  proper  That  by 
virtue  of  the  said  License  and  Encouragement  and  the  contributions  Thereby 
collected,  They  have  proceeded  to  build,  and  have  now  finished  a  convenient 
building  for  use  aforesaid  according  to  the  directions,  limitations,  and  Restric- 
tions Therein  mentioned. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  623 

May  it  Therefore  please  your  Excellency  to  grant  them  a  patent  for  the  said 
Church,  and  the  ground  whereon  it  stands,  that  it  may  be  secured  for  the  use  of 
the  Church  of  England  to  them  and  their  posterity  for  ever,  against  all  attempts, 
claims  and  pretensions  that  hereafter  may  be  made,  and  your  petitioners  as  in 
duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray,  &c.  Daniel  Bondet, 

F.  Alleau, 

New  Rochelle,  the  Wth  of  November.  Besley, 

P.  Valleau, 

Elie  De  Boxrepos." 

REPORT  THEREON. 
May  rr  please  Your  Excellency  : — "In  obedience  to  your  Excellence's  order 
in  Council,  of  ye  nineteenth  day  of  November  last,  made  on  ye  petition  of  Daniel 
Bondet  and  others,  for  a  Patent  for  a  church,  lately  erected  in  the  Street  of  New 
Rochelle,  and  for  the  ground  whereon  it  stands,  wee  have  fully  Examined  into 
ye  matter  of  the  said  petition,  and  are  humbly  of  opinion  that  her  Majesty  may 
Grant  such  Patent  for  the  said  church  and  ground,  according  to  ye  prayer  of  the 
said  petition.  All  which  is  nevertheless  submitted  to  your  Excellency,  by 
Your  Excellencie's  most  obedient,  humble  Servants, 

A.  D.  Peyster, 
S.  St  a  ats, 

Head  31  July,  1711-12.  Rip  Van  Dam, 

Caleis  Hkathootb, 

T.  BYEP.LEY.a 

For  his  commendable  zeal  in  Church  affairs,  Colonel  Hunter  was  re- 
viled and  misrepresented  by  those  from  whom  a  different  course  might 
have  been  reasonably  expected.  The  two  following  extracts  speak  for 
themselves : — 6 

COLONEL  HExVTHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

"  New  York,  January  30th,  1711. 
"  The  more  I  consider  of  Colonel  Hunter's  being  represented  as  an  enemy  to  the 
Church,  the  more  I  am  amazed  at  it ;  because  no  Governor  in  this  Province,  that 
I  ever  knew,  besides  Col.  Fletcher,  did  ever  as  heartily  espouse  her  interest,  if 
we  are  to  judge  of  men  by  their  actions.  I  think  Mr.  Bondet  and  1  was  about 
seven  years  endeavoring  to  settle  the  Church  at  New  Rochelle.  but  never  could 
thoroughly  effect  it  until  he  was  our  Governor ;  who,  without  giving  us  the  least 
stop  or  delay,  did  every  thing  we  desired  of  him."c 

COL.  LEWIS  MORRIS  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"Naw  York,  20tii  FkBETJAET,  1711. 
"Because  the  Governor  (Col.  Hunter)  would  not  go  all  the  length  they  desired, 
he  was  industriously  represented  to  the  people  as  no  Churchman.  I  can't  see 

a  Documentary  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  p.  948. 

b  "  Governor  Hunter  was  as  devoted  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England  as  any  <>f  the 
earlv  Governors.'  — Macdonald's  Hist,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Jamaica.  Long  Island, 
p.  51. 

c  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  L  p.  356.  (Hawks.) 


624  HISTROY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

what  end  this  could  serve,  besides  gratifying  too  much  ill  nature,  except  it  were  the 
discouraging  the  Church  and  encouraging  the  Dissenters,  (if  cither  of  them  should 
believe  the  person  at  the  head  of  affairs  here  was  a  dissenter,)  or  really  making 
the  Governor  what  they  pretended  he  was.  But  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  some 
men  that  wear  the  Church's  livery,  by  an  imprudent  conduct  to  make  the  Gov- 
ernor an  enemy  to  the  Church,"  for  no  sooner  was  application  made  to  him  in 
behalf  of  the  church  of  New  Iiochelle,  the  building  of  which  had  been  a  long 
time  opposed,  but  he  gave  an  order  to  Col.  Ileathcote  and  myself  to  appoint  a 
place  for  it  in  the  High  Street,  which  we  did  ;  saw  the  foundation  laid,  and  it  is 
now  finished,  or  very  nigh  it — being  a  good  stone  building ;  and  liis  purse,  as  well 
as  power,  has  contributed  to  make  it  what  it  is.  "& 

In  the  year  1711-12,  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society  presented  to 
Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  "  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle, 
(who,  under  the  influential  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bondet,  have  built 
them  a  new  church  of  stone,  for  the  worship  of  God,  and  are,  many  of 
them,  reconciled  to  the  ways  of  the  Church  of  England)  one  hundred 
French  prayer  books  of  the  small  sort,  and  twenty  of  a  larger  impres- 
sion." In  consideration  of  the  great  learning  and  piety  of  Monsieur 
Bondet,,  at  New  Rochelle,  and  his  long  and  faithful  discharge  of  his 
office,  they  have  augmented  his  salary  from  jQt,o  to  £50  per  annum,  c 
Mr.  Neau,  writing  to  the  Secretary  from  New  York,  on  the  5th  of  July, 
17 10,  bears  the  following  testimony  in  regard  to  Mr.  Bondet's  character, 
"most  Honored  Sir: — Mr.  Bondet  is  a  good  old  man,  near  sixty  years 
of  age,  sober,  just  and  religious."** 

Another  supply  of  one  hundred  Prayer  Books  in  French,  occurs  in 
1713,  to  the  Rev.  Monsieur  Bondet,  minister  of  the  Reformed  Con- 
gregation at  New  Rochelle.  Upon  this,  he  remarks,  "  The  books  came 
very  seasonable,  and  is  much  to  the  comfort  of  that  people,  as  to  engage 
their  thanks  to  the  Society,  for  their  charity  in  the  care  of  them,  when 
their  enemies  reported  they  were  derelicted." 

The  same  year,  the  Society  forwarded  to  the  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet, 
"minister  of  the  French  Calvinistic  congregation  at  New  Rochelle,  ^10, 
in  consideration  of  his  diligence  and  care  in  performing  English  service 
every  third  Sunday,  for  the  edification  of  the  French  youth  who  have 
learnt  so  much  of  that  language  as  to  join  with  him  therein." 

Upon  the  7  th  of  February,  17 14,  Queen  Anne,  in  answer  to  the  peti- 

a  In  an  address  of  the  New  York  clergy  to  Governor  nnnter.  May  14, 1712.  "  they  thank  him 
for  his  favor  to  Daniel  Bondet,  and  his  congregation  of  French  Refugees,  and  generous 
bounty  towards  erecting  of  a  new  church,  and  granting  a  patent  for  the  same  to  the  Church 
of  England,  and  that  the  utmost  gratitude  i.s  due  for  the  same."  This  was  signed  by  D.  Bon- 
det and  eight  others.— Doc.  Hist,  of  X.  Y  .  vol.  iii.  p.  129. 

6  New  York  MS8.  from  archives  at  Fulhatu.  vol.  1.  p.  :>27.  (Hawks.) 

c  The  Society's  Abstract  savs:  "That  Mr.  Bondet's  congregation  at  New  Rochelle  has  a 
competent  number  of  communicants,  and  meets  for  divine  service,  not  only  on  Sabbath  days, 
but  all  others  appointed  bv  the  Church." 

d  New  York,  MSS,  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  t,  pp.  216,  217.  (Uawks.) 


*  THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  625 

tion,  was  pleased  to  grant  and  confirm  the  new  church  or  chapel,  and 
the  ground  whereon  it  stood,  to  the  minister  and  members  in  the  follow- 
ing manner : — 

ROYAL  PATENT  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AND  GROUND  AT 
NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Brit ian,  France  and  Ireland,  Queen, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c. ,  &c. ,  to  all  whom  these  presents  may  come  or  in  any 
wise  conccrne,  sendeth  greeting:  Whereas,  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle,  in 
the  County  of  Westchester,  &c,  with  the  leave  and  lycense  of  our  trusty  and  well 
beloved  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Governor-iu-chief  of  our 
province  of  New  York,  and  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  and  Vice 
Admiral  of  the  same,  have,  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  well  disposed 
Christians,  erected  and  built  in  the  High  street  of  the  said  town  of  New  Rochelle 
— to  wit.,  on  the  north  side  thereof,  a  church  or  chapel  for  the  worship  and  ser- 
vice of  Almighty  God,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Churc  h  of 
England  as  by  law  established ;  and  whereas  Daniel  Bondet,  now  minister  at  New 
Rochelle  aforesaid,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau,  E!ie  Debon- 
repos,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  other  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  afore- 
said, of  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  their  petition  presented 
to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Gov- 
ernor-in-chief as  aforesaid  in  Council,  have  prayed  our  grant  and  confirmation  of 
the  said  church  or  chapel  and  ground  whereon  the  same  is  erected  and  built,  to 
and  for  the  use  of  the  service  aforesaid,  the  which  petition  we  being  willing  to 
grant — Know  ye,  that  of  our  especial  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  mo- 
tion, we  have  given,  granted,  released,  ratified,  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
presents,  for  ourselves,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  give,  grant,  release  and  con- 
firm unto  the  said  Daniel  Bondet,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau, 
and  Elias  Debonrepos,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assignees,  all  that  church  or  chapel 
aforesaid,  and  all  and  singular  the  ground  whereon  the  same  now  stands,  being 
40  feet  in  length  and  thirty  feet  in  breadth  ;  the  wThich  said  church  or  chapel  and 
ground  is  situate,  standing  and  being  in  the  north  side  of  the  High  6treet  of  the 
said  town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  between  the 
dwelling  houses  of  Johannes  Le  Conte  and  Zachary  Anjouvaiue,  together  with 
all  and  singular  the  ways,  easements,  emoluments,  profits,  benefits,  privileges, 
liberties,  advantages,  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  same 
belonging,  or  in  anywise  of  right  appertaining,  to  the  estate,  right,  title,  interest, 
benefits,  advantages,  claims  and  demands  in  anyway  of,  in,  or  to  the  said  church 
or  chapel, ground  and  premises,  witli  appurtenances  or  any  part  or  parcel  thereof, 
and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  remaindeis  thereof,  to  have  and 
to  hold  the  said  churcli  or  chapel  ground  and  premises  with  the  appurtenances 
hereby  granted,  released  and  confirmed,  01  meant,  mentioned,  or  intended  to  be 
hereby  granted,  released  and  confirmed,  unto  the  said  Daniel  Bondet,  Isaias  Val- 
leau, Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau  and  Elie  Debonrepos,  their  heirs  and  assignees 
forever,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  them,  the  said  Daniel  Bondet,  Isaias 
Valleau,  Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau  and  Elie  Debonrepos,  their  heirs  and  as- 
signees, for  ever  in  trust,  nevertheless  and  to  the  intent,  the  aforesaid  church  or 


626 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


chapel  with  the  appurtenances,  may  and  shall  forever  hereafter,  continue,  remain 
and  be  unto  all  and  singular  the  inhabitants,  residents  of  the  said  town  of  New 
Rochelle  for  the  time  being  in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  a  free 
church  or  chapel  for  the  performing  of  the  worship  and  services  of  Almighty 
God,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law 
established,  to  and  for  no  other  service,  use,  intent  or  purpose  whatsoever,  to  be 
holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  in  free  and  common  soccage,  as  of  our 
manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  within  our  kingdom  of  Great 
Britain,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  yearly  and  every  year  from  henceforth,  unto 
us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  at  or  upon  the  feast  of  the  Nativity  of  our  Lord, 
commonly  called  Christmas,  the  yearly  rent  of  one  pepper  corue  only,  (if  the 
same  shall  be  lawfully  demanded,)  in  lieu  and  stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues, 
duties,  services,  and  demands,  whatsoever ;  provided  nevertheless,  that  nothing 
herein  contained  shall  be  construed,  de?med,  or  taken  in  any  manner  to  exempt 
the  said  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  or  any  of  them,  of  and  from  the 
payment  of  any  rate,  sum  or  sums  of  money  now  due  or  hereafter  to  be  due  from 
them  or  any  of  them  to  the  parish  church  of  Westchester,  in  the  county  aforesaid, 
or  for  or  in  respect  thereof,  or  of  and  from  the  performances  or  execution  of  any 
parochial  office  or  duty  in  the  same  parish,  or  to  predjudice,  or  in  giving  any  the 
rights,  privileges,  emoluments  and  authorities  of  the  present  rector  of  the  said 
parish  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  or  the  rector  of  the  same  parish  church  for  the 
time  being ;  but  that  the  same  shall  and  may  continue,  remaine  and  be  as  fully 
and  amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  the  same  now  are,  and  as  if 
this  present  grant  had  never  been  made,  anything  herein  before  contained  to  the 
contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have 
caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent,  and  the  seal  of  our  said  province  of 
New  York  to  our  said  letters  patent  to  be  affixed  to  the  same,  to  be  recorded  in 
ye  secretary's  office  of  our  said  province.  Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved 
Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  captain-general  and  governor-in-chief,  in  and  over  our 
province  of  New  York  aforesaid,  and  territories  depending  thereon  in  America, 
and  vice-admiral  of  the  same,  and  in  council  at  our  format  New  York  aforesaid, 
the  seventh  day  of  February,  in  the  tenth  year  of  our  reign,  and  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  God,  1713. " 

About  this  period,  "  the  town  gave  a  house  and  three  acres  of  land, 
adjoining  the  church,  for  the  use  of  the  clergyman  forever."6 

During  the  year  17 14,  Mr.  Bondet,  at  the  request  of  the  Society,  took 
charge  of  the  Mohegan  or  River  Indians. 

The  next  communication  from  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  Venerable  Society 
is  as  follows  : — 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"New- York,  3d  April,  1714. 
Honored  Sir:— By  my  last  of  the  25th  of  Nov.,  1713,  if  happily  come  to  your 
hand,  you  are  informed  of  the  reception  of  yours  of  the  2Sth  Jul}',  1712,  and 
of  my  gratitude  to  the  Honorable  Society  for  their  bounty,  having  brought  my 

a  Alb.  Rec.  Lib.  viii.  pp.  1,  2,  3. 

b  .Missions  of  the  Church  of  EuglauJ,  by  Eruest  Hawkins,  B.  D.,  2S2. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


627 


salary  to  the  rate  of  -£50-  That  seasonable  relief  of  their  equitable  regard  hath 
rescued  me  from  several  incouveniencies,  who  had  rendered  the  maintenance  of 
my  family  difficult  and  uneasy.  I  was  in  a  perfect  resolution  to  continue  my 
service,  trusting  in  the  Lord,  that  when  my  circumstances  should  come  plainly 
and  truly  to  be  known  by  the  Honorable  Society,  their  piety  should  resolve  some- 
thing for  my  relief,  of  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  iufonu  me,  as  also  of  one 
hundred  French  Common  Prayer  Books,  who  came  not  with  your  letter,  but  are 
come  since  in  very  good  order.  That  new  token  of  the  pious  care  of  the  Honor- 
able Society  for  our  company,  hath  renewed  our  thanks  and  blessings  upon 
their  charity  and  rebuked  the  temeranious  suspicious  suggested  by  our  con- 
tradiction that  our  labor  and  confidence  should  come  to  nothing,  being 
abandoned  and  left  to  our  weakness,  but  thanks  be  to  God,  who  hath  rebuked 
the  scorns  and  relieved  our  simple  and  sincere  endeavors,  by  the  continuation 
of  the  Honorable  Society's  benevolence  and  charity,  as  also  by  the  wise 
and  serious  concurrence  of  his  Excellency,  our  Governor,  Colonel  Hunter, 
who  in  this  affair,  as  in  all  others,  hath  showed  the  regard  of  a  grave  and  pious 
ruler,  who,  with  a  philosophic  patience,  hears  and  considers  everything,  and  with 
sound  judgment  declares  his  mind  among  the  contending  parties,  and  with  a  con- 
stant equity,  countenances  by  his  authority  the  right  and  lawful  claim  of  his 
protection.  These  favourable  junctures  of  Providence  have  produced  effects 
answerable,  constancy  and  thankfulness  of  our  people,  and  a  daily  increase  of 
consenters  to  the  Church.  By  my  antecedent  accounts,  the  Honourable  Society 
hath  been  informed  of  the  number  of  our  communicants,  which  hath  been  from 
the  beginning  of  our  conformity,  four  times  in  the  year,  between  thirty  and 
forty  communicants  of  our  town,  sometimes  above  forty,  but  this  last  Easter 
there  was  fifty  communicants ;  three  families  reunited  to  the  flock,  which  were 
the  most  sober  and  sensible  persons  of  our  disturbed  inhabitants  ;  those  who  re- 
main yet  backward,  showing  rather  the  humour  of  seditious,  obstinate  disturb- 
ers, than  the  spirit  of  sound,  religious  Christians;  but  I  live  peaceably  and  civily 
with  them,  knowing  that  the  most  forward  may,  by  the  grace  of  God,  turn  do- 
cile ;  as  I  have  with  patience  and  moderation  waited  for  others,  so  shall  I  con- 
tinue to  do  for  the  few  remaining  back,  ready  to  help  them  for  their  own  good 
and  the  full  and  perfect  gathering  of  the  flock.  It  remains  that  I  inform  the 
Honourable  Society,  that  as  1  continue  to  do  the  service  in  English  every  third 
Sunday,  as  I  did  from  my  first  entrance  in  this  place  j  that  I  have  done  it  till 
now  with  a  Bible  of  small  volume  and  character,  that  the  Honourable  Society 
be  pleased  to  allow  us  the  benefit  of  an  English  Bible,  with  a  small  quantity  of 
English  common  prayers,  because  our  young  people,  or  some  of  them,  have  suffi- 
ciently learned  to  read  English  for  to  join  in  the  public  service  when  read  in  Eng- 
lish. Concerning  the  books  I  have  received  from  the  Society,  they  are  disposed 
of  according  to  their  intention,  with  an  exact  memorial  of  the  persons  who  have 
received  them,  and  that  which  remain  of  those  or  of  my  own  shall  be  left  and 
conveyed,  I  hope,  to  my  successor ;  entreating  the  Honourable  Society  that  he 
may  be  a  missionary  fit  for  to  perform  the  divine  service  in  French  and  English 
as  I  have  done,  for  the  edification  of  our  people,  and  perpetuating  the  memory 
of  this  conformity  to  the  national  Church  of  England,  in  which  we  shall  con- 
tinue to  pray  for  "the  life  and  prosperity  of  her  Majesty  and  dominions,  for  the 
preservation  and  welfare  of  the  Church,  and  as  bound  by  our  just  acknowledg- 


628 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 


ment  for  the  most  Honourable  and  Venerable  Society,  that  they  may  continue  in 
present  and  future  generations  examples,  encouragers,  and  promoters  of  true 
godliness.   This  premised,  I  recommend  myself  to  your  benevolence,  and  remain, 
Honourable  Sir,  &c, 

Daxiel  Bondet. "» 

In  another  letter  he  thus  writes  to  the  same : 

MR.  BOXDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New  Rochelle,  Oct.  17th,  1716. 
Honored  Sir. — Concerning  the  present  state  of  our  church,  I  have  nothing, 
thank  God,  to  acquaint  you  with  which  discourage  my  service,  nor  the  favour 
of  the  Honorable  Society.  We  stand  orderly  and  peaceably  under  t  lie  protection 
and  favour  of  our  worthy  Governor.  The  number  of  our  first  disturbers  is  de- 
creased, who  have  increased  our  congregation.  The  door  of  my  heart  is  always 
open  to  reconciliation,  as  the  gates  of  the  church  for  their  reception.  The  2nd 
of  April,  Easter  Day,  we  had  fifty-two  communicants ;  the  7th  of  July,  fifly  ; 
the  seventh  of  October  we  had  forty-seven.  The  non.  Col.  Nicholson  being  iu 
these  parts  in  the  beginning  of  the  Church  settlement  in  this  province,  was 
pleased  at  his  parting  to  leave  in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  rector  of  the 
church  of  New  York,  a  bill  of  £20,  to  be  distributed  among  the  ministers  of  the 
Province,  who  being  then  in  convention  at  New  York,  Mr.  Vesey  declared  it  to 
the  Assemoly,  which  was  of  seven  of  us,  and  as  they  were  about  calculating 
how  much  it  was  for  every  one,  one  of  the  brethren  being  generously  moved 
towards  me,  who  had  then  nothing  for  my  support  but  the  poor  contribution  of 
New  Rochelle,  he  said,  the  Brother  Bondet  is  the  poorer  of  us.  let  him  have  the 
whole — to  which  all  consented :  but  this  disorder  of  the  affairs  of  the  prayer 
assigned,  hath  caused  the  bill  to  be  unpaid,  till  of  late  that  Mr.  Vesey  informed 
me  that  he  had  finally  received  the  money,  remembering  also  how  it  was  agreed 
in  the  before-mentioned  convention.  I  said  to  him,  that  Providence  having 
since  relieved  and  comforted  me  by  the  favour  of  the  Honorable  Society,  that  I 
was  remitting  my  pretension  to  the  gift  to  procure  glass  to  our  church,  which 
Mr.  Vesey  liked  very  well."6 

The  following  year  Mr.  Bondet  informs  the  Society  of  the  death  of 
Jane  Bondet  his  wife.  The  subjoined  was  probably  his  last  letter  to 
that  Venerable  Body,  although  he  continued  faithfully  at  his  post  more 
than  three  years  aftenvards. 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  Nov.  12th,  1717. 
Honored  Sir  :  —That  I  be  not  wanting  in  duty  to  the  Honorable  Society  and 
their  orders,  I  inform  you  that  I  am  alive  and  thank  God  in  good  health,  con- 
sidering my  age,  having  lost  this  year  my  wife,  God  having  crowned  the  hard- 
ships of  her  pilgrimage  with  a  honorable  end.  I  keep  and  rule  my  house,  as  I 
ought  to  be  exemplary  in  house  ruling  as  in  church  ministering.    My  congrcga- 

a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulhara,  vol.  1,  pp.  4T5.  476.  (Hawks.) 
b New  York  JlSi.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  voL  1,  pp.  512,  513.  (Hawk's.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


629 


tion  continue  in  the  same  terms  that  you  have  been  informed  by  my  precedents, 
forty,  fifty  and  sixty  communicants.  I  have  of  late  admitted  to  the  communion 
two  negroes  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Church,  who  heard  them  often  before  giv- 
ing promise  of  their  Christian  instruction,  and  haviug  good  report  among  our 
people.  There  is  nothing  wanting  in  respect  of  the  outward  order,  but  as  I  have 
represented  before  that  our  town  might  have  the  privilege  of  Church,  and  enjoy 
the  benefit  of  the  law  for  to  contribute  towards  the  support  of  the  minister  who 
serveth  them.  I  pray  not  on  that  point  by  ambition  nor  as  complaining  of  any 
indigence,  but  it  does  not  look  well  that  a  minister  who  hath  served  past  twenty 
years  in  this  province,  founded  a  church  and  put  it  in  the  order  where  it  appears 
to  the  public  approbation,  be  left  to  voluntary  contribution,  and  the  contribution 
raised  by  law  be  applied  to  another  place.  I  leave  that  to  your  wise  considra- 
tion,  depending  entirely  on  the  favour  and  approbation  of  the  Honorable  Society 
for  which  I  pray  daily,  as  I  am  bound  in  duty,  that  their  good  works  may  con- 
tinue and  prosper,  to  the  confirmation  and  propagation  of  ever  truth  and  god- 
liness. I  remain,  Reverend  Sir,  Your  very  humble  servant, 

DaXIEI.  BoXDET."a 

The  latter  period  of  this  good  man's  ministry,  (whose  age  and  infirmi- 
ties, at  least,  should  have  entitled  him  to  some  degree  of  respect.)  was 
embittered  by  the  outrageous  conduct  of  the  seceders  from  their  own 
church,  aided  by  one  Moulinars,  and  the  Consistory  of  the  French 
church  of  New  York.  It  appears  that  Monsieur  Lewis  Roux,  a  man 
of  learning  and  the  lawful  pastor  of  the  French  church  in  New  York, 
absolutely  refused  to  abet  these  seceders,  at  New  Rochelle,  which 
ultimately  led  to  his  unjust  dismissal  from  the  pastoral  charge,  and  the 
usurpation  of  the  above  mentioned  Moulinars.  The  whole  matter  is 
thus  represented  by  Governor  Hunter  to  the  Venerable  Society : — 

COL.  HUNTER  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  Bath,  Sept.  21st,  1710. 
"  Sir  :— I  had  the  honor  of  yours  with  Mr.  Bondet's  enclosed,  Monsieur  Roux's 
moderation  procured  him  the  chagrin  of  a  colleague  of  a  different  disposition, 
who  was  not  so  easy  to  hearken  to  advice,  which  was  all  that  was  in  my  power. 
The  case  stands  thus :  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  separated  from 
the  rest  from  the  time  that  Mr.  Bondet  owned  his  Episcopal  ordination,  and 
being  without  a  pastor  of  their  own  they  met  on  Sundays,  at  Mr.  Alard's  house, 
where  they  continued  their  religious  exercise  after  their  own  manner.  Monsieur 
Roux,  refused  to  go  thither  either  to  preach  or  administer  sacraments,  being  per- 
suaded that  they  were  not  without  a  lawful  pastor  of  their  own,  on  whom  he 
would  not  intrude ;  which  got  liim  enemies  amongst  the  most  zealous  and  con- 
siderable of  his  congregation,  which  ended  in  their  calling  an  assistant,  tractable 
to  their  warm  disposition.  I  foresaw  what  has  happened,  and  begged  of  Mr. 
Bondet  to  enter  into  no  discussions  with  the  Consistory  at  New  York,  where  his 


a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  L  535-6.  (Hawks.) 


630 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


enemies  •would  be  his  judges,  but  to  bear  all  with  patience  and  to  represent  it  to 
the  Society.  If  the  chief  of  the  ministers  of  the  French  Congregational  Churches 
could  be  persuaded  to  write  to  Monsieur  Molinar  to  forbear  intruding  where  he 
has  no  lawful  call,  as  his  colleague  has  hitherto  done,  I  believe  that  would 
answer  all  the  ends  Monsieur  Bondet  has  in  view,  and  keep  things  quiet  there. 
I  am  with  respect,  Sir  Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Robert  Hunter."0 

Monsieur  Roux,  in  a  memorial  to  the  Governor,  dated  New  York, 
Feb.  18,  1724-25,  says: — "In  opposition  to  this  National  Church,  they 
(Moulinars  and  friends)  have  entertained  and  fomented  for  several  years 
a  scandalous  schism  at  New  Rochelle,  where  the  incapacity  of  providing 
for  a  minister,  obliged  the  inhabitants  to  establish  an  Episcopal  Church; 
through  the  bounty  and  protection  of  the  Society  in  England,  and  they 

■would  still  support  this  schism  if  their  M  was  not  taken  up  in  the 

custody  of  our  Church,  of  which  he  keeps  the  keys,  in  order  to  keep  me 
put  unjustly."  Wonderful  to  say,  throughout  this  dispute,  Moulinars 
and  his  party  not  only  undertook  to  defend  their  independency  from  the 
discipline  of  the  French  Church,  but  labored  to  prove  their  attachment 
to  the  Church  of  England.  In  answer  to  the  first,  Mr.  Roux  very  justly 
observes,  (in  the  above  mentioned  memorial)  "  that  if  he  is  not  mis- 
taken, the  true  principles  of  the  Independent  are  expressly  condemned  in 
our  discipline,"  As  to  the  second,  he  says  : — "  They  have  always  been 
enemies  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established ;  they  have  al- 
ways railed  at  her  liturgy,  her  service,  her  Church  government,  and  her 
ceremonies."  This  strife  continued  for  some  time,  until  at  length,  the 
New  York  seceders  "  being  fearful  of  a  decree,  that  might  expose  their 
own  estates  to  the  payment  of  Mr.  Roux's  salary,  thought  it  advisable  to 
drop  their  debates,  reinstate  the  minister  and  leave  the  Church."6 

In  New  Rochelle  the  seceders  erected  a  meeting  house,  styled  them- 
selves "  The  French  Protestant  Congregation,"  and  remained  violently 
opposed  to  their  lawful  pastors ;  and  not  only  so,  but  in  opposition  to 
their  own  founders,  prescribed  the  Church  of  England  in  her  doctrine, 
discipline,  ordinances,  usages,  rites  and  ceremonies,  as  popish,  rotten 
and  unscriptural.  How  different  this  from  the  views  of  their  great  re- 
former Beza,  who  addressing  Queen  Elizabeth,  says: — "But  you,  O 
Queen,  and  your  people,  by  your  means,  enjoy  what  perhaps  no  other 
kingdom  does — the  complete  profession  of  the  pure  and  sincere  doctrine 
of  the  Gospel.  To  which,  if  you  add  (what  all  good  men  hope  for, 
and  the  most  faithful  Bishops  of  your  kingdom  have  long  desired,)  the 

0  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  nt  Fnlhnm,  vol.  i.,  pp.  564-5.  (Hawks.) 

h  Smith's  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  pp.  166, 167.  "  About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,"  the  Historian 
of  New  York  says,  '■  the  French  Church  of  New  York  by  the  contentions,  in  1724,  and  the  dis- 
use of  the  French  language  U  now  reduced  to  an  inconsiderable  handful." 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


63r 


full  restoration  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  also ;  in  truth  I  do  not  see 
what  England  can  desire  more  of  you,  or  your  majesty  can  confer  more 
upon  it."a  Here  are  none  of  those  home-bred  charges  of  superstition, 
idolatry,  anti-Christianism,  or  popery,  brought  against  the  liturgy ;  but  it 
is  owned  to  be  the  pure  worship  of  God,  purged  from  the  filth  and  dregs 
of  anti-Christianism.*    As  the  poet  Cowper  well  observes: — 

"  All  zeal  for  reform,  which  gives  offence 
To  peace  and  charity,  is  mere  pretence." 

But  there  is  one  thing  which  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  mention  here, 
which  is,  that  these  seceders  not  only  proscribed  the  established  Liturgy 
of  the  Church  of  England,  but  altogether  discarded  the  public  Liturgy  or 
Form  of  Prayers  and  Administration  of  Sacraments,  which  all  ministers 
of  the  French  church  were  obliged  to  use  in  their  daily  service.  Calvin 
gave  this  advice  to  the  heads  of  the  English  Reformation  in  King  Ed- 
ward's days,  and  we  do  not  doubt  but  he  took  care  to  put  it  in  practice 
in  his  own  country : — "  As  to  what  concerns  a  form  of  prayer  and  Eccle- 
siastical rites,"  says  he,  "  I  highly  approve  of  it,  that  there  be  a  certain 
form,  from  which  the  ministers  be  not  allowed  to  vary;  that  first,  some 
provision  may  be  made  to  help  the  simplicity  and  unskillfulness  of  some. 
Secondly,  that  the  consent  and  harmony  of  the  churches,  one  with 
another,  may  appear;  and  lastly,  that  the  capricious  giddiness  and 
levity  of  such  as  affect  innovations  may  be  prevented ;  to  which  end 
I  have  shown  that  a  catechism  will  be  very  useful.  Therefore,  there 
ought  to  be  a  stated  catechism,  a  stated  form  of  prayer,  and  administra- 
tion of  the  sacraments."6 

"  If  we  had  no  clearer  light  or  evidence  concerning  the  practice  of 
the  French  Church  in  this  matter,"  says  Bingham,  "  this  were  a  strong 
presumption  what  it  must  be,  considering  how  great  a  hand  Calvin 
had  in  its  reformation.''  But  we  have  most  certain  and  undeniable 
evidence  in  the  case.  Their  Book  of  Discipline  in  one  canon  deter- 
mines the  controversy  beyond  all  dispute,  (Chap  V,  Art.  32,)  where  it 
says,  "  If  any  pastor  break  the  Church's  union,  or  stirs  up  contention 
about  any  point  of  doctrine  or  discipline,  or  about  the  form  of  cate- 
chising or  administration  of  the  sacraments,  or  of  our  common  prayers 
and  celebration  of  marriage,  and  conform  not  to  the  determination  of 
the  Classis,  he  shall  then  be  suspended  from  his  office,  and  be  further 
prosecuted  by  the  Provincial  or  National  Synod."  Here  we  see  con- 
formity to  the  Liturgy  and  all  its  parts,  as  well  as  to  the  Confession  of 

a  Binpham's  Antiquities  of  the  Christian  Church,  vol.  vUL  97-S. 

I)  Mr.  Skinner,  the  grand-father  of  the  late  Primus  of  Scotland,  somewhere  observes,  that 
Subter-stition  is  quite  as  bad  as  Super-stition. 
e  Calvin  Ep.  ad.  Protector.  Aiigl.  p.  4169.    Bingham's  Antiq.  of  Ch.  vol.  vlii.   B.  viii.  p.  87. 


632 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  Faith  and  Discipline,  is  made  necessary  to  the  Church's  union.0  So 
that  Moulinars  and  his  party  of  seceders  at  New  Rochelle  were  truly 
Independents,  condemned  by  the  discipline  of  the  French  Church. 

The  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet  died  sometime  in  September,  1722,  aged 
sixty-nine  years,  having  been  nearly  twenty-six  years  minister  of  this 
church.  He  was  eminently  useful  in  keeping  the  congregation  together, 
under  its  adverse  circumstances,  and  as  he  lived  greatly  beloved,  so  he 
died  greatly  lamented.  His  mortal  remains  were  interred  beneath  the 
chancel  floor  of  the  old  church.  His  will  bears  date  the  24th  of  March, 
172 1-2,  and  was  proved  on  the  21st  of  September  following. 

THE  WILL  OF  DANIEL  BONDET,  CLERK. 

"In  the  Name  God,  Amen,  The  four  and  twentieth  day  of  March,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-two,  I,  Daniel  Bondet,  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel, of  New  Rochelle,  being  sick  in  body  but  of  good  and  perfect  memory,  thanks 
be  to  Almighty  God,  and  calling  to  remembrance  the  uncertain  state  of  this 
transitory  life,  and  that  all  flesh  must  yield  unto  death,  wheif  it  shall  please  God 
to  call ;  do  make,  constitute,  ordain  and  declare,  this  my  last  Will  and  Testa- 
ment in  manner  and  form  following : — Revoking  and  Annulling  by  these  pres- 
ents, all  and  every  Testament  and  Testaments.  Will  and  Wills  heretofore  b}-  me 
made  and  declared,  either  by  word  or  writing,  and  this  is  to  be  taken  only  for 
my  last  Will  and  Testament,  and  none  other..  And  first,  being  penitent  and 
sorry,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  for  all  my  sins  past,  most  humbly  desiring 
forgiveness  for  the  same,  I  give  and  commit  my  soul  unto  Almighty  God,  my 
Saviour  and  Redeemer,  in  Whom,  and  by  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  trust  and 
believe  assuredly  to  be  saved  and  to  have  full  remission  and  forgiveness  of  all 
my  sins ;  and  that  my  soul  with  my  body  at  the  geneial  Day  of  Resurrection 
shall  rise  again  with  joy,  and  through  the  merits  of  Christ,  seek  and  pass  in,  pos- 
sess and  inherit  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  prepared  for  his  Elect  and  Chosen : 
and  my  body  to  be  buried  in  such  place  where  it  shall  please  my  Executors  here- 
after named  to  appoint.  And  now  for  the  settling  of  my  Temporal  Estate,  and 
such  Goods,  Chattels  and  Debts,  as  it  has  pleased  God  for  alone  my  Deserts  to 
bestow  upon  me,  I  do  order,  give  and  dispose  of  the  same  in  manner  following: 
that  is  to  say,  FlEST,  I  will  that  all  those  Debts  and  duties  that  I  owe  m  Right 
or  Conscience  to  any  manner  of  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  shall  be  and  truly 
contented  and  paid  or  ordained  to  be  paid,  within  convenient  time  after  my  de- 
cease, by  my  Executors  hereafter  named.  Item.—  I  give,  bequeath  and  consti- 
tute for  my  only  heirs,  Lieutenant  Oliver  Besicy,  Jun.,  of  New  Rochelle;  desir- 
ing him  after  my  Decease  to  come  and  take  possession  of  all  my  goods,  chattels 
and  debts,  with  obligations  which  is  belonging  to  me,  with  a  Negro  Woman 
called  Toinetta,  Ready  Money,  Plates,  Jewells,  Rings,  Household  Stuff,  Appar- 
els, Utensils,  Brass,  Pewter,  Bedding  and  all  other  of  my  substance  whatsoever, 
moveable  and  immoveable.  Item. — I  do  Give  to  Bety  Cantin,  one  obligation 
from  Peter,  which  is  now  in  the  hand  and  possession  of  her  Father,  Jean  Cantin, 


a  Bingham's  Aiitiq.  of  Ch.  Ch.  vol.  vili.  B.  lii.  p.  88. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


633 


and  that  she  shall  have  from  this  present  time  and  hereafter,  lawful  fcr  her  to 
receive  the  said  Due,  Debt  or  Interest  to  her  proper  use  or  benefit,  without  mo- 
lestation hereafter,  from  any  body  whatsoever.  Item. — I  do  give  to  Judith 
Robinaeau,  a  little  Negro  Girl,  named  Charlotte,  for  her  proper  use  and  benefit, 
without  molestation  hereafter  from  any  body  whatsoever.  Item.— I  do  give  to 
the  use  of  the  Church  of  New  Rochellc  all  my  Books.  In  witness  I  have  put  my 
hand  and  seal,  this  twenty-fourth  day  of  March,  1721-2.  "  • 

DANIEL  BONDET,  (p.  s.) 

Sealed  and  signed  in  presence  of  us. 
Isaac  Mekcier, 
Asian  Guyoxs, 
CdSSAK  F.  Suize."<* 

During  the  interval  between  the  death  of  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet  and  the 
appointment  of  his  successor,  services  were  performed  by  the  Rev.  John 
Bartow,  rector  of  the  parish,  as  appears  from  the  following  communica- 
tion to  the  Honorable  Society  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New  Yokk,  Nov.  15th,  1722. 
Worthy  Sir: — "By  the  death  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Bondet,  last  September,  the 
care  of  New  Rochellc  is  wholly  devolved  on  nie,  till  the  Reverend  and  Honorable 
Society  be  pleased  to  send  another  missionary  for  that  place,  which  I  hope  will 
be  speedily,  being  unfit  to  travel  so  far  at  fixed  times  by  reason  of  age  and  un- 
certain indispositions ;  but  by  God's  leave,  shall  attend  the  care  of  that  people  as 
much  as  I  can  without  doing  wrong  to  the  rest  of  my  parish.  1  preach  now  at 
four  towns — Eastchester,  Westchester,  Youkers  and  New  Rochelle ;  the  last, 
eight  miles,  Yonkers,  six  miles,  Eastchester  four  from  home,  and  do  other  occa- 
sional offices.  I  have  preached  twice  at  New  Rochelle,  since  Mr.  Bondet  died ; 
and  intend,  God  willing,  to  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  there 
the  first  Sunday  in  the  next  month.  According  to  the  proportion  of  their  annual 
payment  to  the  Church,  I  must  preach  there  about  eight  Sundays  in  the  year ,  and 
if  the  Society  do  think  me  worthy,  should  be  glad  if  they  would  allow  me  some- 
thing for  traveling  charges  until  they  send  another  missionary.  Mr.  Bondet  be- 
queathed in  his  last  will  all  his  books  to  the  use  of  the  Church.  Sir  John  Pell, 
Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  of  which  New  Rochelle  is  a  part,  has  given  one 
hundred  acres  of  land  within  the  said  manor,  which  land  Mr.  Bondet  enjoyed  to 
ths  use  of  the  church  for  ever.  A  house  and  about  three  acres  of  land  adjoin- 
ing New  Rochelle  church,  was  given  by  the  town  to  the  church  for  ever ;  all 
which  I  do  presume  have  and  do  belong  to  me,  durante  vitce,  but  should  gladly 
acquit  all  to  such  missionary  of  the  Church  as  the  Society  shall  think  fit  to  send, 
together  with  the  perquisites  as  Mr.  Bondet  enjoyed  them.  I  humbly  pray  that 
the  Society  would  send  them  a  missionary. that  can  preach  to  them  in  their 
mother  tongue,  and  that  he  be  desired  to  preach  once  a  month  in  English,  at 
Eastchester ;  for  I  can't  attend  the  people  so  often  as  they  require,  which  was  the 

a  Rec.  of  Wills,  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y..  vol.  IX.,  p.  332-333.  Mrs.  .Fane  Bondet,  Ms 
wife,  who  was  bom  in  France,  A.D.,  1054,  died  between  1710  and  1720. 


634 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


occasion  about  three  years  since  of  the  hiring  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  is 
now  removed  to  Bedford  within  the  parish  of  Rye,  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenny 
has  undertaken  the  care  of,  with  the  Society's  approbation.  I  now  by  the  bearer 
received  my  money  of  Mr.  Perry,  about  which  I  have  been  so  impertinent  to 
you,  through  a  mistake  ;  and  humbly  beg  the  Society's  pardon  and  venerate  their 
justice,  and  shall  not  cease  to  pray  for  the  blessing  of  God  on  their  pious  en- 
deavors, who  am,  Sir,         Your  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

John  Bartow."* 

In  1723,  Mr.  Bartow  received  from  the  Society  £10  for  his  extra 
services  at  New  Rochelle. 

Mr.  Bondet  was  succeeded  in  1724  by  the  Rev.  Pierre  Stouppe, 
A.M.  This  individual  was  also  a  native  of  France,  and  nearly  related 
to,  if  not  a  son,  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe,  minister  of  the  French  Church 
in  London,  who  was  sent  by  Oliver  Cromwell  in  1654  to  Geneva,  to 
negotiate  in  affairs  relating  to  the  French  Protestants. 6  He  was  born 
in  1690,  studied  divinity  at  Geneva,  and  afterwards  accepted  a  call  as 
minister  to  the  French  Church  in  Charleston,  South  Carqlina.  Here 
he  continued  until  the  summer  of  1723,  when  he  resigned  his  charge, 
conformed  to  the  Church  of  England,  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  be 
ordained.  At  Christmas,  1723,  he  was  admitted  to  holy  orders  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Edmund  Gibson,  D.D.,  the  then  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  and 
licensed  to  officiate  as  a  missionary  in  the  Government  of  New  York. 
At  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  the  Venerable  Society's  missionary 
to  New  Rochelle,  with  a  salary  of  ^50  per  annum.  In  July,  1724,  he 
received  his  commission  from  Governor  Burnet.  He  proved  very  ac- 
ceptable to  his  flock  because  he  could  preach  in  French,  which  language, 
only,  most  of  them  understood.  In  1724,  the  Society's  Abstracts  says 
that  "  Mr.  Stouppe's  congregation  is  much  increased  since  his  arrival, 
and  that  the  number  of  his  communicants  is  thirty-eight." 

REV.  PETER  STOUPPE'S  ANSWERS  TO  THE  QUERIES  OF  THE 
BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 
[queries  to  be  answered  by  evert  minister.] 

New  RocnEiXE,  1724,  the  I2t?i  October. 
Q.  How  long  is  it  since  you  went  over  to  the  plantations  as  a  missionary  ? 
A.  Your  Lordship  knows  that  I  went  over  as  a  missionary  but  since  the  Jast 
spring. 

Q.  Have  you  had  any  other  church  before  }rou  came  to  that  which  you  now 
possess ;  and  if  you  had,  what  church  was  it,  and  how  long  have  you  been  re- 
moved ? 

A,  I  had  the  French  church  of  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  and  left  it  about 

eighteen  months  ago. 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fnlnam,  vol.  ii.  5S2-3.  (Tlawks.) 
./  Dr.  Vautrhan's  Protectorate  of  Cromwell,  vol.  i,  p.  12.   '« 1654,  June  1st,  Mr.  Stouppe  came 
to  us."  Pell's  Diary.  Vaughan's  Prot.  of  Cromwell,  vol.  ii,  p.  4S6. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


635 


Q.  Have  you  been  duly  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  the  Government  where  you  now  are  ? 
A\  I  have  been  licensed  by  your  Lordship  himself. 
Q.  How  long  have  you  been  inducted  into  your  living? 
A.  1  have  been  inducted  since  the  month  of  July  last. 

Q.  Are  you  ordinarily  a  resident  in  the  parish  to  which  you  have  been  in 
ducted  ? 
A.  I  reside  constantly  there. 

Q.  Of  what  extent  is  your  parish,  and  how  many  families  are  there  in  it  ? 

A.  The  extent  of  it  is  two  miles  in  length  and  three  miles  in  breadth,  and  is 
reckoned  to  contain  seventy  families,  among  whom  are  some  Presbyterians. 

Q.  Are  there  any  Infidels,  bond  or  free,  within  your  parish,  and  what  means 
are  used  for  their  conversion  ? 

A.  There  is  in  all  but  a  few  negro  slaves,  some  of  which  come  on  Sundays  out 
of  their  free  will  to  church  without  their  master's  order ;  but  no  other  means  are 
used  for  their  conversion. 

Q.  How  often  is  divine  service  performed  in  your  church ;  and  what  propor- 
tion of  the  parishioners  attend  it  ? 

A.  Divine  service  is  performed  twice  ever}'  Sunday,  in  the  morning  and  even- 
ing, and  upon  Christmas  Day,  Easter  Day  and  Communion  days ;  there  is  a 
preparation  sermon  upon  some  day  of  the  week,  which,  as  well  as  other  public 
service,  is  always  attended  by  the  most  part  of  the  parishioners  conformed  to  the 
Church. 

Q.  How  oft  is  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  administered  ;  and  what  is 
the  usual  number  of  communicants  ? 

A.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  administered  four  times  a  year,  and 
the  number  of  communicants  is  sometimes  more,  sometimes  less,  but  commonly 
between  forty  and  fifty. 

Q.  At  what  time  do  you  catechise  the  youth  of  your  parish. 

A .  The  youth  is  catechised  all  the  Summer  long,  six  or  seven  months  in  the 
year.  * 

Q.  Are  all  things  duly  disposed  and  provided  in  the  Church,  for  the  decent 
and  orderly  performance  of  divine  service  ? 

A.  Every  tiling  is  provided  in  the  church  for  the  decent  and  orderly  perform- 
ance of  the  service  according  to  the  church's  ability. 

Q.  Of  what  value  is  your  living  in  sterling  money  and  how  does  it  arise  ? 

A.  I  cannot  tell  your  Lordship  of  what  value  my  living  will  be  in  sterling 
money,  depending  only  upon  voluntary  contributions,  and  having  not  yet  received 
one  farthing  to  that  purpose:  the  people  is  but  very  poor,  and  besides.  New 
Kochelle  is  included  in  Westehester  parish.  They  are  obliged  to  pay  towards 
Mr.  Bartow's  salary,  appointed  to  him  by  act  of  Assembly,  which  rendered  them 
incapable  of  doing  anything  for  me,  except  otherwise  should  be  provided. 

Q.  Have  you  a  house  and  glebe ;  is  your  glebe  in  lease  or  let  by  the  year,  or 
is  it  occupied  by  yourself  ? 

A.  There  is  a  house  and  one  hundred  acres  of  land  belonging  to  it,  but  at  some 
distance,  which  land  is  let  by  the  year  for  four  pence  sterling  an  acre. 

Q.  Is  care  taken  to  preserve  your  house  in  good  repair  and  at  whose  expense 
is  it  done  ? 


636       .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

A.  There  is  but  indifferent  care  taken  to  preserve  the  parish  house  in  good 
repair,  and  as  for  the  expenses,  they  are  taken  upon  the  members  of  the  church 
each  one. 

Q.  Have  you  any  more  cures  than  one,  if  you  have,  what  are  they,  and  in 
what  manner  served  ? 
A.  I  have  no  other  cure  than  the  aforesaid. 

Q.  Have  you  in  your  parish  any  public  school  for  the  instruction  of  youth  ? 

A.  There  is  no  public  school  within  the  precinct  of  New  Rochelle — the  parents 
take  care  to  instruct  their  own  children. 

Q.  Have  you  a  parochial  library  ;  if  you  have,  are  the  books  preserved,  and 
kept  in  good  condition ;  have  you  any  particular  rules  and  orders  for  the  pre- 
serving of  them  ;  are  these  rules  aud  orders  duly  observed  ? 

A.  My  predecessor,  Mr.  Bondet,  has  left  four  hundred  volumes  for  the  use  of 
the  church  forever;  they  are  kept  in  pretty  good  condition,  but  I  know  no  par- 
ticular rules  of  preserving  them.  My  Lord,  &c, 

Petek  Stocppe."« 

At  the  date  of  Mr.  Stouppe's  arrival,  the  elders  or  ancients  (as  they 
are  sometimes  styled,)  of  this  church,  were  Isaac  Quantein  and  Isaac 
Guion.  The  following  extract  is  taken  from  Mr.  Stouppe's  first  letter  to 
the  Society: 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

"New  Rooiielle,  Province  of  New  York,  May  12th,  1725. 
Sir: — "  But  there  are  yet  thirty  families  unconformed  within  New  Rochelle 
bounds,  and  were  it  not  for  fear  of  the  eager  censures  of  Mr.  Moulinars,  one  of 
the  French  ministers  of  New  York,  who  comes  quarterly  amongst  them,  and 
some  of  the  most  creditable  members  of  his  congregation,  who  jointly  with  him 
do  support  their  separation  from  the  Church,  all  those  yet  dissenting  families, 
without  exception,  would  have  been  come  over  to  it  already.  The  proceeding  is 
so  unjust  that  I  cannot  forbear  to  complain  of,  and  set  down  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Honorable  Society,  some  of  the  arguments  they  make  use  of  to  keep  the 
Dissenting  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  in  their  division,  from  the  Church — and 
even  to  pervert,  if  possible,  its  truest  defenders.  They  not  only  at  all  occasions 
inspire  them  with  a  disadvantageous  opinion  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  they 
raile  in  a  plain  manner  at  its  Liturgy  aud  Ceremonies.  The  said  Mr.  Moulinars 
has  declared  (as  can  be  proved)  that  he  finds  our  Church  and  that  of  Rome  as 
like  one  another  as  two  fishes  can  be ;  besides,  the  said  minister  and  his  party  -have 
threatened  the  yet  dissenting  French  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  of  breaking 
with  them  all  commerce,  and  of  suspending  all  acts  of  charity  and  support 
towards  them,  if  ever  they  should  dare  to  join  themselves  at  any  time  to  the 
Church;  nay,  for  instance,  the  said  Moulinars  and  his  party  convinced  long  ago 
of  Mr.  Roux,  the  other  minister  of  the  French  in  New  York,  and  his  inclination 
and  good  affection  to  the  Church,  and  of  his  always  openly  blaming  and  disap- 
proving Mr.  Moulinars,  his  colleagues  irregular  practices  against  the  Church  in 


a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.,  p.  673.  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  637 

general,  and  especially  his  keeping  up  and  fomenting  our  unhappy  divisions  in 
New  Rochelle.  The  said  Moulinars  and  his  party  in  revenge,  have  pretended  to 
depose  Mr.  Roux,  and  suspend  him  accordingly  of  all  his  accustomed  ministerial 
functions  amongst  them,  as  you  may  see  it  more  largely  in  this  collection  of 
papers  on  that  subject  which  I  beg  of  you  to  put  into  the  Honorable  Society's 
hands,  and  which  will  justify  in  general  the  matters  I  here  acquaint  them  with. 
They  will  find  that  one  of  (he  chicfest  reasons  of  this  violence  against  Mr.  .Roux, 
has  no  other  ground  than  his  constant  affection  to  the  Church,  and  the  public 
approbation  he  has  at  all  times  and  occasions  given  to  its  ceremonies  and  doc- 
trine ;  and  this  affair  is  so  far  gone  that  the  Honorable  Council  of  this  province 
could  not  forbear  to  take  notice  and  to  interpose  their  mediation  and  authority, 
which  having  been  unsuccessful  on  the  French  dissenters  part,  Mr.  Roux  in- 
tends by  the  advice  of  his  friends  to  carry  his  complaints  into  Chancery,  where 
it  is  not  doubted  but  he  will  find  protection  and  justice.  I  thought  it  necessary 
to  make  you  this  relation  that  the  Honorable  Society  might  be  more  sensible  of 
of  the  great  prejudice  Air.  Moulinars  and  his  adherents  do  in  general  to  the 
Church  of  England,  and  in  particular  to  that  of  New  Rochelle  ;  and  that  there  is 
no  unlawful  practice  which  they  scruple  to  make  use  of,  for  the  detriment  of  it. 
After  Mr.  Bondett's,  my  predecessors  death,  they  engaged  the  dissenters  to 
build  a  meeting  house  about  two  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  church  in  which 
I  officiate  twice  every  Sunday;  they  incited  them  also  to  reclaim  the  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  which  Mr.  Bondct  enjoyed,  and  which  were  given  by.thc  Lord 
Pell  to  the  use  of  the  church,  in  order  to  deprive  me  of  it ;  and  notwithstanding 
all  the  friendly  presentations  made  from  time  to  time  to  the  said  Mr.  Moulinars 
by  some  gent  of  this  country,  and  also  by  the  late  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  of 
which  Master  Aufere,  one  of  the  Society  members,  may  give  a  more  full  and 
exact  account ;  all  this,  I  say,  did  not  prevail  with  him,  nor  induce  him  to  keep 
his  own  congregation  and  not  to  intrude  himself  into  those  of  others,  and  con- 
sequently not  to  trouble  their  union  and  peace.  He  also  of  late  eagerly  consumed 
some  of  the  dissenters  of  New  Rochelle,  who  to  save  expenses  and  inconveniences 
they  would  la}'  under  bringing  their  children  to  York  to  be  christened  by  him, 
or  who  by  reason  of  having  no  aversion  from  the  Church  do  not  think  fit  to  defer 
their  baptism  till  he  come  amongst  them,  according  to  his  desire  have  required 
me  to  baptize  them.  I  heartily  wish  the  Honorable  Society  would  pity  our  as- 
saulted Church,  and  take  some  effectual  means  for  the  removing  of  the  cause  and 
instrument  of  the  unhappy  division!  we  are  in ;  our  endeavors  here  without  their 
assistance  having  proved  of  but  little  and  of  none  effect.  For  there  is  no  irreg-. 
ular  practice  which  in  their  opinion  is  not  supported,  and  which  they  do  not  find 
justified  and  authorized  by  the  benefit  of  toleration  and  liberty  of  conscience 
granted  to  them,  in  such  manner  they  abuse  that  great  and  inestimable  priviledge. 
You  will,  Rev.  Sir,  very  much  oblige  me  in  giving  me  notice  as  soon  as  possible, 
of  the  Honorable  Society's  intention  and  resolution  about  that  affair. 
I  am,  Reverened  Sir,  &c., 

Peter  SiocrPE." 

Writing  to  the  Propagation  Society  in  1726,  he  thus  describes  the 
state  of  his  church  :  "  That  he  has  baptized  six  grown  negroes  and  seven 
negro  children,  fitted  eight  young  people  for  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 


638 


HISTROY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Supper,  to  which  they  have  been  accordingly  admitted ;  and  that  the 
number  of  his  communicants  at  Easter  last,  was  thirty- three."  ■ 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"New  Roceelle,  Dec.  Wth,  1727. 

Reverend  Sir  : — According  to  the  Honorable  Society's  order,  signified  unto 
me  by  your  last  of  the  16th  June.  1717,  here  you  have  the  best  accounts  I  could 
get  upon  the  several  heads  and  matters  intimated  unto  me  in  the  aforesaid  years. 

1st.  As  to  the  church.  It  was  built  in  the  year  1708,  upon  the  public  or  king's 
road,  of  strong  materials,  joined  together  with  mortar,  the  inside  plastered  and 
whitewashed,  of  40  feet  length  and  30  breadth.  Partly  by  its  own  members,  the 
inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle,  who  gave  a  number  of  days  work  towards  it, 
partly  b}'  the  contributions  of  the  following  charitable  persons,  members  of  the 
Church  of  England  or  well-wishers  to  it,  settled  in  divers  parts  of  this  province, 
as  you  will  see  by  the  list  here  set  down  and  recorded  in  our  church  book. 

Fifty  paces  from  the  said  church  there  is  a  glebe  of  three  and  a  half  acres  of 
land,  upon  part  of  which  stands  the  parish  house  or  the  minister's  dwelling  place, 
built  of  wooden  materials,  the  inside  plastered,  consisting  of  two  rooms  on  a 
floor,  a  garret  and  a  small  kitchen-house ;  the  other  part  of  said  glebe  serves  for 
a  dwelling  place. 

The  salary  subscribed  for  the  minister  by  the  members  of  New  Rochelle  church 
amounts  at  present  to  £10  19s.,  money  of  this  province,  of  which,  through  negli- 
gence or  pretended  poverty  of  the  subscribers,  there  is  little  more  than  half 
part  of  it  actually  paid  :  so  that  the  provisions  of  firewood  which  they  make  to 
their  minister  for  the  time  being,  is  by  much  the  better  part  of  his  salary — though 
little  in  itself. 

There  is  no  other  endowment  belonging  to  the  church  that  I  know  of.  This 
is  all  what  I  can  say  upon  that  head. 

2nd.  I  come  now  to  the  second.  The  number  of  people  that  first  settled  New 
Rochelle  was  about  a  dozen  families ;  the  most  part  of  them  were  in  Europe, 
trading-merchants  ;  being  French  refugees,  they  were  all  at  first  addicted  to  the 
Confession  of  Faith  of  the  formerly  Reformed  Protestant  Church  of  France. 
These  few  families,  I  say,  have  conjointly  bought  of  the  Lord  Pell,  6000  acres 
of  land  and  divided  it  into  lots  and  parcels,  from  20  to  30,  40,  50,  60, 100,  200  and 
300  acres  a  piece  ;  have  sold  afterwards  the  said  lots  and  parcels  to  any  who  had 
a  mind  to  buy  them,  English,  French  or  Dutch  ;  but  so  it  happened  that  more  of 
the  French  than  of  the  other  two  nations  proved  desirous  to  settle  among  them. 
To  this,  if  you  add  the  increase  and  settlement  of  their  children  since  that  time, 
each  of  which  have  their  particular  houses,  or  dwelling  places,  being  settled  npon 
so  many  respective  lots  and  parcels  of  ground,  the  present  number  of  inhabitants, 
comprehending  young  and  old  of  both  sexes,  amounts  to  very  near  400  persons. 
There  is  a  dozen  of  houses  near  the  church,  standing  pretty  close  to  one  another, 
whic  h  makes  that  place  a  sort  of  town ;  the  remainder  of  the  houses  and  settle- 
ments are  dispersed  up  and  down  as  far  as  the  above  said  GOOO  acres  of  land  could 
bear.    Nay,  besides  those,  there  were  several  other  French  families  members  of 


a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fuluam,  vol.  i,  pp.  665-6-7-8.  illawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


New  Rorhclle  settled  without  its  bounds.  They  are  little,  or  not  at  all,  improved 
in  their  fortunes  ;  at-.d,  a  few  tailors  and  shoemakers  excepted,  they  live  upon  the 
produce  of  their  own  land. 

There  is  no  church  near  or  about  New  Rochellc,  save  one  which  from  the  one 
side  of  its  bounds  is  three  miles  distant,  and  from  the  other  side  seven  miles  dis- 
tant ;  and  divine  service  is  no  oftcner  performed  in  it  than  once  in  a  month,  or 
twelve  times  in  a  year.  Travelling  is  in  all  seasons  difficult  in  this  country,  it 
being  very  rough  and  uneven — full  of  rocks  and  stones,  hills,  valleys,  creeks, 
loose  and  bad  bridges.  The  Fall  is  attended  with  great  showers,  and  the  Winter 
witli  ice,  snow,  and  exceeding  sharp  winds. 

3rd.  As  to  the  3rd  head.  There  is  two  Quaker  families,  three  Dutch  ones, 
four  Lutherans,  and  several  of  the  French.  The  first  never  assist  our  assemblies! 
the  Dutch  and  Lutheran,  on  the  contrary,  constantly  assist  when  divine  service 
is  performed  in  English  -  so  that  they  may  understand  it— and  their  children  like- 
wise have  all  been  baptized  by  ministers  of  the  Church.  Only  the  French  Dis- 
senters have  deserted  it  upon  Mr.  Moujinars,  formerly  one  of  the  French  minis- 
ters of  New  York,  coming  and  settling,  now  a  year  ago,  among  us ;  and  'tis  also 
by  his  means  and  inducement,  that  while  he  j  et  was  minister  of  New  York,  that 
they  have  built  a  wooden  meeting-house  within  the  time  they  was  unprovided 
for — that  is,  from  my  predecessor's  death  to  my  arrival  here.  The  said  Mouli- 
nars  and  followers,  to  the  number  of  about  one  hundred  persons,  and  the  said 
meeting-house  built  by  his  persuasion,  are  the  pole  dissenting  teacher,  people,  and 
meeting-house  within  New  Rochelle  bounds.  The  said  Moulinars  is  supported 
partly  by  the  contribut  ions  of  his  hearers,  partly  by  the  assistance  of  some  of  the 
French  Dissenters  of  New  York,  who,  in  my  predecessor's  time,  as  well  as  now, 
have  done  much  harm  to  our  poor  church,  and  always  obstructed  their  recon- 
ciliation thereto. 

4th.  There  is  no  school  nor  schoolmaster  as  yet  in  New  Rochelle ;  the  parents 
take  care  to  instruct  their  own  children,  and  that  they  do  generally  pretty  well, 
besides  what  instructions  are  given  to  them  in  the  church  during  Summer  by  the 
minister. 

5th.  As  to  the  fifth  article.  I  don't  question  but  the  Honorable  Society  knows 
that  the  Lord  Pell  when  he  sold  the  6,000  acres  of  New  Rochelle  ground  to  the 
aforesaid  families  of  refugees  who  first  settled  it,  gave  in  the  same  time  100  acres 
of  land  for  the  encouragement  and  benefit  of  any  minister  that  would  serve  them ; 
which  land  being  laid  out  by  the  buyers  in  one  of  the  worst  places,  upon  a  very 
rocky  ground,  and  distant  a  mile  and  one  half  from  the  parish  house,  has  been 
let  by  my  predecessor  and  by  me  for  four  pence  sterling  an  acre,  yearly  rent, 
bating  20  acres  holden  by  a  distracted  woman,  not  supported  by  the  parish  be- 
fore last  year,  &c. 

There  is  no  other  library  but  that  which  Mr.  Bondet  has  left  to  the  church, 
consisting  of  about  400  volumes. 

6th.  The  number  of  slaves  within  New  Rochelle  is  78 ;  part  of  them  con- 
stantly attend  Divine  service,  and  have  had  some  instructions  in  the  Christian 
Faith  by  the  care  and  assistance  of  their  respective  masters  and  mistresses— so 
that  my  predecessors  did  not  scruple  to  baptize  some,  and  even  to  admit  to  the 
Communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  and  I  myself  have,  for  the  same  cousidera. 
tion,  baptized  fifteen  of  them  within  these  three  years— some  children  and  some 


640 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER 


grown  persons,  indifferently  well  instructed  in  the  fundamentals  of  our  Holy 
Religion. 

I  assure  you,  sir,  that  they  shall  always  have  a  convenient  share  in  my  assist- 
ance and  care,  and  as  far  as  will  he  necessary  to  make  them  good  and '  religious 
persons,  without  the  least  prejudice  to  the  rest  of  my  flock.  These,  Sir,  are  the 
sentiments  which  I  entertain,  and  of  which  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  to  the 
Honorable  Society  the  most  convincing  proofs. 

I  am,  Reverend  Sir,  your  most  Obedient  Servant, 

Peter  STorrPE."" 

In  1729  he  writes:  "That  he  continues  his  diligence  in  all  parts  of 
duty :  that  besides  the  white,  he  hath  baptized  ten  negro  children  and 
one  grown  person,  and  hath  thirty-four  communicants."  The  next  year 
he  informs  the  Society,  "That  the  French  and  English  prayer-books 
sent  there  by  the  Society  have  been  of  great  use,  and  even  thankfully 
received  by  the  people.  His  congregation  improves,  the  number  of  com- 
municants increases,  and  in  the  space  of  six  months  he  baptized  fifteen 
white  children  and  three  negroes.'  Upon  the  7th  of  April,  1733,  he 
acquaints  them,  "  That  his  congregation  increases,  that  he  had  thirty- 
three  communicants  last  Easter,  and  hath  within  six  months  baptized 
eleven  white  and  five  negro  children."  c  The  next  communication  from 
Mr.  Stouppe  is  the  following  : 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECTETARY. 

New  Rocoelle,  Aug.  10th,  1733. 
Rev.  Sir. — In  my  last,  April  10th,  1793,  by  Cant.  Saml.  Bourdet,  bound  for 
Bristol,  there  being  then  no  ship  besides  in  this  town  bound  for  England.  I 
informed  you  how  I  had  heard  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Yesey,  our  Commissary,  that 
the  last  4  doz.  of  Common  Prayer  Books  sent  by  the  Honorable  Society  to  be 
given  to  the  people,  who  desire  them,  were  in  his  hands.  Now,  Sir,  I  must  in. 
form  you  that  I  have  received  the  same  some  time  ago,  and  distributed  some  to 
the  people  as  they  made  application  for  them.  I  say  as  they  made  application 
for  them,  for  these  people  being  none  of  my  parishioners,  but  Dr.  Standard's,  I 
cannot  sufficiently  discern  those  that  deserve  to  have  them  from  those  that  do 
not ;  as  my  intentions  are  sincere,  I  am  apt  to  think  every  man's  so.  Sure  it  is, 
the  Honorable  Society  receive  a  great  deal  of  praise  and  blessings  of  them  on 
that  account,  which  I  doubt  not  will  have  one  day  a  good  effect ;  and  beget  in 
time,  not  only  love  and  respect,  but  a  thorough  conformity  and  willing  adherence 
to  the  Church. 

As  for  my  particular  church,  Sir,  I  have  had  35  communicants  last  July 
communion,  and  since  my  last,  of  the  7th  of  April,  I  have  baptized  five  white 
children.    I  have  always  a  constant  good  number  of  hearers ;  and  when  divine 

a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulhara,  vol.  I,  678-9-60-1-2.  (Hawks.) 

b  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Society. 

elbid. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


641 


service  is  performed  in  English,  the  congregation  is  so  numerous  of  late  that 
people  scarce  can  sit — some  resorting  from  Eastchester,  some  from  Mamaroneck, 
especially  in  the  summer  season,  besides  the  English  and  Dutch  of  this  town, 
who  have  all  hitherto  applied  to  me  for  supplying  their  spiritual  necessities,  par- 
ticularly for  administering  baptism  to  their  children. 

Now,  Reverend  Sir,  one  thing  I  beg  leave  to  offer  to  the  Honorable  Society's 
consideration  is,  that  Christmas  next  there  will  be  ten  years  since  I  have  been 
admitted  into  Holy  Orders  by  the  present  Right  Reverend  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  and  thereupon  appointed  the  Honorable  Society's  missionary  for  this 
place.  That  during  the  said  space  of  ten  years,  besides  their  annual  salary  to 
me,  I  have  received  but  very  small  contributions  from  my  hearers — not  for  want 
of  good  will  or  good  understanding  between  them  and  me,  (God  forbid)  there  is 
no  congregation  in  the  province  better  united  than  we  are,  but  because  being 
crowded  upon  one  another  they  have  but  little  land  ;  and  being  generally  encum- 
bered with  the  maintenance  of  large  families  of  their  own,  they  are  unable  to  do 
it— and  can  but  just  pay  their  contributions  to  Westchester  parish,  whereof  they 
make  a  part  and  have  not  as  yet  been  discharged  from. 

Upon  this  account,  Sir,  my  circumstances  are  but  straight  in  comparison  to 
those  of  other  missionaries,  who  by  law  are  allowed  yearly  some  £60,  this  country 
money,  besides  their  salary  from  the  Honorable  Society  :  and  as  I  conceive  my 
sincere  intentions  and  endeavors  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  as  well  as  the  actual 
and  constant  performance  of  duty, to  come  short  to  that  of  none  of  my  brethren. 
I  make  bold  to  intreat  that  Honorable  Society  in  consideration  thereof,  and 
in  consideration  that  clothing  and  moveables  are  very  dear  in  this  country, 
that  they  would  be  pleased  in  their  goodness  to  allow  and  bestow  upon  me  any 
small  gratification,  not  that  it  may  quicken  my  zeal  for  the  church  and  diligence 
in  discharging  my  duty — for  either  of  them  can  hardly  receive  any  addition — 
but  that  it  may  comfort  and  ease  me  and  my  family  under  my  present 
low  circumstance.  However,  if  the  Honorable  Society's  fund  will  not  permit 
them  to  grant  this  my  humble  request,  I  shall  look  upon  a  refusal  on  that  ac- 
count with  all  the  resignation  imaginable. 

Iam,  Reverend  Sir,  Your  most  obedient,  humble  Servant, 

Peter  STorpPE."a 

June  1st,  1855,  he  acquaints  the  Society: — "That  the  members  of 
the  church  increase  at  New  Rochelle,  that  there  is  always  a  very  hand- 
some auditory  when  Divine  service  is  performed,  especially  in  the  sum- 
mer season  of  the  year,  when  the  English,  Dutch  and  Germans  settle 
within  a  mile  or  two,  do  join  with  them  ;  and  that  he  hath  baptized  since 
Christmas  last,  nine  white  and  five  negro  children."  Upon  the  4th  of 
November,  1737,  he  transmitted  the  following  account: — "That  the 
state  of  his  church  continues  good,  the  members  thereof  being  very  as- 
siduous and  punctual  in  attending  Divine  service  all  the  parts  of  the 
year,  and  being  thankful  for  that  blessing.  He  hath  32  communicants, 
and  hath  baptized  within  the  year  12  white  and  6  black  children."6 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fultiaru,  vol.  11.  265-C.  (Hawks.) 
b  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Society. 


642  .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

In  his  letter  of  November  1 6th,  he  writes : — "That  the  people  do 
regularly  attend  divine  service  at  all  seasons,  that  the  last  time  he  had 
thirty-six  at  the  Holy  Communion.  That  in  the  last  year  he  hath  bap- 
tized 11  white  .children,  and  4  blacks." 

The  subjoined  extract  from  a  letter  of  Leonard  Lispenard,  and  other 
inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Orem,  dated  New 
Rochelle,  December  1st,  1742,  shows  that  some  of  the  former  were  dis- 
affected to  Mr.  Stouppe.  But  whether  its  authors  were  members  of  the 
Church  or  not,  is  very  uncertain : 

"  I  went  to  Mr.  Lispenard's  who  lives  in  ye  place  to  enquire  con- 
cerning the  inhabitants  of  it,  who  reckoned  up  with  80  families  in  the 
boundaries  of  the  place,  34  of  which  were  such  as  understood  no  French, 
24  were  Calvinists,  and  only  4  persons  which  are  from  old  France,  that 
come  to  ye  Church  of  England,  and  they  are  very  ancient  people; 
wherefore  I  and  a  great  many  others  are  of  opinion,  that  although  the 
place  is  so  situated  that  there  seems  to  be  an  absolute  necessity  for  a 
minister,  yet  we  humbly  conceive,  he  needs  not  be  a  Frenchman,  nor  be 
ordered  to  read  and  preach  in  French,  considering  how  things  are  cir- 
cumstanced at  present.  I  and  several  others,  therefore,  entreat  you  to 
condescend  so  far  as  to  represent  our  case  truly,  as  I  have  done  to  you, 
either  to  Mr.  Bearcroft  or  any  other  gentleman  whom  you  think  has  in- 
terest enough  to  procure  us  a  minister  in  Mr.  Stouppe's  stead,  who  the 
English  complain  has  disappointed  them  very  much  since  I  have  been 
to  England,  and  for  9  weeks  together,  never  repeated  the  service  of  the 
Church  in  English  ;  but  was  either  sick  or  gone  to  New  York,  or  made 
some  excuse  always  on  the  Sunday  when  he  should  have  preached  in 
English."" 

In  the  year  1743,  we  find  the  members  of  the  Church  addressing  the 
Venerable  Society  on  behalf  of  their  minister  as  follows  : — 

"New  Rochelle,  JrxE  1st,  1743. 

Dh.  Bearcroft  : 

Jiev.  Sir: — Our  minister,  ye  bearer  hereof,  having  communicated  to  us  his 
letter  to  you  of  ye  ninth  of  Oct.,  1742,  wherein  he  expressed  a  desire  of  revisit- 
ing his  native  country,  and  asked  ye  Honorable  Society's  leave  for  that  purpose; 
we  took  that  declaration  as  if  he  had  resolved  to  leave  us  altogether  and  to  serve 
our  church  no  longer ;  and  therefore,  made  bold  to  address  ourselves  unto  ye 
Honorable  Society  for  providing  us  with  another,  that  we  might  not  remafn 
destitute. 

But  learning  now  from  his  own  mouth  that  he  designs  to  go  no  further  than 
London,  and  is  willing  to  return,  with  ye  Hon'ble  Society's  permission,  for  the 
service  of  our  church.  We  therefore,  upon  this  consideration,  take  ye  liberty  to 
declare  and  "cquaintyou  that  our  said  minister,  since  bis  first  coming,  has  con- 
stantly resided  among  us.  preaching  (as  directed  by  ye  Hon'ble  Society,)  two  Sun- 
days in  French  and  one  in  English,  much  to  our  satisfaction  and  edification,  his 


a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulliam,  vol.  ii,  p.  138,  (Ilawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


643 


doctrine  being  very  sound,  and  his  pronuciation  full,  clear,  and  intelligible— up- 
on which  account  we  could  have  wished  that  he  had  finished  his  days  among  us 
without  interruption,  and  we  expected  nothing  else  ;  but  as  it  happens,  a  strong 
desire  to  hear  from  his  relatives  has  prevailed  with  him  to  take  a  journey  for 
Europe.  However,  seeing  now  he  explains  his  mind,  and  promises  to  return 
among  us,  we  beg  of  the  Hon'ble  Society  that  they  would  accordingly  be  pleased 
to  send  him  again  to  us,  by  the  first  and  next  opportunity.  But  if,  contrary  to 
our  expectations,  it  should  fall  out  otherwise,  we  repeat  our  former  petition,  and 
beg  leave  to  entreat  ye  Hon'ble  Society  not  to  leave  us  destitute,  but  to  continue 
to  us  their  charity  in  providing  us  with  another  in  his  room,  as  in  their  great  wis- 
dom they  shall  think  fit.  Such  is  the  prayer  of  us  underwritten  members  of  New 
Rochelle  church,  who  are  with  great  respect,     Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servants,  and  in  ye  name  of  all, 


Jean  Soulioe, 

T  y  a  v-    A  VflVTV 
«/  £•  A  .>    A  .>  K9  \  liS  j 

Petek  Bonnet 

.TAflOT'Fft  T*  iSinAWTl 
ii    iv  '  ji    co  A.  •        1  I    .  \  . .  1 1 . 

Gille  LlEURE 

Atftia  "Rot  tit 

Peter  Sicard, 

PfTFTC  T^FPTATV 
X    III.    J                         1  . 

John  Badeau, 

•T'AWT  NF  A  T^T'TTTT? 

U    il«>*Mj  I1C1  Ji.    X    '    11.1.  ~-  y 

A  M  A  V  O T'T n V 

i  1  ill  '  1 .  >    V t  l_  1  k  1 , 

Rnnri'T  T .  1  nvfiCTnv 

Isaac  Guion  Jr. 

A  Ti  \f     1^  A  Wk'  FT?     .T  i? 

Barnard  Rynlander 

iilifi.U.    \A  L  Ivii  j 

Philip  Jacob  Rhinlandrr, 

T^AVTFT.  AvflFTTV 

X-*  VI  1.1 1A  XJ   XX  «>  VT  n.  V  1  Li^ 

Joseph  Donaldson. 

liis 

Jonas  Spook, 

T'PT7QTTT\f          S>P\T}  V 

1    1  .  1         1  U  Al    f  ■      O  \JIZ  1  y 

Daniel  Cioart, 

Isaac  Sicard 

C]  A  TTTERTVF  A  N'OF  VTTC 

his 

A  mrrokp  A    ft  in  a  T?n 

Paul  ^  Sicard, 

T)  A  \  I  V  I    (  1 1  M  A  VTi 

1  '  -  1  .  '  1  .  .  i  ,     v   1  1  [  .  .  '.  11', 

mark, 

Daniel  Giraud,  Jr.. 

Jacqie  Purkot, 

Joun  More, 

Isaac  Guion, 

his 

Jaines  de  Blez, 

Frederick  M  Seldrmajt, 

Marsh.  Ne  Fuellk, 

mark, 

Josias  Le  Contb. 

Michael  Croesnt, 

Jean  Sicard, 

Jean  Parcot, 

Jaqces  Bonnet, 

Isaac  Coutant, 

Jean  Bonnet, 

John  Allee, 

William  Riiinlander, 

JonN  Flandreav, 

Jaqtte  Flandreau. 

Isaac  Daas, 

her 

William  Rodman, 

La  Vetve  H  Jean  Jcin, 

Jam.  Bartain, 

mark 

Jaqce  Sicard, 

Anne  Palmer, 

John  Ciiaprayne, 

Mary  Anne  Palmer, 

GlDBON  Fl.ORANCE, 

JOHANN  PlETER  RlTTER, 

Daniel  Sicard, 

his 

GriLLSAl  ME  LaNDRIM, 

Samuel  X  Bernard, 

Jannf,  Boj»nis, 

mark, 

Oliver  Besly, 

644 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


In  1743,  Aman  Guion  gave  one  acre  and  three  quarters  of  land, 
"  which  is  now  in  possession  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Stouppe,"  for  the  use  of 
the  minister  and  communicants  of  the  French  church. 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT  IN  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  To  all  Christian  People  to  whom  this  Deed  of  Sale  shall  come :  Aman  Guion 
of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  and  Province  of  New  York, 
Blacksmith,  sendeth  Greeting :  Know  3re  that  the  said  Aman  Guion,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  five  pounds  ten  shillings,  current  money  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York,  to  him  in  hand  paid  hy  Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis,  of  New 
Rochelle  aforesaid,  church-wardens  or  elders  of  the  French  church,  in  New 
Rochelle  aforesaid,  according  to  rules  and  form  of  the  Church  of  England,  as 
by  law  established,  now  at  or  before  ye  ensealing  and  Delivery  hereof,  the  re- 
ceipt whereof  I  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  myself  therewith  fully  satisfied,  con- 
tented and  paid,  and  thereof  and  of  and  successors,  for  the  use  of  the  minister 
and  communicants  of  the  French  church,  in  New  Rochelle  afforesaid,  as  is  therein 
settled  according  to  the  Rules  and  form  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  estab- 
lished. That  is  to  say,  a  certain  small  parcel  of  land  containing  one  acre  and 
three  quarters,  more  or  less,  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Reverend  Peter 
Stouppe,  now  minister  of  the  aforesaid  church,  in  New  Rochelle,  and  bounded 
as  follows :  Northerly  by  the  Burying  Place,  Easterly  by  the  land  of  Aman 
Guion,  or  a  Lane  or  Road.  Southerly,  by  the  land  that  formerly  belonged  to 
De  Bonrepos,  and  Westerly  by  the  land  of  William  LeConte,  as  it  is  now  in 
fence,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  fences,  fencing  and  other  appurtenances 
belonging  to  said  land.  To  have  and  to  hold  said  granted  and  bargained,  or  in- 
tended to  be  hereby  granted  and  bargained  Land  and  Premises,  to  them  the  said 
Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis,  and  their  successors  forever,  for  the  use  of  the 
French  Minister,  and  communicants  of  the  French  church  in  New  Rochelle 
aforesaid,  as  it  is  therein  settled  according  to  the  rules  and  form  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  by  law  established  to  thein  and  their  successors  own  and  only 
proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof.  And  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them  the 
said  Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis  and  their  successors  from  time  to  time,  and  at 
all  times  for  use  hereafter,  lawfully,  peaceably  and  quietly  to  have,  hold,  use, 
occupy,  possess  and  enjoy  the  before  granted  and  bargained  Land  and  premises, 
free  and  clear  for  the  use  afforesaid,  ffrcely  and  clearly  acquitcd,  exonerated,  re- 
leased and  Discharged  from  all  manner,  former  and  other  gifts,  grants,  bargains, 
sales,  leases,  mortgages,  entails,  jointures,  wills,  Dowrys,  Judgments,  Execu- 
tions, Extents,  and  every  other  trouble  and  incumbrance  whatsoever,  to  these  be- 
fore granted  and  bargained  Lands  and  premises,  to  them  the  said  Isaac  Guion 
and  John  Soulis,  and  their  successors  for  Ever,  for  the  use  above  said.  He,  the 
said  Aman  Guion,  his  heirs,  executors  and  Administrators,  shall  and  will  forever 
hereafter  warrant  and  Defend  by  these  presents,  and  that  against  all  the  just  and 
lawful  Claims  of  all  and  every  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever  claiming  or 
that  shall  and  may  hereafter  claim  any  just  right,  title,  interest,  property  or  de- 
maud,  of,  in  or  to  said  granted  and  bargained  land  and  premises,  or  of,  in,  or 
to  any  part  or  parcel  thereof.    In  witness  whereof,  he  the  said  Aman  Guion 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  645 

has  hereunto  set  his  hand  and  seal,  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  March,  in  the  six- 
teenth year  of  the  reign  of  King  George  the  Second,  Anno  Domini,  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  forty-three.  Aman  Gdion."<* 

From  this  time  until  1750,  nothing  particular  occurs  with  regard  to 
the  parish  in  the  reports  of  the  Society. 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rociieli.e.  JrxE  8th,  1750. 
Rev.  Sir  : — "  In  my  former  of  ye  25th  Oct ,  1749,  I  informed  you  of  the  re- 
ligious zeal  which  the  members  of  New  Rochclle  church  do  show  on  all  occasions 
whenever  divine  service  is  performed  among  them.  How  they  do  prefer  ye 
hearing  of  a  sermon  to  all  idle  and  vain  amusements,  and  had  no  more  severed 
from  ye  church  by  taking  up  with  fanatical  notions,  contrary  to  sound  doctrine, 
however  current  and  common  such  notions  had  become  some  time  ago;  and  I 
do  with  pleasure  acquaint  you  now,  that  they  are  still  the  same  people,  very  de- 
vout, constant  and  steady  members  of  ye  church,  and  will  continue  such  to  the 
end  of  their  days. 

The  number  of  actual  communicants  continues  likewise  to  be  68  ;  for  as  often 
as  we  lose  some  old  ones  by  death,  there  are  young  persons  who  desire  to  be 
received  and  admitted  in  their  stead ;  and  since  my  last,  have  baptized  15  infants, 
viz  :  11  white,  and  4  black. 

There  being  due  to  me  a  whole  year's  salary,  unpaid  last  Lady  day,  1749-50, 
I  have  drawn  for  the  same  on  the  Honorable  Society's  treasurer ;  and  hope  my 
letting  it  run  into  a  year's  salary  will  occasion  110  trouble  to  ye  treasurer,  for 
otherwise  I  shall  draw  for  it  every  six  months.  This,  Sir,  is  what  offers  at 
present  from,      Rev.  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Petek  Stocppe."& 

The  following  is  from  the  Society's  abstracts  for  A.D.  1756: — "The 
Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe,  the  Society's  missionary  both  to  the  English  and 
French,  at  New  Rochelle,  informs  the  Society,  by  his  letter  of  June 
16th,  1756,  that  the  Church  continues  there  in  a  good  state,  and  he 
officiates  to  numerous  congregations,  both  of  English  and  French ;  and 
that  the  number  of  the  communicants  is  increased  to  eighty,  and  he  had 
baptized,  in  the  preceding  twelve  months,  thirty  four  white  and  six  black 
children."" 

Mr.  Stouppe  informs  the  Society,  by  his  letter  of  June  5th,  1758, 
"that  since  the  war  broke  out,  there  have  been  great  alterations  in  his 
congregations,  which  have  lost  many  of  the  members  by  removals,  and 

a  Town  Rook,  Lib.  A.  ITS.  'Tpon  the  petition  of  flfty-3ix  free-holders  and  inhabitants  of 
New  Rochelle  on  the  2nd  of  April,  1771,  the  Commissioners  of  the  Town  closed  a  certain  road, 
formerly  laid  out,  running  between  the  laud  of  Joseph  Drake  and  the  Church  Glebe'  begiuuipg 
at  the  school  house,  and  so  to  run  up  to  the  post  road,  the  highway,  or  coutainiusr  i>y  estimation 
two  acres  and  three  quarters  of  land,  which  money  was  to  be  applied  and  paid  by  the  Town 
Clerk  to  the  collector,  for  and  towards  thj  parish  rates  for  the  year  ensuiug.''  Town  Rec. 
pages  178,  268. 

b  New  York  MS"v  from  archives  at  Fulhara,  vol.  ii.  pp.  153,  154.  (Hawks.) 
c  Printed  abstracts  of  Veo.  Prop.  Soc.  from  20th  Feb.,  175C,  to  18th  Feb.,  1757. 


646 


HISTROY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


by  enlistings  in  the  King's  service  and  by  death;  nevertheless,  the 
number  of  his  communicants  is  seventy-four,  and  he  had  baptized  within 
the  present  half  year,  fifteen  white  and  five  black  children."" 

The  ministry  of  this  zealous  and  successful  missionary  was  brought  to 
a  close  by  his  death  in  July,  1760.  The  Rev.  Henry  Barclay,  D.D., 
rector  of  Trinity  church,  New  York,  in  a  letter  dated  September  3d, 
1760,  encloses  the  following  address  to  the  Society  from  the  church  at 
New  Rochelle,  wherein  they  acquaint  that  body  with  the  death  of  the 
Rev.  Pierre  Stouppe,  who  for  thirty-seven  years  had  been  their  mis- 
sionary : 

VESTRY  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"New  Rochelle,  July  ye  Z0t7i,  1760. 

Rev.  Sir. — We,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  Province 
of  New  York,  in  communion  with  the  Church  of  England,  beg  leave  to  acquaint 
the  Venerable  Society,  that  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God  to  call  home  to  Him- 
self their  late  worthy  missionary,  and  our  faithful  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe, 
by  whose  death  we  are  bereaved  of  the  inestimable  blessing  of  the  regular  dispen- 
sation of  the  divine  ordinances.  This  loss  will  be  irreparable,  unless  we  may  be 
allowed  to  hope  for  the  continuance  of  ye  bounty,  which  has  hitherto  been  dis- 
persed for  the  support  of  the  gospel  amongst  us,  wherein  if  it  shall  please  the 
Honourable  Society  to  indulge  us,  we  beg  leave  humbly  to  request  that  a  suc- 
cessor may  be  sent  to  Mr.  Stouppe  who  is  competently  versed  in  the  French  lan- 
guage, that  he  may  sometimes  officiate  therein  for  the  benefit  of  some  of  our 
ancient  people  ;  but  if  this  be  not  practicable,  we  shall  be  content  to  have  the  ser- 
vice wholly  in  the  English  tongue,  which  is  by  most  the  best  understood  by  the 
greatest  part  of  the  congregatioH. 

We  have  a  parsonage  house  and  glebe  of  90  acres  of  land,  which  if  properly 
improved  may  become  valuable ;  and  we  shall  always,  we  trust,  exert  ourselves 
to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities  to  make  a  missionary  living  as  comfortable  as  pos- 
sible. Rev.  Sir,  be  pleased  to  represent  this  to  the  Venerable  Board,  with  our 
most  dutiful  respects  and  grateful  acknowledgements  of  their  former  bounty, 
which  will  greatly  oblige,  Rev.  Sirs,  &c, 

James  De  Blez, 
Bahxaui)  Rtnlaxder. 
C7turch-wardens. 

and  others. 

"  Mr.  Stouppe  (says  Mr.  Hawkins)  was  a  simple-minded,  conscien- 
tious man,  who  continued  for  seven  and  thirty  years  faithfully  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  his  mission.  During  this  long  incumbency,  the 
number  of  his  communicants  had  been  raised  from  thirty-three  to 
eighty."0 

a  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  from  24th  Feb.,  1759,  to  23d  Feb.,  1S59. 
i  New  York  MSs.  from  archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  Ii.  p.  273.  (Hawks.) 
c  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  Ernest  Uawklns,  B.  D. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


647 


His  remains  were  also  interred  beneath  the  chancel  of  the  old  French 
church  at  New  Rochelle,  where  he  had  served  so  faithfully,  here  to 
await  the  morn  of  the  resurrection,  and  to  receive,  we  trust,  the  eulogy 
of  the  gospel,  "  Well  done  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

In  a  postscript  to  a  letter  from  Mr.  Barclay  to  the  Secretary,  dated 
New  York,  December  10th,  1760,  he  says:  ,"Mrs.  Magdalene  Stouppe, 
the  widow  of  the  late  missionary,  desired  me  to  recommend  her  to  the 
Venerable  Board,  hoping  to  receive  their  usual  bounty." 

The  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  in  his  MSS.  Biographies  of  the  Clergy, 
says  of  Mr.  Stouppe,  that  "  he  was  a  worthy  clergyman,  and  greatly  be- 
loved by  his  congregation.  When  I  read  prayers  and  sermons  in  that 
place  (New  Rochelle)  in  17S4  and  1785  and  1786,  as  a  layman,  I  heard 
him  often  spoken  of  in  the  highest  terms  of  respect  by  some  very  aged 
people,  upon  whose  veracity  I  could  depend."  a 

Mr.  Stouppe  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Michael  Houdin,  A.M.  He 
was  born  in  France  circ,  1705,  and  bred  a  Franciscan  friar.  On  Easter 
day,  1730,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  the  Archbishop  of  Treves,  and 
aftenvards  preferred  to  the  office  of  superior  of  a  convent  of  Recollects 
or  Franciscan  friars,  at  Montreal  in  Canada.6  Disgusted  with  the  mo- 
nastic life,  he  left  Canada  in  the  beginning  of  the  French  war,  and  re- 
tired to  the  city  of  New  York,  where  on  Easter  day,  1747,  he  made  a 
public  renunciation  of  the  errors  of  popery,  and  joined  himself  to  the 
Church  of  England.  He  aftenvards  lived  with  very  good  character,  and 
attained  great  proficiency  in  the  English  language.  In  June,  1750,  he 
was  invited  by  the  inhabitants  of  Trenton,  and  other  places  in  New  Jer- 
sey, to  go  and  officiate  among  them,  whereupon  he  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  Venerable  Society,  from  which  we  extract  the  following : 


a  Rev.  A.  Fowler's  MSS.  Biog.  of  the  Clergy,  vol.  ii.  p.  130. 

6  The  following  notice,  probably  of  this  Individual,  occurs  in  the  New  York  Council  Min- 
utes: "On  the  29th  of  June,  17-14,  Governor  Clinton  acquainted  the  Cbnncil  that  one  Monsieur 
Michael  Ilouden,  and  a  woman,  said  to  be  his  wite,  were  lately  come  to  town  from  Canada, 
from  which  place  they  had  lately  tied,  and  that  on  their  arrival,  he  had  conilned  them  to  tln  ir 
lodgings,  and  had  placed  two  sentinels  over  them,  and  had  ordered  the  said  Michael  Ilouden 
to  be  brought  before  him  in  Council  this  day,  in  order  to  be  examined.  The  said  Michael 
Houden  being  without,  was  called  in  and  examined  by  his  Excellency  in  Council,  and  after- 
wards remanded  to  his  lodgings.  At  a  Council  held  on  the  5th  of  July  following,  the  Gov- 
ernor communicated  to  the  Board  a  letter  he  had  lately  received  from  Lieutenant  Lindesay, 
giving  his  Excelleucy  advice  of  Monsieur  Michael  ilouden,  passing  by  Oswego,  and  that  he 
learnt  from  him  that  the  French  intended  to  attack  Oswego  with  sou  meu,  as  soon  as  the  pro 
vision  ships  from  France  should  arrive,  the  French  having  a  great  desire  of  being  masters  o 
that  place.  On  the  llth  of  August,  1744,  his  Excellency  acquainted  the  same  Body:  That  he 
had  received  several  letters  from  Monsieur  Houden,  complaining  as  his  circumstauces  are 
very  low,  and  he  wa9  by  his  Excellency's  order  oblidged  to  live  at  Jamaica,  where  he  can  do 
nothing  to  get  his  living,  that  his  wife  and  himself  must  soon  come  to  want,  unless  his  Ex- 
cellency will  be  pleased  to  take  him  Into  consideration,  and  therefore  praying  he  may  have 
leave  to  come  with  his  wife  and  live  in  town;  and  thereupon  his  Excellency  required  the 
opinion  of  the  Board.  'As  to  Michael  Houden,  the  Council  are  of  opinion  to  advise  his  Ex- 
cellency to  give  him  leave  to  come  to  town,  on  his  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance."'— Council 
Minutes,  xix,  292,  and  xix,  273, 276.  In  the  Liste  Chronologique  of  the  Clergy  of  Canada,  we 
find  the  name  of  Potentien  Houdin,  a  Recollect,  who  is  recorded  as  having  left  that  country 
In  1748. 


648 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER 


MR.  IIOUDIN  TO  TIIE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 
"Treston,  New  Jebsey,  Nov.  1st,  1750. 
Rey.  Sir.  — ' '  Having  my  residence  at  New  York,  I  heard  of  repeated  complaints 
made  by  gentlemen  and  principal  inhabitants  of  this  place,  Allen's  Town,  and 
Borden's  Town,  it  being  for  many  years  past  destitute  of  a  Church  of  England 
minister,  and  without  any  sort  of  application  of  mine,  about  five  months  ago 
some  of  them  were  pleased  to  press  me  by  letter  to  come  amongst  them.  I,  being 
then  conscious  to  myself  that  I  had  no  license  from  the  Lord  Bishop,  or  sanction 
from  the  Society,  I  deliberated  some  time  till  I  had  consulted  several  gentlemen 
of  the  clergy  in  New  York,  the  Governour  and  others,  who  unanimously  advised 
me  to  go  over  to  them,  and  hear  their  proposals.    TYhen  I  waited  on  them,  I 
really  found  they  were  destitute  indeed,  there  not  being  a  minister  of  the  Church 
of  England  nearer  than  Burlington. "a 

To  this  may  be  added  the  following,  from  the  Society's  abstracts  for 
1753: — "The  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  having  for  some  years  officiated  at 
Trenton  and  the  neighboring  places  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey, 
among  the  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  upon  such  slender  sup. 
port  as  they,  in  their  poor  circumstances  would  afford  him,  with  the  ad- 
dition of  one  gratuity  of  ^30  from  the  Society ;  they  have  lately  thought 
fit,  upon  the  especial  recommendation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barclay,  rector 
of  Trinity  church  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  of  other  worthy  persons, 
bearing  witness  to  Mr.  Houdin's  merits  and  diligence  in  the  pastoral 
office,  to  appoint  him  their  itinerant  missionary  to  officiate  in  Trenton, 
and  in  the  parts  adjacent.  Mr.  Houdin  is  a  converted  priest  from  Popery, 
formerly  superior  of  a  convent  in  Canada — and  from  his  letters  of  orders, 
it  appears  he  was  ordained  priest  by  the  Archbishop  of  Treves  on  Easter 
day,  1730 ;  and  on  Easter  day,  1747,  he  made  a  public  renunciation  of 
the  errors  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  received  the  holy  communion  accord- 
ing to  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
and  he  afterwards  took  the  oaths  of  allegiance,  and  subscribed  to  the 
XXXIX  Articles  of  our  Church :  and  after  having  made  himself  a  tolerable 
master  of  the  English  language,  he  began  to  officiate  in  it  and  hath  be- 
haved, according  to  full  testimonials,  as  it  becometh  a  good  Christian 
and  a  good  clergyman — and  by  his  letters  of  thanks  to  the  Society,  dated 
Trenton,  Nov.  4th,  1753,  it  appears  that  he  is  usefully,  and  to  very  good 
purposes  employed,  he  having  baptized  from  the  13th  of  December  pre- 
ceding, forty-five  children  and  five  adults,  after  proper  instruction;  and 
at  Annwell,  a  town  within  his  mission,  above  two  hundred  Presbvterians 
and  some  families  of  Anabaptists,  during  the  last  summer,  joined  with 


a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  li.  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHEIXE. 


649 


the  members  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  public  worship  of  God, 
and  many  of  them  observing  the  peace  and  charity  among  our  congrega- 
tions, and  the  troubles  and  dissentions  among  others,  contributed  towards 
the  finishing  of  the  church,  which,  at  the  date  of  Mr.  Houdin's  letter, 
he  blesses  God,  was  then  quite  done."a 

In  the  year  1759  Mr.  Houdin  accompanied  the  celebrated  General 
Wolfe  in  his  expedition  against  Quebec  as  a  guide,  which  appears  from 
the  subjoined  extract: — b 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  the  Society's  itinerant  missionary  in  New 
Jersey,  intreats  the  Society  in  his  letter,  dated  Quebec,  October  23d, 
1750,  that  his  absence  from  his  mission  may  not  bring  him  under  their 
displeasure,  as  he  was  in  some  measure  forced  to  it  in  obedience  to  the 
commands  of  Lord  Loudon,  and  other  succeeding  commanders,  who 
depended  much  on  his  being  well  acquainted  with  that  country.  And 
after  the  reduction  of  Quebec,  he  asked  leave  to  return  to  his  mission, 
but  General  Murray  ordered  him  to  stay,  telling  him  that  there  was  no 
other  person  could  be  depended  on  for  intelligence  of  the  French  pro- 
ceedings, and  promised  to  acquaint  the  Society  therewith."  Mr. 
Houdin  adds,  "  that  himself,  as  well  as  the  public,  hath  received  a  great 
loss  by  the  death  of  the  brave  General  Wolfe.c  who  promised  to  remem- 
ber his  labor  and  services,  which  are  not  so  well  known  to  General 
Murray ;  but  he  hopes  the  Society  will  take  these  things  into  considera- 
tion, and  continue  their  kindness  to  him,  and  he  will'  return  to  his  mis- 
sion in  the  spring."'* 

Dr.  Barclay,  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society,  on 
the  3d  of  June,  1761,  says: — "  Messrs.  Ogilvie  and  Houdin  are  still  de- 
tained by  General  Amherst  in  Canada.  I  shall  take  care  to  forward 
your  letters  to  them."e 

It  appears  from  the  following  notice  in  the  New  York  Post  Boy  for 
June  the  4th,  1761,  that  whilst  Mr.  Houdin  was  stationed  at  Quebec, 
under  the  command  of  General  Murray,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the 
Vicar-General  of  Canada,  to  seduce  him  from  his  allegiance,  by  an 
offer  of  great  preferment  in  the  Romish  Church : — "  We  hear  from 
Montreal  that  the  Vicar-General  of  all  Canada,  residing  at  Montreal, 
has  wrote  a  pressing  invitation  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Udang,  the  chaplain  of 
a  regiment  at  Quebec,  to  return  to  the  Romish  religion,  with  a  promise 

o  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1753. 

b  The  Rev.  Michael  Houdin  preached  to  the  provincial  troops  destined  for  the  expedition 
against  Canada,  in  St.  Peter's  church,  Westchester,  from  St.  Matthew,  x  chap.,  and  part  of 
SStii  verse,  "  Fear  not  them  which  kill  the  body,  &c. 

c  General  James  Wolfe  fell  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham  in  the  moment  ' 
ber  13th,  1759  — [Editor.] 

d  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  15th  Feb.  1754,  to  15th  Feb.,  1760. 

e  New  York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fuiham,  vol.  ii,  887.  (Hawks). 


650        .  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

of  great  preferment  in  the  Church,  which  Mr.  Udang  put  into  the  hands 
of  General  Murray,  who  sent  it  enclosed  to  General  Gage,  who  upon 
the  receipt  of  it,  sent  a  guard  to  take  the  Vicar-General  into  custody ; 
what  will  be  the  issue,  is  not  known." 

Mr.  Houdin  must  have  returned  to  New  York  in  1761,  for  about 
August  of  that  year  he  was  appointed  by  the  Venerable  Society  to  be 
their  missionary  at  New  Rochelle.  With  regard  to  this  appointment, 
the  Society's  abstracts  say : — "  That  the  French  refugees  are,  according 
to  Dr.  Barclay,  a  very  orderly,  sober,  and  religious  people ;  to  whom,  at 
their  earnest  request,  he  hid  preached  twice  lately,  and  had  adminis- 
tered the  holy  communion,  and  was  much  pleased  with  their  devout  be- 
havior. All  this  being  maturely  considered,  the  Society  have  thought 
proper  to  remove  the  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  itinerant  missionary,  whose 
chief  residence  was  at  Trenton  in  New  Jersey,  to  the  mission  at  New 
Rochelle,  he  being  a  Frenchman  by  birth,  and  capable  of  doing  his  duty 
to  them  both  in  the  French  and  English  language ;  but  he  is  to  officiate 
for  the  most  part  in  English,  that  being  well  understood  by  much  the 
greater  part  of  the  congregation."2 

The  Rev.  John  Milner,  rector  of  the  parish,  who  arrived  from  Eng- 
land, May  13th,  1761,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  the  3d  of  October  of 
that  year,  says: — "He  was  obliged  to  attend  three  churches,  and  till 
Mr.  Houdin  came  to  New  Rochelle  officiated  there  once  a  month." 

It  appears  from  the  following  document,  that  in  appointing  Mr. 
Houdin,  the  Society  had  carefully  stipulated  with  the  people  at  New 
Rochelle,  that  they  should  not  only  give  him  a  comfortable  support,  but 
immediately  put  the  old  parsonage  house  in  order  : — 

PETITION  FOR  LEAVE  TO  COLLECT  FUNDS  FOR  BUILDING  A 
NEW  MINISTER'S  HOUSE  AT  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"To  the  Honorable  Cadwallader  Coldcn.  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Governor 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  Ter- 
ritories thereon  depending  in  America,  &c. 
A  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Neir  Rochelle,  belonging  to  the  Church 
of  England. 

Sir: — "  The  Society  for  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  Parts  have  Been 
so  Charitable  as  to  appoint  Mr.  Houdin,  a  French  Refugee,  a  Gentleman  of  good 
character,  Successor  to  their  late  worthy  Missionary  at  New  Rochelle,  the  Rev- 
rend  Mr.  Stouppe,  In  consideration  of  which  particular  regard,  they  require  and  In- 
sist that  the  people  at  New  Rochelle  should  do  their  utmost  to  make  Mr.  noudin 
a  comfortable  support,  and  that  they  should  Immediately  put  the  Parsonage 
House  m  good  repair.  We  are  ready  and  willing  to  exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost 
according  to  our  Abilities.   But  to  those  that  are  acquainted  with  the  Circum- 


0  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  80c.  for  1761. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


stances  of  the  people  professing  the  church  at  New  Rochelle,  it  will  appear  to 
require  the  utmost  exertion  of  our  abilities  to  afford  that  necessary  support  to 
Mr.  Houdiu,  that  the  Society  expect  and  require  ;  and  if  we  should  be  Obliged 
to  raise  four  hundred  pounds,  to  build  a  new  Parsonage  House,  the  old  being 
so  decayed,  that  It  is  thought  by  no  means  worth  Repairing,  especially  at  this 
Burtheusome  Time,  we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  fear  that  it  will  be  so  ex- 
tremely heavy,  that  many  will  be  Discouraged— and  in  that  case  that  Mr.  Houdiu 
must  leave  us,  tho'  he  is  the  o:ily  Minister  in  the  place ;  and  Indeed  there  are  but 
few  Besides  professors  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  Place,  and  we  have 
reason  to  hope  that  they  may  be  induced  to  conform,  should  a  worthy  Minister 
continue  among  us.  Upon  those  considerations,  we  beg  your  Honor  will  be 
pleased  to  grant  a  Brief,  through  this  Province,  to  collect  the  aforesaid  sum  of 
four  Hundred  Pound,  for  building  a  new  Parsonage  House,  to  repair  the  church 
in  this  place,  and  your  Petitioners  as  iu  bound,  shall  ever  Pray,  &c, 

Barnard  Rynlandeb,       Peter  Bartine,       Isaac  Guion, 
Jacobus  Bi.eecker,  James  DeBlez,       Jean  Soclicb. 

David  Lisrenard, 
August  10th,  1761,  read  in  Council  and  granted."" 

During  the  incumbency  of  Mr.  Houdin,  Trinity  church  received  its 
first  charter  from  King  George  the  Third,  under  which  the  present  cor- 
poration still  enjoys  its  trust  and  exercises  its  powers.  The  following 
extracts  are  taken  from  the  petition  to  the  Governor: 

PETITION  OF  THE  FRENCH  CHURCH  AT  NEW  ROCHELLE. 
"  To  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Governor  and 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  the  Territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America,  &c. 

In  Courxil. 

The  petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  New  Rochel  in 
the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  County  of  Westchester, 
Humbly  Siieweth  : 

That  the  petitioners  are  members  of  the  French  Church  at  New  Rochel  afore- 
said, and  principally  descendants  from  French  Protestants,  who  fled  from  the 
religious  persecution  in  France  in  the  year  oue  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty- 
one,  &c. 

And  the  Petitioners  further  shew  unto  your  Honour,  that  their  said  Church  is 
at  presently  greatly  decayed  and  out  of  repair,  and  their  Minister  or  Pastor  but 
indifferently  provided  for,  &c. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  most  humbly  pray,  that  your  Majesty's  Royal 
Charter  confirming  to  them  the  said  Church,  and  the  Lauds  and  other  Rights 
thereunto  appertaining,  and  also  creating  and  constituting  them,  and  the  rest  of 
the  members  of  the  said  Church,  a  body  politic  and  Corporate,  &c. 

And  the  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bouud  shall  ever  pray.  &c. 
New  Rochelle,  1st  of  Feb.,  1762.  Michael  Hocdin,  Minister. 

(signed  by  91  others. ) 

12th  of  May,  1762,  read  in  Council  and  granted.  nb 


a  Doc.  ITtst.  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  ill.  pp.  954-5 
6  Doc  His.  of  N.  Y.,  VOL  U,  p.  955. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  Royal  Charter  granted  in  1762  was  exemplified  by  his  Excel- 
lency George  Clinton,  in  1793,  after  the  following  manner: 

CHARTER  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH. 

"  The  people  of  the  State  of  New  York,  by  the  grace  of  God  free  and  independent: 
To  all  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting.    Know  ye,  that  we  having 
inspected  the  records  remaining  in  our  secretary's  office,  do  rind  there  recorded 
certain  letters  patent  in  the  words  and  figures  following,  to  wit:  George  the 
Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  De- 
fender of  the  Faith,  and  so  forth.   To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
greeting.    Whereas,  our  loving  subjects,  Michael  Houdin,  Jacob  Bleecker,  Jas. 
de  Blez,  David  Lispernard,  Isaac  Guion,  Elias  Guion,  Isaac  Guion  Junior,  Peter 
Bertain,  John  Soulice,  Paul  Secord,  Lidia  Secord,  Jean  Abby,  Jos.  Antuny,  Con- 
tent Antuny,  Peter  Bonnett,  Mary  Bonnett,  Peter  Parquot,  Daniel  Sulis,  Benj. 
Seacord,  Abraham  Seacord,  Elizabeth  Parquot,  Jane  Seacord,  Mary  Seacord, 
Peter  Guion,  Abigail  Bleecker,  Judith  Lceonet,  Allida  Guion,  Catherine  Ber- 
tain, Mary  Bertine,  Peter  Bertain,  jun.,  Josiah  Le  Conte,  David  Guion,  Elizt- 
beth  Lispeuard,  Judith  Bertain,  Moses  de  St.  Croix,  Marie  de  St.  Croix,  Deborah 
Foulon,  Mary  Guion,  Marie  Neufville,  Mary  Stouppe,  Marthe  de  Blez,  Rachel 
Guion,  Jan  Nicholle,  Arquez,  Ante  Nicolle,  Thomas  Guion,  John  Bryan,  Oliver 
Bcsley,  Isaac  Besley,  Corneiia  Besley,  Frederick  King,  Benjamin  Guion,  Esaie 
Guion,  Elizabeth  Guion,  Elizabeth  Guion,  Susanna  Landrin,  Dina  Guion,  Anne 
Danielson,  John  Houdin,  Catherine  Houdin,  Kitty  Houdin,  Elizabeth  Houdin, 
Rutger  Bleecker,  Sarah  Bleecker,  Mary  Rodman,  Hester  Leconte,  Agnis  Don- 
aldson, Daniel  Secord,  Francis  Le  Conte,  John  Le  Conte,  Judith  Le  Conte, 
Abraham  Guion,  Mary  Angevine,  Esther  Angevine,  Joshua  Solis,  Thor.ias  Steel, 
Jane  Coutine,  Susanna  Contine,  Jane  Mauraux,  Jonathan  Seicord,  Esther  Le 
Conte,  Sarah  Secord,  James  Pine,  Susannah  Soulis,  Jane  Guion,  Ester  Soulis, 
Magdalene  Soulis,  John  Bonnet,  Mary  Bonnet,  Daniel  Bonnet,  Mary  Bonnet, 
James  Besley,  Edward  Smith  and  James  MeCurcrs,  inhabitants  of  the  township 
of  New  Rochelle  in  Westchester  county,  by  the  humble  petition  presented  to  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  our  Lieutenant  Governor 
and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  province  of  New  York  ;  aud  the  territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America,  in  council  on  the  twelfth  day  of  May  last  past,  did 
set  forth  that  they,  the  petitioners,  are  members  of  the  French  church  at  New 
Rochelle  aforesaid,  and  principally  descendants  from  French  Protestants,  who 
fled  from  the  religious  prosecution  in  France,  in  the  year  one  thousand  six  hun- 
dred aud  eighty-one,  and  shortly  thereafter  settled  a  tract  of  six  thousand  acres 
of  land,  now  known  by  the  name  of  the  township  of  New  Rochelle,  which  was 
granted  to  Jacob  Leisler,  from  whom  the  petitioners'  said  ancestors  purchased 
by  John  Pell,  then  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  year  one  thousand  six 
hundred  and  eighty-nine.    That  the  said  John  Pell  at  the  same  time,  did  also 
give  and  grant  to  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  the  further  quantity  of  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  French  church  erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the  in- 
habitants of  the  said  tract  of  land  or  township,  or  by  their  assigns;  that  the 
petitioners'  ancestors  had  loug  since  built  a  decent  church  within  the  said  town- 
ship, and  dedicated  the  same  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  aud  that  the}-  aud 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


653 


the  petitioners  bad  enjoyed  the  same  with  the  said  tract  of  one  hundred  acres  of 
land,  as  a  glebe  thereto  to  that  day. 

That  on  the  twelfth  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  the  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  nine,  all  the  then  Inhabitants  of  the  said  township  who  were  mem- 
bers of  the  said  French  Church,  excepting  two,  unanimously  agreed  and 
consented  to  conform  themselves  in  the  religious  worship  of  their  said  church 
to  the  liturgy  and  rites  of  the  Church  of  England  as  established  by  law,  and 
by  a  solemn  act  or  agreement  did  submit  to,  and  put  themselves  under  the 
protection  of  the  same ;  that  fourteen  years  before,  and  ever  siuce  such  con- 
formity, their  respective  ministers  and  pastors  have  been  invested  with  holy 
orders  by  episcopal  ordination,  and  had  received  their  principal  support  from 
the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts;  and  that  divine 
service,  since  the  conformity,  bad  constantly  been  performed  in  their  said 
church,  agreeable  to  the  rites  and  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law 
established — two  Sundays  outof  three  in  the  French  tongue,  and  every  third  Sun- 
day in  English— for  the  instruction  of  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  frequented  the 
said  church  and  were  ignorant  of  the  French  language ;  and  the  petitioners  did 
further  set  forth,  that  their  said  church  was  then  greatly  decayed  and  out  of  re- 
pair and  their  minister  or  pastor  but  indifferently  provided  for ;  and  that,  al- 
though they  were  sincerely  disposed  to  make  a  suitable  provision  for  both,  yet 
they  could  not  accomplish  this  good  design,  unless,  by  being  incorporated,  they 
should  become  enabled  to  receive,  apply,  and  improve  the  donations  and  con- 
tributions that  might  be  collected  among  themselves,  and  given  for  these  purposes 
by  other  pious  and  charitable  people.  The  petitioners,  therefore,  most  humbly 
prayed  our  royal  charter,  confirming  to  them  the  said  church  and  the  lands  and 
other  rights  thereunto  appertaining,  and  also  creating  and  constituting  them  and 
the  rest  of  the  members  of  the  said  church  a  body  politic  and  corporate  for  the 
managing  and  conducting  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  said  church,  with  such 
powers,  privileges  and  immunities  as  should  appear  fit  and  reasonable :  which 
petition  having  been  then  and  there  read  and  considered  of,  our  said  Council  did 
afterwards,  on  the  same  day,  humbly  advise  our  said  lieutenant  governor  and 
commander-in-chief  to  grant  the  prayer  thereof.  Wherefore,  we  being  graciously 
disposed  to  encourage  and  promote  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  subjects,  and 
to  grant  this  their  reasonable  request,  Know  Ye,  that  we  of  our  especial  grace, 
certain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  have  made,  ordained,  constituted,  granted 
and  declared,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  make, 
ordain,  constitute,  grant  and  declare,  that  the  said  petitioners  and  the  rest  of  the 
members  in  communion  with  the  said  French  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid, 
being  the  most  ancient  French  church  now  there,  and  known  by  the  name  of 
Trinity  church,  be,  and  their  successors,  the  minister  and  members  in  communion 
with  the  said  French  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid  for  that  time,  shall  be, 
from  time  to  time,  and  at,  all  times  forever  hereafter,  a  body  politic  and  corporate 
in  deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name  aud  style  of  the  Minister  and  Members  of 
Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  them  and 
their  successors,  the  minister  and  members  in  communion  with  the  said  church 
at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  for  the  time  being  by  the  name  of  the  Minister  and 
Members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  one 
body  politic  and  corporate  in  deed,  fact  aud  name,  really  and  fuhy,  we  do  for 


654 


HISTROY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  erect,  make,  constitute,  declare  and  create  by  these 
presents,  and  that,  by  the  same  name,  they  and  their  successors,  the  minister  and 
members  in  communion  with  the  said  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  for  the 
time  being  shall  and  may  have  perpetual  succession,  and  shall  and  may  be  re- 
sponsible and  capable  in  the  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  implead  and  be  impleaded, 
to  answer  and  be  answered  unto,  and  to  defend,  and  be  defended  in  all  courts 
and  elsewhere,  in  all  and  singular  suits,  causes,  quarrels,  matters,  actions,  de- 
mands and  things  of  what  nature  and  kind  soever ;  and  also,  that  they  and  their 
successors  by  the  same  name  be  and  shall  be  forever  hereafter  capable  and  able, 
in  the  law,  to  take,  except  of,  and  acquire  and  purchase,  receive,  have,  hold  and 
enjoy  in  fee,  forever  or  for  life  or  lives,  or  for  years,  or  in  any  other  maimer,  any 
messuages,  buildings,  houses,  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments  and  real  estate,  and 
the  same  to  lease  or  demise  for  one  or  more  years,  or  for  life  or  lives,  or  to  grant, 
alien, bargain,  sell  and  dispose  of  in  fee  simple,  and  also  to  accept  of,  take,  pur- 
chase and  possess  any  goods,  chattels  or  personal  estate,  and  the  same  to  have,  let, 
sell  or  dispose  of  at  their  will  and  pleasure,  and  all  this  as  fully  as  any  other  copor- 
ation  or  body  politic  within  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called 
England,  or  in  our  province  of  New  York,  may  lawfully  do,  provided  that  such 
messuages  and  real  estate  as  they  for  their  successors  shall  have  or  ma)'  be  en- 
titled unto,  shall  not  at  any  one  time  exceed  the  yearly  rent  of  rive  hundred 
pounds,  over  and  above  the  said  church  and  the  ground  on  which  the  same 
stands ;  and,  further,  we  do  will  and  ordain,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our 
heirs  and  successors,  declare  and  appoint,  that  for  the  better  ordaining  and 
managing  the  business  and  affairs  of  the  said  corporation,  there  shall  be  one 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  duly  qualified  for  the 
care  of  souls,  two  church-wardens  and  six  vestrymen,  from  time  to  time  con- 
stituted, elected,  and  chosen  for  the  said  church  in  manner  and  form  as  is  Here- 
after in  these  presents  expressed;  which  minister  and  church-wardens,  or 
any  two  of  them,  together  with  the  vestry,  or  the  major  part  of  them 
for  the  time  being  shall  have,  and  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and 
authority  to  dispose,  order  and  govern  the  business  and  affairs  of,  and  con- 
cerning the  said  church,  and  all  such  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments,  real 
and  personal  estate  as  shall  or  may  be  purchased  or  acquired  for  the  use  there- 
of as  aforesaid :  and  further,  we  do  will  and  grant,  that  the  said  minister  and 
members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and 
their  successors,  shall  and  may  forever  hereafter  have  a  common  seal  to  serve  and 
use,  for  all  matters,  causes  and  affairs  whatsoever  of  them  and  their  successors, 
and  full  power  and  authority  to  break,  alter,  change  and  new  make  the  same,  or 
any  other  common  seal,  from  time  to  time,  at  their  will  and  pleasure,  as  they 
shall  think  fit ;  and  for  the  better  execution  of  our  royal  will  and-  pleasure  herein, 
we  do  assign,  constitute  and  appoint  the  said  Jacob  Bleecker  and  James  de  Blez, 
to  be  the  present  church-wardens,  and  the  said  David  Lispenard,  Isaac  Guion, 
Elias  Guion,  Isaac  Guion,  junior,  Peter  Bertain  and  John  Soulice,  to  be  the  pres- 
ent vestrymen  of  the  said  church— to  hold  and  enjoy  their  several  offices  until 
the  first  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  next  ensuing  and  no  longer.  And  further  our 
will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  establish,  appoint 
and  direct,  that  on  the  said  first  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  next  ensuing,  and  once 
in  every  year  forever  thereafter  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  in  every  year,  at  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  655 

said  church,  the  members  in  communion  with  the  same  church  for  the  time  be- 
ing or  the  luajor  part  of  them,  then  and  there  assembled,  shall  elect,  choose,  and 
appoint  two  of  their  members  to  be  church-wardens  and  six  other  of  their  mem- 
bers to  be  vestrymen  of  their  said  church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen,  so  to  be  chosen  and  appointed,  shall  immediately 
enter  upon  their  respective  offices,  and  hold  and  exercise  the  same  for 
and  during  the  term  of  one  whole  year  from  the  time  of  such  election 
respectively,  and  until  other  fit  persons  shall  be  elected  in  their  respective  pla- 
ces. And  we  do  ordain  and  declare  that  as  well  the  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men by  these  presents  nominated  and  constituted,  as  such,  as  shall  from  time  to 
time  hereafter  be  elected  and  appointed,  shall  have,  anil  they  are  hereby  invested 
with  full  power  and  authority  to  execute  and  perform  their  several  and  respective 
offices,  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  as  any  churchwardens  or  vestrymen  in  that 
part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  our  province  of  New 
York,  have  or  lawfully  may  or  can  do  ;  and  if  it  shall  happen  that  any  or  either 
of  the  churchwardens  or  vestrymen  by  these  presents  named  and  appointed, 
or  hereafter  to  be  elected  and  chosen,  shall  die  or  remove,  or  refuse  or  neglect 
to  officiate  in  the  said  respective  offices  before  their  or  either  of  their  appointed 
time  of  service  therein  be  expired,  then  and  in  every  such  case  it  shall  and  may 
be  lawful  to  and  for  the  said  minister  and  members  in  communion  with  said 
church  at  New  Rochclle  aforesaid,  for  the  time  being,  or  the  major  part  of  such 
of  them  as  shall  assemble  together  for  that  purpose  at  the  said  church,  at  some 
day  within  a  month  next  after  such  death,  removal,  refusal  or  neglect,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  minister  and  churchwardens  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of 
them,  to  proceed  in  manner  aforesaid,  and  make  a  new  election  and  appointment 
of  one  or  more  of  their  members  for  the  time  being,  to  supply  the  room  or  place 
of  such  person  or  persons  so  dying,  removing,  refusing  or  neglecting  to  act  in  his 
and  their  respective  office  and  offices  as  aforesaid,  and  so  as  often  as  shall  be 
needful  and  requisite.  And  for  the  due  and  orderly  conducting  and  carrying  on 
the  respective  election  of  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  by  these  presents  estab- 
lished and  ordained,  our  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  We  do  declare  and  direct  that 
the  minister  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  shall  give  public  notice  there- 
of from  time  to  time,  as  they  may  become  necessary,  and  are  hereby  appointed, 
by  publishing  the  same  at  the  said  church  immediately  after  divine  service  on  the 
Sunday  next  preceding  the  day  appointed  for  such  elections.  And,  furthermore, 
We  do  will,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain,  appoint 
and  direct  that  the  minister  and  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time 
being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time,  upon  all  occasions 
assemble  and  call  together  the  said  minister,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  for 
the  time  being,  or  the  greater  number  of  them,  the  said  vestryman  ;  which  said 
minister  and  churchwardens,  or  any  two  of  them,  together  with  the  said  vestry- 
men, or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  be  and  by  these  presents  arc  authorized 
and  empowered  to  consult,  advise  and  consider,  and  by  a  majority  of  voices  to 
direct,  manage,  transact  and  carry  on  the  interests,  business  and  affairs  of  the 
said  church,  and  to  hold  vestries  for  that  purpose.  And  we  do  further  give 
and  grant  unto  the  said  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Ro- 
chclle in  the  county  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  and  to  their  successors  forever, 
that  the  minister  and  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any 


656 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


two  of  them,  together  with  the  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being, 
or  the  major  part  of  them  in  vestry  assembled,  shall  have  full  power  and  author- 
ity from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  to  make,  ordain  aud  constitute 
such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances,  for  the  good  discipline  and  government  of  the 
members  of  said  church  and  corporation  and  interests  thereof,  as  they,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  shall  think  fit  and  necessary,  so  as  such  rule3,  orders  and 
ordinances  be  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  called  England,  or  our  province  of  New  York,  or  the  present  or  future 
canons  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established ;  but  as  near  as  may  be 
agreeable  thereto,  which  rules,  orders  and  ordinances,  shall  be  from  time  to  time 
fairly  entered  in  a  book  or  books  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose.  And  further  our 
will  and  pleasure  is  that  it  shall  aud  may  be  lawful  for  the  minister  aud  church- 
wardens of  the  said  church,  or  any  two  of  them,  and  the  said  vestrymen,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  at  a  vestry  to  nominate  aud  appoint  a  clerk  aud  a  sexton  or 
bell-ringer  for  the  said  church,  and  also  a  clerk  and  messenger  to  serve  the  said 
vestry  at  their  meetings,  and  such  other  under  officers  as  they  shall  stand  in  need 
of,  to  remain  in  their  respective  offices,  so  long  as  the  said  minister,  churchwar- 
dens and  vestrymen  for  the  time  being,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  think  fit 
and  appoint.  Aud  further  We  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  declare  and 
grant  that  the  patronage,  advowson,  donation  or  presentation  of  and  to  the  said 
church  shall  appertain  and  belong  to,  and  is  hereby  vested  in  the  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  and  their  sucessors  forever, 
or  the  major  part  of  them,  whereof  one  churchwarden  shall  always  bo  one:  pro- 
vided always,  that  whenever  the  said  church  becomes  vacant,  such  donation  and 
presentation  shall  be  made  within  six  months  thereafter.  And  that  on  every 
lapse  or  default  herein,  the  right  of  such  donation  and  representation  shall  be  in 
us,  our  heirs  and  successors  ;  and  further  know  ye,  that  we  of  our  especial  grace, 
certain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and  confirmed, 
and  by  these  presents  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ratify  and 
confirm  unto  the  said  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle, 
in  the  county  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  and  their  successors  for  ever,  all  that  the 
said  church  aud  ground  on  which  the  same  stands,  aud  the  cemetery  belonging 
to  the  same,  and  also  all  that  the  before-mentioned  tract  of  one  hundred  acres  of 
laud  situated  and  being  within  the  township  of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  so  by 
the  before-mentioned  John  Pell,  formerly  given  and  granted  to  the  aforesaid 
Jacob  Leisler,  for  the  use  of  the  French  church  erected,  or  then  to  be  erected  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  township  of  New  Rochelle,  or  by  their  assigns  as  herein- 
before is  recited  and  set  forth,  together  with  the  hereditaments  and  appurten- 
ances to  the  same  belonging  or  appertaining,  to  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular 
the  premises  aforesaid,  with  the  appurtenances  unto  them,  the  said  Minister  and 
members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Westchester  afore- 
said, and  their  successors,  to  their  only  proper  use  and  behoof  forever,  to  be 
holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  in  free  and  common  soccage  as,  of  our 
manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  within  that  part  of  our  King- 
dom of  Great  Britain,  called  England,  yielding,  rendering,  and  paying  therefor 
unto  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  yearly  and  every  year  forever,  on  the  feast  day 
of  the  Annunciation  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  at  our  City  of  New  York,  unto 
our  or  their  Receiver- General  there,  for  the  time  being,  the  annual  rent  of  one 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


657 


peppercorn,  if  demanded,  in  lieu  and  stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues,  duties,  servi- 
ces, claims,  and  demands  whatsoever,  for  the  premises.  And  lastly,  we  do,  for 
us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain  and  grant  unto  the  said  minister  and  mem- 
bers of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle  in  the  county  of  Westchester  aforesaid, 
and  their  successors,  by  these  presents  that  this  our  grant  shall  be  firm,  good, 
effectual  and  available  in  all  things  in  the  law,  to  all  intents,  constructions  and 
purposes  whatsoever,  according  to  our  true  intent  and  meaning  herein  before  de- 
clared, and  shall  be  construed,  reputed  and  adjudged  in  all  cases  and  causes 
most  favorably  on  the  behalf  and  for  the  best  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  said 
minister  and  members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of 
Westchester  aforesaid,  and  their  successors;  although  express  mention  of  the 
yearly  value,  or  certainty  of  the  premises  or  any  of  them,  in  these  presents  is  or 
are  not  made  any  matter,  cause  or  thing  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  anywise  not- 
withstanding. In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be 
made  patent,  and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York  to  be  affixed, 
and  the  same  to  be  entered  on  record,  in  our  Secretary's  Olttee  of  our  said  Prov- 
ince, in  one  of  the  books  of  patents  there  remaining.  Witness  our  said  trusty 
and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  our  Lieutenant-Governor  and 
Commander-in-chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York,  and  the  territories  depending 
thereon  in  America,  at  our  Fort  George  in  our  City  of  New  York,  the  second  day 
of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Sixty-two, 
and  of  our  reign  the  second.  All  of  which  we  have  exemplified  by  these  pres- 
ents. In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent, 
and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  State  to  be  hereunto  affixed.  Witness  our  trusty 
and  well  beloved  George  Clinton,  Esquire,  Governor  of  our  said  State,  General 
and  Commander-in-chief  of  all  the  militia  and  admiral  of  the  navy  of  the  same, 
at  our  City  of  New  York,  the  fourteenth  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  ninety-three,  and  in  the  seventeenth  year 
of  our  independence.  "a 

The  subjoined  letter  of  Mr.  Houdin  to  the  Secretary,  shows  the  un- 
lawful method  taken  by  the  Calvinists  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
Church  glebe : — 

MR.  HOUDIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"New  Rochelle,  Oct.  10th,  1763. 
"Rev'd  Sir: — I  received  your  kind  letter  some  time  last  summer,  in  which 
you  acquaint  me  the  Venerable  Society  is  desirous  to  be  acquainted  with  our 
troubles.  To  give  you  a  true  account,  I  must  come  up  to  the  first  establishment 
of  New  Rochelle.  One  Jacob  Leisler  made  a  purchase  of  John  Pell  for  the 
French  Refugees  of  a  tract  of  laud  (called  since,  New  Rochelle)  of  6000  acres  of 
land,  and  in  the  said  deed  it  is  said  that  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife,  do  also 
give  one  hundred  acres  of  land  more  for  a  French  Church  erected  or  to  be  erected 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of  land  or  their  assigns.  The  French  Refu- 
gees took  possession  of  these  100  acres  of  land  from  the  begiuuiug  and  did  pos- 
sess the  same  until  the  year  1709,  the  time  when  upon  the  representation  of  their 


a  Hist,  of  Westchester  County,  vol.  U:p.  413. 


6S8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


minister,  the  whole  Congregation,  excepting  two  or  three  families,  conformed  to 
the  Church  of  England,  and  kept  from  that  time  possession  of  the  church  and 
land  until  my  coming  here,  when  they  made  appear  a  deed,  given  by  the  sou  of 
Jacob  Lcisler,  in  which  the  two  opponents  to  the  conformity  of  the  Church  are 
made  trustees  of  the  land,  and  Lord  Pell's  deed  altered  in  such  a  manner,  for  a 
French  church  who  shall  perform  Divine  service  according  to  the  French  Cal- 
vinists  of  the  old  French,  and  that  deed  bearing  date  four  months  alter  the  con- 
formity of  our  Church ;  and  upon  such  title,  the  Calviuists  at  my  arrival  here 
debauched  our  tenants,  who  took  leases  under  them,  and  by  that  keep  us  out  of 
our  possession.  Upon  which  the  churchwardens  applied  to  a  lawyer  for  advice  ; 
and  upon  mature  consideration  it  was  found  that  John  Pell  who  had  given  the 
laud  for  a  French  church,  erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
tract  of  land  or  their  assigns,  had  never  divested  himself  of  the  legal  right  of  the 
said  100  acres  of  land.  These  considered,  our  churchwardens  applied  to  the 
Executors  of  the  heir  at  law  of  said  Pell,  who  have  released  all  the  right  of  Pell 
to  the  church  for  £100,  the  executors  having  power  to  sell  by  the  will  of  the 
present  heir's  father.  With  this  title,  joined  to  fifty-three  years  possession,  our 
churchwardens  did  serve  three  ejectments  upon  the  three  tenants,  and  the  Calvin- 
ists  entered  defendants,  and  on  the  15th  day  of  September  last  we  had  a  trial  at  the 
Supreme  Court,  when  the  Jury  brought  their  verdict  in  favor  of  our  Church, 
upon  which  the  attorneys  of  the  Calvinists'  party  offered  a  bill  of  exception  :  so 
that  we  must  wait  the  issue  of  said  bill  at  the  Supreme  Court  at  New  York,  to  be 
held  the  18th  day  of  this  hist.  We  have  to  deal  with  very  stubborn  and  liti- 
gious people,  which  make  me  afraid  they  will  not  be  contented  before  they  have 
brought  us  before  all  the  different  tribunals;  and  by  that  means  deprive  me  of  all 
the  benefits  of  the  land,  which  causes  me  a  great  prejudice.  The  congregation 
is  very  unanimous  and  in  good  harmony,  ready  to  defend  their  right  to  the  last, 
seeing  the  Calvinists  will  not  agree  upon  any  terms  of  peace  proposed  to  them 
by  our  Church ;  but  we  are  in  hopes  the  strong  bleeding  of  their  purse  will  bring 
them  to  an  agreement  after  New  York  Court. 

Keverend  Sir,  yours,  &c, 

MICHAEL  IIOUDIN* 

The  release,  alluded  to  in  the  above  letter,  was  given  on  the  2nd  of 
February,  1763,  and  is  as  follows: — 

RELEASE  OF  CHURCH  GLEBE,  FROM  EXECUTORS  OF  JOSEPH 
PELL  TO  DAVID  GUION. 

"Tins  Ikdenttre,  made  the  second  day  of  February,  in  the  third  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  King  George  the  Third,  Annoqe  Dom.  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty-three,  between  Phebe  Pell,  widow,  and  Samuel  Sneden 
and  Jacobus  Blcccker,  Esqs.,  all  of  the  County  of  Westchester,  Executors,  with 
power  to  sell  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Joseph  Pell,  Esqr. ,  late  of  the  manor 
of  Pelbam,  in  the  Comity  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  deceased,  of  the  one  part,  and 
David  Guion  of  New  Rochelle  in  the  said  County  of  Westchester,  on  the  other 
part.  Wlicrtas,  John  Pell,  formerly  lord  of  the  said  manor  of  Pelbam  was 
seized  in  fee  of  six  thousand  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  part  of  the  said  Manor 

a  N.  Y.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulnam,  vol.  u.,  pp.  326.  326.  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


659 


cf  Pelham,  and  being  so  seized  did  sell  the  said  six  thousand  acres  of  land  to  ouc 
Jacob  Leisler,  and  did  set  apart  the  remaining  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the 
use  of  the  French  church,  erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
six  thousand  acres  called  New  Rochelle.    But  the  said  John  Pell  never  did  dis- 
pose or  divest  himself  of  the  legal  estate  and  right  in  and  to  the  said  one  hundred 
acres  of  laud.    And  whereas,  the  said  John  Pell  afterwards  died  intestate  aud 
left  Thomas  Pell  his  eldest  son  and  heir  at  law,  by  means  whereof  the  inherit- 
ance and  legal  right  to  the  said  one  hundred  acres  of  land  became  vested  in  him, 
the  said  Thomas:  And  Whereas,  the  saitl  Thomas  Pell  on  the  third  day  of 
September  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-nine, 
did  In  due  form  of  law  make  his  last  will  and  testament;  and  therein,  and  there- 
by, after  several  specific  legacies,  after  declaring  that  his  other  sons  had  re- 
ceived their  shares  and  proportions  out  of  his  estate,  did  give  and  bequeath  unto 
his  son  Joseph  Pell,  iu  fee  simple,  all  and  singular  his  land,  meadows,  houses, 
tenements,  buildings  and  so  forth,  which  then  belonged  unto  him,  by  means 
whereof  the  legal  right  and  estate  in  and  to  the  said  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
became  vested  in  him  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  Jun.    And  whereas,  the  said  Joseph 
Pell  on  the  thirty-first  day  of  August  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  fifty-two,  did  make  bis  last  will  and  testament,  and  thereof  did 
ordain  and  constitute  his  wife,  the  aforesaid  Phebe  Pell,  aud  his  friend  John 
Bartow,  (who  hath  since  legally  renounced  the  same)  and  the  said  Samuel  Sneden 
and  Jacobus  Bleecker,  parties  to  these  presents  to  be  Executors,  and  did  thereby 
give  and  grant  unto  them  his  full  power,  strength  and  authority  in  and  over  all 
his  goods,  chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  to  take  and  use  all  lawful  ways  for  the 
recovery  and  defence  of  the  same  against  any  encroachments,  depredations,  claims 
or  demands  of  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever;  and  did  likewise  impower  them 
if  there  should  be  any  need  thereof,  to  sell  any  part  of  his  lands  as  to  them  should 
seem  meet  to  enable  them  to  carry  on  any  suit  for  the  defence  of  the  rest.  And 
whereas,  atter  the  decease  of  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  a  certain  fraudulent  deed  was 
so  exhibited  and  set  up,  by  which  one  Caleb  Pell,  a  brother  of  the  said  Joseph, 
did  claim  the  chief  part  of  the  real  estate  of  him  the  said  Joseph  Pell  as  the  gift 
of  him  the  said  Thomas  Pell,  the  father  to  him  the  said  Caleb  Pell.  And  whereas, 
they  the  said  executors  of  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  parties  hereto  of  the  first  part,  in 
consequence  of  said  claim  were  obliged  to  lay  out  and  expend  divers  large  and 
considerable  sums  of  money  to  defend  and  secure  the  estate  of  the  said  Joseph 
Pell  against  the  same,  and  there  still  remains  due  upon  that  account  one  hundred 
pouuds,  which  they  have  been  obliged  to  borrow  and  take  up  at  interest:  and 
they  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  in  order  to  discharge  and  satisfy  the  same, 
do  find  it  necessary  to  dispose  of  part  of  the  real  estate  of  their  said  testator  and 
have  accordingly  agreed  to  grant  and  release  all  the  right  and  title  of  their  said 
testator  in  and  to  the  said  one  hundred  acres  of  land  before  mentioned  and  here- 
after described  for  the  consideration  thereafter  mentioned  to  him  the  said  David 
Guion.    Now  Therefore  This  Indenture  witnesseth,  that  they  the  said  parties 
of  the  first  part,  in  pursuance  and  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  iu  them 
reposed  and  to  them  given  by  their  testator  for  and  in  condsideration  of  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  current  money  of  the  province  of  New  York,  to  them 
in  baud  paid  by  the  said  David  Guion,  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  themselves 


66o 


HISTORY  OF  THE  .  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


therewith  to  be  fully  satisfied,  contented  and  paid  and  thereof  do  acquit,  release 
and  discharge  the  said  David  Guion,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns, 
by  these  presents,  Have  Granted,  Bargained,  Sold,  Alienated,  Released 
and  Confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  Do  Grant,  Bargain,  Sell,  Alien,  Re- 
lease and  Confirm  unto  the  said  David  Guion  in  his  actual  profession,  now 
being  by  virtue  of  a  bargain,  sale  and  lease  for  one  year  to  him  thereof  made  by 
the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  by  indenture  bearing  date  the  day  next  before 
the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  and  also  by  force  of  the  statute  made  for  transferring 
of  uses  into  possession  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  All  That  certain 
tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  the  said  township  of  New  Ro- 
chelle,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  Glebe,  beginning  at  the 
creek  or  salt  water,  thence  running  north-westerly  by  the  road  that  ruu9 
between  the  land  of  Benjamin  Brown  and  the  tract  hereby  granted,  to  the 
fresh  meadow.  Westerly  by  the  road  that  runs  along  the  said  meadow, 
south- easterly  by  the  land  now  in  possession  of  John  Arnaud,  which  was 
bought  out  of  the  commons.  Easterly  by  the  Creek  or  Salt  Water,  to  the  place 
where  it  first  began,  containing  one  hundred  acres,  be  the  sar.ie  more  or  less. 
Together  with  all  and  singular  the  Profits,  Priviliges,  Advantages,  Immol- 
UMents,  Rights,  Members,  Immunities,  Liberties,  Buildings,  Improve- 
ments, Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  the  same  belong- 
ing or  in  anywise  appertaining.  And  all  the  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Profit, 
Possession,  Reversion,  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever,  which  he,  the  said 
Joseph  Pell,  at  the  time  of  his  death  had,  or  which  they  the  said  parties  of  the 
first  part,  by  virtue  of  his  lust  will  and  testament  have,  of,  in  or  to  the  same. 
To  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  premises  hereby  granted  or  mentioned,  or 
intended  to  be  hereby  granted,  unto  the  said  David  Guion,  his  heirs  and  assigns, 
to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him  the  said  David  Guion,  his  heirs  and 
assigns  forever,  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  he 
the  said  Joseph  Pell,  in  his  lifetime  held  and  enjoyed  the  same  and  not  other- 
wise. In  Witness  Whereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents  have  hereunto,  in- 
terchangeably set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 
Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  Presence  of  us, 

Mary  Pell, 
David  Lispenard, 
Phebe  Pell, 
Samuel  Sneden, 
Jacobus  Bleecker."0 

On  the  fourth  day  of  February,  1763,  David  Guion  released  the  same 
to  the  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle,  for'the 
sum  of  £100. 

"Isaac  Guion,  Peter  Flandreau,  Samuel  Gelliott6  and  Magdalen 
a  Book  of  Records,  County  Clerk's  Office,  Lib.  n.  pp.  342,  345. 

b  Upou  the  31st  of  Oct.  1767,  Peter  Flandreau  and  Samuel  Gelliott,  released  to  the  ministers 
and  members  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle,  "  all  that  certain  100  acres  of  land,  kc, 
which  was  giveuand  granted  by  John  Pell  and  Kachel  tiis  wife,  by  deed  poll  dated  2oih  of 
September,  10t>9,  for  the  French  church,  also  granted  by  the  said  deed  poll  (excepting  and 
reserving  hereout  a  certain  messuage  and  dwelling  House  wherein  .rames  Klaudreau  now 
lives,  and  also  about  two  acres  of  of  gronnd  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  main  road  m  New 
Rochelle  town  aforesaid,  which  the  said  Peter  Flandreau  holds  by  virtue  of  a  title  derived 
under  Mrs.  Morin.  and  also  excepting  hereout  one  acres  of  ground  more,  lying  on  the  west 
side  of  the  said  two  acres  and  adjoiuiug  thereto  ami  being  bounded  011  a  creek  and  also  by  a 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


Stouppe,  (sole  executrix  and  heir  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  ye  Rev- 
erend Peter  Stouppe  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  and 
province  of  New  York,  late  deceased,)  also  gave  releases  to  the  Church 
in  1767. "° 

The  old  church  glebe  was  sold  during  the  years  1800  and  1804,  and 
the  purchase  money  subsequently  loaned  on  the  late  parsonage  lands, 
&c ,  which  fell  to  the  church  by  a  foreclosure  of  the  mortgage  in  Chan- 
cery, A.  D.,  182 1. 

The  Rev.  Michael  Houdin  continued  his  labors  here  until  October, 
1766,  when  he  departed  this  life.  He  was  esteemed  a  worthy  mission- 
ary, of  considerable  learning  and  irreproachable  morals.  His  remains 
were  interred  by  the  side  of  his  predecessors,  Bondet  and  Stouppe,  be- 
neath the  chancel  of  the  old  French  church;  but  since  the  removal  of 
this  edifice,  the  ashes  of  these  worthy  and  laborious  missionaries  repose 
in  the  highway,  without  a  stone  to  mark  the  spot  or  commemorate  their 
worth. 

Mr.  Houdin's  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  his  old  friend  and 
companion  in  arms,  the  Rev.  Harry  Munro,  A.  M.,  of  Yonkers,  from 
Hosea,  iv.  chap,  and  part  of  12th  verse,  "  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Auchmuty  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society,  written  a  few  days  after  Houdin's 
death : — 

"  I  beg  the  Society  will  not  think  of  appointing  another  missionary  to 
New  Rochelle  at  present,  the  people  really  do  not  deserv  e  one ;  not  one 
farthing  did  they  contribute  towards  the  support  of  the  two  last,  besides 
they  are  too  small  a  number  to  be  indulged  with  a  minister  to  them- 
selves— and  are  distant  from  Eastchester  church  only  four  miles,  from 
Westchester  five,  from  Rye  church  five,  and  from  Phillipsburgh  church 
nine  miles."6 

From  the  death  of  Mr.  Houdin  until  the  period  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  services  were  performed  here  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  rector 
of  the  parish.  The  following  extract,  relating  to  New  Rochelle,  occurs 
in  Mr.  Seabury's  first  report  to  the  Secretary  on  the  25th  of  June,  1767  : — 

"  By  the  death  of  Mr.  Houdin,  New  Rochelle  has  fallen  under  my 
care  for  the  present ;  I  have  preached  there  several  times,  and  once  ad- 
ministered the  communion  to  fifteen  commnnicants.    The  congregation 

public  highway  loading  from  the  said  creek  and  which  divides  the  aforesaid  10(1  acres  of  land 
from  the  lands  of  Benjamin  Hrowne.)  and  of,  In  and  to  all,  Ac,"  Couutv  Records,  Lib.  11.  p. 
850.  "  llto,  affidavit  of  Jonathan  Fowler,  Charles  Vincent.  Thomas  Butler  and  Lewis  Quion, 
all  of  the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  suit  of  Trinity  church  at  New  Rochelle  against  Peter 
Flandreau,  S.umiel  Gelllottand  Elizabeth  Ry lander."  Land  Papers,  Vol.  1,-1648,  1803,  p.  30. 
"Dec.  23,  affidavit  of  Jacobus  Bleecker  In  an  action  of  the  minister  Ac.  of  the  Church  ofNew 
Kochelle  against  Peter  Flandreau  and  others.''   Land  Papers,  Vol.  u-1013, 1S03,  p.  30. 

a  Co.  Roc  Lib.  G.  pp.  554.  556.   See  also  Lib.  II.  349. 

o  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulhani,  vol.  11.  (Ilawfcs.) 


662 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


consists  of  near  two  hundred  people,  decent  and  well  behaved,  part 
English  and  part  French.  The  French  all  understand  English  tolerably 
well ;  and  except  half  a  dozen  old  people  in  whose  hands  is  the  chief 
management  of  affairs,  full  as  well  as  they  do  French.  The  greatest 
part  of  them  would  prefer  an  English  to  a  French  minister;  and  none 
are  warm  for  a  French  one,  but  the  half  a  dozen  above  mentioned. 

They  had  a  glebe  of  near  one  hundred  acres  of  land  left  them  for- 
merly, thirty  acres  of  which  they  have  recovered;  the  rest  is  kept  from 
them  under  pretence  that  it  was  given  to  a  Presbyterian  or  Calvinistic 
French  church.  They  have  also  a  parsonage  house  ;  but  whether  these 
endowments  are  so  made,  that  an  English  minister  could  not  enjoy  them, 
I  cannot  yet  learn  New  Rochelle  is  seven  miles  from  this  place,  three 
from  Eastchester,  eight  from  Rye  and  perhaps  about  that  distance  from 
Philipsburgh.  I  have  been  thus  particular,  that  the  Society  may  be  able 
to  judge  whether  it  is  expedieut  for  them  to  send  another  missionary  to 
New  Rochelle  or  not.  Dr.  Auchmuty  has  informed  me  that  he  has 
wrote  to  the  Society  upon  this  subject,  and  I  find  it  is  his  opinion  that  a 
missionary  is  less  necessary  there  than  in  many  other  places  where  they 
have  none.  If  the  Society  should  decline  sending  a  missionary  there  I 
could  attend  them  in  summer,  every  other  Sunday,  in  the  morning,  and 
be  at  Eastchester  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  winter  every  fourth  Sunday; 
and,  indeed,  these  churches  are  so  near  that  most  of  the  people  might  at- 
tend at  either.  I  would  not,  however,  be  understood  as  dissuading  the 
Society  from  sending  another  missionary  to  New  Rochelle,  but  only  as 
informing  them  in  what  manner  they  might  be  provided  for  in  case  they 
decline  it ;  and  should  the  Society  put  them  immediately  under  my  care 
I  should  very  readily  submit  to  their  consideration  what  allowance  should 
be  made  me  on  that  account."'1 

The  next  year  he  again  writes  as  follows  : — 

MR.  SEABTJRY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

"Westchester,  Oct.  1st,  176S. 

Rev.  Sir: — I  am  sorry  the  people  of  New  Rochelle  have  deservedly  fallen 
under  the  censure  of  the  Society.  They  seem  to  keep  things  too  much  in  the 
dark  with  regard  to  their  glebe ;  but  as  soon  as  I  can  get  such  an  account  of  that 
matter  as  shall  enable  me  to  write  intelligibly  to  the  Society  about  it,  I  will  lay 
it  before  them.  In  the  mean  time  as  there  is  a  number  of  strolling  teachers, 
especially  of  the  sect  of  Anabaptists,  who  ramble  through  the  country,  preaching 
at  private  houses  for  the  sake  of  making  proselytes  and  collecting  money,  I  have 
thought  it  best  to  visit  them  occasionally,  as  well  to  prevent  any  ill  effects  that 
might  arise,  as  for  the  sake  of  a  number  of  well  disposed  people  who  lived  there. 
I  shall,  however,  carefully  attend  to  the  caution  you  give  not  to  neglect  my  par- 
ticular cure  of  East  and  Westchester."* 

During  the  American  Revolution  the  church  must  have  been  closed, 
for  the  congregation  was  much  scattered. 

o  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fiilham,  vol.  11.  p.  429.  (Ilawks.) 
u  New  York,  J1SS.  from  arcUives  at  Fulhaiii,  vol.  it  p.  452.  (Hawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  663 

Shortly  after  the  treaty  of  peace  the  parish  was  organized  under  Mr. 
Andrew  Fowler,  (afterwards  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler,)  who  read  prayers  and 
sermons  from  1781  until  1786,  and  at  the  same  time  had  the  charge  of 
a  school  in  this  place.  Mr.  Fowler  was  the  eldest  child  of  Andrew  Fow- 
ler, of  Guilford,  Conn.,  (who  was  born  there  August  1728,)  by  his  wife 
Martha  Stone,  (who  was  born  August  1737,  and  died  in  1794.)  Andrew 
Fowler,  sen.,  who  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Fowler,  one  of  the 
original  planters  of  Guilford  in  1639-40,  died  Oct.  18,  1815.  The  Rev. 
Andrew  Fowler  died  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  Dec.  29th,  1850.  Mr.  Fow- 
ler was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Bartow,  as  a  lay  reader,  who  continued  his 
services  in  this  capacity  until  he  received  holy  orders. 

The  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow  was  the  son  of  Theodosius  Bartow, 
second  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Bartow,  first  rector  of  the  parish  of  West- 
chester, and  by  his  mother  Bathsheba  Pell,  a  lineal  descendant  of  John 
Pell,  second  lord  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham.  He  was  born  at  Westchester,  in 
this  County,  A.D.,  1 747,  where  he  received  his  early  education.  In  1 7S6, 
as  we  have  seen,  he  succeeded  Mr.  Fowler  as  a  lay-reader.  In  1788, 
at  a  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  Wednesday,  November  5th, 
1788,  it  was  resolved, — "That  thethanksof  the  Convention  be  returned 
to  Mr.  Bartow,  for  his  services  as  a  reader  in  the  Episcopal  church  at 
New  Rochelle,  that  the  Convention  consider  him  as  eminently  useful  to 
the  Church  in  that  situation  and  wish  him  to  continue  therein ;  and  as 
they  have  the  highest  sense  of  his  zeal  for  religion,  and  just  respect  for 
his  moral  character,  they  would  recommend  his  application  to  such 
studies  as  may  qualify  him  for  holy  orders,  in  conformity  to  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Church ;  and  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  delivered 
to  Mr.  Bartow  by  the  Secretary,  in  testimony  of  the  approbation  of  this 
Convention." 

The  next  year,  at  the  solicitation  of  the  congregation,  he  applied 
for  holy  orders,  and  was  ordained  Deacon,  on  Wednesday,  27th  of 
January,  1790,  and  Priest  on  the  19th  of  October  following,  by  Bishop 
Provoost.  A  definite  invitation  appears  to  have  been  given  to  Mr. 
Bartow  soon  after  his  ordination,  by  which  he  became  the  first  rector  of 
this  parish — the  church  having  been  without  a  minister  fourteen  years. 
Occasional  services,  however,  may  have  been  held  during  that  time. 
The  salary  at  this  period  amounted  to  £50  per  annum,  and  appears  to 
have  been  principally  paid  for  many  years,  by  Lewis  Pintard,  Esq.  In 
1787  James  de  Blez,  first  junior  warden  of  the  parish,  bequeathed  the 
sum  of  £100  to  Trinity  church,  which  money  appears  to  have  been  laid 
out  in  repairing  the  old  edifice  by  Mr.  Bartow.    The  following  item  is 


664 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


preserved  among  the  Guion  papers,  entitled : — "  Memorandum  of  the 
collection  in  the  church  by  Peter  Shute :  " — 
The  first  collection  was  May  17th,  1792. 

May  17th,  collected,  8  1-2 

"  24th,       "   12  6 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen,  of  Trinity  church 
at  New  Rochelle,  on  the  24th  of  October,  1 803,  it  was  resolved : — "  That 
in  consideration  of  the  decayed  state  of  the  present  church,  that  it  was 
expedient  to  erect  a  new  building  for  the  celebration  of  Divine  worship ; 
and  it  is  hereby  earnestly  recommended  to  the  members  of  the  congre- 
gation of  the  said  church,  and  to  all  pious  and  benevolent  persons  to 
render  every  aid  which  their  circumstances  will  admit,  in  effecting  the 
above  design,  and  may  the  blessing  of  God  rest  on  every  contributor  to 
the  aforesaid  useful  object."  In  1804  Mr.  Bartow  makes  report  to  the 
Convention  of  eighteen  communicants,  &c. 

Mr.  Bartow  continued  rector  of  this  parish  until  June,  18 19,  when  he 
ceased  the  labors  of  the  sanctuary  and  resigned  his  office.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  vestry  held  Monday,  June  7th,  of  that  year,  on  motion  it  was  re- 
solved : — "  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  given  to  Mr.  Bartow,  to 
wit : — "  The  vestry  of  Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle,  return  the  Rev. 
Theodosius  Bartow  their  thanks  for  his  long  and  faithful  services  in  said 
church,  and  request  that  he  will  accept  their  wishes  that  the  residue  of 
his  days  may  be  serene,  joyful  and  happy."  His  long  service  of  nearly 
thirty  years,  is  still  cherished  with  grateful  rememberance.  On  Friday, 
November  the  12th,  1819,  this  venerable  missionary  of  the  cross  was 
called  from  his  earthly  labors  and  sufferings  on  earth,  we  trust,  to  the 
enjoyment  of  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God.  His 
mortal  remains  repose  in  the  grave  yard  on  the  west  side  of  Trinity 
church,  not  far  from  the  site  of  the  old  French  church,  in  which,  during 
thirty  years  of  his  ministry,  he  faithfully  dispensed  the  word  of  life. 

The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Christian  Journal 
of  Dec,  1 8 1 9  : — "  Died  at  New  Rochelle,  Westchester  County,  New  Yofk, 
on  Friday,  November  12th,  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  in  the  7  2d  year 
of  his  age,  for  nearly  thirty  years  rector  of  Trinity  church  in  that  place." 
Mr.  Bartow  married  Jemima  Abramse,  by  whom  he  left  several  children. 
The  late  Rev.  John  V.  Bartow,  rector  of  Trinity  church,  Baltimore,  was 
his  sixth  son.  The  late  Rev.  Theodore  Bartow  and  the  late  Rev.  Henry 
B.  Bartow,  sons  of  Jacob  Bartow,  Esq.,  both  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  were  his  grand-sons.  Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Bartow,  the  Rev.  Revaud  Kearny,  A.  M.,  was  elected  minister  of  the 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


665 


parish  in  1819.  In  1821,  a  committee  appointed  by  the  vestry  to  fore- 
close the  land  lately  given  by  the  late  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  reported 
"that  the  same  is  accordingly  foreclosed,  by  which  the  land  becomes  the 
property  of  the  Church."0  In  1822  Mr.  Kearny  relinquished  the  rector- 
ship, and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Pintard  Bayard,  A.  M.  This 
individual  was  born  on  the  23d  day  of  July,  1791,  at  the  residence  of 
his  great-uncle  Elias  Boudinot,  LL.D.,  at  Frankfort,  near  Philadelphia, 
Pa.  His  mother  was  the  only  daughter  of  Lewis  Pintard,  LL.D.,  of 
New  York,  whose  long  and  devoted  services  to  the  Church  have  en- 
deared him  to  the  hearts  of  all  who  seek  her  welfare  and  pray  for  her 
peace.  At  the  early  age  of  three  years,  Lewis  P.  Bayard  went  to  Eng- 
land with  his  father,  who  was  sent  by  the  United  States  Government  to 
that  country,  we  believe,  on  a  private  embassy.  During  his  father's 
residence  in  London,  young  Bayard  received  the  rudiments  of  an  Eng- 
lish education,  and  some  knowledge  of  the  French  language.  For  some 
years  after  his  return  from  England,  he  resided  in  the  family  of  his 
grandfather,  at  New  Rochelle.  Here  the  foundation  of  his  classical 
education  was  laid  by  several  successive  teachers,  among  whom  was  Mr. 
Corbet,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin.  His  father  afterwards 
removed  to  New  York,  and  placed  him  under  the  tuition  of  the  late 
Rev.  Edmund  Barry,  D.  D.,  rector  of  St.  Matthew's  church,  Jersey 
City,  N.  J.,  from  whose  excellent  instructions  he  appears  to  have  de- 
rived the  most  decided  and  permanent  benefit.  Having  been  thoroughly 
prepared  for  College  under  Dr.  Barry,  he  became  a  member  of  Nassau 
Hall,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  the  Fall  of  1804,  where  he  remained  four 
years,  and  graduated  with  the  usual  honors  in  the  summer  of  1808.  For 
some  time  he  hesitated  which  of  the  professions  to  choose ;  but,  "  after 
long  and  mature  consideration,"  he  says,  "  I  felt  inwardly  called  and 
moved  to  take  upon  myself  the  office  of  a  minister  of  Christ ; "  and  he 
accordingly  commenced,  in  1809,  a  course  of  theological  study  under 
the  direction  of  Bishop  Hobart.  Although  nurtured  in  the  bosom  of 
the  Presbyterian  denomination,  he  became  convinced,  after  a  faithful 
investigation  of  the  subject  of  Episcopacy,  aided  by  Divine  light  and 
guidance  in  prayer,  and  diligent  and  humble  examination  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, diat  it  was  his  duty  to  connect  himself  with  the  Episcopal  Church 
as  one  "  divine  in  its  institution,  apostolic  in  its  ministry,  pure  and  evan- 


o  The  purchasers  of  the  old  glebe,  (Elijah  Ward  ami  others,)  having  paid  off  their  bonds  to 
the  Church,  and  the  monies  being  deposited  in  the  rector  s  hand,  the  iatter,  to  secure  the 
same  to  the  Church,  mortgaged  a  tract  of  laud  of  about  sixty  acres,  situated  in  the  town  of 
New  Kochelle,  which  was  foreclosed  as  above ;  this  land  has  since  been  sold  by  an  order  of 
the  conn  of  Chaucery,  and  is  now  occupied  by  Benjamin  Le  Fevre,  Capt.  Oliver  Cutts,  the 
late  John  G.  Horton,  Francis  Baptist,  Peter  Sherwood,  the  la'.e  Leonard  P.  Miller,  Esq.,  the 
public  school,  Ac 


666 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


gelical  in  its  doctrines,  authoratative  in  its  sacraments,  and  Scriptural 
and  primitive  in  its  discipline  and  worship." 

During  the  prosecution  of  his  theological  studies  Mr.  Bayard  resided 
at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  was  admitted  a  candidate  for  Holy  Orders  on 
the  2d  of  May,  1811,  in  the  Diocese  of  New  Jersey;  he  received 
Deacon's  Orders,  August  2d,  1812.  In  May,  1813,  he  was  called  to 
the  rectorship  of  Trinity  church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  which  charge  he 
resigned  in  1820;  after  this,  he  officiated  for  some  time  in  the  neigh- 
boring parish  of  Eastchester.  In  connection  with  his  pastoral  charge, 
he  thought  it  his  duty  to  be  engaged  in  the  avocation  of  the  in- 


THE  CHURCH. 

structor  of  youth — peculiar  facilities  having  been  offered  him  at  New 
Rochelle,  the  place  of  his  residence,  for  engaging  in  that  work.  In 
1 82 1,  as  we  have  seen,  he  became  rector  of  this  parish.0  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  New  York,  and  organized  St.  Clement's  church  in 
that  city.  In  1840  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  from  his  congregation 
to  make  a  tour  through  Europe  to  Syria  and  the  Holy  Land,  for  the 
benefit  of  his  health.  A  little  more,  however,  than  four  months  from 
the  time  of  his  embarkation,  this  eminent  soldier  of  the  Cross  rested 
from  his  labors — having  died  at  sea,  on  his  return  from  the  Holy  Land, 
Sept.  2d,  1840.  For  Mr.  Bayard's  successors,  see  Catalogue  of  Rectors. 
The  present  church  edifice  which  is  of  stone,  comprises  a  nave,  apsi- 


o  It  was  during  the  Incumbency  of  Mr.  Bayard  that  the  old  church  edifice  was  erected  and 
consecrated. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


667 


dal,  chancel  and  vestry-room,  with  a  square  tower  and  spire — the  whole 
a  very  elegant  design  by  Upjohn.  The  windows  of  the  chancel  contain 
memorials  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet,  Pierre  Stouppe  and  Michael 
Houdin.  Near  the  site  of  the  present  edifice  stood  the  French  school 
house,  while  a  few  rods  to  the  eastward,  close  to  the  highway,  is  the  site 
of  the  second  French  church  of  stone,  under  which  repose  the  remains 
of  the  three  French  clergymen  last  mentioned.  While  a  little  west  of 
the  church,  formerly  stood  the  second  wooden  church,  erected  in  1724, 
the  old  French  parsonage,  or  "parish  house,"  which  was  rebuilt  in  1761. 
The  original  bell  presented  by  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  of  London,  to  the 
French  church  Dieu  St.  Esprit,  of  New  York,"  we  are  sorry  to  say,  was 
loaned  some  years  ago  by  the  vestry,  to  the  fire  department  of  the  vill- 
age, and  now  hangs  in  their  engine  house.  It  bears  the  following  in- 
scription : — 

"  SAMUEL  NEWTON  MADE  ME,  1706." 

The  noble  donor  of  this  bell,  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  was  the  eldest  son  of 
Henry  Ashurst,  Esq.,  of  London,  eminent  for  great  benevolence,  human- 
ity and  piety,  and  a  chief  person  in  founding  the  corporation  for  prop- 
agating the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts  temp,  of  Charles  II.,  to  whom  he 
acted  as  treasurer,  and  died  1 680.  Sir  Henry  was  created  a  baronet  by 
King  James  II,  21st  July,  1688;  he  sat  in  Parliament  in  the  reigns  of 
Charles  II  and  William  III,  for  the  burroughs  of  Truro,  in  Cornwall, 
and  Wilton,  in  Wilts.  He  was  the  intimate  friend  of  the  Honorable 
Robert  Boyle,  to  whom  he  was  executor  and  trustee  for  founding  the 
lecture  which  bore  that  gentleman's  name.  He  acted  as  agent  for 
Massachusetts  until  1702,  and  died  at  Waterstock,  13th  April,  17 10, 
and  lies  buried  there.  By  his  wife,  Hon.  Diana  Paget,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam, 5th  Lord  Paget,  he  had  one  son — Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  M.  P.  for 
Windsor,  in  17 14 — who  died  in  1732,  without  issue,  whereby  the  title 
became  extinct 

.  Suspended  in  the  tower  of  the  church,  is  a  large  bell  weighing  1 863 
pounds,  cast  by  Meenely  of  West  Troy,  and  presented  by  the  ladies  of 
the  parish,  Anno  Domini,  1864. 

"Chime  joyfully,  at  the  first  dawn  at  Christmas  and  Easter  morn. 

Ring  out  gladsome  lays  on  our  festal  and  bridal  days. 
Strike  the  passing  knowl  of  the  dying  and  dead  to  toll. 

Toll  with  sad  and  mourning  cast  at  our  burials  and  solemn  fast." 

a  In  1S23  it  was  ordered  by  the  vestrv  of  the  church  Dieu  St.  Esprit,  that  this  bell,  then  in 
the  care  of  St.  Stephen's  church,  New  York,  be  presented  for  the  use  of  the  French  church 
at  New  Rochelle. 

b  Hist.  Mjr.  vol.  iv.  second  series,  No.  iii,  p.  137.  Burke's  Extinct  and  Dormant  Baron- 
etcy.  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  London  Doc.,  vol.  iv.  p.  631. 


668 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  communion  plate  consists  of  a  large  silver  chalice  and  paten,  the 
gift  of  "  good  Queen  Anne,"  oldest  daughter  of  James,  Duke  of  York 
and  Albany,  afterwards  King  James  Second ;  also  two  smaller  chalices, 
presented  by  a  member  of  the  Davenport  family  of,  Davenport  Neck. 
The  old  Communion-table,  presented  to  the  old  stone  church  by  Aman 
Guion  in  1710,  is  still  preserved  in  the  vestry-room.  The  organ,  which 
cost  $5,000,  was  constructed  by  Erben,  of  New  York ;  has  two  banks 
of  keys,  and  three  octaves  of  foot-pedals ;  the  whole  is  gorgeously  fin- 
ished with  blue  pipes,  decorated  with  scarlet  and  gold. 

TOMB-STONES. 

In  the  rear  of  the  church  is  situated  the  old  burying-ground,  where 
lie,  awaiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just,  many  of  the  persecuted  and 
exiled  Huguenots.  The  inscriptions  on  the  earliest  tombstones  are 
wholly  illegible.  Among  others  that  have  been  preserved,  however,  are 
the  following : — 


Voici  le  corps  de 
ISAAC  COUTANT, 
Age  50  acs. 

1741  M.  D.  A.  G.  49. 


Here  lies  the  body  of 
JAMES  FLANDREAU, 
Aged  69  years. 
Died  Feb.  19,  1726. 


Here  lies  the  body  of 

JOHN  CLARK, 
Who  departed  this  life 
on  ye  6  day  of  M.  R.,  A.  D.  1754, 
Aged  56. 


Voici  le  corps  de 
SUS ANNE  LANDRIN, 
Ag.  de  18  M.  Se  6  D.  S.  L.  1750. 

Here  lies  the  body  of 
ANDRE  RANOUD, 
who  departed  this  life  on  Friday  ye 
2  day  of  Dec.  A.  D.  1758,  aged  25  yr. 


There  are  also  monuments  in  the  yard  to  members  of  the  Guion,  Al- 
laire and  Secor  families,  &c. 

The  cemetery  on  the  west  side  of  the  church  contains  a  neat  marble 
monument,  consisting  of  a  base  and  pyramid,  with  the  following  inscrip- 
tion (surmounted  by  a  medallion  likeness  of  the  deceased") : — 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  669 
To 

WILLIAM  LEGGETT, 

the  eloquent  journalist, 
whose  genius,  disinterestedness 
and  courage  ennobled  his  profession — 
who  loved  truth  for  its  own  sake, 
and  asserted  it  with  most  ardor 
when  weaker  minds  were  most  dismayed 
with  opposition ; 
who  could  endure  no  form  of  tyranny, 
and  raised  his  voice  against 

all  injustice, 
on  whomsoever  committed, 
and  whoever  were  its  authors. 

TIIE  DEMOCRATIC  YOCXG  MEN 

of  New  York, 
sorrowing  that  a  career  so  glorious 
should  have  closed  so  prematurely, 
have  erected  this  monument. 


WILLIAM  LEGGETT, 
born  in  New  York,  April  30,  1801, 
died  at  New  Rochelle, 
May  29th,  1839. 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS. 

Queen  Anne,  John  Pell,  Jacob  Leisler,  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Col. 
Robert  Hunter,  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Rev.  John  Sharpe,  Elias  Neau. 
Rev.  Daniel  Bondet,  Lewis  Bongrand,  Aman  Guion,  James  de  Blez, 
Lewis  Pintard,  Peter  J.  Munro,  Hon.  John  Hunter,  Lloyd  S.  Daubeny, 
Philip  Rhinelander  Underhill,  Town  of  New  Rochelle,  the  Venerable 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  Corporation  of 
Trinity  church,  New  York. 

The  first  delegate  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  held 
in  New  York,  Wednesday,  June  22nd,  1785,  was  Mr.  Andrew  Fowler. 


670 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

Inst,  or  Call.                      Ministers.  Vacated  by. 

20  Sept.  A.D.  1689,  Rev.  David  De  Bonrepos,  D.D.  CI.,  resig. 

20  June,  A.D.  1695.  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet,  A.M.,  CI.,  death. 

20  July,  A.D.  1724,  Rev.  Pierre  Stocppr,  A.M.,  CI., 

20  Aug.,  A.D.  1761,  Rev.  Michael  Hoijdin,  A.M.,  CI.,  " 

20  Oct.,  A.D.  1790,  Rev.  Theodosii  s  Bartow,  Presb.,  resig. 

12  May,  A.D.  1819,     Rev.  Ravafd  Kearny,  A.M.,  Presb., 

23  Jan.,  A.D.  1821,     Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  A.M.,  Presb.,  " 

21  May,  A.D.  1827,     Rev.  Lawson  Carter,  A.M.,  Presb.,  " 

13  May,  A.D.  1S39,     Rev.  Thomas  Winthrop  Coit,  D.D.,  Presb.,  " 
10  Dec,  A.  D.  1849,     Rev.  Richard  Umstead  Morgan,  D.D.,  Presb., 

Rector  Emeritus  resigned  July,  1873. 
1  Jan.,  A.  D.  1874,  Rev.  JonN  H.  Watson  had  charge  of  the  Parish  to  May  1, 

1S76. 

20  Oct.,  A.  D.  1876,  Rev.  Chas.  F.  Caned y,  M.A.,  present  incumbent. 

The  Baptismal  Register  of  this  church  commences,  in  1724  : — 

"Ce  Dimanche  14  Mars,  1724,  a  ete  baptise  sortie  service  du  matin  Peter  fils 
de  Thomas  Wallis,  and  Madelaine  sa  femme  le  Peter  a  ete  presente,  au  saint  bap- 
teme,  par  Denys  Woertman  and  Elizabeth  sa  femme  Parrain  et  Marraine  le  (lit 
Peter  est  ne  le  six  du  (lit  mois." 

Thomas  Wallis,  Peter  Stouppk, 

Denis  Woertman,  Isaac  Quantein,  ancien. 

her 

Elizabeth  M  Woertman,  Isaac  GnoN,  ancien. 

marque. 

In  1 7 10  the  population  of  New  Rochelle  and  its  districts  was  as  fol- 
lows : — Male  Christians,  67  ;  Female  do.,  139  ;  Male  Slaves,  23  ;  Female 
do.,  34 ;  Total,  261. 

A  few  rods  west  of  the  Episcopal  church,  is  situated  the  former  resi- 
dence of  the  Guion  family,  at  present  owned  by  William  Lawton,  Esq., 
of  New  Rochelle,  who  married  the  daughter  of  the  late  Frederick  Guion, 
Esq.  This  property  was  originally  purchased  by  Louis  Guion,  in  1691. 
Upon  the  8th  of  October,  1725,  we  find  Louis  Guion,  Sr.,  conveying  to 
Aman  Guion,  his  son,  sixty-four  acres  of  land  in  that  part  of  the  manor 
called  New  Rochelle.  The  Guions  were  from  La  Rochelle  in  France; 
one  branch  of  whom  were  lords  of  Salbetter,  represented  by  Peter  Guion 
lord  of  that  place,  and  elder  in  the  Church  of  Manars,  who  appeared  for 
the  Province  of  Dolphiny,  at  the  Synod  of  Vitre,  in  1617."  Louis,  the  more 
immediate  ancestor  of  the  Guion  family  of  New  Roehelle  emigrated 

a  Quick's  Svnodican.  Vol.  IT.,  page  476.  Two  of  this  name  were  pastors  lu  the  French 
church.  First,  Simon  de  Guyon,  pastor  of  the  church  of  Bordeaux  :  second,  Mr.  Paul  Guion, 
pastor  of  tlir  church  of  Dieu  le  sit,  1620.  A  branch  of  this  family  appears  to  have  settled  upon 
Staten  Island  at  a  very  early  period ;  for  on  the  13th  of  October,  1664.  we  find  Covernor  Nicolls 
granting  to  Jacques  Guion  200 acres,  situated  on  that  island.  Of  this  family  was  John  Guion, 
Deputy  Mayor  of  New  York  in  1677. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  67 1 

from  England  in  16S7,  having  fled  from  La  Rochelle  in  1681;  letters 
of  denization  were  granted  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province  to  Louis 
Guion  and  his  son  Louis,  Feb.  6th,  1695-6.  Louis  Guion,  Sr.,  of  New 
Rochelle,  in  1710  appears  to  have  been  born  in  France  in  1654;  Mary, 
his  wife,  in  1656.  Their  children  were  Louis,  Aman,  Isaac,  and  Susan- 
na. There  was  a  Gregory  Guion  in  New  Rochelle  in  17 10,  who,  by  his 
wife  Mary,  had  five  children — Gregory,  Judy,  Hester,  Joanna  and  Anna. 
The  oldest  residence  of  the  Guions  was  erected  in  1696,  and  stands  a 
little  to  the  west  of  the  more  modern  mansion,  erected  in  1800  by  Mr. 
Frederick  Guion,  and  is  now  occupied  by  William  Lawton,  Esq.,  who 
has  done  so  much  towards  bringing  into  notice  the  celebrated  black- 
berry which  bears  his  name.  This  famous  berry  was  discovered  about 
twenty-five  years  ago  on  the  old  parsonage  property  given  by  John  Pell 
to  the  Huguenots  in  1689  which  is  now  owned  by  Frederick  Prime,  Esq. 
Some  of  these  plants  were  removed  by  Mr.  Lewis  Secor  to  his  garden  in 
New  Rochelle  where  he  began  to  cultivate  them.  Mr.  Lawton  took 
great  interest  in  the  berry  and  brought  it  to  the  notice  of  the  American 
Institute  and  the  Farmer's  Club — where  from  its  size  and  flavor  it  was 
universally  admired;  and  there  it  received  the  name  of  the  Lawton 
Blackberry.  In  a  short  time  this  new  fruit  became  widely  known  and 
has  spread  all  over  the  country. 

In  a  portion  of  the  Guion  property  once  owned  by  the  late  George 
Case,  Esq.,  and  nearly  opposite  the  old  Eels  mansion  on  North  street, 
leading  to  the  depot,  was  discovered  a  few  years  since  the  remains  of  a 
large  bed  of  charcoal,  marking  the  site  of  the  summary  execution  of  a 
negro,  one  hundred  and  ten  years  ago,  for  murder,  as  appears  from  the 
following : 

"  New  York  Post  Boy,  January  16th,  1766  :  A  few  days  since  a  negro 
man  belonging  to  Mr.  George  Trail,  of  New  Rochelle,  killed  a  woman, 
(Miss  De  Blez),  his  house-keeper,  by  a  blow  with  a  small  ax  on  the  head, 
of  which  wound  she  expired ;  the  villain  immediately  fled  and  concealed 
himself  in  a  haystack,  where  he  was  found  after  a  diligent  search,  tried 
by  three  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  ordered  to  be  burnt,  which  sentence 
was  put  into  execution  in  New  Rochelle  last  week." 

Near  the  western  entrance  of  the  village  stands  the  Presbyterian 
church — a  beautiful  golhic  stone  edifice  with  tower  and  spire.  The 
Presbyterian  Society  claims  succession  from  the  original  French  church 
gathered  together  soon  after  the  settlement  of  the  place  in  16S9.  In 
this  view,  they  must  represent  some  minority  of  the  Huguenots ;  for  in 
1709  the  majority  conformed  to  the  Church  of  England,  according  to 
the  charter  of  Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle — which  specified  that  on  the 


672 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


twelfth  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  nine,  all  the  then  inhabitants  of  the  said  township  who  were  mem- 
bers of  the  said  French  church,  excepting  two,  unanimously  agreed  and 
consented  to  conform  themselves  and  the  religious  worship  of  their  said 
church  to  the  liturgy  and  rites  of  the  Church  of  England  as  established  by 
law;  and  by  a  solemn  act  01  agreement  did  submit  to,  and  put  themselves 
under  the  protection  of  the  same;  that  fourteen  years  before,  (1695), 
and  ever  since  such  conformity  their  respective  ministers  and  pastors 
have  been  invested  with  Episcopal  ordination  and  had  received  their 
principal  support  from  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  foreign 
parts,  etc.  Fourteen  years  after  this  conformity  we  find  Alexander  Al- 
laire conveying  a  certain  lot  of  land,  lying  in  the  town  of  New  Rochelle, 
unto  Isaac  Mercier  and  others  for  a  public  assembling  place  for  the 
worship  of  God  for  the  French  Protestants  inhabiting  within  the  town 
of  New  Rochelle  in  the  following  manner  : 

"  To  ah  Christian  people  unto  whom  these  presents  shall  or  may  come,  Alex- 
ander Allaire  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the  province  of 
New  York,  sendeth  greeting  in  our  Lord  God  everlasting  :  Know  ye,  that  he 
the  said  Alexander  Allaire,  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  love  and  affection 
which  he  hath  and  beareth  unto  his  brethren  in  Jesus  Christ,  Isaac  Mercier, 
Daniel  Samson  and  Zachary  Angevin  and  other  the  members  of  the  French  Prot- 
estant congregation  gathered  together  at  New  Roceelle  aforesaid,  according  to 
the  discipline  and  church  government  heretofore  established  and  exercised  in 
the  Protestant  Church  of  France,  before  their  late  persecution  and  destruction  in 
that  kingdom,  hath  granted,  released,  and  confirmed,  &c,  &C,  unto  the  said 
Isaac  Mercier,  Taniel  Samson,  and  Zachary  Angevin,  all  that  certain  lot.  or  tuft 
of  ground,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  the  town  of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  being 
butted  and  bounded  by  the  road  or  highway  from  the  corner  of  Chaprou's  land 
along  the  road  one  hundred  and  twenty  foot,  from  thence  northerly  along  the 
other  land  of  the  said  Alexander  Allaire  seventy-five  feet,  and  from  thence  along 
the  line  of  Chaprou's  laud  sixty  foot  easterly,  and  from  thence  along  the  line  of 
said  land  ninety  foot,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  edifices,  buildings,  liber- 
ties, &c,  unto  the  said  Isaac  Mercier,  Daniel  Samson,  Zachary  Angevin,  and 
their  heirs  for  ever,  for  the  only,  sole  and  proper  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  for  a 
public  assembling  place  for  the  worship  of  God,  for  the  French  Protestants  in- 
habiting within  the  town  of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  who  exercise  the  discipline 
and  church  government  according  to  the  usages,  orders,  customs  and  directions 
heretofore  used,  practised,  established  and  exercised  in  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Churches  of  the  kingdom  of  France,  before  the  last  persecution  and  destruction 
of  the  same  in  the  said  kingdom  of  France,  for  ever,  and  to  no  other  use  aud 
purpose  whatsoever ;  but  in  case  these  premises  shall  be  applied  to  any  other  pur- 
pose, then  they  shall  immediately  revert  unto  the  said  Alexander  Allaire,  his  heirs 
and  assignees  for  ever."  Alexander  Allaire. 

_This  20th  day  of  January,  1723-4.  <* 

a  Count.  Rec.  Lib.,  E,  3SS,  99.  The  original  Document  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Drake  ol 
Scarsdale. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  673 

According  to  information  derived  from  the  Allaire  family  the  above 
lot  embraces  the  site  of  the  present  Presbyterian  parsonage,  the  northern 
part  of  which  lot  was  formerly  used  as  a  grave  yard.  On  this  spot  the 
"  Reformed  Protestant  Congregation  of  New  Rochelle  "  erected  a  church 
about  1723-4;  this  edifice  having  fallen  into  decay  was  afterwards  re- 
moved in  1783  by  John  Guerrineau,  carpenter.  We  have  already  seen 
that  the  first  edifice  erected  by  the  Huguenots  on  March  19,  1697,  stood 
a  little  east  of  the  last  mentioned  structure  and  was  destroyed  by  fire 
about  1723. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  church  at  New  Rochelle, 
after  the  conformity,  was  the  "  Reverend  Jean  Brumeau  de  Moulinars, 
who  was  undoubtedly  a  son  of  Jean  Brumaud,  Sieur  de  Moulinars,  pas- 
tor of  Champagne  Mouton,  Poitou,  France,  and  afterwards  of  Chatel- 
lerault,  who  fled  to  Holland  after  the  Revocation.  Jean  Joseph  was 
ordained  by  the  Walloon  Synod  in  Holland,  and  came  to  New  York  in 
17 18  to  be  colleague  of  the  Rev.  Louis  Rou.  He  seems  to  have  been 
highly  esteemed  by  the  people  ;  but  disagreeing  with  Rou,  he  retired  to 
New  Rochelle  where  he  had  previously  officiated  at  stated  times  from 
the  period  of  his  coming  to  America,""  Moulinars  treatment  of  his 
superior,  Monsieur  Rou,  is  very  much  censured  by  many  members  of 
the  New  York  congregation  in  1724.  In  a  petition  to  Governor  Bur- 
net, Roux's  friends  say,  "  that  they  are  too  sensibly  touched  with  the  dis- 
advantages they  lye  under  from  the  misfortunes  of  their  want  of  his 
Pastoral  care  over  them,  whose  exemplary  Piety  and  Instruction  for  up- 
wards of  fourteen  years  have  rendered  him  exceedingly  estimable  to 
all  who  know  him,  and  which  can't  but  be  acknowledged  even  by  those 
who  are  now  the  occasion  of  your  Pet'rs,  giving  your  Excellency  this 
trouble  and  who  side  with  his  assistant,  Mr.  Moulinar,  from  whom  both 
as  a  Brother  and  a  Christian  better  offices  might  have  been  expected 
than  to  have  found  him  the  penman  of  such  Instrument  which  are  the 
present  motive  of  all  our  troubles,  &c"* 

In  Mr.  Louis  Rou's  third  memorial  in  answer  to  gentlemen  of  the 
French  Consistory  in  a  petition  to  the  Governor  in  1724-25,  speaking  of 
the  Dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  he 
•ays : 

"  In  opposition  to  this  National  Church  they  have  entertained  and 
fomented  for  several  years  a  scandalous  schism  at  New  Rochel,  where 


a  From  Rev.  Charles  Balrd's  forth-coming  FUst.  of  the  Huguenots  in  America. 

b  Doc.  Hist.,  N.  Y..  vol.  Ml.,  p.  466.  See  Mouliuar's  answer,  ditto,  p.  470.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  committee  of  the  Council,  March  4th,  WU-o,  to  report  to  the  Governor,  they  assert  that 
th"  congregation  of  the  French  Protestant  church  had  no  authority  to  suspend  their  minister, 
p.  470. 


674 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  incapacity  for  providing  for  a  minister  obliged  the  inhabitants 
to  establish  an  Episcopal  Church  through  the  Bounty  and  Protection 
of  the  Society  in  England ;  and  they  would  still  support  this  schism, 

if  their  M  was  not  taken  up  in  the  -custody  of  our  Church  of 

which  he  keeps  the  keys  to  keep  me  out  unjustly.  In  short  they  have 
always  looked  upon  my  inclination,  esteem,  and  respect  for  the  Church 
of  England  as  a  crime  in  me."  Mr.  Rou  adds,  "  They  have  always  been 
enemies  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  laiu  established ;  they  have  al- 
ways railed  at  her  liturgy,  her  services  and  ceremonies"0.  About  one 
year  after  these  disgraceful  proceedings  in  New  York,  Moulinars  re- 
tired to  New  Rochelle  to  annoy  Monsieur  Stouppe,  the  lawful  minister 
of  that  place.  "  The  will  of  John  Joseph  Moulinar  in  the  County  of 
Westchester  and  Province  of  New  York,  minister  of  the  Holy  Evangille 
in  New  Rochelle,"  bears  date  ist  of  October,  1741,  and  was  proved  13th 
October,  1741,6  so  that  he  must  have  died  somewhere  between  the  first 
and  thirteenth  of  October  of  the  same  year.  His  wife  was  Judith  Marie. 
On  the  17th  of  October,  1726,  John  Parcot  of  New  Rochelle,  sold  to 
Judith  Marie  Moulinars,  gentle  woman  of  the  same  place,  his  farm  of 
forty-seven  acres  in  New  Rochelle.  Moulinars  had  a  daughter,  Susanne 
Helene,  born  Feb.  8,  1719;  and  a  son  Jean,  born  Feb.  13,  1722  ;  both 
of  whom  were  baptized  by  Monsieur  Rou,  in  New  York.  This  son, 
Jean,  I  conjecture,  was  the  John  Moulinars  who  ''  entered  the  service  as 
first  lieutenant,  June  15,  1746."" 

It  deserves  to  be  mentioned  here  that  the  French  Reformed  church 
at  New  Rochelle  had  been  for  some  time  annexed  to  the  French  Re- 
formed church  of  New  York ;  maintaining,  however,  their  own  Con- 
sistory, a  state  of  things  that  continued  until  the  Revolutionary  war. 

From  the  following  document  it  appears  that  Monsieur  Jean  Carle 
had  succeeded  Moulinars  in  the  pastorate  at  New  Rochelle  : 

Certificate  of  Dismission  given  to  Mr.  Jean  Carle,  pastor  of  the  Reformed 
French  church,  New  Rcchelle,  April  13,  1764, 

In  the  name  of  God,  amen. 

Certificate  given  to  Mr.  Jean  Carle,  our  pastor.  We  the  undersigned  elders  and 
deacons  who  now  compose  the  consistory  of  the  Reformed  French  church  at  New 
Rochelle,  iu  the  government  of  New  York,  in  America,  certify  and  declare  that 
Mr.  Jean  Carle,  minister  of  the  holy  Gospel,  has  been  our  pastor  during  about 
ten  years,  that  he  had  resided  in  this  government ;  that  we  have  beeu«dified  by 
his  Christian  and  worthy  walk  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  the  great  Shepherd 

(i  Doc  Hist.  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  p  1109. 

b  Surrogates  Rcc.  N.  Y.  Lib.,  xiv.  p.  150. 

c  Rev.  Chas.  Baud's  Ilugeuots  in  America.  See  English  MSS.  in  Sec  of  State's  office,  vol. 
lxxv .  i>.  04. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  675 

and  Saviour  of  our  souls,  as  well  as  by  his  preaching  in  which  we  have  always 
found  a  doctrine,  truly  pure  and  evangelical,  sound  and  edifying,  and  con- 
sequently, the  only  one  which  accompanied  and  aided  by  the  grace  of  God  is 
able  to  conduct  our  souls  unto  eternal  life. 

We  add  further,  that  wc  have  seen  with  sincere  regret  the  request  which  Mr  Jean 
Carle  has  made  for  his  dismission  from  the  Reformed  French  church  in  New  York 
with  which  we  are  (an  annexe,)  for  we  truly  desired  that  he  would  finish  his 
days  with  us,  wc  being  much  edified  by  his  ministry;  but  wishing  to  acquiesce, 
we  join  with  sorrow  our  consent  with  that  of  our  sister  church,  the  Reformed 
French  church  of  New  York,  and  accord  to  Mr.  Jean  Carle  his  dismissal  which 
he  has  requested.  In  consequence  he  has.  given  us  his  farewell  sermon,  this 
Lord's  day  morning,  April  15,  1764,  we  accompanying  it  with  our  own  most  siu- 
cere  prayers,  praying  that  God  would  take  him  under  His  mighty  protection, 
conduct  happily  wherever  His  providence  may  call  him,  and  bestow  His  blessing 
upon  his  person  and  his  ministry,  to  the  end  that  he  may  contribute  effectually 
to  the  glory  of  our  great  God,  and  lead  souls  captive  to  the  obedience  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Done  in  Consistory,  and  a  true  copy  given  to  Mr.  Jem  Carle  at  New 
Rochelle,  this  15th  day  of  April,  1764. 

(Signed,)  Samfel  P.  Gii.let, 

Michel  Hoxore, 
Jean  Badeau, 
Jean  Paroot.<* 

From  this  time  (1764)  no  record  appears  to  have  been  made  of  the 
state  or  progress  of  the  French  Protestant  congregation  in  New  Ro- 
chelle, as  a  distinct  body ;  probably  about  this  period,  such  of  its  mem- 
bers as  had  not  conformed  to  the  Church  of  England,  allied  themselves 
to  the  Presbyterian  form  of  worship. 

Upon  the  23d  of  February,  1808,  the  Presbyterian  church  was  incor- 
porated under  the  title  of  the  "  French  Church  in  New  Rochelle,"  Matson 
Smith,  John  Reid,  Thomas  Carpenter,  Robert  Givan,  Gideon  Coggle- 
shall,  and  James  Somerville,  trustees.  A  re-organization  appears  to 
have  taken  place  "on  the  30th  of  May,  181 2,  under  the  direction  of  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  consisting  of  the 
Rev.  Walter  King,  Philip  Milledolar,  D.D.,  and  Henry  Rutgers,  elder." 
The  church  edifice  was  raised  in  1815,  and  dedicated  the  same  year. 
The  land  on  which  it  stood  was  the  gift  of  Mr.  George  Pelor,  12th  of 
May  1814.  In  1827  Samuel  Bayard,  of  the  borough  of  Princeton,  in 
the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,6  of  the  town 

a  Translated  from  the  original  MSS.  by  the  Rev.  Gorham  D.  Abbott  In  1837.  In  April, 
1764,  the  Rev.  Jean  Carle  returned  to  Europe.  Smith,  the  historian,  writing  in  1757,  observes, 
the  present  minister  m  the  French  church  in  New  York  is  Mr.  Curie,  a  native  ol  France,  who 
succeeded  Mr.  Rou,  in  1754.  "  He  bears  an  irreproachable  character,  is  very  intent  upon  his 
studies,  preaches  moderate  Calv.mism,  and  speaks  with  propriety,  both  of  pronunciation  and 
gesture."  Smith's  Hist.,  N.  Y.  194. 

b  The  father  of  Lewis  P.  Bayard  was  Hon.  Samuel  Bayard,  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyter- 
ian church  and  the  author  of  letters  on  the  Lord's  Supper.  Col.  Samuel  Bayard  was  a  liberal 
benefactor  of  this  church. 


676 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  New  Rochelle,  trustees  of  Lews  Pintard  deceased,  conveyed  to  the 
"trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the  town  of  New  Rochelle, 
formerly  known  by  the  7iame  of  tlie  French  church,  a  certain  piece  of 
land  lying  in  the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  beginning  at  a  corner  formed 
by  the  intersection  of  the  lot  of  ground  on  which  the  Presbyterian 
church  aforesaid  is  erected,  and  the  old  Boston  road,  etc."a 

To  these  gifts  Albert  Smith,  M.D.,  has  since  added  three  lots  and  a 
half  at  cost;  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  property  of  Mr.  Charles 
Roosevelt. 


A  LIST  OF  MINISTERS  OR  PASTORS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


Ministers,  Eto.                 Date  of  Call. 

Date  of  Resignation. 

Rev.  Isaac  Lewis.  Jr.,  from 

April,  1S15, 

to 

July,  1821. 

Rev.  Elijah  D.  Wells,  " 

June,  1S23, 

to 

June,  1825. 

Rev.  J.  D.  Wickua.m,  " 

June,  1825, 

to 

June,  1828. 

Rev.  George  Stebbins,  " 

June,  1S28, 

to 

August,  1835. 

Rev.  JonN  Mason,  " 

Nov.,  1835, 

to 

November,  1837. 

Rev.  Goriiam  D.  Abbot,  " 

Nov.,  1837, 

to 

November,  1840. 

Rev.  P.  Snyder,  " 

1841, 

to 

1843. 

Rev.  Hexry  Martin  Sccdder, 

1S44, 

to 

1845. 

Rev.  Charles  Hawley,  from 

Jan.,  1845, 

to 

June,  1848. 

Rev.  Charles  E.  Linsley,  " 

June,  1S49, 

to 

Oct.  5,  1858. 

Rev.  James  H.  Taylor,  " 

Nov.,  1859, 

to 

August,  1862. 

Rev.  Erskine  X.  White,  " 

Dec.,  1862, 

to 

August,  1868. 

Rev.  David  Hopkins,  " 

Jan.,  1869, 

to  November,  1S69,  by  death. 

Rev.  Edward  R.  Burkhalter.  Oct.,  1870, 

to 

Sept.,  1876. 

Rev.  Anthony  R.  Maoolbrey, 

1877, 

Resigned. 

Rev.  Randell  Hoes, 

Nov.  21,  1S78, 

Present. 

The  present  church  edifice 

,  which  stands 

near 

the  junction  of  the  old 

Boston  turnpike  and  the  Boston  Boulevard  at  the  western  entrance  to 
the  village,  is  constructed  of  stone  (obtained  from  boulders  on  the 
Smith  farm)  in  the  Gothic  style.  It  was  erected  in  1 860-1,  at  a  cost 
of  $15,000.  The  tower,  which  is  finished  with  a  spire,  cost  $2,000. 
Beneath  the  foundation  of  the  latter  was  deposited,  by  Dr.  Albert 
Smith,  the  door-step  of  the  old  Reformed  French  church,  erected  in 
1697.  The  whole  structure  consists  of  a  nave,  two  side-aisles,  tower 
and  lecture-room.  The  old  church  was  converted  into  a  parsonage  in 
1 860  and  removed  to  a  site  directly  north-west  of  the  present  edifice 
given  by  Albert  Smith,  M.D.,  who  also  improved  it  and  presented  the 
whole  as  a  free  gift  to  the  corporation. 


a  From  original  ilocurueut  In  possession  of  trustees. 


To  face  page  C77,  vol.  I. 


PEDIGREE  OF  ALLAIRE,  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


Arms,  a  bend  betw    three  stars  in  chief,  over  the  centre  star  a  crescent,  and  three  demi  spears  in  base.    Crest,  the  coronet  of  a  viscount  of  France. 


Pierre  Allaire,.  Jeanne  Delescone. 
1465.  |  


Pierre  Bard e= Jeanne  Allaire. 


Nicolas  Allaire^Jeanne  Beranger. 


Louis. .  

 I 


Perrette^Gideon.      Nicolas^Franqois  Zauran. 


Antoine= Esther  Breehellne.     Pierre^Jcanne  Brecheline.      Marie^Nicolas  Patlardi. 


iiii. 


Antoine„Jeanno 
Pajle. 


I  I  I  I  J 
5*  H      a  n 


W  M  K  ^ 
P       2-  o 


Reue=Marie  Van 
debris. 


Antoine==Marie   Louis=Jeanne    M  g  ; 
Iiequet. 


I  I  I 
>  W  > 


Rene=Susanne. 
Ozean. 


Margurite. 
Bode beck 
Nolandoise. 


Pierre, 
of  La 
Rocnelle. 


1  Marie. 

Livique. 
=2  Jeanne 
I  Godefroi. 


Antoine^Jeanne  Jean, 
Ttier- 
oulde. 


Jeanne 
Bornon. 


1 1*  L  w 


£  p  >§  g  5  2  D  2. 

« a     s  c 


I  i  ill 


Ramee 
Dolberon. 


I 

Alex,  16S0,: 
proprietor 
ol  Bartow 
property, 

New 
Roclielle. 


Two  Children. 


Jeanne  Do- 
cus  came  to 
N.  Y.  from 
Roclielle, 
France,cir. 
1699. 


Phillppe^Jeanne  Es- 
pangde. 


IIII 
J  p  e;  c 
5!S! 


1  J  I  I 
■fl  «<  t-1  w 

~-  P    rr  ~ 


faj  C,  C,  ^ 


3     £  fc1  "0  Louls_Ablja 

2  £  p  o  «  Smith. 

3  S  5  S  3 


Alex'r=l  Esther 


of  New 
Rocnelle. 


Clothworthy. 


2  Mary 
Lispenard. 


i  111 
Loui8=Marguerite  M  g 1  w  L 
Morln.      g  5  g  E. 

5  S 


IP  | 


>  J  i 


I  I  I 
>  W  W 


Benjamin 
Rachel 
Boice  of 
Antigua, 
1729. 


Plerre_ 
Mary 
Garland 


Andre 
Elizabeth 
Barbaree. 


I  IIII 

O  «n  D  T)  > 
P  gEfffJ 


P.  P  P  M 


>  3  g  & 


F    Anthony_Mary      TJytendale_Sarah  Peter_Frances 

Slmnnds.  Stmnnda  Wilmut 


w  d  op 
3,<*  i 


la'  ■  3apKpf s  I 

o      -  ^    g    2.  so 


Is 


>  ^  13  U  ^  ! 
g  g  f -  -  I  i 
2  t>  P 


o  Peter=Rebecca.  Mary. 


Ellzabeth=Charles 
Duncan. 


Andrew  =Cornella 
Broughton. 


Anthony  ^Margaret 


Alexander, 
Brown  of 
Jersey 


Maria      James  Peter 
Talmon.  proprietor  of 
Allaire 
Works,  N.  Y. 

Nat.  1705. 
Ob20tn  Mav 
1858. 


Frances  Elizabeth=  Samuel 
Duncan.  Palmer. 


Maria^  John 

Haggerty. 


CUicia^.Wood. 


Peter.  George 
Young 
N.  Jersey. 


Anthony     JameB  Peter 
Johnston        of  Ohio, 
of  N.Y. 


n.  Wl 


>t  D.  Maria  E.  Prances  C.e  David  D. 

Voorhees. 


s  g 


I  J  I 

*l  S"  SI 


m 


s;  p  s  c 

iss' § 

2>« 


Charles  =Hannah  E 
Smith. 


Throckmorton  A 


.Sarah  Stephen. 

I  ninls- 
berry. 


Marla=Thomas 

Andrews. 


Jane  Augusta. 


James  Peter.   Frances  Sarah. 


To  race  page  677,  vol.  I. 


Arms,  a  brnrl  betw  thrro 


I 

Louis_ 


CO  o  a  =-1 

S  =>"  E?  S 

Cfi  m  E;  O 

P  s?  2-  a 


SHgZ  Reue 
™  £  p  ' 
p- 

(S    (t    (B  ^ 


g  3 

ft  w 


oo 


«  2 


Marie  Van 
Uebris. 


Antoine, 


Antoine^Jeanne  J7 
Ther- 
oulde.  ' 


ED    "  —  r- 


=•-  g 


Antoine_  Jeanne 
Pajle. 


Jeanne. 


t-1  a  >  k  ^ 

g  o  &  »  ^ 


Z    W    p  fP 

Mil 


2  »  p  5  2 


Louis=y 
3 


s  - 


Louis, 


I   I    I   I  I  J   I  J 

Eft ll?ilirrle- 


LI 

Jeorge 


|  B  1  ouug 
I  Jersey. 


Anthony 
Johnston 
of  N.Y. 


James  Peter  _Susan.  \\  ilmot  P.  Maria  E. 
of  Ohio. 


Peter  Alen. 


rews. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


677 


This  Church,  which  was  formerly  attached  to  the  Bedford  Presbytery, 
is  now  in  connection  with  the  Presbytery  of  Westchester. 

In  this  part  of  the  town  are  situated  the  property  of  Rev.  Charles 
Hawley,  (the  old  Bayard  estate,)  and  the  late  Matson  Smith,  M.D.,  now 
occupied  by  his  son  Albert  Smith,  M.D.  Dr.  Matson  Smith  was  a 
native  of  Lyme,  Connecticut,  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1787 ; 
and  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  place,  and  for  more  than  half  a 
century  distinguished  for  his  high  professional  skill  and  attainments, 
being  for  many  years  president  of  the  Medical  Society  of  Westchester 
County.  He  was  a  man  of  strictly  religious  habits ;  and,  for  some  time, 
a  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

A  large  portion  of  land,  situated  in  this  vicinity,  constituted  the  old 


HOME  OF  JAMES  P.  HUNTINGDON,  ESQ. 


Allaire  estate,  purchased  by  Alexander  Allaire,  the  Huguenot,  in  169 1; 
letters  of  Denization,  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province  were  granted 
to  Alexander  Allaire,  Aug.  5th,  1695.  The  ancestors  of  the  Allaires 
claim  to  descend  from  the  famous  Baldwin,  King  of  Jerusalem,  who 
died  in  1 1 1 8,  and  possessed  a  fair  inheritance  in  France,  at  a  very  early 
period.  The  more  immediate  ancestor  of  the  family,  however,  was 
Pierre  Allaire  Ecuyer,  living  at  La  Rochelle,  in  1465.  Among  the  pas- 
tors of  the  French  Reformed  Church  in  1637,  was  the  Rev.  "  Paul  Al- 
lard,  a  Rocheller,  minister  of  the  Church  of  Sancerre."  Sometime  prior 
to  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  Alexander  Allaire,  fifth  in  de- 
scent from  the  fore  mentioned  Pierre  Allaire  Ecuyer,  who  was  bom  in 
France  in  1660,  fled  from  La  Rochelle  to  England,  and  soon  after  from 
thence  to  America.    He  also  owned  the  property  now  belonging  to 


678 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


James  Pitcher  Huntingdon,  Esq.  Among  the  inhabitants  of  this  town 
in  17 10,  were  Alexander  Allaire  and  Jane,  his  wife,  with  their  children, 
Peter,  Philip  Jean  and  Isaac.  Alexander  was  the  great  grandfather  of 
the  late  James  P.  Allaire,  proprietor  of  the  Allaire  Iron  Works  of  New 
York.  "  This  individual  long  occupied  a  high  place  in  the  ranks  of 
American  mechanics ;  and  the  excellent  steam  machinery  turned  out  at 
his  extensive  foundry  has  carried  his  name  to  every  part  of  the  world,  and 
made  him  famous  wherever  steam  is  known.  He  attained  the  ripe  age 
of  seventy-three  years ;  and,  in  the  course  of  his  prolonged  experience  in 
active  manufacturing  business,  won  universal  respect  and  esteem  from  all 
with  whom  he  came  into  connection."  "  He  died  on  Thursday  the  20th 
of  May,  1858,  at  the  Howell  Works,  Monmouth  County,  New  Jersey," 
and  his  remains  were  interred  among  those  of  his  ancestors  in  the  old 
French  burying  ground  in  this  place.  In  1710,  Alexander  Allaire  con- 
veyed to  Louis  G  uion  a  tract  of  forty  acres  in  New  Rochelle,  which  he 
had  formerly  sold  to  Theophilus  Forestier  of  New  Rochelle,  March  17th, 
1687. a  "  On  the  24th  of  September, -i  686,  Alexander  Allaire  conveys  to 
Peter  Barberie  a  tract  of  land  which  had  been  conveyed  to  him  by 
Marie  Graton,  widow  of  William  Cothonneau."* 

Near  the  western  extremity  of  the  village,  bordering  the  railroad,  is 
the  Beechwood  Cemetery  incorporated  January  30th,  1854.  This  pretty 
piece  of  wood  land  is  tastefully  laid  out  in  walks  and  drives.  It  was 
Albert  Smith,  M.D.,  who  first  observed  the  natural  availabilities  of  the 
location  in  1850,  and  soon  after  brought  it  to  the  notice  of  the  public. 

There  is  a  large  and  respectable  Methodist  Episcopal  society  in  the 
village  which  was  organized  Aug.  2  2d,  1791,  and  incorporated  the  same 
year,  Peter  Bonnett,  Sr.,  Benjamin  Morgan,  Thomas  Shute,  Gilbert 
Shute,  John  Bonnett  and  Ranson  Burtis,  first  trustees." 

The  Roman  Catholic  church,  the  Church  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament, 
is  a  fine  wooden  structure  erected  in  1873,  and  stands  fronting  on  Cen- 
tre Street,  to  which  is  attached  the  Roman  Catholic  chapel.  The 
present  minister  is  the  Rev.  Thomas  McLoughlin. 

The  Baptist  church  is  of  stone,  and  stands  on  the  corner  of  Maine 
Street  and  Locust  Avenue.  The  property  on  the  corner  of  Drake's 
Lane  and  Pelham  Road  belongs  to  the  Wright  family,  but  was  form- 
erly owned  by  the  late  William  Leggett,  Esq.,  for  many  years  the  able 
conductor  of  the  "Evening  Post."  Mr.  Leggett  died  in  1839,  soon  after 
his  appointment  to  the  Gautemala  Mission,  and  has  a  handsome  monu- 


a  Co.  Ucc.  of  Deeds,  vol.  E.,  p.  29. 
b  Co.  Hec.  of  Deeds,  vol.  P.,  p.  2. 
c  Religious  Societies,  Lib.  A.  p.  24. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  679 

ment  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  chnrch-yard  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
In  this  neighborhood  formerly  resided  Capt.  Samuel  Pintard,  the  son  of 
John,  and  grand-son  of  Anthony  Pintard,  who  came  originally  from  La 
Rochelle,  in  France,  and  settled  in  Shrewsbury,  New  Jersey.  Captain 
Samuel  Pintard  was  greatly  distinguished  for  his  services  in  the  Low 
Countries  in  1759.  "  At  the  battle  of  Minden  he  was  severely  wounded, 
and  afterwards  found  on  the  battle  ground,  wrapped  up  in  a  standard 
of  colors  which  he  had  captured  with  his  own  hands  from  the  enemy. 
He  subsequently  returned  to  this,  his  native  country,  full  of  honors  and 
wounds,  and  located  himself  on  the  Robert  Gallagher  estate,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Drake's  Avenue  and  Pelham  road.  His  brother,  Louis  Pintard, 
was  appointed  by  Washington,  Commissary  for  the  American  Prisoners 
in  New  York.  This  individual  occupied  the  Rumsey  property  in  New 
Rochelle.  There  were  two  other  brothers  of  this  family — Anthony,  of 
New  York,  and  John  Pintard ;  the  latter  was  the  father  of  the  late  ven- 
erable John  Pintard,  LL.D.,  whose  grandson,  Servoss,  formerly  resided 
in  this  town.  The  two  brothers,  Samuel  and  Lewis  Pintard,  married 
sisters  of  the  Stockton  family,  of  New  Jersey. 

The  estate  of  the  late  Charles  F.  Wright,  Esq.,  formerly  belonged  to 
Mr.  James  Bleeker,  son  of  Rutger  Bleeker,  mayor  of  the  city  of  Albany 
in  1828.  The  house,  which  has  been  greatly  improved  within  a  few 
years,  is  said  to  have  been  used  by  the  British  as  an  hospital  for  the 
wounded  soldiers  in  1776. 

The  Le  Count  family  still  occupy  a  portion  of  the  old  family  estate, 
situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  leading  to  the  village.  Guilliaume 
le  Coate  was  born  in  France  in  1658,"  and  Francis  le  Coate  was  bom 
in  France  in  1665,  and  fled  from  the  former  country  to  England  prior 
to  the  edict  of  Nantes.  On  the  17th  of  April,  1695,  Francis  le  Coate 
took  the  oath  of  allegiance  in  New  York.  In  September,  17 10,  the 
two  brothers  and  their  families  were  living  in  the  town  of  New  Ro- 
chelle— consisting  of  William  le  Coate,  Jr.,  bom  in  1694;  Hester  le 
Coate  and  Jean  le  Coate ;  Francis  le  Coate  and  Mar}-,  his  wife ;  Josiah 
le  Coate  and  Mary  le  Coate. 

Near  this  property  there  is  a  landing,  from  which  sail  several  sloops, 
trading  with  the  New  York  market 

The  Rhinelanders  were  also  extensive  land-holders  in  this  part  of  the 
town.  Bernard  Rhinelander  settled  on  the  place  now  owned  by  his 
great-grandson,  Philip  R.  UnderhilL  Esq.  The  father  of  Bernard- was 
Philip  Jacob  Rhinelander,  a  French-Protestant  refugee. 

The  steamboat  landing  is  delightfully  situated  about  half  a  mile 
a  In  the  Colloquy  of  valle  Luson  was  Thomas  Comte,  a  pastor-emeritus.— Quiet's  Synodicon. 


6  So 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WE8TCH ESTER. 


south-west  of  the  village,  on  a  small  wooded  island,  connected  with  the 
main  by  a  solid  stone  causeway  which  leads  to  the  dock  and  to  a  well- 
built  hotel  called  the  Neptune  House.  This  establishment  is  well  lo- 
cated, on  account  of  its  close  vicinity  to  the  Sound.  At  high  water,  the 
scenery  presented  in  front  of  the  hotel  is  altogether  unrivalled:  the 
harbor,  in  the  foreground ;  the  long  surface  of  the  waters,  stretching  five 
miles  across  to  Long  Island ;  the  winding  streams  of  the  creek  on  each 
side,  and  Davenport's  Neck  and  Island  around,  help  to  fill  up  the  laud- 
scape  ;  and,  in  addition  to  the  healthiness  of  the  spot,  give  it  advan- 
tages possessed  by  few  of  our  watering-places.  This  commodious  hotel 
has  been  lately  newly  furnished  throughout,  and  placed  under  compe- 
tent management.  The  grounds  contain  twenty  acres  of  land,  part  of 
which  is  a  beautiful  grove.  The  adjacent  island,  commonly  called 
Locust  Island,  was  formerly  owned  by  the  family  of  the  late  consul, 
John  William  Schmidt ;  but  it  has  lately  been  purchased  by  Mr.  J.  H. 
Starin  of  New  York,  and  is  now  called  Glen  Island  and  become  quite 
celebrated  as  a  place  of  resort  for  excursionists.  During  the  past  sum- 
mer several  thousand  people  landed  daily  and  enjoyed  its  many  attrac- 
tions and  amusements,  which  are  provided  to  suit  the  tastes  of  all. 

The  neighboring  waters  abound  with  bass  and  black-fish,  and  which 
last,  at  the  proper  season,  are  taken  in  large  quantities.    According  to 
the  old  rhyme  the  proper  season  is  indicated  by  the  chesnut  leaf,  for 
"  When  chesnut  leaves  are  as  big  as  thumb  nails, 

Then  bite  black-fish  without  fail ; 

But  when  chesnut  leaves  are  as  big  as  a  span, 

Then  catch  black-fish  if  you  can." 

The  size  of  the  black-fish  varies  from  seven  to  eight  pounds,  although 
some  have  been  taken  in  this  vicinity  weighing  eighteen  pounds.  The 
adjacent  bays  and  creeks  are  the  common  resort  of  innumerable  flocks 
of  wild  ducks.  Immense  numbers  of  these  birds  are  killed  annually, 
either  for  sale  or  domestic  use.  The  favorite  method  for  shooting  is 
technically  called  "lining,"  which  is  performed  in  the  following  manner: 
A  number  of  sportsmen  form  a  continuous  line  of  boats,  at  convenient 
distances  from  each  other,  directly  across  the  line  of  flight.  The  mo- 
ment the  ducks  rise  the  firing  commences  at  the  head  of  the  line,  and  is 
continued  in  succession  by  the  whole  chain  of  gunners.  In  this  way, 
hundreds  of  ducks  are  annihilated,  unless  they  happen  to  dash  through 
an  opening  in  the  line  of  boats,  when  they  are  sure  to  escape. 

Three  hundred  ducks  have  been  shot  by  one  individual  placed  in  the 
line.  The  species  commonly  killed  by  this  destructive  method  are  the 
long-tailed  duck,  commonly  called  the  squaw  or  old-wive,  (Anas  Glaci- 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  68 1 

alis,  Linn,)  and  the  velvet  duck,  commonly  called  the  coot,  (Anas  Fusca. 
Wil.)  Another  mode  is  by  means  of  decoys,  which  is  practised  until  the 
months  of  .April  or  May,  when  the  ducks  take  their  departure  to  the 
north. 

In  this  place  deserves  to  be  recorded  the  capture  of  an  enormous  tur- 
tle, upon  the  9th  of  Sept.,  1773.  "  On  Tuesday  a  turtle  of  an  enormous 
size  and  singular  form  and  marks  was  taken  with  a  harpoon,  by  Mr. 
Bleecker  and  some  others,  near  New  Rochelle.  His  length  is  eight  feet 
from  fin  to  fin,  and  seven  feet  three  inches  from  stem  to  stern.  He  is 
spotted  under  the  fore  fins  like  a  leopard,  and  discovered  amazing  swift- 
ness after  being  struck  by  the  harpoon.  He  had  been  seen  among  the 
rocks  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Rochelle,  but  was  not  known  till 
just  before  his  capture  to  be  a  turtle.  What  a  noble  repast  would  this 
prove  to  the  Blow-bladder  street  fraternity  in  London,  for  he  is  found  to 
be  upwards  of  800  cwt."° 

In  the  vicinity  of  New  Rochelle  the  waters  of  the  Sound,  or  "Manun- 
ketesuck"  are  studded  with  numerous  islands,  which  add  much  to  the 
beauty  of  the  surrounding  scenery.  The  opposite  shore  of  Long  Island, 
also,  forms  another  charming  addition  to  the  landscape — sprinkled  as  it 
is,  in  all  directions,  by  neat  farm  houses  and  villages. 

"The  Sound!  Oh!  how  many  delightful  reminiscences  does  the  name 
bring  to  our  recollection.  The  Sound  !  with  its  white  sand  banks,  and  its 
wooded  shores,  its  far  broad  bosom  covered  with  fleets  of  sails,  scudding 
along  in  the  swift  breeze  in  the  open  day,  and  its  dark  waves  rolling  and 
sweeping  in  whole  streams  of  phosphorescent  fire  from  their  plunging 
bows,  as  they  dash  through  it  in  the  darkness  of  midnight.  The  Sound ! 
redolent  with  military  story.  The  Sound !  overflowing  with  supernatural 
legend  and  antiquated  history."  "Are  there  not  the  '  Brothers,'  unnatu- 
ral that  they  are,  who,  living  centuries  together,  never  to  one  another 
have  as  yet  spoken  a  kindly  word,  and  the  great  savage  '  Executioners,' 
and  '  Throgs,'  and  '  Sands,'  and  '  Etons,'  all  throwing  hospitable  lights 
from  their  high  beacon  towers,  far  forward,  to  guide  the  wandering  ma- 
riner ;  and  the  'Devil's  Stepping  Stones,'  oe'r  which  he  bounded  when 
driven  from  Connecticut ;  and  the  great  rocks,  too,  inside  of  Flushing 
Bay,  on  which  he  descended,  shivering  them  from  top  to  bottom  as  he 
1  fell.  And  are  there-not  the  '  Norwalk  Islands,'  with  their  pines, — '  Old 
Sasco,'  with  her  rocks, — '  Fairweather,'  with  the  wild  birds'  eggs  deep 
buried  in  her  sands, — and  the  far-famed  fishing  banks  off  the  '  Middle 
Ground.'  Ay !  and  is  it  not  from  the  fierce  boiling  whirlpools  of  the 
'Gate'  to  '  Gardiners,'  and  the  lone  beacon  tower  of  '  Old  Montaukett.' 
a  Kivington'3  Gazette,  N.  Y.,  1773. 


632 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


one  continuous  ground  of  thrilling  lore  and  bold  adventure.  In  her 
waters  the  '  Fire  ship '°  glared  amid  the  darkness ;  her  phantom  crew, 
like  red  hot  statues,  standing  at  their  quarters,  as  rushing -onwards,  in 
the  furious  storm,  she  passed  the  shuddering  mariner,  leaving  comet- 
like long  streams  of  flame  behind.  Beneath  her  sands  the  red-shirted 
buccaneers  did  hide  their  ill-gotten, blood-bespotted  treasure.  Ay!  and 
'twas  on  her  broad  bosom  that  with  iron-seared  conscience,  sailed  that 
pirate,  fierce  and  bold — old  Robert  Kidd ;  and  to  this  very  day  his 
golden  hoards,  with  magic  mark  and  sign,  still  crowd  her  wooded 
shores."6 

Capt.  Kidd,  the .  notorious  freebooter,  whose  name  is  so  inseparably 
connected  with  these  shores,  appears  to  have  been  employed  by  the 
government  in  1696  to  suppress  the  buccaneers,  (at  that  time  very  nu- 
merous on  our  coast,)  "  from  the  knowledge  he  possessed  of  their  num- 
bers, strength,  and  places  of  resort."  In  1699  he  "returned  from  the 
East  Indies,  whither  he  had  sailed  after  making  several  unsuccessful 
cruises  on  the  American  coast ;  during  his  absence,  having  been  engaged 
in  the  very  practices  he  had  engaged  to  prevent.  This  result  appears 
to  have  been,  in  a  measure,  foreseen  by  the  provincials.  Governor 
F'.etcher,  writing  to  the  board  of  trade,  June  22,  1697,  says:  "One 
Captain  Kidd  lately  arrived  here,  and  produced  a  commission,  under 
the  great  seal  of  England  for  suppressing  of  piracy.  When  he  was  here 
many  flocked  to  him  from  all  parts — men  of  desperate  fortunes  and  ne- 
cessitous, in  expectation  of  getting  vast  treasures."  "  He  sailed  from 
hence  with  150  men,  as  I  am  informed;  a  great  part  of  them  are  of 
this  province.  It  is  generally  believed,  here,  they  would  have  money 
per  fas  a  nt  fief  as — that  if  he  miss  of  the  design  intended for  which  he  has 
commissioned,  it  will  not  be  in  Kid's  poK'cr  to  govern  snch  a  horde  of  men 
under  no  pay.  His  subsequent  career  is  well  known  ;  in  1699  he  was 
made  prisoner  in  Boston,0  sent  to  England,  and  there  executed  in 
1701.'"* 

.  The  following  ballad  (attributed  to  Kid,)*  pretends  to  set  forth  his 
veritable  history.    It  is  entitled — 


a  The  tradition  is,  that  she  was  taken  by  pirates,  all  hands  raardered  and  abandoned,  alter 
being  set  on  lire  by  the  buccaneers.  Some  accounts  state  that  a  large  white  horse  which  was 
on  board,  was  left  near  the  foremast  to  perish  in  the  names,  and  in  storms  of  peculiarly  ter- 
rific violence,  that  she  may  be  seen,  rushing  along  enveloped  in  lire,  the  horse  stamping  and 
pawing  at  the  heel  of  the  foremast,  her  phautoin  crew  assembled  at  quarters.— Oallopanumg 
A  merican  Scenery,  by  A.  B.  Sitliman. 

b  Oallop  among  American  Scenery,  bv  A.  B.  Silliman,  *>12. 

c  Hutchinson  says  (vol.  li.  119)  that  when  the  oitlcer  arrested  him  he  attempted  to  draw  his 
sword,  but  was  prevented  by  a  person  iu  company. 
(1  New  Jersey  Hist.  800.  Collect,  146. 

c  The  author  of  the  ballad  has  evldenUy  mistaken  the  Christian  name  of  the  pirate,  which 
was  William. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


683 


"Ye  LAMENTABLE  BALLAD  AND  Ye  TRUE  HISTORIE  OF  C  AP 
TAINTS  ROBERT  KIDD,  WHO  WAS  HANGED  IN  CHAINS  AT  EX 
ECUTION  DOCK,  FOR  PIRACY  AND '  MURDER  ON  Yk  HIGH 
SEAS." 


You  captains  bold  and  brave,  hear  our  cries,  hear  our  cries, 
You  captains  bold  and  brave,  hear  our  cries, 

You  captains  brave  and  bold,  tho'  you  seem  uncontroll'd, 
Don't  for  the  sake  of  gold  lose  your  souls,  lose  your  souls, 
Don't  for  the  sake  of  gold  lose  your  souls. 

My  name  was  Robert  Kidd,  when  I  sail'd,  when  I  sail'd, 

My  name  was  Robert  Kidd,  when  I  sail'd, 
My  name  was  Robert  Kidd,  God's  laws  I  did  forbid, 

And  so  wickedly  I  did,  when  I  sail'd, 

My  parents  taught  me  well,  when  I  sail'd,  when  I  sail'd, 

My  parents  taught  me  well,  when  I  sail'd. 
My  parents  taught  me  well  to  shun  the  gates  of  hell, 

But  against  them  I  rebelTd  when  I  sail'd. 

I  cursed  my  father  dear,  when  I  sail'd,  when  I  sail'd, 

I  cursed  my  father  dear,  when  I  sail'd, 
I  cursed  my  father  dear  and  her  that  did  me  bear, 

And  so  wickedly  did  swear,  when  I  sail'd. 

I  made  a  solemn  vow  when  I  sail'd,  when  I  sail'd, 

I  made  a  solemn  vow  when  I  sail'd, 
I  made  a  solemn  vow,  to  God  I  would  not  bow, 

Nor  myself  one  prayer  allow,  as  I  sail'd. 

I'd  a  Bible  in  my  hand  when  I  sail'd,  when  I  sail'd, 

I'd  a  Bible  in  my  hand  when  I  sail'd, 
I'd  a  Bible  in  my  hand  by  my  father's  great  command, 

And  I  sunk  it  in  the  sand  when  I  sail'd. 

I  murdered  William  Moore,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  murdered  William  Moore,  as  I  sad'd, 
I  murdered  William  Moore,  and  left  him  in  his  gore, 

Not  many  leagues  from  shore  as  I  sail'd. 

And  being  cruel  still,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd. 

And  being  cruel  still,  as  I  sail'd, 
And  being  cruel  still,  my  gunner  I  did  kill, 

And  his  precious  blood  did  spill,  as  I  sail'd. 

My  mate  was  sick  and  died  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

My  mate  was  sick  and  died  as  I  sail'd, 
May  mate  was  sick  and  died,  which  me  much  terrified, 

When  he  called  me  to  his  bedside  as  I  sail'd. 


He  calleth  upon 
the  captains. 


He  stateth  his 
name  and  acknowl- 
edged his  wicked- 
ness. 


He  beareth  wit- 
ness of  the  good 
counsel  of  his  par- 
ents. 


He  curseth  his  fa- 
ther and  his  mother 
dear. 


And  blaspheme- 
meth  against  God. 


He  barleth  the 
Good  Book  in  the 
sand. 


A  n  d  murdereth 
William  Moore. 


And,  also,  cruelly 
killeth  the  gunner. 


His  mate,  being 
about  to  die,  re- 
penteth,  and  warn- 
eth  him  lu  his  ca- 
reer. 


684 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


He  falleth  sicfc, 
aud  promiseth  re- 
pentance, but  for- 
gcttetli  his  vows. 


And  unto  me  he  did  say,  see  me  die,  see  me  die, 

And  unto  me  he  did  say  see  me  die, 
And  unto  me  he  did  say,  take  warning  now  by  me, 

There  comes  a  reckoning  day,  you  must  die. 

You  cannot  then  withstand,  when  you  die,  when  you  die, 

You  cannot  then  withstand  when  you  die, 
You  cannot  then  withstand,  the  judgments  of  God's  hand. 

But  bound  then  in  iron  bands,  you  must  die. 

I  was  sick  and  nigh  to  death,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  was  sick  and  nigh  to  death  as  I  sail'd, 
And  I  was  sick  and  nigh  to  death,  and  I  vowed  at  every  breath, 

To  walk  in  wisdom's  ways  as  I  sail'd. 


I  thought  I  was  undone  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  thought  I  was  undone  as  I  sail'd, 
I  thought  1  was  undone  and  my  wicked  glass  had  run, 

But  my  health  did  soon  return  as  I  sail'd. 

My  preentance  lasted  not,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

My  repentance  lasted  not,  as  I  sail'd, 
My  repentance  lasted  not,  my  vows  I  soon  forgot, 

Damnation's  my  just  lot,  as  I  sail'd. 


He  steereth  thro' 
Long  Island  and 
other  Sounds. 


I  steer'd  from  sound  to  sound,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 
I  steer  d  from  sound  to  sound,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  steer'd  from  sound  to  sound,  and  many  ships  I  found, 
And  most  of  them  I  buru'd  as  I  sail'd. 


He  chaseth  three 
ships  of  France. 


And,  also,  three 
ships  of  Spain. 


I  spy'd  three  ships  from  France,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 
I  spy'd  three  ships  from  France,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  spy'd  three  ships  from  France,  to  them  I  did  advance, 
And  took  them  all  by  chance,  as  I  sail'd. 

I  spy'd  three  ships  of  Spain,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 

I  spy'd  three  ships  of  Spain  as  I  sail'd, 
I  spy'd  three  ships  of  Spain,  I  fired  on  them  amain, 

Till  most  of  them  were  slain,  as  I  sail'd. 


H  e  boasteth  of 
his  treasure. 


I'd  ninety  bars  of  gold,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 
I'd  uinety  bars  of  gold,  as  I  sail'd, 

I'd  ninety  bars  of  gold,  and  dollars  manifold, 
With  riches  uncontroll'd,  as  I  sail'd. 


He  spieth  four 
teen  ships  in  pur- 
suit, and  surren- 
dered. 


Then  fourteen  ships  I  saw,  as  I  sail'd,  as  I  sail'd, 
Then  fourteen  ships  I  saw  as  I  sail'd, 

Then  fourteen  ships  I  saw  and  brave  men  they  are, 
Ah  !  they  were  too  much  for  me  as  I  sail'd. 


THE  TOWN  OK  NEW  KOCHELLE. 

Thus  being  o'crtaken  at  last,  I  must  die,  I  must  die, 

Thus  being  o'ertakeuat  last,  I  must  die, 
Thus  being  o'crtaken  at  last,  and  into  prison  cast, 

And  sentence  being  pass'd,  I  must  die. 

Farewell  the  raging  sea,  I  must  die,  I  must  die, 

Farewell  the  raging  main,  I  must  die, 
Farewell  the  raging  main,  to  Turkey,  France  and  Spain, 

I  ne'er  shall  see  you  again,  I  must  die, 

To  Newgate  now  I'm  cast,  and  must  die,  and  must  die, 

To  Newgate  now  I'm  cast,  and  must  die, 
To  Newgate  I  am  cast,  with  a  sad  and  heavy  heart, 

To  receive  my  just  desert,  I  must  die. 

To  Execution  Dock  I  must  go,  I  must  go, 

To  Execution  Dock  I  must  go, 
To  Execution  Dock  will  many  thousands  llock. 

But  1  must  bear  the  shock,  I  must  die. 

Come  all  you  young  and  old,  sec  me  die,  see  me  die, 

Come  all  you  young  and  old,  see  me  die, 
Come  all  you  young  and  old,  you're  welcome  to  my  gold, 

For  by  it  I've  lost  my  soul,  and  must  die. 

Take  warning  now  by  me,  for  I  must  die,  for  I  must  die, 

Take  warning  now  by  me,  for  I  must  die, 
Take  warning  now  by  me,  and  shun  bad  company, 

Lest  you  come  to  hell  with  me,  for  I  must  die, 

Lost  you  come  to  hell  with  me,  for  I  must  die." 

Smith,  the  historian,  observes,  "  that  it  is  certain  the  pirates  were 
frequently  in  the  Sound,  and  supplied  with  provisions  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Long  Island,  who,  for  many  years  afterwards,  were  so  infatuated  with 
a  notion,  that  the  pirates  buried  great  quantities  of  money  along  the 
coast,  that  there  is  scarce  a  point  of  land,  or  an  island,  without  the  marks 
of  their  auri  sacra  fames.  Some  credulous  people  have  ruined  them- 
selves by  their  researches,  and  propagated  a  thousand  idle  fables  current 
to  this  day,  among  our  country  farmers."6  There  is  a  tradition  that 
Kidd  buried  money  beside  a  rock  on  Huckleberry  Island.0 

Almost  every  boulder  and  erratic  block  in  this  vicinity  has  been  ex- 
amined by  the  gold  hunters  in  search  of  pirates'  money. 

On  the  opposite  shore  of  Long  Island  is  a  small  promontory  which 
runs  into  the  entrance  of  Hempstead  bay,  called  to  this  day,  Kidd's 

a  Oallop  among  American  Scenery,  by  a  A.  B.  Silliman. 
b  Smith's  Hist.  N.  T.  English  edition,  92. 

e  Amusing  stories  arc  related  of  the  goldhnnters  and  their  mode  of  conducting  operations, 
which  generally  resnlted  in  the  marvellous  revelations  of  Kidd  himself,  seated  on  bis  treasure, 
holding  a  drawn  sword. 


685 


He  biddeth  fare- 
well to  the  seas, 
and  the  raging 
main. 


He  exhorteth  the 
young  and  old  to 
take  counsel  from 
his  fate. 


And  declareth 
that  he  must  go  to 
hell,  and  be  pun- 
ished for  his  wick- 
edness. 


686 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


point,  "  upon  which  several  companies  of  diggers  for  Kidd's  money  have 
expended  much  time  and  labor.""  At  a  short  distance  from  the  village 
and  east  of  the  steamboat  landing,  is  Davenport's  Neck,  designated  in  the 
early  division  of  the  town  as  Leisler's  and  Le  Count's  Neck,  containing 
200  acres.  This  neck  subsequently  became  the  property  and  residence  of 
the  Lespinards — an  old  family  of  French  extraction,  claiming  descent 
from  the  ancient  noblese6  of  France.  Antoine  or  Anthony  Lispenard 
was  born  in  France  in  1643,  and  emigrated  to  the  West  Indies;  from 
thence  he  removed  to  America,  about  the  year  16S1,  with  the  Huguen- 
ots. He  finally  settled  at  New  Rochelle,  when  the  town  was  first  pur- 
chased of  John,  Lord  Pell,  in  1689,  and  died  some  time  in  July,  1696. 
The  will  of  Antonie  Lispenard,  of  New  Rochelle,  bears  date  July  5th, 
1696,  in  which  he  bequeaths  to  his  wife  Abigail  and  his  children — An- 
thony, Margaret  and  Abigail — all  his  estate  situated  upon  what  is  now 
known  as  Davenport's  Neck,  New  Rochelle.  His  son,  Anthony  Lis- 
penard, on  the  3d  of  November,  1705,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Leonard  de  Klyn,  of  New  York.  He  died  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
year  1758,  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving  issue  five  children,  viz :  Leon- 
ard, David,  Magdalina,  Abigail,  Mary,  and  three  grand-children — daugh- 
ters of  his  deceased  son  Anthony,  by  his  wife  Sarah  Barclay.  The  will 
of  Anthony  Lispenard  is  dated  Aug.  16th,  1755,  and  is  proved  Jan  3d, 
1 759.^  Leonard,  the  eldest  son  of  Anthony,  removed  from  New  Ro- 
chelle to  the  city  of  New  York  prior  to  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
was  assistant-alderman  of  the  North  Ward  from  1750  to  1755,  and  al- 
derman of  the  same  from  1756  to  1762.  He  married  Elsie  Rutgers, 
the  daughter  of  Anthony  Rutgers,  of  the  Kalck  Hook."  He  became  a 
very  prominent  citizen  of  New  York,  and  for  a  period  of  fifty  years  filled 
the  highest  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  In  1765  he  was  a  delegate  to  the 
first  Congress  of  the  American  Colonies,  held  in  New  York  on  the  7th 
of  October  of  that  year,  and  represented  the  Colony  of  New  York  with 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  Philip  Livingston,  John  Cruger  and  William 
Bayard.  From  1759  to  1768  he  was  a  representative  in  the  Colonial 
General  Assembly  of  New  York.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Convention  which  met  in  New  York  on  the  20th  of  April,  1775; 
and  on  the  23d  of  May,  1775,  was  a  deputy  to  the  first  Provincial  Con- 
gress of  New  York.    During  this  period  he  was  one  of  the  active  sons 

a  Geology  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  Tli.  No.  200,  p.  128. 

b  Family  tradition  says  that  the  Baroness  Lispenard  emigrated  from  the  West  Indies  to 
Hew  Yoik.   In  September,  1710,  Margct  Leppener,  (who  was  born  in  France  in  1644,)  with, 

her  two  children,  Anthony  and  Susanna,  were  living  at  Sew  Rochelle. 
c  This  will  was  proved  July  29,  1696.  Suit,  office,  N.  Y.,  Lib.  V.,  161. 
d  Suit,  office,  N.  Y.,  Lib.  XXI.  of  wills,  p.  m. 

<•  I  he  residence  of  Anthony  Rutgers  was  on  the  siteof  the  old  New  York  Hospital  grounds 
nonting  on  Broadway,  where  he  lived  for  many  years. 


OLD  MAP  OF  NEW  ROCTIELLE. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  6  8  7 

of  liberty  After  the  death  of  his  father-in-law,  (Mr.  Anthony  Rutgers,) 
in  1746  he  became  the  proprietor  of  that  portion  of  the  Rutger's  estate 
afterwards  known  as  the  "Lispenard  Meadows,"  then  in  the  outskirts 
of  the  city  where  he  erected  a  handsome  mansion  and  resided  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  on  the  14th  of  February,  1776.  The  following 
notice  of  his  demise  appeared  in  the  New  York  Journal  and  Weekly 
Register  for  February  18,  1790: — 

"Died,  on  Sunday  last,  at  his  seat  near  this  city,  greatly  lamented, 

LKONAKD  LlSPENAKD,  ESQ." 

His  remains  were  interred  in  the  family  vault  in  the  rear  of  Trinity 
church,  New  York,  near  the  south-west  corner  of  the  present  edifice, 
where  there  is  a  white  marble  slab  bearing  his  name.    Leonard  Lispen- 
ard had  three  children  by  his  wife  Elsie  Rutgers,  viz :  Anthony,  Leonard 
and  Cornelia.    The  latter  married  Thomas  Marston,  Feb.  5th,  1759- 
Their  daughter,  Alice  Marston,  married  Francis  B.  Winthrop,  April  2 2d, 
1779;  Their  grandsons  are  the  present  H.  R.  Winthrop  and  F.  B.  Win- 
throp •  the  latter  of  whom  now  resides  at  New  Rochelle.    The  three 
streets  which  were  cut  through  the  old  "  Lispenard  Meadows,"  in  New 
York,  viz:  Lispenard,  Leonard  and  Anthony,  (now  Worth,)  derive 
their  names  from  the  Lispenard  family,  which  is  now  believed  to  be  ex- 
tinct in  the  male  line.    The  old  family  mansion  on  Davenport's  Neck, 
formerly  stood  at  the  east  end  of  the  mill-pond.    Upon  the  17th  of 
April  1724,  we  find  the  freeholders  of  New  Rochelle  granting  to  An- 
thony Lispenard  a  portion  of  land  situated  on  the  Neck  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  a  grist  mill.    The  mill  was  soon  after  erected  on  the  east 
side  of  the  creek.  '  Among  the  Lispenard  papers  occurs  the  following 
receipt,  for  quit-rent,  from  Thomas  Pell,  brother  of  Joseph  Pell,  lord  of 
the  manor  of  Pelham : — 

"New  York,  Dec.  20th  day,  1742. 
"I  have  received  of  John  Lispenard,  the  sum  of  £8,  5s,  2d,  in  full,  for 
84  bushels  of  wheat,  34  lbs.  of  butter,  and  21  lbs.  of  cheese.      Thus.  Pell. 

The  Lispenard  cemetery  is  located  on  the  south  side  of  the  Neck, 
and  contains  several  memorials  to  this  family. 

In  1786  the  Neck  was  purchased  by  Newbury  Davenport,  father  of 
the  late  proprietors,  Lawrence  and  Newbury  Davenport,  Esq's.  Bonne- 
foy's  or  Bauffefs  Point,  situated  on  the  north-east  side  of  the  Neck,  has 
been  already  alluded  to  as  the  landing  place  of  the  French  Huguenots, 
about  1689.  A  further  interest  is  imparted  to  this  locality,  from  its 
being  the  spot  upon  which  the  first  house  in  this  town  was  erected  by 
the  Huguenots,  and  held  by  them  as  common  stock,  the  remains  of 


688 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


which  are  still  visible.*1  The  first  child  born  here  was  a  Guion.  There 
is  a  tradition  that  one  of  the  old  Huguenots,  who  daily  repaired  to  this 
place,  "  and  turning  his  eyes  in  the  direction  where  he  supposed  France 
was  situated,  would  sing  one  of  Marot's  hymns,  and  send  to  heaven  his 
morning  devotions ;  others  joined  him  in  these  pious  remembrances  of 
their  God,  and  of  their  beloved  climes  from  which  they  had  been  so 
cruelly  driven  by  the  merciless  fires  of  persecution."  It  is  more  than 
probable  that  the  Bonnefoy  family  gave  name  to  this  portion  of  the 
Neck.  The  name  of  Bonnefous,  or  Bonnefoy,  frequently  occurs  in  a 
history  of  the  French  Synods ;  for  at  the  Colloquy  or  Conference  oi 
Ronergus,  there  appeared  Peter  Bonnefous,  one  of  the  ministers  of  Mil- 
land  Cressel  and  Senerate ;  and  at  the  Colloquy  of  Sauragais,  appeared 
John  Bonnefous,  of  Pay  Laurens  and  Pechandier.  The  Coutant  fam- 
ily, of  New  Rochelle,  possess  the  Bonnefoy  Bible,  printed  at  Amsterdam, 
by 

Jean  Frederic  Bernard, 
Revue  et  corrigee  sur  le  texte  Grec  par  les 
Pasteurs  et  les  Professeurs  de  l'Eglise  de  Geneva. 

Davenport's  Neck,  which  has  a  fine  deep  water  front,  is  now  laid  out 
in  choice  building  sites  occupied  by  the  residences  of  the  late  T.  W. 
Thorne,  Honorable  Clarkson  N.  Potter,  Adrian  Iselin,  Robert  R.  Morris, 
W.  W.  Evans,  Robert  Edgar,  Montgomery  G.  Davenport,  son  of  the 
late  Lawrence  Davenport,  Esq.,  De  Lancey  Kane,  Daniel  Edgar,  and 
others.  This  neck  suffered  severely  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  both 
from  the  enemy's  shipping  and  the  incursions  of  the  whale  boit  men. 
Here  General  Knyphausen  landed  the  second  divison  of  Hessians  and 
the  Twenty-second  Regiment  of  Waldeckers,  October,  1776,  ten  days 
previous  to  the  battle  of  White  Plains.  On  the  Cedar  street  road,  near 
the  entrance  of  the  neck,  is  Rockton,  the  residence  of  Robert  C.  Fisher, 
which  commands  beautiful  views  of  the  neck  and  adjoining  waters. 

"  Castle  View,"  owned  by  the  estate  of  the  late  Simeon  Leland,  is  also 
in  this  neighborhood. 

On  the  property  of  David  Harrison,  Esq.,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  neck 
there  is  a  sloop  landing  and  place  of  business ;  near  the  outlet  of  what 
was  formerly  the  Crystal  Lake  stream,  stood  Jacob  Leisler's  mill  long 
since  removed.  Near  the  site  of  the  mill  a  spring  issues  out  of  the  bank, 
the  water  of  which  is  medicinaL  Many  people,  who  have  drunk  freely 
of  it,  have  found  great  relief ;  it  is  chiefly  useful  for  cutaneous  diseases. 

In  the  south-east  angle  of  the  town  are  located  the  premium  mills, 

a  A  cave  in  the  rocks  la  still  called  the  "old  fire-place,"'  from  the  lact  that  the  Ilugueuots 
built  their  first  Ores  here.  This  spot  now  belongs  to  A.  li.  Hudson. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


6S9 


property  of  the  late  P.  H.  Kellogg.  This  enchanting  spot  commands  a 
most  extensive  view  of  the  sound  and  adjacent  shores.  Many  of  the 
residences  in  this  vicinity  are  very  fine,  especially  that  of  John  Stephen- 
son. 

The  northern  road  from  New  Rochelle  to  the  White  Plains  divides 
the  ancient  farms  of  the  Huguenots.  These  were  originally  laid  out  in 
parallel  narrow  strips,  containing  each  from  fifty  to  sixty  acres,  and  dis- 
tinguished from  the  southern,  by  the  name  of  the  eastern  and  western 
divisions.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  had  double  lots,  and  some  from 
eight  to  ten,  amounting  to  four  or  five  hundred  acres  in  all. 

The  southern  division  of  the  town  was  also  laid  out  in  a  similar  man- 
ner, the  lots  running  from  the  south  side  of  the  Boston  turnpike  to  the 
Sound.  Among  the  descendants  of  the  ancient  proprietors  who  still 
occupy  the  original  strips  of  farms,  may  be  enumerated  in  the  west 
division,  the  Coutants ;  the  ancestor  of  this  Isaac  who  emigrated  from 
England  in  1689  was  John  Contant,  or  Couton,a  he  married  Susanna  Bon- 
nefoy,  and  left  issue  three  sons ;  of  these,  John,  the  eldest  was  the  father 
of  Isaac  Coutant.  In  a  list  of  the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  September 
9th,  17 10,  we  find  John  Couton  who  was  born  in  France,  in  1658; 
Susannah  Couton,  his  wife,  born  in  1660;  and  their  children,  John  Cou- 
ton, Junior,  Peter  Couton,  Judy  Couton  and  Hester  Couton.  A  large 
portion  of  the  Coutant  farm,  which  consisted  of  307  acres,  is  now  divided 
among  several  proprietors.  The  present  Coutant  residence  was  erected 
in  1769,  the  cemetery  in  1776. 

The  next  farm  was  occupied  by  the  Drakes  who  represent  the  Par- 
quots  or  Parcots.  Peter  Parcot  was  born  in  France  in  1663  and  was 
living  at  New  Rochelle  in  17 10,  and  Catherine,  his  wife;  their  children 
were  John  Parcot,  Andrew  Parcot,  Sarah  Parcot,  Judy  Parcot,  Hester 
Parcot.  The  Badeaus  still  occupy  the  original  farm  purchased  by  their 
ancestor,  Isaiah  Baddo,  who  was  born  in  France  in  1664.  In  1703 
occurs  the  name  of  Elie  Badeau  as  one  of  the  freeholders  of  New 
Rochelle.  In  17 10,  Isaiah  Baddo  and  his  wife,  Hester  Baddo,  Isaiah 
Baddo,  Junior,  Andrew  Baddo  and  Mary  Baddo  were  living  in  the  town 
of  New  Rochelle.  The  present  Albert  Badeau,  Esq.,  is  the  son  of  James, 
and  grandson  of  John,  whose  brother  was  the  above  mentioned  Elias, 
sons  of  Isaiah. 

The  Secors  were  another  of  the  western  division  of  the  ancient  pro- 
prietors. The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Ambrose  Secor,  or  Sycar,  a 
Protestant  refugee,  who  fled  from  France  in  168 1.    In  17 10  several  of 


a  At  the  Colloquy,  or  Conference  of  Annix  was  Isaac  Couiaai  pastor  of  Sales,  Tarra  and 
La  Jarrye-yinckSyuod,  TOE  ii.  p.  3iL 


69O        '       HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER.  ^ 

this  name  occur  in  a  list  of  inhabitants  in  the  town  of  New  Rochelle.0 
The  late  Louis  Secord,  a  lineal  decendant  of  Daniel  Sycar,  who  was 
born  in  France  in  1660,  was  the  first  discoverer  and  cultivator  of  the  well 
known  "  Lawton  Blackberry." 

In  the  east  division  of  the  town  are  the  Bonnett's,  already  alluded  to, 
and  the  Soulices  ;  the  ancestor  of  this  family  was  John  Soulice,&  a  native 
of  the  Pyrenese,  living  in  1672,  who  married  Jane  Curterrie,  a  native  of 
the  Rhine,  who  had  two  sons — Joshua  and  John.  John  was  born  in 
the  Pyrenese,  A  D.,  1692  ;  fled  from  the  persecution  of  the  Protestants 
in  France,  and  emigrated  to  America,  A.D.,  1700.  He  finally  settled 
in  New  Rochel'e,  and  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  Bonnett,  who 
was  born  in  France  in  the  year  1695.  They  had,  first,  John,  of  New 
Rochelle ;  secondly,  Daniel,  ancestor  of  the  Soulices  of  Nova  Scotia ; 
third.  Joshua,  who  married  Susannah  Guion  and  left  a  son  Joshua,  of 
New  Rochelle,  who  married  Mary  Bonnett,  great-grand-daughter  of 
Daniel  Bonnett,  the  Huguenot,  who  had  one  son — the  late  John  Soulice, 
Esq.,  of  Upper  New  Rochelle — whose  nephew,  Thomas  S.  Drake,  now 
occupies  the  property.  In  the  east  division  are  also  the  Scurmans ;  the 
ancestor  of  this  family  was  Frederick  Scurman,  who  was  born  in  France 
in  1630  ;  and  Mary,  his  wife,  bom  in  France  in  1640.  Mary  Scurman, 
Margaret  Scurman,  Jacob  Scurman,  Altia  Scurman,  Jacob  Scurman,  Jr., 
Miles  Scurman,  Alexander  Scurman,  Anne  Scurman,  and  Sarah  Scur- 
man ;  together  with  Frederick  Scurman,  born  in  France  in  1666;  Judy 
Scurman,  his  wife ;  Margaret,  Susannah,  Elizabeth  and  Isabelle,  all  ap- 
pear to  have  been  residents  in  New  Rochelle  in  17 10.  Frederick  Scur- 
man was  a  free-holder  in  this  town  in  1708. 

In  the  southern  division  of  the  town,  were  the  Guions,  LeCounts 
and  the  Rhinelanders,  already  alluded  to,  and  the  Fflandreaus  or  Fflan- 
ders.  James  Fflanders,  a  native  of  France,  in  1664,  appears  as  a  resi- 
dent of  this  town  in  17 10,  together  with  Catherine,  his  wife,  and  their 
children,  James,  Jr.,  Peter  and  Betty.  The  name  of  James  Flandreau 
is  attached  to  the  list  of  church-members,  in  1743.  The  farm  of  the 
late  Nehemiah  Purdy,  in  the  eastern  division  of  the  town,  formerly  be- 
longed to  Frederick  Bevoe,  who  is  styled  "  yeoman  "  in  the  records. 
This  individual  was  indicted  for  treason  10th  November,  1780,  and 
judgment  signed  5th  July,  1783;°  whereupon  the  farm  was  conveyed 
o  See  Bcarsdale, 

b  The  following  entries  are  made  in  the  Soulice  Family  Bible,  "written  in  New  Rochelle, 
by  John  Soulice,  Sen : "  "  The  7th  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord.  1737,  there  was  an 
earthquake  which  was  terrible  -which  never  was  known  in  America  before ;  it  began  about 
10  o'clock  at  night,  and  so  continued  to  be  heard  at  times  very  loud,  until  the  middle  of  March 

following  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  Christ  1741,  the  Sound  was  frozen  over  from  New  Ito- 

chelle  unto  Long  Island  until  19th  of  March." 

c  A  record  of  judgments,  under  the  Confiscation  Act,  in  possession  of  George  n.  Moore, 
Of  New  York. 


» 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  691 

under  the  confiscation  act,  by  the  State  government  act,  to  the  notorious 
Thomas  Paine,  for  services  he  had  rendered  the  country  during  the  Rev- 
olutionary struggle  for  independence.  This  remarkable  man  was  the 
son  of  a  Quaker,  a  stay-maker  by  trade,  and  was  born  at  Thetford,  Nor- 
folk, England,  in  1737.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  an  attor- 
ney— herself  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England.  In  her  religious 
principles,  the  son  appears  to  have  been  educated ;  for  we  find  he  was 
confirmed,  at  the  usual  age,  by  the  Bishop  of  Norwich.  After  leaving 
school,  (at  the  early  age  of  thirteen,)  Paine  embraced  his  father's  trade 
as  a  stay-maker,  in  which  he  continued  five  years.  He  next  ventured 
on  a  sea-faring  life.  In  1759  he  again  established  himself  in  stay-mak- 
ing, and  married  his  first  wife,  Mary  Lambert,  who  died  the  next  year, 
in  consequence  of  his  bad  treatment  of  her. 

T>vo  years  after  this,  he  obtained  a  place  in  the  excise,  from  which  he 
was  twice  expelled  for  mal-practices.  In  1771  he  married  his  second 
wife,  Elizabeth  Olive,  from  whom  in  three  years  he  obtained  a  divorce. 
In  1774  he  composed  his  first  production,  (an  election  song,)  for  which  he 
obtained  three  guineas.  The  great  Franklin  found  him  a  garret  writer  in 
London,  and  was  the  first  person  who  advised  him  to  come  to  this  country. 
In  Philadelphia,  under  the  auspices  of  such  men  as  Rush,  Franklin  and 
others,  he  prepared  and  published  his  "  Common  Sense  j "  a  work  which 
appears  to  have  been  well-timed,  and  calcuated  to  rouse  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  brave  asserters  of  independence.  As  a  work  of  merit,  it  was  well 
suited  to  the  times  in  which  it  was  first  published;  but,  as  his  own  biog- 
rapher remarks,  "  it  is  defective  in  arrangement,  inelegant  in  diction, 
with  a  few  exceptions  showing  little  profundity  of  argument,  no  facility 
of  remark,  no  extent  of  research,  and  no  classical  allusion,  and  cannot 
be  appealed  to  as  authority  on  government."  Its  popularity  was  owing 
entirely  to  the  critical  juncture  of  the  times. 

He  afterwards  published  his  "  Crisis."  In  1777  he  was  elected  secre- 
tary to  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs,  from  which  office  he  was  dis- 
missed, in  1779,  for  a  scandalous  breach  of  trust;  and  this  was  decreed 
by  the  assembled  wisdom  of  the  States.  About  this  period,  the  State 
of  New  York  presented  the  farm  which  he  afterwards  occupied. 

In  1787  he  formed  the  design  of  producing  a  revolution  in  England, 
his  native  country.  At  this  time  the  infidels  of  France  were  ripening 
their  plots  in  Paris ;  Paine  joined  with  them,  and  viewed  with  rapture 
the  rising  revolution  in  England.  His  infidel  and  revolutionary  princi- 
ples were  opposed  by  the  powerful  and  eloquent  Burke,  who,  with  other 
noble-mmded  coadjutors,  crushed  the  revolution  in  that  country,  and 
sentenced  Paine  as  an  outlaw. 


0 


693  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 

To  promote  the  "revolution  of  the  world,""  he  published  his  "Age  of 
Reason,"  well  entitled  a  complete  piece  of  ribaldry. 

As  a  companion  of  the  blood-thirsty  Robespierre,  we  find  him  next 
sitting  on  the  trial  of  the  innocent  Louis. 

He  was  subsequently  confined  in  the  dungeons  of  Paris,  where  he  had 
a  narrow  escape  of  his  life.6 

In  1796  he  published  his  letter  to  General  Washington,  which  con- 
tained a  causeless,  ungrateful,  virulent  and  useless  attack  on  one  of  the 
best  of  men. 

Shortly  after  this,  he  was  expelled  from  the  society  of  his  fellow  in- 
fidels, and  a  second  time  committed  to  prison.  He  now  deemed  it  ex- 
pedient to  fly  to  America,  taking  under  his  charge  a  lady  named  Madame 
Bonneville,  and  her  three  sons.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  New  York,  we  find 
him  in  possession  of  the  farm  at  New  Rochelle.  A  portion  of  the  house 
in  which  he  lived  (at  this  period)  is  still  standing  :  here  he  had  a  small 
room,  the  furniture  of  which  embraced  a  miserable  straw  bed,  deal  table 
a  chair,  Bible,  and  jug  of  spirituous  liquors.  His  breakfast  table  is  thus 
described  by  an  eye  witness  (Mr.  Carver) :  "  The  table-cloth  was  com- 
posed of  newspapers  !  on  it  was  a  tea-pot,  some  coarse  brown  sugar,  part 
of  a  rye  loaf,  and  quarter  of  a  pound  of  butter.'"-' 

As  to  Tom  Paine's  drunkenness,  which  has  been  stoutly  denied,  we 
have  the  following  proof. 

A  writer  in  one  of  the  daily  papers  said  of  Paine's  habits  : 

"  The  stories  of  his  drunkenness  and  licentiousness  arc  the  wicked  invention  of 
the  clergy  whose  path  he  has  dared  to  cross,  and  who  only  refrain  from  practic- 
ing the  abominable  cruelties  of  past  ages  upon  those  who  differ  from  them — not 
because  of  want  of  will,  but  because  their  strength  is  shorn." 


n  The  "  Revolution  of  the  World  "  was  a  toast  given  by  Paine  at  a  public  meeting  in 
Loudon. 

b  •'  One  evening  (says  Grant  Thorburn)  Mr.  Paine  related  tome  the  following  anecdote  He 
said  it  was  in  the  reigu  of  Robespierre,  when  every  republican  that  the  monster  could  get  in 
his  power  was  cut  down  by  the  knife  of  the  guillotine.  Paine  was  in  the  dungeon,  and  his 
name  was  on  the  list,  with  twenty -four  others,  ordered  for  execution  next  morniug.  It  was 
customary  for  the  clerk  of  the  tribunal  to  go  through  the  cells  at  night,  and  put  a  e-os/with 
chalk  on  the  back  of  the  door  of  such  as  were  to  be  guilloline.l.  In  the  moi  uiuj;,  when  the 
executioner  came  with  his  guard,  wherever  they  found  a  chalk,  the  victim  was  brought  forth. 
There  was  a  long  passage  in  the  cellar  of  this  Bastile,  having  a  row  of  cells  on  each  side  con- 
tatulngtbe  prisoners;  the  passage  was  secured  at  each  end,  but  the  doors  of  the  cells  were 
left  open  through  the  day,  and  the  prisoners  stepped  into  one  another's  rooms  to  converse. 
Paine  had  gone  into  the  next  cell,  and  left  his  own  door  open  back  to  the  wall,  thus  having 
the  door  inside  out  Just  then  came  the  chalkcrs,  and  probably  being  drunk,  crossed  the  in- 
side of  Paine's  door.  Next  morning,  when  the  guard  came  with  an  order  to  bring  ant  twenty- 
four,  and  finding  only  twenty-three  chalks,  (Paine  being  iu  b  d  and  the  door  shut,)  th>'y 
took  a  prisoner  from  the  further  end  of  the  passage,  and  thus  made  up  the  number ;  so  \i 
Paine  esoaped.  Before  the  mistake  was  discovered,  or  about  Jforty-eight  hours  after,  a 
Stroager  party  than  Robespierre's  cut  off  Ma  head  and  about  thirty  of  his  associates — so 
Paine  was  set  at  liberty ;  and  being  afraid  to  trust  his  head  among  the  good  republicans  for 
wh  KB  ho  had  written  so  much,  he  made  tho  best  of  his  way  to  this  couutry."— Reminiscences 
0/  (trant  Thorburn. 

c  Abridged  from  Chutham's  Life  of  Paine. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


693 


The  Rev.  J.  D.  Wickham,  D.D.,  replies  to  this  statement  as  follows: 

"The  writer  of  this  communication  was  more  than  fifty  years  ago  a  resident 
of  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.,  where  the  body  of  Paine  was  buried.  His  grave  was 
in  one  corner  of  a  farm,  which,  having  being  confiscated  as  the  property  of  a 
Tory  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  had  been  presented  to  Paine  by  the  State 
of  New  York  for  his  patriotic  service  in  aid  of  the  Revolution.  A  monument, 
erected  by  friendly  hands,  marked  the  place  of  burial.  His  bones  had  not  then 
been  removed,  as  they  afterwards  were,  to  England,  for  no  good  object  on  the 
part  of  those  who  under  cover  of  the  night  disinterred,  boxed,  and  carried  them 
away.  On  this  farm  he  spent  his  latter  days  with  a  solitary  female  attendant.  I 
have  heard  the  physician  who  visited  him  describe  the  condition  in  which  he  was 
accustomed  to  find  his  patient,  and  to  which  his  vicious  habits,  and  especially 
his  habitual  drunkenness,  had  reduced  him.  This  he  represented  as  revolting  to 
his  sensibilities,  making  even  his  necessary  calls  to  prescribe  for  his  relief  ex- 
ceedingly unwelcome  and  repulsive.  This  physician  was  an  esteemed  elder  in 
the  church  of  which  I  was  at  that  time  pastor,  highly  regarded  not  only  for  skill 
in  his  profession,  but  as  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  unimpeachable  veracity. 
He  has  been  dead  many  years.  But  the  name  of  Matson  Smith,  M.D.,  is  still 
held  in  honored  rememberance  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  grandson,  Rev.  Mat- 
son  Meier  Smith,  D.D.,  it  is  stated,  is  about  to  remove  from  Hartford,  Ct.,  to 
Philadelphia,  to  be  a  professor  in  the  Episcopal  Divinity  School.  The  animus 
of  the  article,  which  the  above  statement  is  intended  to  contradict,  appears 
plainly  in  the  article  itself.  While  the  audacity  of  its  aspersions  forbids  the  hope 
that  the  eulogist  himself  will  acknowledge  his  error,  it  is  proper  that  others,  who 
might  else  be  misled  by  it,  should  understand  that  the  real  motive  to  this  per- 
version of  the  facts  of  history  must  have  been  iiatred  of  Christianity,  and  espec- 
ially of  its  ministers,  the  clergy  of  all  denominations."" 

The  subsequent  career  of  this  unfortunate  man  is  well  known.  On 
the  Stli  of  June,  1809,  Thomas  Paine  breathed  his  last,  aged  seventy-two 
years  and  five  months.  Shortly  after  his  decease  his  body  was  brought 
up  from  New  York,  in  a  hearse  used  for  carrying  the  dead  to  Potter's 
Field,  a  white  man  drove  the  vehicle,  accompanied  by  a  negro  to  dig 
the  grave.  The  body  was  interred  on  the  farm  near  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent monument.  The  following  lines  are  said  to  have  been  uttered  im- 
promptu by  an  old  colored  man  named  Jack  Hull  over  the  remains  of 
the  notorious  Thomas  Paine,  author  of  "  The  Rights  of  Man  "  and  "Com- 
mon Sense,"  at  the  open  grave : 

"  Poor  Tom  Paine !  here  he  lies, 
Nobody  laughs  and  nobody  cries, 
Where  he's  gone  and  how  he  fares, 
Nobody  knows  and  nobody  cares." 

In  1 81 9  the  remains  of  Paine  were  disinterred  by  William  Cobbett, 


a  New  York  Observer. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


and  conveyed  to  England.  Among  the  household  goods  and  chattels 
of  the  late  William  Cobbett,  was  found  a  box  of  bones. 

The  site  of  his  grave  has  been  recently  purchased  by  his  friends,  and 
a  handsome  marble  monument  erected  upon  it.  On  the  side  f?xing  the 
road  is  a  medallion  likeness,  beneath  which  is  inscribed : 

THOMAS  PAINE, 
author  of 
"Common  Sense." 

In  the  northern  part  of  this  town  is  situated  the  hamlet  of  Upper 
Rochelle  containing  a  Methodist  church,  a  school  house,  two  stores  and 
several  dwellings.  The  high  grounds  in  its  vicinity  command  extensive 
prospects  of  the  surrounding  countiy  and  of  the  Sound.  At  Cooper's 
Corners  in  this  part  of  the  town  stands  St.  John's  church,  Wilmot,  erected 
in  i860,  on  land  given  by  Daniel  T.  Cox  at  a  cost  of  $1100.  At  first  it 
was  a  chapel  of  ease  to  Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle.  The  following 
gentlemen  were  trustees,  John  Soulice,  Clarke  Davis  and  Townsend  Cox, 
Jr.  The  first  election  for  wardens  and  vestrymen  took  place  on  the 
8th  day  of  December,  i860  ;  Townsend  Cox  and  Charles  F.  Alvord, 
wardens ;  John  Soulice,  Clarke  Davis,  Nicholas  Stephens,  James  F.  Cox, 
Andrew  D.  Archer,  William  H.  Underhill,  William  Cornell  and  Charles  V. 
Morgan,  vestrymen.  The  Rev.  John  W.  Moore  was  called  as  officiat- 
ing minister.  The  bell,  weighing  306  pounds,  was  presented  by  Mr. 
Townsend  of  New  York  City. 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS  OF  ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH, 

WILMOT. 

Name,  Called,  Resigned,         No.  of  Years. 

Johx  W.  Moore,  of  Min.    Feb.  1860.   1 

John  W  Moore,  Rector.    Jan.  16,  1861.  May,  1861.  6  mos. 

David  Doremus,       "       May  4,  1861.  May  27,  1864.  4 

Samuel D.  Denmson,  O.M.June  1,  1864.  April,  1865.  1 

Angus  M.  Ives.  "    April,  1865.  Deceased,  April,  1880. 

St.  John's  church  was  formally  united  with  the  Diocesan  Convention 
first  Wednesday  in  November,  1861,  and  was  consecrated  November 
17,  1 86 1.  In  the  possession  of  George  I.  Davis,  of  Upper  Rochelle,  is 
a  curious  painting  in  oils,  representing  Major  John  Andre  "waiting  his 
doom  when  in  prison."  This  picture  formerly  belonged  to  Mr.  Ball, 
residing  in  Bethany,  Conn.,  whose  daughter  Statira  married  Mr.  Tru- 
man Davis  The  picture  represents  Andre  seated  in  a  chair  in  military 
costume,  his  left  hand  reclining,  the  right  resting  on  a  small  round 


THE  TOWN  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


695 


table,  upon  which  lies  an  ink-stand  ;  the  hair  is  of  a  dark-brown  color, 
tied  up  with  a  queue ;  in  the  back-ground  is  represented  a  river,  bor- 
dered by  hills;  a  figure  on  horse-back  (supposed  to  be  Washington) 
riding  among  the  tents.  In  the  possession  of  Mr.  Davis  is  a  letter  writ- 
ten by  General  Washington,  and  his  picture,  together  with  a  lock  of  his 
hair.    We  give  the  letter  entire. 

State  of  New  York,  August  10th,  1782. 

Gentlemen: — 

The  Masoiiick  ornaints  which  accompanied  your  Brotherly  address  of  the 
23d  of  January  last,  though  elegant  in  themselves,  were  rendered  more  valuable 
by  the  flattering  sentiments  and  affectionate  manner  in  which  they  were  pre- 
sented. 

If  my  endeavors  to  avert  the  evil  with  which  this  Country  was  threatened  by  a 
deliberate  plan  of  Tyrrauy,  should  be  crowned  with  the  success  that  is  wished, 
the  praise  is  due  to  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe  ;  who  did  not  see  St  to 
suffer  his  superstructures  and  justice  to  be  subjected  to  the  Ambition  of  the 
Princes  of  this  World— or  the  rod  of  oppression,  in  the  hands  of  any  person  upon 
Earth. 

For  your  affectionate  views,  permit  me  to  be  grateful ;  and  offer  mine  for  true 
brothers  in  all  parts  of  the  world ;  and  to  assure  you  of  the  sincerity  with  which 
I  am  Y'rs, 

Messrs.  Watson  &  Cosson,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

East  of  Nantes. 

The  picture  has  on  the  reverse  the  following  lines : — 

The  god-like 
WASHINGTON, 
Died  14th  December,  1799. 
All  America  in  tears. 

"  The  within  is  the  best  likeness  I  have  seen.  The  hair  is  off  his  own  head — 
this  will  increase  its  value  with  time.  It  is  my  earnest  request  this  may  be  pre- 
served to  succeeding  generations.  The  hair  was  presented  to  me  by  Major  Bil- 
lings, Com.  army.  E.  Watson." 

CERTIFICATE. 

"This  may  certify  that  the  within  hair  was  enclosed  by  General  Washington 
in  a  letter  to  me,  dated  Newburgh,  June  13,  as  his  own  hair. 

"Jan.  1,  1810.  And'w  Billings." 

From  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  New  Rochelle 
appears  to  have  suffered  considerably  from  the  incursions  of  the  enemy 
and  their  emissaries.  On  the  18th  of  October,  1776,  Lord  Howe,  the 
British  commander,  took  post  in  the  village ;  General  Washington  occu- 
pying the  intermediate  heights  between  the  two  rivers.  Whilst  in  New 
Rochelle,  the  enemy  were  joined  by  the  second  division  of  Germans, 
under  the  command  of  General  Knvphausen,  and  by  an  incomplete 


696  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

regiment  of  cavalry  from  Ireland,  some  of  whom  had  been  captured  on 
their  passage. 

The  Scotch  Highland  Battalion  occupied  the  heights  of  New  Ro- 
chelle.  From  this  place  both  armies  moved  toward  White  Plains,  on 
the  25th  of  October,  1776.  Upon  the  29th  of  January,  1777,  General 
Wooster's  division  was  ordered  to  New  Rochelle.6  At  the  east  end  of 
the  viliage,  a  severe  skirmish  took  place  between  a  body  of  American 
light  horse,  under  Colonel  Moyland,  and  the  Queen's  Rangers,  com- 
manded by  Lieut.  Colonel  Simcoe/  In  this  affair,  Colonel  Moyland 
greatly  distinguished  himself  by  beating  off  the  enemy,  (who  far  out- 
numbered him,)  and  making  good  his  retreat  to  Horse  Neck. 

The  lands  of  this  town  are,  in  general,  level  and  stony;  but  the  soil  is 
very  productive,  and  much  of  it  is  a  wet  loam  or  clay,  good  for  grass. 
The  soil  is  also  very  propitious  to  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees  of  all 
kinds.  Most  of  its  unimproved  lands  are  covered  with  wood  and 
timber:  these  lie  principally  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  town. 
On  the  highlands  grow  chestnut,  oak  and  hickory;  on  the  lower  grounds 
— ash,  birch,  maple,  elm,  pine  and  hemlock,  &c.  It  is  also  sufficiently 
watered  by  springs  and  brooks.  New  Rochelle  furnishes  an  extensive 
list  of  minerals.  Among  the  most  important  may  be  mentioned  quartz, 
drusy,  calcedony,  agate,  jasper,  serpentine  of  almost  every  variety,  and 
chromate  of  iron.  Hydrate  of  magnesia  and  carbonate  of  magnesia, 
compact  and  crystalline,  are  also  found  here,  according  to  Mr. 
Mather. rf  There  are  several  islands  in  the  Sound  attached  to  this  town ; 
among  others  may  be  enumerated  Goat,  Maskett's,  Hurtleberry,  Hew- 
let's,  Locust,  Pea  and  Vaucluse  Islands. 

a  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  vol.  i:p.  Ill 
b  Heath's  Mem.  113. 

c  Subsequently  Governor-General  of  Canada. 
d  See  Geological  Survey  of  N.  Y.  1810. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 


The  township  of  North  Castle  is  situated  six  miles  North  of  White 
Plains,  thirty-six  from  New  York,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  from 
Albany — bounded  North  by  New  Castle  and  Bedford,  East  by  Pound- 
ridge,  South-easterdly  by  the  State  of  Connecticut  and  the  town  of  Har- 
rison, and  West  by  Mount  Pleasant.  The  tradition  is  that  the  town 
acquired  its  present  name  from  an  Indian  palisaded  fort  or  castle  that 
once  stood  near  the  residence  of  Benjamin  A.  Birdsall  a  short  dis- 
tance south  from  the  village  of  Armonk.  By  the  Indians  it  was  emphat- 
ically styled  "  Wampus's  Land,"  while  that  portion  of  the  town  situated 
east  of  the  Byram  River  was  called  by  the  first  white  settlers  the  "White 
Fields," — a  name  derived  from  the  white  Balsam,  (Gnaphalium  Margaret- 
accum  of  Linnaeus.)  The  whole  town  (including  New  Castle)  is  fre- 
quently denominated  in  the  colonial  records,  the  "  Liberty  of  North 
Castle."  The  present  township  was  organized  on  the  7  th  of  March, 
1788.° 

From  the  general  tenor  of  the  Indian  grant  made  to  Nathaniel  Tur- 
ner of  Quinnepeac  (New  Haven)  in  1640,  we  infer,  that  the  greater  part 
of  the  lands  originally  belonged  to  the  Indian  sachems,  Ponus  and  Was- 
cussue.  At  this  early  period,  however,  the  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of 
making  repeated  and  almost  unlimited  grants  of  land  into  the  "  wilder- 
ness," as  they  termed  the  interior  of  the  country.  Thus,  we  have  Shana- 
sockwell's  grant  to  the  people  of  Rye  in  1660,  which  extended  twelve 
miles  north  of  the  Sound;  also  the  same  year,  the  Indian  sale  to  John 
Richbell,  of  Mamaroneck,  running  twenty  miles  north  of  the  Sound.  In 
1695  the  lands  west  of  the  Byram  appear  to  have  belonged  to  the  Sachems 
— Wampus,  Cornelius,  Coharnitt,  and  others ;  while  the  territory  west  of 


o  Laws  of  New  York. 


New  Castle  was  set  off  from  North  Castle  111 1791. 


697 


698 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


the  Mehanas  River,  and  south  of  Catonah's  land,  (Bedford,)  was  in  a  pecu- 
liar manner  the  domains  of  Serrinqua,  or  Sorringoe. 

The  principal  Indian  village  in  this  town  was  situated  upon  the  north- 
ern bank  of  Rye  Pond.  On  ploughing  the  ground  (in  this  vicinity)  a 
few  years  ago,  extensive  "  beds  of  clam  shells  "  were  discovered  beneath 
the  soil.  These,  together  with  Indian  utensils  found  there,  prove  this 
was  a  favorite  place  of  resort.  From  this  spot  are  some  charming  views, 
both  of  the  pond  and  surrounding  hills.  There  are  also  some  vestiges 
of  Indian  villages  on  the  banks  of  the  Armonck  (Byram  Lake.)  A  variety 
of  Indian  weapons — such  as  Indian  anchors,  manufactured  of  stone,  and 
large  pestles,  axes,  and  arrow  heads  of  the  same  material,  have  been 
likewise  found  in  this  neighborhood. 

The  Indian  burying  ground  is  situated  near  Wampus  Pond."  In  the 
south-east  angle  of  the  town  is  a  beautiful  hill,  generally  known  by  the 
name  of  Mount  Misery,6  which  acquired  its  present  appellation  from  the 
fact  that  a  large  body  of  Indians  were  surprised  and  cut  to  pieces  here 
by  the  Huguenots,  in  retaliation  for  a  descent  upon  New  Rochelle. 

From  the  summit  of  this  mount,  (which  is  between  two  and  three 
hundred  feet  above  the  valley,)  on  a  clear  day,  may  be  seen  the  distant 
mountains  beyond  the  Hudson,  the  hills  of  North  Castle  and  Green- 
burgh,  the  village  of  White  Plains,  the  country  bordering  the  Soun1.  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  stretch,  and  the  Bronx  meandering  through  a  rich  and 
fertile  valley — the  tout  ensemble  forming  a  scene  truly  beautiful  and 
romantic.  On  the  brow  of  the  hill  are  the  remains  of  a  small  fortification. 

We  have  already  shown  that  the  Indian  grant  of  1640  embraced  a 
large  proportion  (perhaps  the  whole)  of  the  present  town.  Some  of  these 
lands  must  have  subsequently  reverted  to  the  aborigines;  for  in  1660  we 
find  the  Indians  again  releasing  them  to  John  Richbell,  of  Mamaroneck. 
Upon  the  19th  of  October,  1696,  Caleb  Heathcote  obtained  a  further 
release  from  the  Indian  sachems,  Wampus,  Patthunck,  and  others,  "  of 
all  that  tract  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  in  the  County  of  Westches- 
ter, &c. ;  bounded  north  by  Croton  River,  easterly  with  Byram  River 
and  Bedford  line,  northerly  by  the  land  of  John  Harrison  and  his  as- 
sociates, and  the  line  stretching  to  Byram  River  aforesaid,  and  westerly 
by  the  land  of  Frederick  Philipse.""  The  above  sale  included  the  west 
patent  of  North  Castle.  Caleb  Heathcote  had  previously  obtained  a 
patent  right  from  Mrs.  Anne  Richbell  to  purchase  lands  "  which  were 
already  included  in  her  husband's  deed  of  1660." 


a  Testimony  of  Mr.  Sands. 

b  Testimony  of  Mr.  Merritt  In  1886. 

c  See  New  Castle  for  Indian  deed. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


Upon  the  21st  of  May,  1696,  John  Brundage  "made  application  for 
himself  and  Richard  Griffen,  to  purchase  100  acres  of  vacant  land  in 
the  County  of  Westchester,  on  Byram  River,  near  fourteen  miles  from 
the  Sound,  for  which  they  desire  a  patent."* 

The  second  sale  to  Heathcote  and  others  included  a  portion  of  the 
former  purchase. 

"Witness  these  presents,  we  Serrinqua,  Quarrarequa,  Wyapera  and  Patthunck, 
Indian  proprietors,  in  consideration  of  a  certain  sum  of  money  to  us  in  hand 
paid,  at  or  before  ensealing  and  delivering  of  these  presents,  by  Colonel  Caleb 
Heathcote,  Captain  Joseph  Theal,  Lieutenant  John  Horton,  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Purdy,  of  Mamaroneck  and  Rye,  have  bargained  and  sold,  and  do  by  these  pres- 
ents bargain,  sell  and  alienate  unto  the  said  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph 
Theal,  John  Horton,  and  Joseph  Purdy,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  a  certain 
parcel  and  tract  of  land,  bounded  as  followeth — southerly  by  Byram  River,  north- 
erly to  the  north-west  corner  of  a  great  swamp,  commonly  called  the  Round 
Swamp,*  thence  a  south-westerly  line  to  Rye  great  pond,  and  bounded  by  the 
said  pond  westerly  and  so  runs  to  Harrison's  great  marked  tree,  to  have  and 
to  hold  the  above  mentioned  tract  of  land  to  the  said  Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph 
Theal,  John  Horton,  and  Joseph  Purd}',  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever;  and  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  said  Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theal,  John  Hor- 
ton, and  Joseph  Purdy,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  at  all  times  thenceforward,  to 
have,  use,  occupy  and  enjoy  the  above  mentioned  premises,  without  any  lett, 
hindrance,  or  molestation,  from  us  the  said  Serrinqua,  Quaerarequash,  Wyapera, 
Patthunk,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  or  from  any  by,  for,  or  under  them, 
in  witness  whereof  the  said  Serriuqua,  Quaerarequash,  Wyapera,  Patthunk,  have 
hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals,  this  eleventh  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  one.  Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  of  us, 

Sophia  Horton,  Serrinqua, 

her  »x)  mark,  his  O  mark 

Thomas  Repherson,  Qiwerareqiasa, 
Warrattins,  his  Oh  mark. 

his  Y  mark,  Wyapera, 
Cock  Cocktimus,c  his  tti  mark. 

his  N  mark. 

Upon  the  4th  of  July,  1701,  occurs  the  following  license : 

"  I  underwritten  do  give  free  liberty  so  far  as  it  lyes  in  my  power,  (by  virtue 
of  a  grant  to  me  from  Colonel  Benjamin  Fletcher,  late  Governor  of  New  York,) 
unto  Robert  Lockliard,  Richard  Scofield,  Nathaniel  Sellick  and  Gcrshom  Lock- 
hard,  to  purchase  of  the  Indian  proprietors,  the  lands  hereafter  mentioned  from 
Mehanas  River  to  Byram  River,  and  so  run  northward  three  miles  into  ye  woods, 


a  Indian  deeds  warrant  for  survey.   Albany,  Lib.  i.  44.    Daniel  Griffen,  of  Greenwich 
town,  a  descendant  of  the  above  family  still  resides  in  the  neighborhood. 
b  Supposed  Tamaruck  swamp  in  the  north-west  corner  of  this  town.— Editor. 
e  Cockarouse  was  a  title  ot  honor  among  the  Algonquin  Indians. 


7CO  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


upon  Ryram  River,  and  one  mile  into  ye  woods,  on  the  Mehanas  River,  provided 
it  does  not  injure  the  right  of  Redford  or  Greenwich,  nor  is  within  my  patent 
right  from  Mrs.  Ann  Richbell.     Witness  my  hand,  Caleb  Heatucote. 

Mamaroneck,  July  4th,  1701. 

On  the  same  day  the  Indians  conveyed  to  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Capt.  James  Mott,  Robert  Lockhard,  Gershom  Lockhard,  Jonathan 
Lockhard,  Nathaniel  Sellick,  RichardScofield,  Gershom  Lockhard,  Ger- 
shom's  son,  and  Henry  Disbrow,  of  the  one  part,  and  Seringoe,  Rare- 
squarsh,  Washpaken,  Ramhone  and  Packanain  on  the  other  part,  wit- 
nessed!, that  the  said  Serringoe,  Raresquash,  Washpaken,  Ramhone  and 
Packanain,  in  consideration  of  a  certain  sum  of  good  and  lawful  money 
to  them  in  hand  paid,  at  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents,  the 
receipt  whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge,  and  themselves  therewith 
to  be  fully  satisfied,  contented  and  paid,  and  thereof  and  therefrom  do 
acquit,  exonerate  and  discharge  the  said  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Captain 
James  Mott,  &c,  their  heirs,  executors,  &c,  have  given,  granted,  bar- 
gained, sold,  enfeoffed,  released  and  confirmed,  &c,  unto  the  said  Col. 
Caleb  Heathcote,  Captain  James  Mott,  &c. 

"  A  certain  parcel  or  tract  of  land,  bounded  as  followeth,  to  begin  at  Ryram 
River  at  the  colony  line,  and  so  to  run  to  Mehanas  River  as  said  line  goes,  run- 
ning northerly  on  Mehanas  River,  as  the  river  goes,  a  mile  into  the  woods,  and 
from  the  colony  line  on  Ryram  River,  three  miles  northerly  as  the  river  runs  in- 
to the  woods,  and  from  the  head  of  said  line  to  the  head  of  the  other  line  afore- 
mentioned, to  have  and  to  hold  the  before  recited  parcel  or  tract  of  land,  with  all 
and  every  of  its  appurtenances,  unto  the  said  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  Captain 
James  Mott,  &c,  &c,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  &c,  &C  In  witness 
whereof,  we  the  said  Serringoe,  Raresquash,  Washpackin,  Ramhone  and  Pack- 
anain, have  hereunto  put  our  hands  and  seals,  the  4th  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  1701.«    Signed  and  delivered  in  presence  of  us, 


Renjamin  Disbrow, 

The  mark  of 

Ren.tamin  Collier, 

o 

ConORSTET, 

Serringoe, 

Wraliccs, 

The  mark  of 

TOPORONE, 

X 

KlN'UATEM, 

Raresquash, 

Wapatong, 

The  mark  of 

Raratta, 

> 

Meekrum, 

Wasopackin, 

The  mark  of 

f 

Ramuoxe, 

The  mark  of 

Packaxain. 

a  The  above  sale  embraced  that  tract  of  land  called  the  White  Fields, 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


701 


By  a  deed  bearing  date  the  5th  of  July,  1701,  Serringoe,  Raresquash, 
Packanain  and  Ramhone  conveyed  to  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote  of  Mam- 
aroneck,  gentleman,  Joseph  Theal  and  Lieutenants  John  Horton  and 
Joseph  Purdy  of  Rye. 

"All  that  tract  of  land  bounded  southerly  by  colony  line,  easterly  by  Mehanas 
river,  northerly  by  Bedford  line,  and  marked  trees  to  Mehanas  ri%rer,  and  south- 
erly as  said  river  goes  against  the  stream,  by  ye  head  of  the  river,  and  so  by 
colony  line,  &c" 
Signed  and  sealed  in  the  presence  of  us, 

Sarah  UxDERnn.L,  The  mark  of 

Benjamin  Collier.  The  mark  of  >- 

H  Taporaxecaii. 
Wasupaken. 

The  mark  of 
ConoRXET.° 

This  Indian  purchase  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  royal  letters 
patent  to  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  and  his  twelve  associates,  on  the  17th 
of  February,  1701-2  ;  to  be  held  of  the  king,  his  heirs  and  successors, 
in  free  and  common  soccage.  The  patentees  yielding  and  paying  there- 
for yearly,  on  the  Feast  day  of  the  Nativity  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  the 
annual  rent  of  one  pound,  seven  shillings  and  sixpence,  current  money 
of  New  York,  &c. 

THE  MIDDLE  PATENT  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 

"William  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and 
Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  to  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall 
cone  or  may  concern,  sendeth  greeting :  "Whereas  our  loving  subjects,  Col. 
Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theal,  John  Horton,  Joseph  Purdy,  Robert  Walters, 
Leigh  Atwood,  Matthew  Clarkson,  Lancaster  Sims,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Rich- 
ard Slater,  John  Chollwell,  Robert  Lurting  and  Barne  Cosens,  have,  by  their 
petition,  presented  unto  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  John  Nanfan,  Esq.,  our 
Lieut.  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York  and  ter- 
ritories depending  thereon  in  America,  &c,  and  prayed  our  grant  and  confirm- 
ation of  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  bounded  southerly 
by  the  colony  line  of  Connecticut,  easterly  by  Malianas  river,  northerly  by  Bed- 
ford line  and  marked  trees  to  Mahanas  river  again,  and  southerly  as  the  said 
river  goes  against  the  stream  to  ye  head  of  the  said  river,  and  so  to  the  said  col- 
ony line,  which  said  tract  of  land,  on  the  5th  day  of  July  last  past,  was  by  our 
said  Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theal,  John  Horton  and  Joseph  Purdy,  &C.,  pur- 
chased of  the  native  proprietors,  and  containing  within  the  limits  aforesaid,  by 
estimation,  about  1,500  acres  of  profitable  land,  besides  wastes  and  wood  lands, 
which  reasonable  request,  we  being  willing  to  grant,  know  ye,  that  of  our  especial 


a  Indian  deeds,  warrant  of  survey.   Alb.  Rec.  Lib.  L,  94. 


702 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  we  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and 
confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  doe  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant, 
ratify  and  confirm  unto  our  said  loving  subjects,  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote.  Joseph 
Theal,  John  Horton,  Joseph  Purdy,  Robert  Walters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Matthew 
Clarkson,  Lancaster  Sims,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Richard  Slater,  John  Cboliwell, 
Robert  Lurtiug  and  Barne  Cosens,  all  the  afore-recited  tract  of  land  within  the 
county  of  Westchester,  and  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid,  together 
with  all  and  singular  the  woods,  underwoods,  trees,  timber,  feedings,  pastures, 
meadows,  marshes,  swamps,  ponds,  pools,  waters,  water-courses,  rivers,  rivu- 
lets, runs,  brooks,  streams,  fishing,  fowling,  hunting,  hawking,  &c,  mines,  min- 
erals. &c,  (silver  and  gold  mines  excepted,;  and  all  other  profits,  benefits,  priv- 
ileges, liberties,  advantages,  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the 
aforesaid  tract  of  land,  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid,  belonging  or  in 
any  way  or  ways  appertaining  unto  them,  the  said  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  &c, 
&c,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof  of  him, 
the  said  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  &c,  &c,,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever, 
to  be  holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  in  free  and  common  soccage  as 
of  our  manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  our  county  of  Kent,  within  our  realm  of 
England,  yielding,  rendering  and  paying  therefor  yearly  and  every  year,  on  the 
Feast  day  of  the  nativity  of  our  Blessed  Saviour,  the  annual  yearly  rent  of  one 
pound,  seven  shillings  and  sixpence,  current  money  ot  New  York,  in  heu  and 
stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues,  duties,  services  and  demands  whatsoever.  In  tes- 
timony whereof,  we  have  caused  the  great  seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  here- 
unto affixed.  Witness,  John  Nanfan,  Esq.,  our  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  our  Province  of  New  York  and  territories  depending  there- 
on in  America,  and  Vice-Admiral  of  the  same,  at  our  fort  in  New  York,  this 
17th  day  of  February,  1701-2,  and  in  the  14th  year  of  our  reign."* 

John  Naufan." 

The  above  grant  embraced  the  eastern  portion  of  what  is  still  known 
as  the  "  Middle  Patent "  of  North  Castle,  and  was  so  named  because 
situated  between  the  colony  line  of  Connecticut  and  the  patent  of  Bed- 
ford. 

Upon  the  first  of  April,  1705,  the  Indian  proprietors,  Patthunck, 
Sr.,  Panridge  and  Wapeto  Patthunck,  Jr.,  absolute  lords  of  a  tract  of 
land  "  lying  situate  in  Westchester  County  upon  the  northermost  side 
of  the  great  pond  called  Rye  pond,  have  sold,  for  a  sum  of  money  and 
other  goods, 

"All  the  land  above  mentioned,  from  the  said  north-west  side  of  said  pond, 
running  west  northerly  three  miles,  more  or  less,  and  from  thence  runningnorth- 
casterly  four  miles,  more  or  less,  on  a  run  or  river  called  Bruncks'  river,  and 
from  thence  east-northerly  three  English  miles,  more  or  less,  and  then  from 
thence  runs  south-westcny  to  the  place  from  whence  it  began,  taking  in  and  in- 
cluding a  small  pond  called  Cranberry  pond,  unto  John  Clapp,  his  heirs,  execu- 
tors, administrators,  &c. ,  reserving  three  hundred  acres  for  our  own  use,  for  the 


a  Alb.  Roc.  Book  of  Patents  No.  vil.,  224. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


703 


sum  of  £10,  that  is  to  any,  four  pieces  of  eight,  or  money,  and  the  other  £8  10s. 
in  such  goods  as  are  agreed  upon  by  said  parties."" 

Signed,  sealed,  and  delivered  in 
presence  of  us, 


RoGKU  TUOKYON, 

The  mark  of 
Daniel  IIkadley. 


The  mark  of 

CO 

Patthtnck,  Sr. 


The  mark  of 
M 

Panridge. 


The  mark  of 
< 

Wapeto  PATTnrrxcK,  Jr., 
and  younger  PATTnuxoK 
O 

his  mark, 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1705,  the  Indian  proprietors,  Semngoe,  Rare- 
squash  and  Paquerekin,  (for  and  in  consideration  of  a  valuable  consid- 
eration in  hand  paid,)  release  to  George  Booth  and  his  heirs,  &c. 

"A  certain  tract  of  land  in  Westchester  county,  bounded  south  by  a  certain 
tract  of  land  formerly  sold  by  said  Serringoe,  &c,  to  Richard  Schofield,6  and  on 
the  west  by  Byram  pond,  on  the  North  by  Catonah's  land,  and  on  the  east  by 
Mahanas  river,"  <fcc. 

Signed,  sealed,  and  delivered  in 
presence  of  us, 


Richard  SonoFiELD, 
Joseph  Seely, 


The  mark  of 
O 

Serringob. 


The  mark  of 
Rarksquasii. 


The  mark  of 
< 

Paquerekin. 


The  mark  of 
C 

Ram  Otes  Wapeto  Tapawmak. 

The  mark  of 

Jnnx  Coak  Mangawum. 

A  further  release  from  the  Indian  proprietors,  Serringoe,  Magerack, 
Pawenack,  Sackema,  Wigzac,  Shickham,  Wasse,  Waewag,  Kemego, 
Warrea  Sekis,  and  Geshegeopogh,  occurs  on  the  14th  of  July,  1705,  to 
George  Booth,  John  Bond,  Andreis  Meyer  and  John  Van  Home,  &c„ 
viz.  :  "  Of  all  the  land,  swamp  and  meadow  that  the  said  Indians  have 
in  Westchester  County,  &c."  From  this  time  we  hear  no  more  of  the 
aborginal  proprietors  of  North  Castle. 


a  Indian  deeds,  warrant  of  surrey.  Alb.  Rec.  Lib.  i.,  130.   8ee  Harrison. 
b  S  e  Indian  sale  to  Caleb  Heathcote  and  others  on  the  1st  of  July,  1701.  Richard  Scnofleld 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Middle  Patent. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


The  eastern  portion  of  the  "  Middle  Patent"  was  confirmed  by  royal 
letters  patent  to  Anne  Bridges,  Roger  Mompesson  and  others  on  the 
25th  day  of  September,  1708.  The  patentees  yielding  and  paying  there- 
for yearly  to  the  King  and  heirs  at  the  Custom-house  in  New  York,  to 
the  collector,  at  or  upon  the  feast  day  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  the 
Baptist,  the  yearly  rent  of  £2  1  os  current  money  of  the  Province. 

"  Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  Queen, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  To  all  to  whom  this  shall  come,  sendeth  greeting  : 
Whereas  by  our  letters  patent  bearing  date  the  2d  day  of  March,  1705,°  in  the 
fourth  3'ear  of  our  reign,  we  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and  confirmed  unto  our 
loving  subjects,  Anne  Bridges,  Roger  Mompesson,  George  Booth,  William  An- 
derson, William  Bond,  John  Persor,  Daniel  Clarke,  John  Clapp  and  Lewis  Per- 
ant,  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  begin- 
ning at  a  certain  small  brook  called  Cohamong  brook'5  where  the  said  brook 
empties  itself  into  Mehannus  River,  and  runs  thence  up  the  said  river  Mehannus 
southerly  to  the  head  thereof,  to  a  beech  tree  standing  by  a  small  spring,  and 
marKcd  with  the  letters  T.  M.,  and  thence  south  to  the  colony  line  of  Connecti- 
cut, which  runs  in  the  rear  of  the  town  of  Greenwich  and  Ilorseneck,  and  so  by 
the  said  line  as  it  runs  westerly  to  Byram  River,  thence  by  the  river  (including  the 
said  river)  to  the  head  thereof,  to  two  certain  white  ash  trees  standing  on  the 
north  end  of  a  certain  bog  meadow,  marked  with  three  letters,  D.  G.,  P.  C,  T. 
C,  and  thence  westerdly  in  a  direct  line  to  the  head  of  Cohamong  brook  as  it 
rims  to  the  place  where  it  begun,  bounded  west  by  Byram  River,  east  by  Mehan- 
nus River,  north  by  Bedford  line  and  Cohamong  brook,  and  south  by  colony  line, 
together  with  all  the  woods,  underwoods,  &c,  &c.  And  whereas  said  Anne 
Bridges,  Roger  Wompesson,  &c,  &c,  by  their  indenture  of  lease  and  release 
bearing  date  the  18th  and  19th  days  of  September,  in  the  fifth  year  of  our  reign, 
and  for  considerations  therein  mentioned,  did  grant  and  convey  unto  Thomas 
Wenham,  Esq.,  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns,  one  tenth  part  of  the  said  premises. 
And  whereas  the  said  Anne  Bridges,  Roger  Mompesson,  George  Booth,  William 
Anderson,  William  Bond,  John  Persor,  Daniel  Clarke,  John  Clapp,  Lewis  Perant 
and  Thomas  Wenham,  have  since  by  their  petition  presented  to  our  right  trusty 
and  well  beloved  cousin,  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  captain-general  and  gover- 
nor-in-chief, in  and  over  our  province  of  New  York  and  territories  thereon  de- 
pendending  [in  America,  and  vice-admiral  of  the  same,  &c,  in  council  therein, 
setting  forth  that  having  made  some  improvements  on  the  said  lands,  and  fear- 
ing some  disputes  may  arise  hereafter  what  shall  be  esteemed  a  settlement,  &c, 
the  which  petition  wee  being  minded  to  grant,  ktwio  yee,  that  for  diverse  con- 
siderations us  thereunto  moving  of  our  special  grace,  &c.,  wee  have  given, 
granted,  released,  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  in  and  by  this  present,  for  ourselves, 
our  heirs  and  successors,  do  give,  grant,  release,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  the 
said  Anne  Bridges,  Roger  Mompesson,  &c,  &c,  withiu  the  bounds  and  limits 
above  in  our  said  recited  letters  patent,  &c,  &c  ,  in  ten  equal  parts  to  be  divided, 
&c,  to  be  holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  &c,  in  free  and  common  soc- 


a  See  Alb.  Rec.  Book  of  Patents,  Lib.  vii.  341. 

b  Cohamong  brook  empties  into  the  west  siile  of  Mehanus  River. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


705 


cage,  as  of  our  manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  our  county  of  Kent,  within  our 
realme  of  England,  yielding,  rendering,  and  paying  therefor,  yearly  and  every 
year  henceforward,  and  unto  our  heirs,  at  our  custom-house  at  New  York  to  our 
collector  or  receiver  general  then  for  the  time  being,  at  or  upon  the  feast  day  of 
the  nativity  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  the  yearly  rent  or  sum  of  £2  10*.  current 
money  of  the  province  of  New  York,  &c,  this  25th  day  of  September,  in  the 
seventh  year  of  our  reign,  A.D.  1708.°  Edward  Cornbcky." 

This  town  also  included  a  large  portion  of  "  Fanconiers  "  or  the 
"  West  Patent"  granted  by  the  Crown  in  1701-2  to  Robert  Walters  and 
others. 

Upon  the  25  th  day  of  February,  1701,  Robert  Walters  and  his  asso- 
ciates purchased  of  the  native  Indian  Proprietors,  Catonah,  Wakemane 
and  Weewanessege,  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  the  County  of  Westchester, 
bounded  to  the  south  by  the  East  Division  line  between  the  province  of 
New  York  and  the  colony  of  Connecticut ;  and  on  the  east  by  the  other 
Division  Line,  and  so  along  the  said  line  until  it  meet  with  the  Patent  of 
Adolph  Philips  ;  and  so  along  his  Southern  Boundaries  till  it  meet  the 
Patent  of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  from  thence  by  a  Line  that  shall 
run  upon  a  direct  Course  until  it  meet  with  the  end  of  the  first  Easterly 
Line  of  twenty  Miles  of  the  said  Manor  of  Cortlandt ;  and  from  thence 
along  the  said  Line  Westerly  until  it  meet  with  the  Patent  granted  to 
Robert  Walter  and  others;  then  southerly  along  the  said  Patent,  until  it 
meet  with  the  Bounds  of  the  Township  of  Bedford,  and  thence  along  the 
said  Bounds  till  it  meet  with  the  Patent  granted  to  Col.  Caleb  Heath- 
cote  and  others ;  and  along  the  bounds  of  the  said  Patent  unto  the  Col- 
ony line;"  "as  also  a  small  Tract  of  Land  beginning  Westerly  at  a  great 
Rock  on  the  Westermost  side  at  the  Southermost  End  of  a  Ridge  known 
by  the  name  of  Ruhbel  or  Horse  Ridge  ;  and  from  thence  North- West 
and  by  North  to  Bronckx  River,  Easterly,  beginning  at  a  marked  Tree  at 
the  Eastermost  side  on  the  Southermost  end  of  the  said  Ridge ;  and  thence 
North  to  Bronckx  River;  which  Tract  of  Land  was  by  the  said  Caleb 
Heathcote  purchased  of  the  native  Indian  Proprietors ;  the  said  two  Tracts 
containing  by  Estimation  about  62,000  acres  of  profitable  land." 

William  the  Third,  by  his  Letters  Patent,  under  the  Great  Seal  of  the 
Colony  of  New  York,  bearing  date  the  second  day  of  March,  in  the 
14th  year  of  his  reign  (1701)  did  grant  and  confirm  unto  Robert  Wal- 
ters, John  Cholwell,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Richard 
Slater,  Barne  Cosens,  Lancaster  Symes,  Matthew  Clarkson,  Robert 
Lurting,  Peter  Matthews  and  Caleb  Heathcote,  the  two  before-men- 
tioned tracts  of  land ;  the  patentees  yielding  and  paying  therefor  to  the 
King,  his  heirs  and  successors,  or  governors  appointed  by  him,  on  the 
Feast  day  of  the  Nativity  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  the  annual  quit-rent  of 
seven  pounds,  fifteen  shillings. 


a  Book  of  Pat.  Alb.  No.  vii.  191,  compared  with  oripinal  in  possession  of  David  \V.  Smith 
Kensloo. 


706 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


This  grant  was  subsequently  known  as  the  "  East  Patent,"  and  in- 
cluded not  only  a  small  portion  on  the  eastern  side  of  this  town,  but 
the  township  of  Poundridge  and  part  of  Lewisboro." 

The  following  notice  of  a  survey  and  balloting  for  lots  and  allotments 
of  the  before  mentioned  tracts  of  land,  in  the  "  East  Patent,"  occurs  in 
a  public  newspaper  of  June,  1766  : — 

"And,  whereas,  we,  the  subscribers,  in  pursuance  of  a  certain  act  of  the 
Lieutenant  Governor,  the  Council,  and  General  Assembly  of  this  Colony,  en- 
titled, An  Act  for  the  more  effectual  coUectiug  of  His  Majesty's  Quit-Rents  in 
the  Colony  of  New  York,  and  for  partition  of  Lands  in  order  thereto,  have 
lately  made  a  survey  of  the  first  above  recited  Tract  of  Land.  And  we  do  hereby 
give  Notice,  that  true  Maps  and  Field  Books  of  the  Survey  of  the  said  Tract,  and 
of  the  Allotments  made,  specifying  the  Bounds  of  every  Lot ;  on  which  Maps  the 
Lots  are  laid  down  and  numbered,  and  the  Number  of  Acres  in  every  Lot ;  and  the 
said  Maps  and  Field  Books,  signed  by  us,  and  by  Nathaniel  Merritt,  our  Surveyor, 
are  filed ;  one  of  the  said  Maps  and  Field  Books  in  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the 
County  of  Westchester,  and  the  other  in  the  Secretary's  Office  in  the  City  of 
New  York.  And  we  do  hereby  appoint  Thursday,  the  7th  of  August  next,  at 
the  City  Hall  of  New  York,  to  be  the  Day  and  Place  for  Balloting  for  the  said 
Lots  and  Allotments;  and  do  require,  all  Persons  interested,  then  and  there  to  at- 
tend, and  to  see  the  several  Allotments  Balloted  for.  Given  under  our  hands  the 
23d  day  of  June,  1766.  CHARLES  CLINTON.  >  Surviving 

JONATHAN  BROWN.  >  Commissijners." 

On  the  29th  day  of  March,  1701,  Samuel  Quinby,  of  the  West  Patent 
of  North  Castle,  for  the  sum  of  three  pounds,  sold  Benjamin  Smith,  of 
the  said  Patent,  "all  that  certain  piece  of  land  containing  three  quarters 
of  an  acre,  or  thereabouts,  bounded  as  followeth:  Beginning  at  the 
brook  on  the  west  side  of  the  high  ridge,  near  the  house  where  Nathan- 
iel Smith  lives,  and  running  along  the  west  side  of  the  road  northward 
to  a  heap  of  stones,  thence  eastward  and  southward  along  the  partition 
fence,  and  as  the  same  stands  to  the  said  brook,  then  up  said  brook  to 
where  it  began  to  have  and  to  hold,"  &c.6  . 

Upon  the  28th  day  of  September,  1725.  Richard  Ogden,  of  Rye, /or 
the  sum  of  six  pounds,  sold  to  Russell  Wood,  of  North  Castle,  "a  par- 
cel of  land,"  that  is  to  say,  "twelve  acres  of  undivided  land,  &c,  within 
a  tract  of  land  commonly  called  Ffanconier's  Purchase,  to  be  laid  out 
to  my  right  when  ye  said  lands  shall  be  divided,"  &c.e 

On  the  25th  day  of  October,  1737,  Thomas  Hutchings,  and  Penelope, 
his  wife,  of  North  Castle,  for  the  sum  of  ^262  conveyed  to  Benjamin 
Smith,  of  the  same  place,  "  a  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate,  ly- 


a  See  Poundridge. 

b  Copied  from  original  in  possession  of  David  W.  Smith. 

c  Copied  from  original  in  possession  of  David  W.  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Kensico. 


To  far*  pa|f<*  "06  vol  I. 


PKDIGRKE  OK  Ql'IMr.Y,  OF  NORTH*  'AST. 


Arms:— Or,  on  a  bend  sa.  throe  trefoils  nlfpporl,  ar.    Crest : — A  cubit  arm,  erect,  rested,  or.  with  three  slashes  in  the  sleeve,  in  the  ham!  ppr.  a  rimetar,  hilled  of  (he  first,  the  Wade  emhrucd  in  blond. 


WUllam  Qulmbj,  emigrated  from  England. 


John  Q  nimby,  an  Inhabitant  of  the  town  of  Westchester  in  K*4,  an  I  one  of  the  patentees  in  1  CSC  Deborah 


John^Anne 


I 


Joalah  _Mary  MolUnex,  June  17th,  1799 


Mary 


JoiLah  .Hannah 
nai.  March       f'omell  of 
list,  \Oft  Hcarndale 


Jonaihan 
list.  13  Feb.,  |M 
James 


Samuel  _PMlakett 
nat.  *  May,  letter 


1 1 1 1 .  h  han  i  m  El  I  zabel  h 
nat.  "  Feb.,    Hal  i  day 
1T00 


Aaron.  nau„  Kit /.abet  h 
80  Oct ,  1709  I  Cornell,  da. 


mar.17  Feb 
1740 


nf  It  l  char.  I 
and  Ilan'ah 


Moses,  nat- _  lane  Pelham 
12  Nov.,  1704,  i  da.  of  Francis 
mar.  17  Oct.,     and  RtaabMll 
1739  of  Newcastle 


Daiilil  _  Maty 
nat.  141  h  Thorn 
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oh.  s,  p. 
oth  July, 
1816 


Jan.es_l.Anne  Underbill, 
da.  of  Jacob,  of 
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bill, da  <>f  Isaac 
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urn 


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nat.  amh   da.  of 
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1734         and  Mary 
Smith 


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nat.  so 
March, 
1741 


PhatM  Vail  Isaiah 

-9.Mll)es-  nat.  8d 

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I  Lane  1749 

I'hlebe,  .Job  OrlfTcn 
nat.  its; 


Mary 

rjadarbiii 

da.  of  Is- 
ii nc  and 
Sarah,  of 
Yorktown, 
mor.  Bfpi 

ism,  im 


Obadiah_Freelove  Joslah _Amy,  da  uf 
Caleb  Un- 
derbill nat 
1  Nov.  176S, 
ob.  Feb.  2ft, 
1841 


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Deborah  Isaiah  II  .Amy  Sutton  Azarlah  II.„Mary  Ann  Moutgom- 
Haik'ht.da.  n at  May  I  da.  of  nat.  Sept.    I  ery,  da.  of  John  of 

of  Jonathan   13,1793    I  Samuel        4th,  1797        Wilmington,  DcL 


Hannah, Joseph  T.  John,  .Esther  Hun- 
nat.  May  Carpenter  nat.  Mar.  I  ter,  da.  of 
IB,  1800  16,  1803  John 


Moses,  _t  HUM  Brown,  no 
nat  Oct.  Issue. 
3d,  l*»   T9.  Annie  Crawford 


Ttioma\_Susun  Jinn-         Mary.-IlenJ.  \V. 
nat.  Aug.  I  tfT.  da  of     nat.  Kept.  Hum 
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THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


ing  and  being  on  the  Great  Ridge  in  Ffanconier's  Patent,  commonly  so 
called ;  which  tract,  or  parcel  of  land  I  bought  of  Francis  Pelham.  It 
is  lying  in  the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  Province  of  New  York, 
&c.  j "  "  beginning  at  a  certain  heap  of  stones  by  the  colony  line  of  Con- 
necticut, thence  to  run  by  the  colony  line  forty  chains  to  a  red  oak, 
marked ;  or  a  heap  of  stones  by  the  said  colony  line ;  thence  to.  run 
northerly  a  line  five  and  twenty  chains  by  the  land  of  Fauconnier's  as 
yet  undivided ;  thence  to  ran  southward  of  the  west  forty  chains,  and 
thence  to  run  a  southerly  line  five  and  twenty  chains  to  the  first  men- 
tioned heap  of  stones,"  &c.a 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1740,  Henry  Franklin,  of  Greenwich,  Conn., 
for  the  sum  of  ^197,  sold  to  Benjamin  Smith,  of  North  Castle,  "all 
that  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  North  Castle 
aforesaid,  within  a  certain  patent  commonly  known  and  called  by  the 
name  of  Peter  Ffauconiar's  &  Companies  West  Patent,  &c;  which 
said  hundred  acres  are  lying  and  situate  on  a  certain  ridge  commonly 
known  and  called  by  the  name  of  Wampises  Ridge ;  which  said  right  is 
derived  from  Josiah  Quinby  and  John  Clapp,  deceased,  as  by  said  deed 
may  appear ;  and  originally  derived  from  Robert  Walters,  Lancaster 
Syms,  and  Ffanconier  and  others,  in  companye  not  yet  divided,"  &c.6 

Upon  the  13th  of  December,  1761,  Edward  Burling,  of  East  Chester, 
and  Benjamin  Cornwell,  of  Scarsdale,  farmers,  for  the  sum  of  £430, 
did  grant  and  sell  to  Benjamin  Smith  of  the  township  of  North  Castle 
"  a  right  to  take  up  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  West  Pattent  of 
North  Castle  commonly  called  Fauconier's  and  Companies  West  Pattent, 
and  that  by  virtue  of  a  right  deriving  from  John  Cholwell  who  was  one 
of  the  pattentees  in  said  pattent  by  a  deed  from  the  executrix  of  the  said 
John  Cholwell  bearing  date  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  January,  1720. 
Reviresance  thereunto  being  had  may  apear  unto  Josiah  Quinby  late 
of  Mamaroneck,  and  from  the  said  Josiah  Quinby  unto  Richard  Corn- 
well  by  deed  bairing  date  the  sixteenth  day  of  June,  1722,  and  from  the 
said  Richard  Cornwell  to  his  sons,  Edward  Burling  and  Benjamin  Corn- 
well,  by  deeds  bearing  date  the  eighteenth  day  of  May,  1750,  which 
above  said  right  we  the  said  Edward  Burling  and  Benjamin  Cornwell 
doth  covenant  for  ourselves,  our  heirs,  &c,  to  and  with  the  said  Benja- 
min Smith,  his  heirs,"  &c  "  Doth  sell,  and  convey,  and  confirm  unto 
the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  his  heirs,"  &c,  "  a  certain  possession  of  land 
containing  two  hundred  acres,  situate  in  the  above  said  patent,  and 
bounded  as  foloeth :  north,  by  Joseph  Sutton's  land ;  westerly,  by 


a  Copied  from  original  in  possession  of  David  W.  Smith,  Esq. 
£  Ditto. 


708 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER 


William  Cornwell's  land ;  southerly,  by  Benjamin  Kipp's  land ;  easteily, 
by  John  Brady's  land  and  Joseph  Week's  land,"  &c. 

On  the  ioth  of  November,  1763,  Levinus  Clarkson,  (merchant.)  and 
Anne,  his  wife,  late  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  (now,  or  late,  both  resid- 
ing at  Voorburgh,  near  the  Hague,)  by  David  Clarkson,  of  the  City  of 
New-  York,  their  attorney,  granted  and  released  to  Benjamin  Smith, 
Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  for  the  sum  of  ^1025  "  all  that  one 
full  and  equal  undivided  tenth  part  of  the  West  Patent,  granted  14th 
of  Feb.,  1 701,"  &c;  containing  in  all,  about  12,300  acres,  &c,  in 
the  following  manner  : — 

A  RELEASE  FROM  LEVINUS  AND  ANNE  CLARKSON  TO  BENJA- 
MIN SMITH  AND  OTHERS. 
This  Indenture,  made  the  tenth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three,  between  Levinus  Clarkson,  late  of 
the  city  of  Amsterdam,  merchant,  and  Anne  Clarkson,  late  of  the  same  place, 
spinster,  (now,  or  late,  both  residing  at  Voorburgh,  near  the  Hague,)  by  David 
Clarkson,  of  the  City  of  New  York,  merchant,  their  attorney  of  the  first  part, 
and  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton  of  the  County  of  West 
Chester  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  yeomen,  and  their  associates  of  the  second 
part ;  Whereas,  His  most  gracious  majesty,  King  William  the  Third,  of  glorious 
memory,  by  his  letters  patent  under  the  great  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
bearing  date  the  fourteenth  day  of  February,  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign, 
granted  unto  Robert  Waters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Heath- 
cste,  Matthew  Clarkson,  John  Chollwell,  Richard  Slater,  Lancaster  S3Tms,  Rob- 
ert Lurting  and  Barne  Cosens,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  All  that,  a 
certain  Tract  of  Land,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  bounded  northerly  by  the 
manor  of  Cortlandt ;  easterly,  with  Bedford  line  of  three  miles  square,  the 
White  Field  and  Byram  River ;  southerly,  by  the  laud  of  John  Harrison  Rye, 
line  Stretching  to  Byram  River  aforesaid,  and  the  White  Plains  ;  and  westerly 
by  Brunk's  River  and  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  (excepting  out  of  the  bounds 
aforesaid  all  the  land  within  Richbell's  Patents.)  And,  wlwrcas  the  said  Levin- 
us and  Anne  Clarkson  are  entitled  to  one-tenth  part  of  the  lands  in  and  by  the 
said  Letters  Patent  granted  ;  and  uhercas  the  said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne 
Clarkson,  by  their  certain  Letter,  or  Power  of  Attorney  under  their  hands  and 
seals,  duly  executed,  bearing  date  the  ninth  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  one  thousand  and  seven  hundred  and  fifty-four,  made,  constituted,  or- 
dained and  appointed  their  Nephews,  Samuel  Hazard  and  Matthew  Clarkson, 
both  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  and  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  merchants ;  and 
Freeman  Clarkson  and  the  said  David  Clarkson,  both  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
aforesaid,  merchants,  them,  and  each  of  them,  their  and  each  of  their  true,  suffi- 
cient and  lawful  attorney  and  aUornies,  jointly  and  severally,  for  them,  and  each  of 
them,  and  in  their  name  or  names,  to  enter  and  make  any  entry  or  entrys  into  all 
and  singular  their  and  each  of  their  lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments,  situate, 
lying  or  being  in  the  respective  counties  of  West  Chester,  Orange  and  Ulster,  in 
the  Province  of  New  York,  aforesaid,  or  elsewhere,  and  also  for  them  and  in  their 


THK  TOWN  OK  NORTH  CASTLE. 


nanu  s,  or  in  the  name  of  either  of  them,  to  grant,  bargain,  sell  and  convey  all  or 
any  Part  or  Parcel  of  their  said  Lauds,  Tenements  and  Hereditaments  aforesaid,  to 
any  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever,  and  to  and  for  such  Sum  or  Sums  of  money  as 
to  their  said  attoniies,  jointly  or  severally,  should  seem  meet  and  convenient, 
and  to  execute  good  and  sufficient  Deed  or  Deeds,  Conveyance  or  Conveyances  in 
the  Law  for  the  same,  to  the  Purchaser  or  Purchasers  thereof,  with  such  Cove- 
nants and  warranties  as  to  their  said  attornies,  jointly  or  severally,  should  seem 
meet  and  reasonable;  thereby  ratifying  and  Confirming  all  and  whatsoever  their 
said  attornies  jointly  or  severally  should  do  or  cause  to  be  done  in  the  Premises 
or  any  Part  thereof,  by  Virtue  of  the  said  letter  or  Power  of  attorney,  as  by  the 
said  Letter  or  Power  of  Attorney.  Reference  being  thereunto  had  among  other 
things  more  fully  may  appear.  Now,  therefore,  this  Indenture  Witnesscth  that 
for  and  in  consideration  of  the  Sum  of  one  thousand  and  Twentj*-Five  pounds.law- 
ful  money  of  New  York,  to  the  said  David  Clarkson,  attorney  for  the  said  Lev- 
inus  and  Anne  Clarkson,  in  hand  paid  at  or  before  the  Ensealing  and  Delivery  of 
these  Presents  by  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  in 
Behalf  of  themselves  and  their  Associates,  the  Receipt  whereof  the  said  David 
Clarkson,  as  attorney  for  and  to  the  use  of  the  said  Lcvinus  and  Anne  Clarkson, 
doth  hereby  acknowledge  they,  the  said  Levinus  and  Anne  Clarkson,  by  the 
said  David  Clarkson,  their  attorney  aforesaid,  have,  and  each  of  them,  hath 
granted,  bargained,  sold,  aliened,  released  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents 
do,  and  each  of  them,  doth  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  release  and  confirm  unto 
the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  and  their  associates, 
(in  their  actual  Possession  now  being)  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  All 
that  one  full  and  equal  undivided  Tenth  part  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  in  and  by 
the  above  in  Part  recited  Letters  Patent  granted,  and  all  aud  every,  and  any 
other  or  greater  Part,  Share  or  Proportion  of  the  said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne 
Clarkson,  or  either  of  them,  of,  in  or  to  the  said  Tract  of  Land,  in  and  by  the  said 
Letters  Patent  granted ;  and  all  the  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Interest,  Trusts,  Parts, 
Shares  and  Proportions,  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever,  both  in  law  and  equity, 
of  them,  the  said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne  Clarkson,  and  each  of  them,  of,  in 
and  to  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  in  the  said  Letters  Patent  above  men- 
tioned, or  intended  to  be  granted,  and  eveiy  Part  and  Parcel  thereof,  with  the 
appurtenances,  and  all  Messuages,  Houses,  Building,  Gardens,  Orchards,  Lands, 
Meadows,  Commons,  Pastures,  Feedings,  Woods,  Ways,  Waters,  Water-courses, 
Easements,  Profits,  Commodities,  Advantages,  Emoluments  and  Hereditaments 
whatsoever,  to  the  same  Tract  of  Land  belonging  or  in  any  Wise  appertaining; 
and  the  Reversion  and  Reversions,  Remainder  and  Remainders,  Rents  and  Services 
of  all  and  singular  the  said  Premises  above  mentioned,  and  of  every  Part  and  Par- 
cel thereof,  with  the  Appurtenances  (excepting  and  always  reserving  unto  the 
said  Lcvinus  Clarkson,  and  Anne  Clarkson,  their  Heirs  aud  Assigns  forever,  all 
the  Estate,  Right, Title,  Interest.Trusts,  Parts,  Shares  and  Proportions  of  them,  the 
said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne  Clarkson,  and  each  of  them,  of,  in  and  to  all 
that  Part  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land,  being  the  North-easterly  Part  thereof, which 
is  now  possessed,  or  claimed,  or  held  by  any  Person  or  Persons  under  Bedford 
new  Purchase,  supposed  to  contain  about  seven  thousand  acres.  To  Have  and  to 
Hold  all  and  singular  the  said  one  full  and  equal  undivided  Tenth  Part,  and  all 
and  every,  and  any  other  or  greater  Part,  Share  or  Proportion  of  the  said  Tract  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Land,  Hereditaments  and  Premises  above  mentioned,  meant  or  intended  to  be 
hereby  granted  and  released,  and  every  Part  and  Parcel  thereof,  with  the  Appur- 
tenances, (except  as  before  is  excepted,)  unto  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb 
Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  and  their  Associates,  their  Heirs  and  Assigns,  to  the 
only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph 
Sutton,  and  their  Associates  and  their  respective  Heirs  and  Assigns  forever,  as  Ten- 
ants in  common,  and  not  as  Joint-tenants.  And,  Whereas  seven  thousand  acres 
of  the  above  Tract  of  Land  is  now  supposed  to  be  in  the  possession  of  the  Inhabit- 
ants of  Bedford  new  purchase,  and  is  above  excepted  out  of  this  Release,  and  the 
Parties  to  these  Presents  of  the  Second  Part  have  before  purchased  the  Rights  of 
John  Cholwell  and  Robert  Waters,  and  one-half  of  the  Right  of  Richard  Slater, 
three  of  the  said  Patentees,  supposed  to  contain  Eight  thousand,  acres  more,  and 
of  some  of  the  other  Patentees  or  others,  claiming  under  them  four  thousand 
seven  hundred  acres  more.  No>c,  tlierefore,  the  said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne 
Clarkson,  by  the  said  David  Clarkson,  their  Attorney  for  themselves  and  their 
Heirs,  the  said  one  full  and  equal  undivided  Tenth  Part  of  tbe  remaining  Part  of 
the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  granted, 
supposed  to  contain  about  twelve  thousand,  three  hundred  acres,  be  it  more  or 
less,  against  them,  the  said  Levinus  Clarkson  and  Anne  Clarkson,  and  their  ueirs, 
and  against  all  and  every  other  Person  and  Persons  whomsoever  claiming  by, 
from  or  under  them,  or  either  of  them,  or  under  their  Rather,  Matthew  Clarkson, 
one  of  the  said  Patentees  to  the  said  Parties  of  the  second  part,  and  to  their  re- 
spective Heirs  and  Assigns  forever,  shall,  and  will  warrant  and  forever  defend  by 
these  Presents.  In  testimony  whereof  the  Parties  to  these  Presents  have  here- 
unto interchangeably  set  their  Hands  and  Seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  writ- 
ten. Ann  Clarkson, 

David  Clarkson,  Attorney  for  by  her  Attorney,  David  Clarkson. 

Levtnts  and  Ann  Clarkson. 

LEviNrs  Clarkson, 
by  his  Attorney,  David  Clarkson,* 

In  1766,  a  partition  of  the  middle  and  west  patent  took  place,  (in 
pursuance  of  an  act  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  Council  and  General 
Assembly  of  the  colony  of  New  York,  passed  on  the  eighth  day  of  Jan- 
uary, 1762,)  "  for  the  more  effectual  collecting  of  his  majesty's  quit-rents." 
Upon  the  23d  day  of  June,  1766,  the  several  allotments  were  balloted 
for,  and  sold  to  numerous  individuals. 

Upon  the  21st  of  April,  1769,  occurs  a  release  between  Caleb  Fowler 
and  Joseph  Sutton,  both  of  the  West  Patent  of  North  Castle  of  the  first 
part,  and  Benjamin  Smith  of  the  same  of  the  second  part,  which  release 
recites  Patent  of  14th  of  February,  1701,  to  Robert  Walters  and  others 
and  thus  continues : 

"Know  ye  that  we  the  above  named,  Caleb  Fowler,  Joseph  Sutton  and  Ben- 
jamin Smith,  did  make  a  purchase  of  a  great  part  of  the  above  said  tract  of  land 
as  by  a  general  release  may  appear  bearing  date  the  seventh  day  of  June,  one 

a  County  Rec.  Book  n,  p.  310. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


711 


thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty -three,  reference  being  thereunto  had  may  more 
fully  and  largely  be  made  appear,  wherein  is  grauted  unto  us  the  said  Caleb 
Fowler,  Joseph  Sutton  and  Benjamin  Smith,  and  our  associates,  a  great  part  of 
•said  trac  t  of  land.  Now  this  indenture  witnesseth  that  for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  pounds  of  good  and  lawful  money  of 
the  province  of  New  York,  well  and  truly  paid  by  the  said  Benjamin  Smith 
which  is  his  proportionable  part  or  share  of  money  paid  for  the  above  said  tract 
of  laud  ;  we  the  said  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton  doth  acknowledge  by  these 
presents  and  therefore  by  these  presents,  give,  grant  and  release  unto  him  the 
said  Benjamin  Smith,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all  that  certain  part  of  the  above  re- 
cited tract  of  land  containing  four  huudred  acres,  two  hundred  and  twelve  acres 
where  he  the  said  Benjamin  Smith  now  lives  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
acres  at  Shapequau  where  his  son,  Abel  Smith,  now  lives,  all  situate  and  being 
in  the  above  said  Patent,  and  also  his  equal  share  iu  all  and  every  part  and  par- 
cell  of  the  above  said  tract  of  land  which  was  purchased  as  above  said  wliich  we 
have  now  in  possession  and  that  may  be  found  belonging  to  the  said  West  Patent 
of  North  Castle.    To  have  and  to  hold,  &c. ,  Caleb  Fowler, 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  Joseph  Sutton. 

Caleb  Haight, 
John  Niles, 

Proved  16th  October,  1770."» 

On  the  26th  of  April,  1770,  Abel  Smith,  of  the  West  Patent  of  North 
Castle,  conveyed  to  Benjamin  Smith  of  the  said  Patent  for  the  sum  of 
^340.  "all  that  certain  piece  or  lott  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  in 
the  above  said  Patent  bounded  as  followeth  :  Beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  north  end  of  the  ten  acres  which  I  the  said  Abel 
Smith  sold  to  Benjamin  Smith,  the  younger,  lying  on  the  east  side  of 
the  road  that  leads  from  Joseph  Sutton  to  Benjamin  Kipps  and  running 
northward  along  the  east  side  of  said  road  till  it  comes  to  the  partition 
line  between  the  lott  of  land  herein  conveyed  and  the  land  of  Joseph 
Sutton,  then  eastward  and  northward  along  said  partition  line  to  a  cer- 
tain walnut  tree  standing  at  a  corner,  then  eastward  on  a  straight  corse 
to  a  certain  black  oak  tree  with  a  stone  in  a  crotch  of  said  tree,  &c."6 

On  the  8th  day  of  March,  1754,  Benjamin  Smith,  of  the  West  Patent 
of  North  Castle,  farmer,  sold  to  Benjamin  Smith  of  the  same  Patent  let- 
ter for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  "  all  that  peace  or  parcel  of  land 
situate,  lying  and  being  on  the  aforesaid  West  Patent  of  North  Castle 
containing  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  be  the  same  more  or  less, 
bounded  as  followeth :  Beginning  at  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  north-east 
corner  joining  the  land  of  Silas  Worshborn,  and  from  thence  north- 
westerly to  a  waltnut  tree  marked,  then  westerly  to  a  black  oak  bush, 
b.  

a  Entered  In  thp  Hec.  of  Deed*  of  Westchester  County,  Lib.  K»,  pp.  41-42,  llth  June,  17S7 
per  Richard  Hatfield,  clerk. 

b  Copied  from  original  doc.  In  possession  of  David  W.  Stulih  of  Kensico.  Witnesses,  John 
Niles  aud  Maurice  Sjnitu. 


712  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  'WESTCHESTER. 

then  westerly  to  an  oak  tree  marked,  then  northerly  to  a  chestnut  tree 
marked,  then  easterly  to  a  heap  of  stones,  then  northerly  to  the  first 
mentioned  heap  of  stones  ;  to  have  and  to  hold,  &c."a 

The  Smiths  who  have  been  for  so  long  a  period  such  extensive  land 
owners  in  this  town  descend  from  Richard  Smith,  patentee  of  Smith- 
town,  Suffolk  County,  Long  Island.  This  individual  came  from  England 
with  Richard,  his  father,  to  Boston  i»  1630;  and  by  his  first  wife,  Sarah, 
had  issue,  Jonathan,  Obadiah,  Richard,  Job,  Adam,  Samuel,  Daniel,  Eliz- 
abeth and  Deborah.  Job,  the  fourth  son,  married  Elizabeth  Thompson 
and  had  issue,  Job  (second),  Richard,  Timothy,  Adam,  James,  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth.  Joseph,  son  of  Job  (first),  married  Mary  Aldrich,  and  had 
issue,  Joseph,  David,  Stephen,  Gershom,  Gilbert,  Rhuhamah,  Jane,  Mary 
and  Mahitible.  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  married  Sarah  Saxton  ;  their 
children  were  Eliphalet,  Joseph,  William,  Daniel,  Selah,  Catharine.  Rhu- 
hamah and  Sarah.  William,  son  of  Joseph  (second),  married  Sophia, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Hawkins,  and  had  issue,  Benjamin  Smith.  Ben- 
jamin Smith  moved  from  Long  Island  to  Rye,  Westchester  County ; 
from  whence  he  removed  to  this  town  about  1740,  and  became,  as  we 
have  already  seen,  one  of  the  patentees  in  connection  with  Joseph  Quinby 
and  Caleb  Fowler.  Benjamin  Smith  married  Deborah  Harker  and  had 
issue,  Morris,  Abel,  Benjamin,  Nathaniel,  Isaac  (killed  in  discharge  of  his 
duty  as  sheriff6 ),  Richard,  James,  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  Deborah  and  Esther. 
Abel,  son  of  Benjamin,  married  Bersheba  Hutchings  and  left  issue,  John, 
Benjamin,  Abel,  James,  Isaac,  Charity,  Deborah,  Jerusha,  Bersheba,  Sarah, 
Abigail  and  Elizabeth.  Abel,  son  of  Abel,  married  first,  Esther  Purdy ; 
issue,  William,  Joseph  and  Johl ;  secondly,  married  Mary  Waterbury, 
issue,  Isaac,  Julia,  Ann,  Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Abel,  David. W.,  Mary  and 
Sarah.  David  W.,  son  of  Abel,  married  Hannah  Barnes;  their  children 
are  Annie  B.,  Abel,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Samuel  B.  and  Naomi. 

Benjamin  Smith,  the  Patentee,  represented  the  county  in  the  Legisla- 
ture for  a  number  of  years;  and  was  Supervisor  of  this  town,  from  1747 
to  1754.  Abel  Smith,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  a  man  of  considerable  in- 
fluence in  the  county,  which  he  represented  in  the  State  Legislature 
for  about  eight  years,  and  was  supervisor  for  a  number  of  years,  be- 
tween 1790  and  1800.  He  died  in  the  year  1810.  Abel,  son  of  Abel, 
was  born  March  24th,  1782,  and  died  December  22d,  1S60.  He 
was  a  man  of  considerable  influence  in  the  town;  represented  his 


a  Rec  of  Westchester  County  Book  K.  of  Deeds,  pp.  42.  43.  This  deed  was  proved  23th  of 
August,  1786.  Witnesses,  Gilbert  Horn  and  William  Dalton. 

b  On  Friday  last  the  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  held  forthls  State  in  Westchester  County, 
passed  sentence  of  death  on  John  Ryer,  for  the  murder  of  Isaac  Smith,  late  Deputy  Sheriff, 
111  said  county.  He  is  to  be  executed  on  the  second  of  October  next. 


THE  TOWN  OP  NORTH  CASTLE. 


7^3 


district  in  the  State  Legislature  during  the  years  1829  and  1830,  and 
held  various  offices  in  the  town.  His  son  David  W.  Smith  now  occu- 
pies the  homestead  farm,  a  portion  of  the  West  Patent,  which  has  been 
owned  in  the  family  since  the  first  settlement. 

Numerous  descendants  of  the  original  patentees,  still  reside  in  the 
town ;  among  them  may  be  enumerated  the  Brundages,  Griffins,  Lock- 
hards,  Sellecks,  Scofields,  and  Claps. 

In  1724  we  find  the  inhabitants  of  the  Liberty  of  North  Castle  peti- 
tioning the  Court  of  General  Sessions  for  permission  to  erect  a  public 
pound."  Benjamin  Piatt  appears  to  have  been  assessor  for  the  middle 
patent  in  1744.'' 

Upon  the  first  of  April,  1746,  Jonathan  Ogden  and  Benoni  Piatt  were 
appointed  trustees  for  the  Middle  Patent,  also  George  Dennis  and  Caleb 
Fowler  for  the  West  Patent,  "  to  clear  up  the  quit-rents."c 

The  following  items  occur  in  the  town  records : 

"April  ye  6th,  1730,  at  a  lawful  town  meeting  for  to  choose  town  officers  iu 
North  Castle,"  were  elected, 


"At  a  lawful  town  meeting  held  in  North  Castle  on  Tuesday,  the  7th 
of  April,  1772,  by  the  West  and  Middle  Patents  to  choose  and  elect 
town  officers,  and  to  make  such  prudential  acts  as  said  Patents  or  the 
inhabitants  thereof  hath  power,  and  shall  think  proper,"  &c. 

In  1778  it  was  voted  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  rep- 
resent the  town,  "and  with  other  members  to  represent  the  county." 

The  village  of  Armonk  is  situated  in  a  valley,  about  the  centre  of  the 
town,  with  the  hills  rising  boldly  around  it.  The  settlement  of  this  place 
was  commenced  sometime  prior  to  1722,  principally  by  a  company  of 
Englishmen  from  Rye,  who  gave  it  the  name  it  now  bears.  Armonk  at 
present  contains  a  post-office,  two  churches, d  a  school-house,  four  stores, 
and  several  dwellings. 

a  Co.  Rec.  Court  of  Sessions,  Lib.  B,  1. 

b  See  Newcastle,  for  Assessor  of  West  Patent. 

c  Town  Roc.   The  Woniscy  t  m:;!v  appear  to  have  hart  a  claim  on  the  Middle  Patent. 

d  In  this  town  a  party  of  Continental  troops  were  stationed  rturiug  the  Revolutionary  war. 


George  Dennis,  Supervisor. 
Moses  Qcimby,  Clerk. 
Jonathan  Ogden,  Constable. 


\  Assessors. 


Jonathan  Ogden,, Pounder. 
Samuel  Dean.  /      Fence  and 
John  Mekritt,  )"  Damage  Viewers. 


714  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

St.  Stephen's  church,  North  Castle,  is  situated  midway  between  the 
two  settlements,  Kensico  village  and  North  Castle  post-office,  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Armonk.  Sometime  prior  to  1753  a  site  was  selected  for  a 
church  edifice,  on  the  undivided  land  of  the  Middle  patent,  not  half  a 
mile  from  the  spot  now  occupied  for  this  purpose,  and  was  designated 
by  the  letter  C  inscribed  on  a  rock.  The  letter  is  still  legible,  and  the 
ancient  deed  is  still  in  existence.  "On  the  10th  of  October,  1755,  Jolm 
Hallock,  of  North  Castle,  for  the  sum  of  jQio,  Conveyed  to  Joseph  Fow- 
ter  and  Caleb  Fowler,  of  the  same  place,  a  certain  piece  of  land,  lying 


St.  Stephen's  Church,  North  Castle. 


in  North  Castle,  bounded  as  follows :  Beginning  on  the  east  side  of  the- 
highway,  that  leads  from  the  said  John  Hallock's  house  to  Aaron  For- 
mans,  Sen.,  at  a  certain  neck  which  lyes  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  said 
Aaron  Foreman's  home  lot,  with  the  letter  C  cut  thereon ;  and  from 
thence  extending  south  65  degrees,  easterly,  or  thereabouts,  along  by 
the  land  of  the  said  Aaron  Forman's,  as  the  fence  now  stands,  three 
chains  and  fifty  links  (of  Mr.  Gunter's  chain)  to  a  stake  stuck  in  the  ground 
with  stones  about  it ;  from  thence,  running  southeasterly  47  degrees,  -2 
chains,  to  a  marked  chestnut  tree,  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  brook,  a 
little  to  the  north  end  of  the  said  John  Hallock's  new  grist  mill ;  from 
thence,  running  west  two  chains  and  eighty  links  to  the  aforesaid  road ; 
an  1  from  thence,  running  something  to  the  east  of  the  north  three  chains 
and  ten  links  to  the  first  bound,  containing  three-quarters  of  an  acre, " 
&CB 

For.  some  reasons,  now  unknown,  it  was  determined  to  erect  the 
Church  five  miles  further  north,  in  the  tOwn  of  New  Castle. 


a  From  the  original  deed  In  the  possession  of  Job  Sands,  of  North  Castfe. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  7  I  5 

The  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  rector  of  Rye,  wrote  the  Venerable  Propa- 
gation Society,  in  1722:  ">I  have  lately  been  to  a  settlement  in  the 
woods,  where  I  had  good  success,  having  baptized  a  whole  family — pa- 
rents and  children."  This  refers  to  the  present  parish;  for  in  1728  Mr. 
James  Wetmore,  his  successor,  informs  the  same,  "  that  at  North  Castle, 
a  new  settlement  in  the  woods,  there  are  more  than  forty  families,  most 
of  which  are  unbaptized,  and  that  he  preaches  there  every  fifth  Sunday." 
For  a  number  of  years  North  Castle  was  destitute  of  religious  privileges, 
until  the  Rev.  Robert  Harris,  D.  D.,  revived  the  cause. 

The  present  church,  St.  Stephens,  was  organized  on  the  10th  of  Oc- 
teber,  1842,  in  a  log  cabin,  at  Mile  Square  (as  the  village  was  then  call- 
ed), and  a  church  edifice  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  was  conse- 
crated September  13,  1843.  The  rectory  was  built  in  1870,  on  ground 
presented  by  William  R.  Carr,  Esq.,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 

LIST  OF  RECTORS. 


CALL.  NAME.  RESIGNATION. 

1842  Rev.  Robert  Harris,  D.D.  1853 

1853  Rev.  J.  D.  Vermilyk,  1864 — died 

1865  JosEPn  Wm.  Hyde,  1867 

1867  C.  W.  Bolton,  Resigned  Nov.,  1880. 


The  old  Methodist  church  stood  north  of  the  village  in  the  old  bury- 
ing ground,  and  was  one  of  the  oldest  churches,  out  of  the  city  of  New 
York — being  incorporated  2d  February,  1792  ;  it  was  sold  in  1875,  and 
a  new  church  erected  in  1873,  ln  tne  village  of  Armonk,  at  a  cost  of 
$11,000,  on  the  corner  of  two  highways,  on  land  bought  of  William  R. 
Carr,  Esq.,  and  near  where  the  old  log  cabin  stood.  Upon  Wampus 
brook  a  grist  mill  stands,  which,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1737,  John  Hallock 
received  permission  to  erect,  near  Able  Weeks'. 

One  of  the  principal  proprietors  of  Bedford  New  Purchase  in  1746 
was  Othniel  Sands"  whose  son,  Caleb,  subquently  removed  to  North 
Castle.  In  1728  Jas.  Sands,  of  Nassau  Island,  conveyed  to  his  son, 
Othniel,  a  farm.  On  the  16th  of  October,  1790,  Thomas  Sands  (son  of 
Caleb)  purchased  of  William  Latting  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  "  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  and  all  the  buildings  and  mills  on  the  same, 
which  said  land  and  mills  are  situated  in  the  town  of  North  Castle,"  &c. 
The  Sands  family  were  originally  seated  at  St.  Bees,  in  Cumberland 
County,  England,  and  are  descended  from  Richard  del  Sandys,  who  was 
returned  a  knight  for  the  shhe  in  137 7. 6     Of  this  family  was  Comfort 


a  Situated  ln  the  township  of  Oyster  T!ay. 

6  liurke'a  Hist,  of  t^c  Commoners  of  England. 


?,6  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Sands,  of  Sands  Point,  Long  Island,  who  "  united  with  his  brothers, 
Richardson  and  Joshua,  in  a  contract  with  Robert  Morris,  to  supply  the 
northern  army  with  provisions  for  1782."0 

Within  a  few  rods  from  Mr.  Sands'  late  residence  stands  an  old  wooden 
barn,  formerly  the  headquarters  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jameson  of  the 
Continental  army.  Here  (on  the  23d  of  September,  1780,)  the  unfor- 
unate  Andre  was  delivered  up  to  that  officer,  with  all  the  papers  which 
had  been  found  upon  his  person/  "  The  course  pursued  by  Jameson 


COL.  JAMESON  S  HEAD-QUARTERS  AT  NORTH  CASTLE. 
The  building  attached  to  the  barn  on  the  left  is  the  one  in  which  Andre  was  confined. 

(observes  Mr.  Sparks)  was  extraordinary  and  inexplicable.  On  examin- 
ing the  papers,  he  found  them  to  be  in  the  undisguised  hand-writing  of 
General  Arnold,  with  which  he  was  perfectly  acquainted  Their  con- 
tents and  the  manner  of  their  being  found  was  such,  as  one  would  think, 
could  not  fail  to  excite  suspicion  in  the  most  obtuse  mind,  whatever 
might  be  the  rank  or  character  of  the  party  concerned  "c 

"  With  these  papers  in  his  hands,  bearing  incontestable  marks  of  their 
origin,  and  procured  in  a  way  that  indicated  most  unequivocally  the 
designs  of  the  person  with  whom  they  were  found.  Jameson  resolved  to 
send  the  prisoner  immediately  to  Arnold  !  How  far  he  was  influenced 
by  the  persuasion  or  advice  of  Andre,  is  uncertain ;  but  it  cannot  be 
doubted,  that  all  the  address  of  the  latter  was  used  to  advance  a  purpose, 
which  opened  the  only  possible  door  for  their  escape.  Could  he  proceed 

«  Thompson's  Hist  of  Long  Island.  For  a  further  account  of  tins  family,  see  pedigree. 
b  The  room  occupied  by  Audio  i-  -'ill  showu  to  the  visitor. 
0  For  the  Audio  papers,  see  Grceuburgh. 


To  face  page  710,  vol.  l. 


PEDIGREE  OF  SANDS,  OF  SANDS  POINT  AND  NORTH  CASTLE. 


Arms,  or,  a  feese,  dancettee  betw.  three  crosses  bottonee  fitchee  gu.    Crest  a  griffin  segeant  per  fesse  or  and  gules. 


Capt.  James  Samlvs,  a  native  of  Beading,  County  of  Berkshire,  England,  who  emigrated  to=Anue  Walker,  ol  Rhode  Island. 
Plymouth,  Mass  In  1658.   In  1660,  with  fifteen  others,  he  purchased  Block  Island  of  the  Indians,  I 
called  Manisses;  fer  which,  they  obtained  a  charter  in  1672  by  the  name  of  Shorum.   Nat.  1822, 
ob.  13th  March,  1695,  ret.  73 


Capt.  John  Sandya=Sybil  dH.  of      James  of  Sands  Point=Sarah  Cornell 


removed  to  Cow  Neck, 
L.  I.,  1696.  Nat.  1649, 
ob.  March  15, 1712. 


Simon  Kav 
of  Block  Is 
land,  ob. 


removed  to  Matine- 
cock,  cir.1694.  Nat. 
16T3,  ob.  1731. 


of  Cow  Neck, 


Samuel  of  Sands  Point,=Bay,  sister 
L.  I.,  nat.  1680.       I   of  John's 
wife. 


Edward  of_Dlnah 
Block  Is-  1  Walker, 
land,  ob. 
1709. 


Sarah = Raymond 


Mary =N  lies, 
nat. 
16S3. 


John  uat._Cath. 
1684,  ob.  Gntbrle 
Aug.  1. 


Nathaniel  .O'Neal. 


Edwanl=Rachel 

Cornell,  da. 
of  Richard 
of  Cow  neck. 


f  ri 

Naif  1 


Othniel  nat.  ^Susanna  da. 

of,  Nichola 


1699,  moved 
to  Bedford, 
1746,  ob. 
1757. 


Lang  of  Oys- 
ter Bay,  nat. 
1702,  Ob. 
1757. 


Jaines=l  Miss  Howland,   AbjJahof=  Waring, 
da.  of  Capt.  How-  Pennsyi 
land  of  Cow  neck  vania, 

2  Rebecca 
Bailey. 


John  of  =  German 
Pennsyi-  Lady, 
vania. 


f  111 


SamueL^Mary  Pell 
da.  of 
Tlioman 
Lord  of  the 


John  nat.— Elizabeth 
Jan.  1708, 1  da.  of  Ca- 
ob.  Nov.  leb  Crom- 
81, 1T6Q.  well.  ob. 
1      1791 . 


3  ^  «  to  t 


I  I  I  I  II 

-  S  D   »  B       I  3 


a»o»a jo 

3 ll Bg*i 


at  Oyster 
Bay,  1727 


J   I  I 

09  X  M 

1 13 


■  B?S> 


I 

Comfort, 
na! .  at 
Rands 
Point, 
21  Feb. 
174S. 


Jo8eph_Mane  a 

Terese  2 

•a 


•n  a  r  » 

3  1 1  a 

5  g  g 


1 1  & 


Sarah  Dodge 
da.  of  Wil-  , 
kla,  nat.  24 
Mav,  1749, 
ob.  29  Jan. 
179V. 


°S  a  &  5. 


1  1  1 

i  3  B  B 


Tnotnas  JohnD. 


James 
ob.  8.  p. 


Roth 
ob.  s.  p. 


I  I 
Sarnnel=Susannah  Amos 
da.  of  Israel 
Townsend 


David     Stephen  Caleb 


II 

I2SI 


Caleb_Halglit 


Jose]ib_l  Ualght 

I  Martha  da. 
of  John  Ilal- 
llckof  North 
Castle 


Hi 


=  1 


11  Iji 


Iri 


|l| 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


717 


to  Arnold  at  West  Point  before  the  report  of  his  capture  should  go 
abroad,  it  might  be  practicable  for  them  both  to  get  within  the  British 
lines,  or  to  take  such  other  steps  for  securing  themselves,  as  the  extremity 
of  their  affairs  should  make  necessary.  It  has  been  represented,  that 
Andre's  magnanimity  was  the  principal  motive  by  which  he  was  actuated 
in  concealing  the  agency  of  Arnold.  His  subsequent  conduct  gives  him 
every  claim  to  the  praise  of  honor  and  nobleness  of  mind ;  yet,  on  the 
present  occasion,  it  is  obvious  that  his  own  personal  safety  was  as  much 
consulted,  to  say  the  least,  as  his  sentiments  of  generosity  towards  his 
associate. 

Jameson  penned  a  hasty  line  to  Arnold,  saying  merely  that  he  sent 
forward,  under  the  charge  of  Lieutenant  Allen  and  a  guard,  a  certain 
John  Anderson,  who  had  been  taken  while  going  towards  New  York. 
He  had  a  passport,  said  Jameson,  signed  in  your  name;  and  a  parcel  of 
papers  taken  from  under  his  stockings,  which  I  think  of  a  very  danger- 
ous tendency.  He  then  described  these  papers,  and  added  that  he  had 
sent  them  to  General  Washington. 

There  appears  to  have  been  some  misgiving  in  the  mind  of  Jameson, 
although  he  was  not  prepared  to  suspect  the  patriotism  and  political 
fidelity  of  his  commanding  general.  Washington  said  afterwards  that, 
either  on  account  of  his  "  egregious  folly,  or  bewildered  conception,  he 
seemed  lost  in  astonishment,  and  not  to  know  what  he  was  doing."  This 
is  as  lenient  a  judgment,  perhaps,  as  can  be  passed  on  his  conduct.  No 
one  ever  doubted  the  purity  of  his  intentions.  Perceiving  the  mischiev- 
ous tendency  of  the  papers,  and  knowing  them  to  have  been  copied  by 
Arnold,  at  the  same  moment  that  he  sent  Andre  under  guard  to  West 
Point,  he  dispatched  an  express  with  the  papers  to  meet  General  Wash- 
ington, then  supposed  to  be  on  the  road  returning  from  his  interview 
with  the  French  commanders  at  Hartford.  Two  reasons  were  subse- 
quently assigned  by  Jameson,  for  a  course  which  seemed  so  extraordi- 
nary to  every  body  else  ;  first,  that  he  thought  the  affair  was  an  imposi- 
tion by  the  British,  intending  to  destroy  the  confidence  of  the  Americans 
in  Arnold ;  secondly,  that,  not  knowing  the  Vulture  was  up  the  river,  he 
supposed  Arnold  could  not  get  to  the  enemy,  without  passing  through 
the  American  out-posts  on  the  lines,  where  he  would  be  taken. 

Major  Tallmadge,  next  in  command  under  Jameson  was  absent  on 
duty  below  White  Plains  when  Andre  was  brought  in,  and  did  not  re- 
turn till  evening.  He  was  filled  with  astonishment  when  Jameson 
related  what  had  happened,  and  could  not  refrain  from  expressing  his 
surprise  at  the  course  that  had  been  pursued.  To  his  mind  the  case  was 
so  clear,  or  at  all  events  was  attended  by  such  peculiar  circumstances,  as 


7x8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


not  only  to  justify  but  require  prompt,  bold,  and  energetic  measures  on 
the  part  of  Jameson.  In  short  he  declared  his  suspicions  of  Arnold, 
and  offered  to  take  on  himself  the  entire  responsibility  of  proceeding 
upon  that  ground.  To  this  idea,  Jameson  would  not  listen.  He  was 
agitated  and  irresolute  at  first ;  but  finally  refused  to  sanction  any  meas- 
ures, which  should  imply  a  distrust  of  Arnold. 

Failing  in  this  object,  Tallmadge  earnestly  requested  that  the  prisoner 
might  be  brought  back,  to  which  Jameson  with  some  reluctance  con- 
sented. As  the  parties  from  below  had  been  higher  up  the  country  than 
the  post  at  North  Castle,  there  was  room  to  apprehend  that  he  might  be 
re-captured  ;  and  this  was.  probably,  the  prevailing  reason  of  Jameson 
for  countermanding  his  order.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  however,  (if 
any  thing  can  seem  strange  in  such  a  string  of  blunders,)  he  would  in- 
sist on  sending  forward  the  letter  he  had  written  to  Arnold,  as  will  ap- 
pear by  his  order  of  countermand  to  Lieutenant  Allen  : 

"  From  some  circumstances,  which  I  have  just  discovered,"  said  he  to 
that  officer,  "  I  have  reason  to  fear  that  a  party  of  the  enemy  is  above; 
and  as  I  would  not  have  Anderson  re-taken,  or  get  away,  I  desire  that 
you  will  proceed  to  Lower  Salem  with  him,  and  deliver  him  to  Captain 
Hoogland.  You  will  leave  the  guard  with  Captain  Hoogland,  also,  ex- 
cept one  man,  whom  you  may  take  along.  You  may  proceed  to  West 
Point,  and  deliver  the  letter  to  General  Arnold.  You  may  also  bhow 
him  this,  that  he  may  know  the  reason  why  the  prisoner  is  not  sent  on. 
You  will  please  return  as  soon  as  you  can." 

The  messenger,  with  his  letter,  overtook  Lieutenant  Allen,  and  he 
came  back  with  his  charge  to  North  Castle  late  at  night,  or  early  the 
next  morning  ;  although  from  the  tenor  of  the  letter,  it  might  be  inferred 
that  Colonel  Jameson  supposed  he  would  proceed  by  some  other  route 
to  Lower  Salem.  As  soon  as  Major  Tallmadge  saw  the  prisoner,  and 
especially  when  he  observed  his  manner  of  walking  to  and  fro  on  the 
floor,  and  turning  on  his  heel  to  retrace  his  steps,  he  was  struck  with  his 
military  deportment,  and  conceived  that  he  had  been  bred  to  arms. 
Jameson  gradually  came  into  the  same  way  of  thinking,  though  there  fs 
no  proof  of  his  confidence  in  Arnold  having  been  shaken ;  but  he  agreed 
with  Tallmadge,  that  it  was  best  to  keep  Anderson  in  close  custody — till 
something  more  should  be  known  about  him,  or  till  orders  should  be  re- 
ceived from  Arnold  or  General  Washington."  From  North  Castle  the 
prisoner  was  subsequently  removed  to  Lower  Salem.6 

The  hills  which  lie  along  the  western  side  of  the  town  present  a  very  rough 
and  rocky  appearance,  and  in  some  places  rise  to  considerable  height. 

a  Spark's  Life  of  Benedict  Arnold,  226,  7,  8,  9,  30,  31,  32,  33. 
6  See  Lewisboroujfh. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


719 


Upon  the  edge  of  one  of  them  is  a  remarkable  split  rock,  which  was, 
in  all  probability,  rent  asunder  ages  ago,  by  some  convulsion  of  nature. 
The  gap  is  commonly  called  Brimstone  Alley.  Hard  by  is  a  dismal  cav- 
ern, styled  the  Devil's  Den.  In  the  north-easterly  corner  of  the  town  lies 
the  Dark  Valley,  a  part  of  which  falls  within  the  limits  of  New  Castle. 
From  the  gloomy  woods  of  this  valley  issues  the  northern  branch  of  the 
Bronx.*  On  the  east  side  of  the  Dark  Valley  rises  Whippoor-will  Hill, 
an  appellation  given  to  it  on  account  of  its  being  a  haunt  of  that  well- 
known  bird.6  "The  notes  of  this  solitary  bird,  (observes  Wilson,  the  or- 
nithologist,) from  the  ideas  which  are  naturally  associated  with  them, 
seem  like  the  voice  of  an  old  friend,  and  are  listened  to  by  almost  all 
with  great  interest.  At  first  they  issue  from  some  retired  part  of  the 
woods,  the  glen  or  the  mountain ;  in  a  few  evenings,  perhaps,  we  hear 
them  from  the  adjoining  coppice,  the  garden  fence,  the  road  before  the 
door,  and  even  from  the  roof  of  the  dwelling  house,  long  after  the  fami- 
ly have  retired  to  rest.  Some  of  the  more  ignorant  and  superstitious  con- 
sider this  near  approach  as  forebodings  of  no  good  to  the  family — noth- 
ing less  than  sickness,  misfortune,  or  death,  to  some  of  its  members. 
These  visits,  however,  so  often  occur  without  any  bad  consequences,  that 
this  superstitious  dread  seems  on  the  decline.  He  is  now  a  regular  ac- 
quaintance. Every  morning  and  evening  his  shrill  and  rapid  repititions 
are  heard  from  the  adjoining  woods ;  and  when  two  or  more  are  calling 
out  at  the  same  time,  as  is  often  the  case  in  the  pairing  season,  and  at 
no  great  distance  from  each  other,  the  noise,  mingling  with  the  echoes 
from  the  mountains,  is  really  surprising."  "  These  notes  seem  pretty 
plainly  to  articulate  the  words  which  have  been  generally  applied  to 
them — Whip-poor-will — the  first  and  last  syllable  being  uttered  with 
great  emphasis,  and  the  whole  in  about  a  second  to  each  repetition ;  but 
when  two  or  more  males  meet,  their  Whip-poor-will  altercations  become 
much  more  rapid  and  incessant,  as  if  each  were  straining  to  overpower 
or  silence  the  other."  "  Towards  midnight  they  generally  become  silent ; 
unless  in  clear  moonlight,  when  they  are  heard,  with  little  intermission, 
till  morning.  If  there  be  a  creek  near,  with  high  precipitous,  bushy 
banks,  they  are  sure  to  be  found  in  such  situations.  During  the  day, 
they  sit  in  the  most  retired,  solitary,  and  deep-shaded  parts  of  the  woods, 
generally  on  high  ground,  where  they  repose  in  silence."  "  I  shall  not, 
(continues  Mr.  Wilson,)  in  the  manner  of  some,  attempt  to  amuse  the 
readers  with  a  repetition  of  the  unintelligible  names  given  to  this  bird 
by  the  Indians,  or  the  superstitious  notions  generally  entertained  of  it 

a  The  eastern  branch  of  the  Bronx  originates  from  th"  Rye  ponds,  aud,  running  through 
Kensico,  unites  with  the  northern  in  the  southern  part  of  tois  lowu. 
b  Caprlmulgus  Vociferous.—  Wilson. 


HISTORY  Oi''  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


by  the  same  people.  These  seem  as  various  as  the  tribes,  or  even  fami- 
lies, with  which  you  converse ;  scarcely  two  of  them  will  tell  you  the 
same  story.  It  is  easy,  however,  to  observe,  that  this,  like  the  owl  and 
other  nocturnal  birds,  is  held  by  them  in  a  kind  of  superstitious  awe,  as 
a  bird  with  which  they  wish  to  have  as  little  to  do  as  possible.  The  su- 
perstition of  the  Indian0  differs  very  little  from  that  of  an  illiterate  Ger- 
man or  Scotch  Highlander,  or  the  less  informed  of  any  other  nation.  It 
suggests  ten  thousand  fantastic  notions  to  each ;  and  these,  instead  of 
being  recorded  with  all  the  punctilio  of  the  most  important  truths,  seem 
only  fit  to  be  forgotten.  Whatever,  among  either  of  these  people,  is 
strange  and  not  comprehended,  is  usually  attributed  to  supernatural 
agency ;  and  an  unexpected  sight,  or  uncommon  incident,  is  often  omin- 
ous of  good,  but  more  generally  of  bad  fortune  to  the  parties.  Night, 
to  minds  of  this  complexion,  brings  with  it — its  kindred  horrors,  its  appa- 
ritions, strange  sounds  and  awful  sights ;  and  this  solitary  and  inoffen- 
sive bird,  being  a  frequent  wanderer  in  these  hours  of  ghosts  and  hob- 
goblins, is  considered  by  the  Indians  as  being,  by  habit  and  repute,  lit- 
tle better  than  one  of  them.  All  these  people,  however,  are  not  so 
credulous ;  I  have  conversed  with  Indians  who  treated  these  silly  no- 
tions with  contempt." 

The  favorite  places  of  resort  for  these  birds  are  on  high,  dry  situa- 
tions ;  it  is  probably  on  this  account,  that  they  are  to  be  found  here  in 
such  numbers.  The  following  lines  are  so  appropriate,  that  no  apology 
can  be  necessary  for  their  insertion : — 

SONG  OF  THE  WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

Swiftly  the  hours  of  day-light  have  fled, 

Dark  hang  the  clouds  o'er  the  sun's  wav}r  bed ; 

Stilly  the  cool  dews  of  evening  are  falling, 

And  the  night  loving  owl  from  her  wood  haunt  is  calling, 

Now  swiftly  from  my  dark  home  I'll  silently  fly, 

And  glide  through  the  glen  with  my  bright  beaming  eye. 

On  the  slope  of  the  hill  is  the  gleam  of  my  wings, 
Through  the  limbs  of  the  oak  where  the  rain  prophet  rings, 
By  the  skirt  of  the  green  wood  where  hangs  the  light  dew, 
O'er  the  grass  of  the  meadow  my  flight  I  pursue  ; 
Through  the  star  lighted  paths  of  the  forest  I'll  fly, 
And  pierce  the  gray  gloom  with  my  bright  gleaming  eye. 

a  "The  Indians  say,  that  when  the  leaf  of  the  white  oak,  which  pnts  forth  In  the  spring,  Is 
of  tin!  size  <if  the  ear  of  a  mouse,  it  is  time  to  plant  corn:  they  observe,  that  now  the  whip- 
poor-will  has  arrived,  am]  is  continually  hovering  over  them,  calling  out  his  ludiauname. 
'  Wekolia,'  in  order  to  remind  thorn  of  the  planting  times, ' Uaekihaek,'  'go  to  planting  corn.'" 
Yamoyden — note  to  stanza  '11. 

The  author  of  the  "  Illstorv  of  Virginia  "  makes  mention  of  a  bird,  said  to  contain  the  soul 
of  one  of  their  princes,  by  the  Indians.  P.  1S5. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  721 

Wo  1  to  the  night  moth  that  Hits  in  my  way, 
Wo  I  to  the  tribes  in  the  still  air  that  plaj-, 
Wo !  to  the  wretch  in  the  night  dew  that  sings, 
For  the  death  spirit  waits  on  the  rush  of  my  wings ; 
High  and  low,  swift  and  slow,  through  the  shadow  I  fly, 
While  the  wolf's  in  her  track,  and  the  owl  hooteth  nigh  ; 
When  the  moon  from  her  cloud-cinctured  car  brightly  gleams, 
And  starts  the  shades  with  her  tremulous  beams. 
Then  loud  in  the  night  winds  I  pour  my  wild  son;:, 
Whip-poor-will,  Whip-poor-will,  through  the  mists  rolling  gray, 
And  the  tremulous  moon-beams  on  high  wings  I  play. 

Now  the  owl  to  the  gloom  of  the  forest  has  flown, 

And  the  deer  to  her  covert  hath  stealthily  gone  ; 

The  lone  prowling  wolf  to  his  lair  is  returning, 

For  night's  shadows  are  lost  in  the  blush  of  the  morning, 

Now  swift  to  my  dark  home  I'll  silently  fly 

And  close  on  the  daylight  my  broad,  gleaming  eye. 

— Knickerbocker  Magazine. 

Whip-poor-will  Hill  is  very  high,  and  contains  much  arable  land,  espe- 
cially adapted  for  pasturage.  With  the  exception  of  Prospect  Hill,  it  over- 
tops all  others  in  the  neighborhood.  In  this  vicinity  is  Wampus  Pond,* 
whence  issues  a  tributary  to  the  Byram  River,  as  mentioned  in  the  de- 
scription of  New  Castle.  Byram  Lake  lies  in  the  north-east  part  of  the 
town  towards  Bedford,  not  far  from  the  village  of  North  Castle.  This  lake 
is  fed  by  numerous  springs  from  the  Cohamong  or  Armonck  hills,  which 
border  it  on  the  east.  The  north-western  shore  is  bounded  by  steep, 
rocky  acclivities,  covered  with  woods.  &  It  is  an  extensive  and  beautiful 
sheet  of  water,  constituting  the  head  of  Byram  (Armonck)  River,  which 
waters  the  southern  part  of  the  town.  The  lake  abounds  with  pickerel, 
which  were  introduced  here  from  the  western  lakes  by  a  number  of  en- 
terprising gentlemen  in  the  neighborhood." 

On  the  eastern  shore  of  the  lake  is  situated  the  estate  and  residence 
of  the  late  Samuel  Lyon,  Esq.,  whose  family  have  been  long  settled  in 
this  part  of  the  town. 

In  1772,  Roger  Lyon  of  North  Castle  held  a  captain's  commission  in 
the  middle  battalion  of  the  Westchester  militia.  At  one  period  of  the 
Revolution,  this  gentleman  had  the  honor  of  entertaining  General  Wash- 
ington and  suite  on  their  route  to  White  Plains.  It  is  related  by  his 
grand-son  that  during  the  entertainment,  Captain  Lyon  being  blind, 

a  It  is  said  that  clowder  Osh  were  very  abundant  In  this  pond  prior  to  the  introduction  of 
pickerel   „ : 

b  A  line  specimen  of  the  white-headed  or  bald  eagle  (Falco  Leucocephalus)  was  shot  on  the 
shores  of  the  lake  in  1S40. 
c  Messrs.  Hunt,  Lyon,  Carpenter  and  Tripp. 


722 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


handed  the  General  a  draught  of  good  cheer,  with  these  words,  "  Gen- 
eral !  the  ladies  say  you  are  a  very  handsome  man,  but  I  cannot  see." 
"  Tell  the  ladies,"  rejoined  Washington,  "  I  am  afraid  they  are  as  blind 
as  yourself.""  Samuel  Lyon,  his  eldest  son,  received  from  Governor 
Tryon  a  commission  in  the  Westchester  militia,  which  he  afterwards  re- 
signed for  a  Major's  commission  in  the  Continental  army, whereof  Samuel 
Drake  was  Captain.  During  the  war,  Major  Lyon  was  unfortunately 
surprised  in  the  night,  by  a  party  of  Totten's  refugee  corps.  The  marau- 
ders, after  the  most  inhuman  treatment,  plundered  the  house  and  farm, 
and  carried  off  their  prisoner  to  New  York.  His  brother,  Captain  Gil- 
bert Lyon,  also  held  a  commission  in  the  Continental  service.3  The 
son  of  Major  Lyon,  is  the  present  Samuel  Lyon,  Esq.,  of  North  Castle. 
Opposite  the  site  of  the  old  residence  on  Lyon  Hill  lies  the  family 
cemetery,  which  contains,  among  other  memorials,  the  following : 


About  a  mile  east  from  Byram  Lake  is  situated  the  Cohamong  Pond, 
so  denominated  from  the  adjoining  hills.  This  pond  has  no  observable 
inlet,  and  is  said  to  be  of  great  depth.  There  is  a  delightful  eminence 
in  the  vicinity,  from  which  the  spectator  has  a  noble  prospect — com- 
prehending a  horizon  to  the  north,  east,  and  south,  of  forty  miles  at 
least. 

The  name  of  the  Middle  Patent  is  still  applied  to  all  that  beautiful 
district  of  country  lying  in  the  north-east  corner  of  the  township.  Within 
this  part  of  North  Castle  rises  the  Mehanas  river ;  which,  after  running 
some  distance  north  into  Bedford,  turns  and  takes  a  southerly  course, 
forming  the  boundary  between  North  Castle  and  Poundridge  on  the 
east.  In  the  Mahanas  valley  is  a  small  settlement,  consisting  of  a 
Methodist  church  and  several  scattered  dwellings.  The  Methodist  so- 
ciety appears  to  have  been  the  first  organized  here,  in  1825.  A  new 
church  edifice  has  been  recently  erected  on  a  beautiful  site,  command- 
ing a  good  view  of  the  valley.    Upon  an  eminence  near  the  meeting- 


In 


In 


Memory  of 
MAJOR  SAMUEL  LYON, 
who  departed 
this  life 
January  23,  1819, 
iE.  71  years,  8  mo.  aud  9  days. 


Memory  of 
MARY, 


wife  of 
Samtel  Lyon, 
who  departed  this  life 
January  10,  1792.  S4. 


a  The  silver  cup  used  upon  this  occasion  is  still  preserved  in  the  family. 
b  Tliis  individual  was  likewise  captured  tiv  the  enemv  and  confined  with  his  brother  in  the 
New  York  sugar-house.  Captain  Gilbert  Lyon  is  the  father  of  Mr.  Jesse  Lyou  of  Eastchester. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


723 


house,  is  the  burying-ground  of  the  ancient  proprietors.  The  oldest 
grave-stones  are  inscribed  as  follows : — 


From  the  Rye  Ponds,  situated  on  the  southern  border  of  this  town, 
issues  the  principal  branch  of  the  Bronx  River.  Upon  this  stream 
stands  the  small  hamlet  of  Kensico,  formerly  called  Robbin's  Mills. 
Here  is  a  Methodist  church,  two  wollen  manufactories,  a  saw  and  grist 
mill,  a  spring  and  carriage  manufactory,  two  stores  and  several  dwellings. 
In  the  north-west  angle  of  Connecticut,  which  projects  into  this  town, 
lies  the  boundary-rock,  marked  with  the  royal  initials.  G.  R."  The 
Heights  of  North  Castle  are  well  known  in  the  annals  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. It  was  to  these  hills  that  General  Washington  retired,  soon  after 
the  battle  of  White- Plains.  Upon  the  summit  of  Fort  Hi!!,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Rye  Pond,  vestiges  of  a  military  encampment  are  still  to  be 
seen.  General  Washington's  troops  encamped  here  on  their  retreat 
after  the  battle  of  White  Plains.  The  property  is  now  owned  by  Wil- 
liam Fields,  Esq.  Camp  Field  is  also  situated  in  this  town.  "  The 
general  surface  of  North  Castle  is  broken  into  hills  and  valleys,  but  all 
admit  of  cultivation — either  as  arable,  meadow  or  pasture  lands."6  "  The 
soil  k  a  sandy  loam  and  clay."  The  principal  growth  of  wood  consists 
of  oak  of  all  kinds,  chestnut,  hickory,  elm,  locust,  &c,  &c.  In  our  to- 
pographical description  of  the  town,  we  have  shown  that  it  is  a  well 
watered  district. 


This  indenture,  made  the  twenty-third  of  October,  in  the  twelfth  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  Sovereign,  Lord  George  the  Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great 
Britain.  France  and  Ireland,  King  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  and  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  Christ,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  between  Cornelius 
Depeyster,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  of  the  one  part,  Abraham  Depey- 
ster.  of  the  same  city,  merchant ;  Philip  Courtlandt,  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
aforesaid,  merchant,  in  right  of  Catherine,  his  wife,  John  Hamilton,  of  Perth 
Amboy,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  Esq.,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  Isaac  De- 
peyster, of  the  said  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  and  Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter 
Depeyster,  of  the  said  city  of  New  York,  merchant  of  the  other  part.  Whereas, 
his  late  Majesty,  King  William  the  Third,  by  his  Letters  Patent,  under  the  broad 


Sx  B 
J.  29,  1743. 


Here  lies  the  4 
body  of 
SAMUEL  BANKS, 
who  departed  this  life  the  19th  of  September,  1773, 
in  the  86th  year  of  his  age. 


A.  H.  N. 
1776. 


LEASE  AND  RELEASE. 


a  Fonr  towns  abut  npon  Clapp's  ridge  In  tue  south-east  corner  of  North  Castle. 
b  Stafford's  Gazetteer. 
e  Dlsturnell's  Gazetteer. 


724 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  bearing  date  the  fourteenth  day  of  Febru- 
ary, in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  one,  did  grant  un- 
to Robert  Walter,  Leigh  Atwood,  the  said  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Matthew  Clarkson,  John  Cholwell,  Richard  Slater,  Laucaster  Symes,  Robert 
Lurting  and  Bame  Cosens,  a  certain  tract  of  land,  situate  and  being  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Westchester,  bounded  northerly  by  the  manor  of  Courtland,  easterly  with 
Bedford  line,  of  three  miles  square,  the  Whitcfield and  Byram  rivers;  southerly, 
by  the  land  of  John  Harrison,  Rye  line,  stretching  to  Byram  river,  aforesaid, 
and  the  White  Plains,  and  westerly  by  Brunk's  river  and  the  manor  of  Philips- 
burg.    Excepting  thereout  all  the  lands  in  Richbald's  Patent;  as  in  and  by  the 
said  written  Letters  Patents,  relation  being  thereunto  had  may  more  fully  and  at 
large  appear.  In  which  said  tract  of  land  he,  the  said  Cornelius  Depeyster,  is  in- 
terested, and  entitled  to  one-tenth  part.    And,  whereas,  his  said  late  Majesty, 
King  William  the  Third,  by  other  Letters  Patents,  under  the  said  broad  seal  of 
the  said  Province  of  New  York,  bearing  date  on  or  about  the  seventeenth  day  of 
February,  and  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
Christ,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  one,  did,  in  like  manner,  give  and  grant 
unto  Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theale,  John  Horton,  Joseph  Purdy,  Robert  Wal 
ter,  Leigh  Atwood,  Matthew  Clarkson,  Lancaster  Symes,  the  said  Cornelius  De- 
peyster, Richard  Slater,  John  Cholwell,  Robert  Lurting,  and  Barne  Cosens,  their 
heirs,  and  assigns,  forever,  at,  and  under  the  yearly  quit-rent  of  one  pound,  sev- 
enteen shillings  and  six  pence,  payable  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  December, 
yearly,  forever,  all  that  other  tract  of  land  further  up  in  the  Wilderness,  in  the 
said  county  of  Westchester  and  Province  of  New  York,  bearing  date  on  or  about 
the  second  day  of  March,  in  the  said  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign,  and  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  Christ  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  one,  did,  in  like  man- 
ner give,  and  grant,  unto  Robert  Walter,  John  Cholwell,  Leigh  Atwood  and  the 
said  Cornelius  Depeyster,  Richard  Slater,  Barne  Cosens,  Lancaster  Symes,  Ma- 
thew  Clarkson,  Robert  Lurting,  Peter  Mathews  and  Caleb  Heathcote,  their 
heirs  and  assigns  fi  rcver,  at,  and  under  the  yearly  quit-rent  of  seven  poimds,  fif- 
teen shillings,  payable  on  the  Twenty-Fifth  day  of  December,  yearly,  forever. 
All  that  other  part  of  land  situate,  lying  and  being  further  up  in  the  said  Wilder- 
ness, in  the  aforesaid  county  of  Westchester,  and  Province  of  New  York,  afore- 
said, bounded  to  the  south  by  the  Division  line  between  the  said  Province  of  New 
York  and  the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut,  and  so  along  the  said  line  until  it 
meets  with  the  patent  of  Adolph  Philipse,  and  so  along  his  Southern  bounds  un- 
til it  meets  with  the  mauor  of  Courtland,  and  from  thence  by  aline  that  shall  urn 
upon  a  direct  course  until  it  meets  with  the  first  Easterly  line  of  Twenty  miles  of 
the  said  Manor  of  Courtland,  and  from  thence  along  the  said  line  Westerly  until 
it  meets  with  a  patent  granted  unto  Robert  Walter  and  others,  thence  Southerly 
along  the  said  patent  until  it  meets  with  the  bounds  of  the  Township  of  Bedford, 
and  thence  round  along  the  said  aforesaid  bounds  until  it  meets  with  the  Patent 
granted  to  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcoatc  and  others,  and  along  the  bounds  of  the  said 
Patent  unto  the  Colony  line  where  it  first  begun ;  and,  also,  all  that  small  tract  of 
land  beginning  Westerly  at  a  great  rock  on  the  Westmost  side  at  the  Southwest 
end  of  a  ridge  known  by  the  name  of  Rithbell,  or  Horse-ridge,  and  from  thence 
Northwest  and  by  North  to  Brunk's  river,  Easterly  beginning  at  a  m  rked  tree  at 
the  Eastmost  side  on  the  Southwest  end  of  the  said  Ridge,  and  thence  North  to 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


725 


Bnink's  river,  which  said  Two  last  mentioned  tracts  of  land  do  contain,  hy  esti- 
mation, Six  thousand  Two  Hundred  acres  of  profitable. or  improvable  Lauds,  or 
thereabouts  (be  the  same  more  or  less),  as  by  the  said  Three  several  Letters  Pat- 
ents remaining  upon  record  iu  the  Secretaries  office  of  tho  Province  of  New  York, 
reference  being  unto  them  severally  had  more  at  large,  may  appear.    By  means 
of  which  said  several  Letters  Patents  the  said  Cornelius  Depeystcr  became  seiz- 
ed, and  as  yet,  doth  stand  seized  of  a  good  Estate  of  Inheritance  in  fee  simple  of, 
and  in,  One  full  and  equal  undivided  south  part  or  share  of  the  said  first-men- 
tioned Tract  of  Laud  ;  and  also  of,  and  iu,  one  undivided  Thirteenth  part  or  share 
of  the  said  Second  above  mentioned  Tract  of  Land,  and  also  of,  and  in,  one  full 
and  equal  undivided  Eleventh  part  or  Share  of  the  said  Two  last  mentioned  tracts 
of  land,  with  the  appurtenances  to  the  same  several  tracts  of  laud  severally  and 
respectively  belonging.    Now,  this  Indenture  Witnesseth  that  the  said  Cornelius 
Depeyster  for,  and  iu  consideration  of  the  Sum  of  Five  Shillings,  current  money 
of  New  York,  to  him  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Abraham  Depeyster,  Philip 
Courtlandt,  John  Hamilton,  Isaac  Depeyster,  and  Peter  Depeyster,  the  receipt 
whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  he,  the  said  Cornelius  Depeyster,  hath  granted, 
bargained,  sold  and  demised,  and  by  these  presents  Doth  grant,  bargain,  sell  and 
demise  unto  them,  the  said  Abraham  Depeyster,  Philip  Courtland,  in  right, 
as  aforesaid,  John  Hamilton,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  Isaac  Depeystcr,  and 
Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter  Depeyster.     All  that  the  said  undivided  Tenth 
part,  and  all   other  part,  purpart  and  share,  parts,  purparts  and  shares, 
of  him,  the  said  Cornelius  De  Peyster,  of  and  in  all  that,  the  said  tract  of 
land  first  above  mentioned  containing  by  situation  or  measure,  Five  Thousand 
acres  of  profitable  or  Improvable  lands,  or  thereabouts,  (be  the  same  more  or 
less,)  besides  Wastes  and  Wood-lands,  as  aforesaid,  with  all  and  singular  the  ap- 
purtenances thereunto  belonging  and  also  all  that,  the  said  undivided  Thirteenth 
Part  or  Share,  and  all  other  part,  purpart  parts,  purparts  and  shares  of  him,  the 
said  Cornelius  De  Peyster,  of  and  in  all  that,  the  said  Tract  of  land  Second  above 
mentioned,  containing,  by  estimation  or  measure,  One  Thousand  Five  hundred 
acres  of  profitable  and  improvable  lands,  or  thereabouts,  besides  Wastes  and 
Wood-lands,  with  the  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  and  likewise  all  that, 
the  said  undivided  Eleventh  part  or  share,  and  all  other  parts,  purparts  and 
shares  of  him,  the  said  Cornelius  De  Peyster,  of  and  in  all  these,  the  said  Two 
Tracts  of  land  last  above  mentioned,  containing,  by  estimation,  One  thousand  Two 
hundred  acres  of  profitable  or  Improvable  lands,  or  thereabouts,  with  their  ap- 
purtenances together,  also  with  the  like  several  and  respective  parts,  purparts  and 
shares,  as  are  before  mentioned,  of  all  and  singular  Plantations,  Farms,  Messu- 
ages, nouses,  Erections,  Buildings  and  Improvements,  which  now  are  standing, 
remaining  or  being,  or  shall  or  may  at  any  time  hereafter  bo  erected,  built  or 
made  in,  upon  or  about  the  said  several  Tracts  of  lands,  premises,  or  any  or  either 
of  them,  and  also  of  all  and  singular  houses,  out-houses,  yards ;  besides  gardens, 
Orchards,  Woods,  Underwoods,  Springs,  Groves,  Wastes,  Commons  and  comon  of 
Pasture,  Ways,  Passages,  Waters,  Water-Courses,  Ponds,  Pools,  Fishings,  Royal- 
ties, Preemints,  Easements,  Commodities,  Profits,  Hereditaments  and  Appurten- 
ances whatsoever  to  the  said  several  Tracts  of  land  and  Premises  belonging,  or  in 
any  wise  appertaining  and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  remainders 
thereof,  to  Have  and  to  Hold  all  and  Singular  the  said  premises  above  mentioned, 


726 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  with  their  appurtenances,  unto  the  said  Abraham 
DePeyster,  Philip  Courtlandt,  in  right  as  aforesaid.  John  Hamilton,  Catharine,  his 
wife,  Isaac  DePeyster  and  Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter  DePeyster,  their  Executors, 
Administrators  and  Assignees,  from  the  day  next  before  the  day  of  the  date  hereof, 
for  and  during,  and  unto  the  full  one  and  term  of  one  whole,  from  thenceforth, 
next,  and  immediately  succeeding  and  following,  and  fully  to  be  complete  and  end- 
ed, Yielding  and  Paying  therefor  one  Pepper-Corn,  in  and  upon  the  Feast  day  of 
St.  Michael  the  Archangel,  if  the  same  be  lawfully  demanded,  To  the  Intent  that, 
by  virtue  of  these  presents,  and  by  force  of  the  Statute  for  transferring  uses  into  pos- 
session, they,  the  said  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Philip  Courtlandt,  in  right  ampior, 
John  Hamilton  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  Isaac  DePeyster  and  Ann  his  wife,  and  Peter 
De  Peyster,  may  be  in  the  actual  possession  of  the  said  premises  with  their  ap- 
purtenances, and  thereby  be  enabled  to  accept  and  take  a  grant  and  release  of  the 
reversion  and  inheritance  thereof  to  them  and  their  heirs,  to  the  proper  use  and 
behoof  of  them,  the  said  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Philip  Courtlandt,  John  Hamil- 
ton and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  Isaac  De  Peyster  and  Ann  his  wife,  and  Peter  De 
Peyster,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  In  witness  whereof  the  said  parties  have 
to  these  presents  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  A'ear  first 
above  written.  Signed,  C.  DE  PEYSTER, 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  the  several  raisures  - 
and  interlineations,  having  been  first  made  in  the  within  in- 
denture as  certified  by  the  said  Cornelius  De  Peyster. 

Mary  De  Peystei.-. 

Jso.  Chambers.0 

This  Indenture  made  the  eighth  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three  between  Abraham  De  Peyster,  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  Esq.,  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  widow, 
Isaac  Do  Peyster,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  gentleman,  and  Anu,  his  wife,  and 
Peter  De  Peyster,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  gentleman,  of  the  first  part,  and 
Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton,  of  the  County  of  Westchester 
in  the  province  of  New  York,  yeomen  and  their  associates  of  the  second  part; 
whereas  His  most  gracious  Majesty  King  William  the  Third  of  glorious  memory 
by  his  Letters  Patent  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province  of  New  York  bearing 
date  the  fourteenth  day  of  February  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign  granted 
unto  Robert  Waters,  Leigh  Atwood,  Cornelius  De  Peyster  and  others  and  to  their 
Heirs  and  assigns  forever.  All  that  certain  Tract  of  land  in  the  County  of  West- 
chester ;  bounded  northerly  by  the  manor  of  Cortland,  easterly  with  Bedford 
line  of  three  miles  square,  the  White  Field  and  Byram  River,  southerly  by  the 
land  of  John  Harrison,  Rye  line  stretching  to  Byram  River  aforesaid  and  the 
White  Plains,  and  westerly  by  Bruncks  River  and  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh 
(excepting  out  of  the  bounds  aforesaid  all  the  land  within  Richbell's  Patent) 
which  said  Tract  is  now  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  West  Patent ;  and 
whereas  the  said  Cornelius  De  Peyster,  one  of  the  Patentees  in  the  said  Letters 
Patent  named  by  Indentures  of  Lease  and  Release  bearing  date  the  twenty-third 
and  twenty-fourth  days  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  thirty-eight,  reciting  as  therein  is  recited,  did  grant  and  couvey 

o  Copied  from  the  original  iu  the  possession  of  D.  W.  Smith,  Kcnslco,  N.  Y. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  727 

among  other  things  one  undivided  tenth  part  and  all  other  Part,  Purpart  and 
Share,  Part,  Purparts  and  Shares  of  him  the  said  Cornelius  Dc  Pcyster  of  all  that 
the  said  Tract  of  land  above  mentioned  with  the  appurtenances  unto  the  said 
Abraham  De  Pcyster,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  since  deceased  by  the  name  of  Philip 
Courtland,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  merchant,  John  Hamilton  since  deceased 
anil  the  said  Elizabeth,  then  his  wife,  and  the  said  Isaac  De  Pcyster  and  Ann, 
his  wife,  and  Peter  Dc  Pcyster,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  To  have  and  to 
hold  one  fifth  part  thereof  to  the  said  Abraham  De  Pcyster,  his  heirs  and  assigns 
for  ever,  one  other  fifth  part  thereof  to  the  said  Philip  Van  Cortland,  his  heirs 
and  assigns  for  ever,  one  other  fifth  part  thereof  to  the  said  John  Hamilton  and 
Elizabeth,  his  wife,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  one  other  fifth  part  thereof 
to  the  said  Tsaac  De  Pcyster  and  Ann,  his  wife,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever, 
and  the  other  fifth  part  thereof  to  the  said  Peter  De  Peyster,  his  heirs  and  assigns 
for  ever;  and  whereas  the  said  John  Hamilton  is  since  deceased,  and  the  said 
Elizabeth,  his  wife,  party  to  these  presents  both  survived  him.  Now,  therefore, 
this  indenture  wituesseth  that  for  and  in  consideration  of  t he  sum  of  eight  hun- 
dred and  twenty  pounds  lawful  money  of  New  York  to  the  said  parties  of  the 
first  part  in  hand  paid  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents 
by  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged, 
and  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  their  Heirs,  Executors,  Administrators  and 
Assigns  thereof  and  therefrom  and  of  and  from  every  part  and  parcel  thereof  ac- 
quitted, released  and  for  ever  discharged  by  these  presents,  they  the  said  Abra- 
ham De  Peyster,  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  Isaac  De  Pcyster  and  Ann,  his  wife,  and 
Peter  Dc  Peyster  have  and  each  of  them  lotts  granted,  bargained,  sold,  aliened, 
released  and  confirmed  and  by  these  Presents  do  and  each  of  them  doth  grant 
and  bargain,  sell,  alien,  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb 
Fowler,  and  Joseph  Sutton  and  their  associates  in  their  actual  Possession  now 
being ;  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  all  the  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Interest, 
Trusts,  Parts,  Shares,  Proportions,  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever  both  in  Law 
and  Equity  of  them  the  said  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  Isaac  De 
Peyster  and  Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter  De  Peyster  and  of  each  and  every  of  them 
of  in  and  to  all  and  singular  the  said  tract  of  Land  and  Premises  in  and  by  the 
said  Letters  Patent  above  in  Part  recited,  granted  or  intended  to  be  thereby  granted, 
and  every  Part  and  Parcel  thereof  with  the  appurtenances  and  all  Messuages, 
Houses,  Gardens,  Orchards,  Laud,  Meadows,  Commons,  Pastures,  Feedings, 
Woods,  Ways,  Waters,  Water  Courses,  Easements,  Profits,  Commodities,  Advant- 
ages, Emoluments,  and  Hereditaments,  whatsoever  to  the  same  Tracts  of  land  be- 
longing or  in  any  wise  appertaining  or  which  now  are  or  formerly  have  been  accept- 
ed, reputed,  taken,  known,  used,  occupied  or  enjoyed  to  or  with  the  same  or  as 
Part,  Parcel  or  Member  thereof,  or  of  any  Part  thereof  and  the  Reversion  and  Re- 
versions Remainder  and  Remainders,  Rents  and  Services  of  all  and  singular  the 
said  Premises  above  mentioned  and  of  every  part  and  Parcel  thereof  with  the  ap- 
purtenances ;  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the  said  Premises  herein  before 
granted  and  released,  or  meant,  mentioned  or  intended  to  be  hereby  granted  and  re- 
leased, and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  with  the  appurtenances,  unto  the  said 
Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb  Fowler,  and  Joseph  Sutton  and  their  associates,  their  Heirs 
and  Assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  Benjamin  Smith,  Caleb 
Fowler  and  Joseph  Sutton  and  their  associates,  their  respective  Heirs  and  Assigns 


728 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


for  ever  as  Tenants  in  common  and  not  as  Jointtenants,  and  whereas  seven  thous- 
and acres  of  the  above  Tract  of  land  is  supposed  to  be  now  in  the  Possession  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  Bedford  New  Purchase,  and  the  parties  to  these  Presents  of  the 
second  part  have  heretofore  purchased  the  Rights,  of  John  Cholwell  and  Robert 
Waters,  and  one  half  of  the  Rights  of  Richard  Slater,  three  of  the  Patentees 
named  in  the  said  Letters  Patent  supposed  to  contain  Eight  Thousand  acres  more 
of  some  of  the  other  Patentees,  or  others  claiming  under  them  four  thousand 
seven  hundred  acres  more;  Now  therefore,  the  said  Abraham  De  Peystcr,  Eliz- 
abeth Hamilton,  Isaac  De  Peyster,  for  himself  and  Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter  De 
Peyster,  for  themselves  generally  and  not  jointly,  nor  one  for  the  other  and  for 
their  respective  Heirs,  their  respective  parts,  shares  and  proportions  above  partic- 
ularly recited  of  and  in  the  remaining  Part  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises 
above  mentioned,  supposed  to  contain  about  twelve  thousand  three  hundred 
acres,  be  it  more  or  less  against  them  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  and  their 
Heirs  and  against  all  and  every  other  Person  and  Persons  whomsoever  claiming 
by  from  or  under  them,  or  any  or  either  of  them  respectively,  or  under  the  said 
Cornelius  De  Peyster  the  Patentee  to  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  to 
their  respective  Heirs  and  Assigns  for  ever  shall  and  will  warrant  and  forever  de- 
fend by  these  presents.  For  Testimony  whereof  the  parties  to  these  presents 
have  hereunto  interchangeably  set  their  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year  first 
above  written.  Piehiie  De  Peyster,  Anne  De  Peyster, 

Isaac  DePeyster,  Elizabeth  Hamilton, 
Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of,  A.  D  :  Peyster. 

By  Abraham  De  Peyster  in  the  presence  of 
Samuel  Jones  ;  Catharine  Livingston,  by  • 
Elizabeth  Hamilton  in  the  presence  of  Tobias 
Hotttraburgh,  JonN  Montange. 

Sealed  and  delivered  by  the  within  named 
Isaac  De  Peyster,  Ann,  his  wife,  and  Peter 
De  Peyster  in  the  presence  of  us,  Samuel 
Jones,  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Jun.*1 

PATENT. 

George  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland. 

King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.«  To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
Greeting:  Whereas,  our  Loving  Subjects,  William  Smith,  Esq.,  our  Attorney  and 
Advocate-General  of  our  Province  of  New  York,  and  James  Brown,  of  the  Comi- 
ty of  Westchester,  gentleman,  by  their  humble  Petition,  presented  to  our  Trusty 
and  Well-beloved  George  Clinton,  Esq.,  our  Captain-General  and  Governor-in- 
Chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York  and  Territories  therein  depending  in  America, 
Vice-Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Admiral  of  the  White  Squadron  of  our  fleet,  and 
read  in  Council  on  the  second  day  of  July,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty, 
did  pray  our  Letters  Patent  for  four  thousand  Acres  of  the  land  called  t!ie  Equiv- 
alent Lands,  formerly  surrendered  by  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  to  the  Colony  of 
New  York,  which  Petition  having  been  then  and  there  read  in  Couucil,  did  after- 
wards, to  wit :  in  the  same  day  humbly  Advise  our  said  Governor  to  grant  to  the 

a  Roc,  of  the  County  of  Westchester,  Book  n.,  p.  305,  Ac,  Aug.  26th,  1TT4,  fees  Us.  En- 
dorsed by  Jno  Bautow,  clerk. 


THE.  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  729 

Petitioners  our  Letters  Patent  for  four  thousand  Acres  of  the  said  Lands  to  be  laid 
out  in  one  Tract  only.  And  Whereas,  the  said  William  Smith  and  James  Brown, 
by  their  further  Petition  presented  unto  our  said  Governor,  and  read  in  Council 
on  the  nineteenth  day  of  November  last  past.  Suggesting,  that  by  prior  surveys  of 
Sundry  parts  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  they  found  it  impossible  to  layout  the 
said  four  thousand  Acres  of  Laud  in  one  place,  so  as  to  be  of  any  Ad  vantage  to  them, 
the  Petitioners  did  pray  that  the  said  four  thousand  Acres  of  Land  might  be  laid 
out  in  so  many  pieces  as  should  be  found  Convenient;  Which  Petition-  having 
been  then  and  there  also  Head,  our  Council  did,  on  the  same  day,  humbly  advise 
our  said  Governour  to  issue  a  Warrant  to  our  Surveyor-General  to  survey  and  lay  out 
the  said  Lands  in  any  Number  of  Tracts  not  exceeding  four.  In  Pursuance  where- 
of and  in  Obedience  to  our  Royal  Instructions  for  that  purpose,  our  Commissioners 
appointed  by  said  Instructions  for  the  setting  out  of  all  Lands  to  be  granted  with- 
in our  said  Province,  Have  set  out  for  the  said  Petitioners,  William  Smith  and 
James  Brown,  All  those  four  several  Tracts  of  Land  within  that  Tract  of  Land 
called  the  Equivalent  Lands,  lately  Surrendered  by  our  Colony  of  Connecticut  to 
our  Colony  of  New  York,  and  which  are  not  included  in  or  granted  by  our  Let- 
ters Patent,  under  the  Great  Seal  of  our  Province  of  New  York ;  the  first  of  which 
Tracts  begins  in  the  Western  Bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  at  the  South- 
West  corner  of  a  Tract  of  Land  in  the  Lands  Granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and 
others,  known  by  the  name  of  Lot  No.  0,  and  runs  thence  along  the  Lines  of  the 
said  Lot  and  of  a  Tract  of  Land  Granted  to  John  Ayscough,  t<>  the  Eastern  Bounds 
of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  then  along  the  said  Eastern  Bounds  one  mile  south- 
erly to  Lot  No.  8  of  the  said  Lands,  Granted  to  Thomas  Hawlcy  and  others,  then 
alongthe  North  Boundsof  said  LotNo.  8,  and  of  Lot  No.  7,  to  the  Western  Bounds 
of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  then  along  the  said  Western  Bounds  to  the  place 
where  this  first  Tract  began,  Containing  one  thousand  and  one  hundred  Acres  of 
Land  and  the  usual  allowance  for  Highways,  the  Second  of  which  Tracts  begins  at 
the  North  West  corner  of  the  Lands  granted  to  John  Ayscough,  being  two  White 
Oak  trees  growing  out  of  one  Root,  the  one  marked  C  G  the  other  W  S,  being  like- 
wise the  North-east  Corner  of  Lot  No.  12,  of  the  said  Lands  granted  to  Thomas 
Hawley  and  others,  and  the  Southeast  Comer  of  Lot  No.  13,  of  the  same  Lands, 
and  runs  thence  along  the  bounds  of  the  said  Lands  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley 
and  others,  being  the  Line  of  the  said  Lott  No.  13  to  Lott  No.  16,  then  alongthe 
bounds  of  said  Lott  No.  1 6  to  Lott  No.  IS,  then  along  the  line  of  the  said  Lot  t  No. 
18  to  the  Eastern  Bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  then  along  the  said  Eastern 
Boundary  two  hundred  and  seventeen  Chains  and  two  Rods  to  the  said  Lands 
granted  to  John  Ayscough,  and  then  along  his  Line  to  the  place  where  this  Second 
Tract  began,  Containing  one  thousand  Acres  of  Land,  and  the  usual  allowance  for 
Highways  ;  the  third  of  which  Tracts  begins  at  the  twenty-eighth  Mile  Monu- 
ment in  the  Western  bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  runs  thence 
South  eighty-three  degrees.  East  sixty-seven  Chains,  then  North  twelve  de- 
grees and  thirty  minutes,  East  twenty  Chains,  then  South  seventy-seven  de- 
grees and  thirty  minutes,  East  forty  Chains,  then  South  twelve  degrees 
and  thirty  minutes,  West  one  hundred  and  three  Chains  to  Lott  No.  44, 
of  the  said  Lauds  granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  others,  and  then  along 
the  Lines  of  said  Lott  and  of  Lott  No.  43  to  the  Western  Bounds  of  the  said 
Equivalent  Lands,  and  then  along  the  said  Bounds  to  the  place  where  this  third 


73° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Tract  bfpan,  Containing  eight  hundred  and  ninety  Acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  al- 
lowance for  Highways,  and  the  fourth  of  which  Tracts  begins  at  a  Rock  with  a 
heap  of  Stones  upon  it,  which  is  at  forty-two  Chains  distance,  measured  on  a  Line 
running  North  eighty  degrees  East  from  the  thirtiethMile  Monument  in  the  western 
Bounds  of  the  said  Equivalent  Lands,  and  runs  from  said  Rock  South  twelve 
degrees  and  thirty  minutes  West  eighty  Chains,  then  south  seventy-seven  degrees 
and  thirty  minutes  East  fifty  four  chains,  then  North  ninety  chains,  then  East 
fifteen  Chains,  then  North  fifty-five  Chains,  then  North  seventy-eight  degrees, 
thirty  minutes,  West  thirt)r-seven  Chains,  then  South  twelve  degrees  and  thirty 
minutes  West  sixty-two  Chains  to  the  place  where  this  fourth  Tract  began,  Con- 
taining six  hundred  Acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  allowance  for  highways,  the  said 
four  Tracts  Containing  together  three  thousand,  five  hundred  and  ninety  Acres  of 
Land,  and  the  usual  allowance  for  Highways ;  and  in  Setting  out  thereof  the  said 
Commissioners  have  had  regard  to  the  profitable  and  unprofitable  Acres,  and 
have  taken  care  that  the  Length  of  the  said  Tracts,  or  either  of  them,  do  not  ex- 
tend along  the  Banks  of  any  River  otherwise  than  is  Conformable  to  our  Royal 
Instructions  for  that  purpose,  as  by  a  Certificate  thereof  under  their  hands,  bearing 
date  the  thirtieth  day  of  July  last  past,  and  entered  on  Record  La  our  Secretary's 
Office  in  our  City  of  New  York,  may  more  fully  appear,  which  said  Four  Tracts 
of  Land,  Set  out  as  aforesaid,  according  to  our  Royal  Instructions,  We  being  will- 
ing to  Grant  to  the  said  William  Smith  and  James  Brown,  their  Heirs  a.id  Assigns 
forever.  Know  Ye,  that  of  our  especial  Grace,  certain  Knowledge  and  mere  mo- 
tion,We  have  given,  granted.  Ratified  and  Confirmed,  and  Do  by  these  presents 
for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  Give,  Grant.  Ratify  and  Confirm  unto  the  said 
William  Smith  and  James  Brown,  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  forever,  All  the  said 
Tracts  or  Parcels  of  laud  so  set  out,  marked,  abutted,  bounded,  mentioned  and 
described  as  is  above  expressed  Concerning  the  same,  Togethi:i:  with  all  aud  sin- 
gular the  Woods,  Underwoods,  Trees,  Timbers,  Feedings,  Pastures,  Meadows, 
marshes,  Swamps,  Ways,  Waters.  Water-Courses,  Rivers,  Brooks,  Rivulets,  Runs 
and  Streams  of  Waters,  Fishings,  Fowling,  Hunting  and  Hawking,  Mines  and 
Minerals  of  all  sorts  whatsoever,  (except  Gold  mines  and  Silver  mines,)  which  now 
are  standing,  growing,  lying,  being  or  found,  or  at  any  time  hereafter  shall  be 
standing,  growing,  lying,  being  or  found  in  or  upon  the  above  Granted  Lands,  or 
any  part  thereof,  or  within  the  Bounds  or  Limits  of  the  same,  and  all  the  profits, 
liberties,  privileges,  Tenements,  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever  to 
the  same  Lands  and  premises,  or  any  part  thereof  belonging  or  in  any  wise  apper- 
taining, and  all  our  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Interest,  Possession,  Benefit,  Claim  and 
demand  whatsoever,  of,  in  and  to  tiie  same  Lands  and  Premises,  and  ever}'  or  any 
part  thereof,  aud  the  Reversion  and  Reversions,  Remainder  and  Remainders,  of  all 
and  Singular  the  said  premises,  Except  also  and  always  reserved  out  of  this  our 
present  Grant,  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  forever.  All  Trees  of  the  Diam- 
eter of  twenty-four  inches,  and  upwards  at  twelve  inches  from  the  Ground,  for 
Masts  for  our  Royal  Navy,  and  also  all  such  other  Trees  as  may  be  fit  to  make 
Planks,  Knees  and  other  things  necessary  for  the  use  of  our  said  navy,  only  which 
now  are  standing,  Growing  or  being,  or  at  any  lime  hereafter  shall  be  standing, 
Growing  or  being  in  or  upon  the  above  Granted  Lands,  or  any  part  thereof, 
with  free  Liberty  and  lycence  for  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  by  us,  our 
Heirs  or  Successors,  to  be  thereunto  especially  appointed  under  our  or  their  Sign 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  CASTLE. 


731 


Manual,  cither  with  or  without  workmen,  Horses,  Wagons,  Carts,  or  any  other 
Carriages,  to  enter  and  come  into  and  upon  t  he  said  Lauds,  and  every  or  any  part 
thereof ;  and  there  to  fall,  cut  down,  root  up,  Hew,  Square,  Saw,  work  up,  Have, 
Take  and  Carry  away  the  same  for  the  uses  aforesaid.  To  Have  and  to  Hold  the 
one  moiety  or  half  part  of  the  said  Tracts  or  Parcells  of  land,  Tenements,  Heredi- 
taments, Mines,  Minerals  and  Premises,  with  their  and  every  of  their  Appurten- 
ances, by  these  presents  Granted,  Ratified  and  Confirmed,  or  meant,  mentioned, 
or  intended  to  be  hereby  Granted,  Ratified  and  Confirmed,  (except  as  is 
hereinbefore  excepted)  unto  the  said  William  Smith,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the 
only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him,  the  said  William  Smith,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns, 
forever ;  And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  other  Moiety  or  half  part  of  the  said 
Tracts  or  Parcells  of  Lands.Tenements,  Hereditaments,  Mines,  Minerals  and  Prem- 
ises, with  their  and  every  of  their  Appurtenances,  by  these  presents  Granted,  Rati- 
fied and  Confirmed,  or  meant,  mentioned,  or  intended  to  be  hereby  granted,  rati- 
fied and  Confirmed,  (except  as  is  hereinbefore  excepted,)  unto  the  said  James 
Brown,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him,  the  said 
James  Brown,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  forever  ;  To  be  Holden  of  us,  our  Heirs  and 
successors  in  free  and  Common  Soccage,  as  of  our  Manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in 
the  County  of  Kent,  within  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Bntain,  yielding,  rendering  and 
paying,  therefore,  yearly,  and  every  year,  forever,  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Succes- 
sors, at  our  Custom  House,  in  our  city  of  Xcw  York,  unto  our,  or  their  Collector 
and  Receiver-General  there  for  the  time  being,  on  the  Annunciation  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  commonly  Called  Lady  Day,  the  Yearly  Rent  of  two  shillings  and 
six  pence  for  each  hundred  acres  of  the  above  Granted  Lands,  and  so  iu  proportion 
for  any  Lesser  quantity  thereof  (the  Land  allowed  for  Highways  only  excepted)  in 
Lieu  and  Stead  of  all  other  rents,  Services,  Dues,  Duties  and  Demands  whatsoever 
for  the  above  Granted  Lauds,  Mines,  Minerals,  Tenements,  Hereditaments  and 
Premises,  or  any  part  thereof,  Provided,  always  and  upon  Condition  that  if  our 
said  grantees,  their  Aeirs  and  Hssigns,  or  one  of  them,  shall  not,  within  three 
Years  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof  Plant,  Settle  and  effectually  Cultivate  at  least 
three  Acres  of  every  fifty  Acres  of  such  of  the  above  Granted  Lauds  as  are  capable 
of  cultivation  ;  or  if  our  said  Grantees,  their  Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  any  other  person 
or  persons  by  their  or  either  of  their  privity  Consent  or  procurement  shall  set  on 
fire  or  Burn  the  Wood  on  the  said  Lands,  or  any  part  thereof  (so  as  to  destroy,  Im- 
pair or  hinder  the  Growth  of  any  of  the  Trees  there  that  are  or  may  be  tit  for 
Masts,  Planks,  Knees  or  other  things  fit  for  our  Royal  Navy,  that  then,  and  in 
either  of  these  Cases,  this,  our  present  Grant,  and  everything  therein  Contained, 
shall  cease  and  be  void.  Anything  hereinbefore  Contained,  to  the  Contrary,  not- 
withstanding, Declaring  nevertheless  that  nothing  in  these  presents,  Reserved  or 
Contained,  shall  or  ought  to  be  Construed  to  extend  or  be  intended  to  prohibit,  or 
in  any  wise  hinder  our  said  Grantees,  their  Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  either  of  them 
from  such  Burning  of  the  Woods  or  Cutting  down  or  falling  of  the  Trees  that  are 
or  shall  be  Growing  or  being  on  the  above  Granted  Lands,  or  any  part  thereof,  as 
shall  be  necessary  or  Conducive  to  the  Cleaning  and  effectual  Cultivating  the  same 
lands  or  any  part  thereof,  or  to  or  for  their  own  use  or  uses.  And  we  do  hereby 
further  Declare,  that  by  the  said  Burning  of  the  Woods  is  only  meant  and  intend- 
ed that  our  said  Grantees,  their  Heirs  and  Assigns,  are  to  be  restrained  only  from 
Setting  fire  to  and  burning  any  Timber  or  Trees  whilst  they  are  standing  and  Grow- 


732 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ing  upon  the  above  granted  lands  or  any  part  thereof.  And  we  do  likewise  De- 
clare, that  the  Reservation  of  all  Trees  of  the  Diameter  of  twenty-four  inches  and 
upwards,  at  twelve  inches  from  the  Ground,  for  Masts  for  our  Royal  Navy,  and 
of  such  other  Trees  as  may  be  fit  to  make  Planks,  Knees  and  other  things  necessa- 
ry for  the  use  of  our  said  Royal  Navy,  is  not  and  ought  not  to  be  construed  to  hin- 
der our  said  Grantees  or  either  of  them,  their  or  either  of  their  Heirs  or  Assigns 
from  Cleaning  or  effectually  Cultivating  the  above  granted  Lands  or  any  part  there- 
of. And  we  do,  moreover,  of  our  especial  Grace,  Certain  Knowledge  and  meer 
notion,  Consent  and  Agree  that  this,  our  present  Grant,  being  entered  on  Record  as 
is  hereinafter  particularly  expressed,  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the  Law  to  all 
intents,  Constructions  and  purposes  against  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  notwith- 
standing any  misreciting,  misbounding,  misnaming  or  other  Imperfections  or 
Omissions  of  or  in  anywise  Concerning  the  above  Granted,  or  intended  to  be  hereby 
Granted  Lands,  Tenements,  Hereditaments,  Mines,  Mineral  and  Premises  or  any 
part  thereof.  In  testimony,  whereof,  We  have  Caused  these,  our  Letters,  to  be 
made  Patent,  and  the  Great  Seal  of  pur  said  Province,  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and 
the  same  to  be  entered  on  Record  in  our  Secretary's  Office  iu  one  of  the  Books  of 
Patents  there  remaining.  Witness  our  said  Trusty  and  Well-Beloved  George  Clin- 
ton, our  Captain -General  and  Governor-in-Chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York 
and  Territories  thereon  depending,  in  America,  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  and 
Admiral  of  the  White  Squadron  of  our  Fleet,  at  our  Fort,  in  our  city  of  New 
York,  the  second  day  of  August,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand,  seven 
hundred  and  fifty-two,  and  our  Reign  the  twenty-sixth. 

CLARKE,  J">. 

In  the  preceeding  certificate  and  Letters  Patent,  the  following  eraisures,  &c, 
appear,  viz :  page  449,  line  11  (Smith)  wrote  on  eraisure  ;  line  15  and  16  (the  first 
of  which  tracts)  obliterated ;  last  line  of  same  page,  (the)  obliterated  ;  page  452, 
between  the  2d  and  3d  lines,  (begins);  between  10  and  11  lines,  (first)  interim ; 
line  20,  (the)  obliterated,  and  page  453,  line  19th,  (purpose)  wrote  on  eraisure. 
Exam<i  and  Compd  with  the  Original,  by  me. 

GEORGE  BANYAR,  D.  Se&ff. 

I  do  hereby  Certify  the  preceding  Certificate  and  Patent  to  be  true  Copies  of 
their  respective  Original  records,  word  Petitioners,  15  line,  page  451,  on  Ra- 
zure.    Compared  therewith  by  me. 

LEWIS  A.  SCOTT,  Secretary. 


THE  TOWN 

OF 

north  s^vi^Envr. 


North  Salem  is  situated  twenty-four  miles  north  of  the  village  of  White 
Plains,  distant  fifty-six  miles  from  New  York,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty-two  frcm  Albany,  bounded  North  by  Putnam  County,  East  by 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  South  by  Lewisboro',  and  West  by  Somers. 
Its  extent  east  and  west  is  about  six  miles,  medial  width  four  miles. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution,  the  two  towns  of  Upper  and  Lower  Salem 
constituted  the  old  township  of  Salem  proper  within  Cortlandt's  manor. 
The  present  township  was  erected  on  the  7th  of  March,  1790. 

Upon  the  8th  of  August,  A.D.  1699,  Sachima  Wicker,  sachem  of 
Kightawonck  and  his  associates  sold  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  all 
their  rights  as  owners  and  proprietors  in  the  "  land  lying  and  being  with- 
in Cortlandt's  manor,  beginning  on  the  south  side  of  Kightawonck  creek, 
and  so  along  the  said  creek  to  a  place  called  Kewighecock,  and  from 
thence  along  a  creek  called  Peppeneghek  to  the  head  thereof,  and  then 
due  east  to  the  limits  of  Connecticut,  and  from  thence  northerly  along  the 
limits  of  Connecticut  aforesaid,  to  the  river  Mattegtico's  ten  miles,  and 
from  thence  due  west  to  the  Hudson  river,  &c,  &c."° 

A  portion  of  the  Salem  lands,  if  not  the  whole,  may  have  originally 
belonged  to  the  great  sachem  Catonah,  whose  territory  extended  from 
the  Sound  as  far  north  as  Danbury  in  Connecticut  ;  his  possessions  on 
the  west  appear  to  have  been  bounded  by  the  western  line  of  Bedford. 

"  In  the  year  1708,  John  Belden,  Samuel  Keeler,  Matthew  Seymour, 
Matthias  St.  John,  and  other  inhabitants  of  Norwalk,  purchased  a  large 
tract  of  land  (the  north-west  corner  of  which  was  styled  by  the  natives, 
Mamanusquag)  lying  between  that  town  and  Danbury,  bounded  west  on 
the  partition  line  between  Connecticut  and  New  York.    This  purchase 

a  Soe  OorUandt. 

733 


734 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


was  made  of  Catonah,  the  chief  sachem,  and  the  other  Indians,  who 
were  the  proprietors  of  that  part  of  the  country." a 

Van  der  Donck,  the  historian,  in  his  map  of  1656,  locates  the  Indian 
village  of  Pechquenakonck  somewhere  in  this  vicinity.  The  Indian 
burying  ground  is  situated  on  the  estate  of  the  late  Hon.  Isaac  Purdy, 
in  this  town,  a  little  north-west  of  the  mansion  house.  In  1778  upwards 
of  forty  mounds  were  visible.  Vast  quantities  of  arrow  and  spear  heads 
are  found  on  the  higher  grounds  of  this  town,  showing  that  Mamanus- 
quag  and  Appamaghpogh  were  once  great  hunting  grounds.  The  Titi- 
cus  river  still  retains  a  portion  of  its  ancient  Indian  name,  Mutighti- 
coos.6 This  beautiful  stream  rises  from  the  West  Mountain,  a  portion 
of  the  "Asproom  Ledges"  or  hills,  in  the  town  of  Ridgefield,  Con- 
necticut, upon  the  estate  of  Thomas  Smith,  commonly  designated  as  the 
"  Indian  Farm,"  near  which  were  the  two  ponds  denominated  Nasso- 
pack  and  Askeeto.  Tradition  asserts  that  the  Mutighticoos  was  some- 
times called  Buffalo  Creek.  What  similarity  exists  between  the  Indian 
name  and  its  English  substitute,  or  if  any,  we  are  unable  at  this  distant 
period  to  determine.  The  latter  certainly  bears  ample  testimony  to  the 
fact,  that  the  vast  gorges  of  the  Highlands  and  these  vales  once  abound- 
ed with  the  buffalo.  Van  der  Donck,  the  patroon  of  Yonkers,  writing 
in  1656,  says  of  this  animal :  "Buffaloes  are  also  tolerably  plenty;  these 
animals  mostly  keep  towards  the  southwest,  where  few  people  go." 
"  Again,  it  is  remarked  (says  the  same  writer)  that  the  half  of  these  ani- 
mals have  disappeared  and  left  the  country.""  It  ought  to  be  remem- 
bered that,  long  after  the  discovery  of  this  country  by  the  Dutch  in 
1609,  and  up  to  a  very  late  period,  Salem  and  the  adjoining  territory 
was  an  unexplored  wilderness.  A  small  tributary  of  the  Mutighticoos 
bears  the  Indian  name  of  Mopns. 

Stephanus  van  Cortlandt,  the  first  grantee  under  the  Indians,  by  his 
last  will,  dated  14th  of  April,  1700,  devised  and  bequeathed  the  whole 
manor  of  Cortlandt  to  his  eleven  children,  who  thus  became  seized  in 
fee.  In  1734  the  devisees  and  the  legal  heirs  of  those  who  were  dead", 
made  a  partition  of  the  manor  among  themselves.  By  this  division, 
North  Salem  fell  to  the  share  of  Mr.  Andrew  Teller,  Col.  John  Schuyler 
and  Stephen  de  Lancey,  in  the  following  order : — north  lot,  No.  8,  An- 
drew Teller;  ditto  No.  9,  John  Schuyler;  ditto  No.  10,  Stephen  de 
Lancey. 

The  latter  individual  subsequently  became  vested  in  lot  No.  9.  The 

a  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Connecticut.  Philip  Money,  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  aboriginal  pro- 
prietors waslivins;  in  this  town,  A.D.  17S4.  Absalom,  the  son  of  Philip,  left  issue,  Philip  and 
Philander,  besides  a  daughter,  Sarah. 

li  So  called  m  the  Cortlandt  Manor  map. 

c  Van  der  Douck's  Hist,  of  the  New  Netherlands,  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc  vol.  1.  168. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


735 


two  lots  together  were  called  "  De  Lancey  Town,"  and  form  the  present 
town  of  North  Salem,  except  the  small  strip  in  the  oblong. 

Stephen  de  Lancy  married  Anne  van  Cortlandt,  one  of  the  above 
devisees,  and  left  issue  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  By  will,  Stephen 
de  Lancey  devised  all  his  property  in  this  town  to  his  eldest  son, 
James  de  Lancey.  On  the  29th  of  December,  1744,  James  de  Lancey 
conveyed  all  his  lands  in  North  Salem  to  his  second  son,  Stephen  de 
Lancey,"  whereby  the  latter  stood  seized  for  the  use  of  the  same  for 
life,  with  remainder  to  his  issue  male,  in  fee  tail  male.  The  following 
is  the  indenture  : — 

This  indenture,  made  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  one 
thousand,  seven  hundred  and  forty-four,  between  James  de  Lancey,  Esq. ,  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  of  the  one  part,  and  Stephen  du  Lancey, 
son  of  the  said  James  de  Lancey,  of  the  other  part,  witnesseth,  that  the  said 
James,  for,  and  in  consideration  of  the  natural  love  and  affection  which  he,  the 
said  James,  beareth  to  his  said  second  son  Stephen,  doth  for  him  and  his  heirs, 
covenant  and  grant  to  and  with  the  said  Stephen  and  his  heirs,  that  the  said 
James  and  his  heirs  shall  and  will,  from  henceforth,  stand  and  be  seized  of,  and 
in  all  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  in  the  comity  of 
Westchester,  distinguished  and  known  by  the  name  of  north  lot,  number  nine, 
and  north  lot,  number  ten,  whereof  the  said  James  is  now  seized  of  an  estate  in 
fee  simple,  to  the  use  of  the  said  James  for  and  during  the  term  of  his  natural 
life,  and  after  his  decease  to  and  for  the  use  of  his  said  son  Stephen,  for  and  dur- 
ing the  term  of  his  natural  life ;  and,  after  his  decease,  to  the  use  and  behoof  of 
the  heir3  male  of  his  body,  lawfully  begotten,  and  for  default  of  such  issue,  to 
the  use  and  behoof  of  the  right  heirs  of  him,  the  said  James,  for  ever — 

Provided  always,  and  it  is  hereby  covenanted  and  agreed  by  and  between  the 
said  parties  to  these  presents,  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  said 
James  at  any  time  or  times  during  his  natural  life  by  his  last  will  in  writing,  by 
him  signed  and  published  in  the  presence  of  two  or  more  credible  witnesses,  or 
by  any  other  writing  or  writings  by  him  signed  and  sealed  in  the  presence  of  two 
or  nnre  credible  witnesses,  to  revoke  or  alter  all  or  any  the  use  or  uses  of  all  or 
any  part  of  the  said  land  and  premises,  any  thing  in  these  presents  contained  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding.  In  witness  whereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents 
have  interchangeably  put  their  seals  the  day  and  year  above  written. 

JAMES  De  LANCEY.  i> 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 
A.  De  Peystek, 
J.  Roberts. 

The  De  Lancy  Patent,  as  it  was  sometimes  called,  embraced  Great 
North  Lot,  Nos.  9  and  10,  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt.  These  were 
again  subdivided  into  thirty-six  smaller  lots  or  farms,  which  were  leased 
on  long  terms  by  Stephen  de  Lancey.    The  whole  was  about  four  miles 


b  For  a  full  account  of  this  family,  see  Mamaroncck. 

a  The  above  was  drawn  by  Chief  Justice  de  Laucey,  and  is  in  his  own  hand-writing. 


736  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

square.  In  the  year  1769,  Stephen  de  Lancey  and  Hannah,  his  wife, 
conveyed  to  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend  certain  lands  situate  in 
North  Lot,  No.  10.  The  same  year,  also,  part  of  farm  No.  12,  in  Great 
North  Lot,  No.  10,  to  Nathaniel  Delavan.  Prior  to  the  year  1775, 
Stephen  de  Lancey  re-leased  certain  lots  in  the  town  to  the  Carpenters, 
Baileys,  Rodgers,  Lobdells,  Nashs,  Purdys,  Nortons,  Tituses  and  Rey- 
nolds, &c,  &c. 

The  following  items  are  taken  from  the  rent  rolls  of  the  De  Lancey 
family : — 

"Lot  No.  25,  Timothy  van  Scoy,  tenant  of  one-half,  for  cash  due  for  rent, 
January  ye  1st,  1773,  £1  5s."  . . .  "No.  12,  Crow  Hill  lot  leased  to  Hannah  Del- 
avan, wife  of  Abraham  Delavan,  to  cash  due  for  rent,  January  ye  1st,  1774,  the 
sum  of  £4,"  &c,  &c. 

Upon  the  first  of  Jannary,  1795,  Stephen  de  Lancy,  (sometimes  called 
Stephen  J.,  conveyed  all  the  remainder  of  his  estate  in  this  town  to  his 
brother,  John  Peter  de  Lancey,  of  Mamaroneck.  The  last  will  and 
testament  of  Stephen  de  Lancey,  who  died  late  in  1795,  commences  in 
the  following  manner : — 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen,  I,  Stephen  Dc  Lancey,  a  reader  of  divine  ser- 
vice of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  Beeckmantown,  in  the  county  of 
Dutchess,  and  State  of  New  York,  esquire,  and  first  principally  I  do  commit  my 
precious  immortal,  and  never-dying  soul  into  the  hands  of  my  most  merciful 
Creator,  whose  I  am  and  whom  I  desire  to  serve  in  the  Holy  Gospel  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,Who  giveth  life  and  health  and  all  things ;  hoping,  trusting,  and  re- 
lying only  on  the  most  meritorious  satisfaction  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  before 
whose  dreadful  tribunal  I  and  all  mankind  must  appear  and  give  a  strict  account 
of  all  their  works,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they  are  evil,  and  Who,  I 
trust  and  am  persuaded,  shed  His  most  precious  blood  on  the  altar  of  the  cross 
for  my  eternal  salvation,  &c,  &c.  In  conclusion,  he  desires  his  body  may  be 
buried  under  the  chancel  of  the  church  at  Beeckmantown,  unless  his  brother 
should  order  otherwise,''  &c.° 

John  Peter  De  Lancey,  by  his  last  will,  dated  the  28th  of  January,  1823, 
devised  all  his  farms  and  lands  at  North  Salem,  in  fee  (subject  to  the 
leases  of  the  same)  to  his  three  daughters,  Elizabeth  Caroline,  Martha' 
Arabella  and  Susan  Augusta  De  Lancey,  wife  of  James  Fenimore  Coop- 
er, Esq.  From  them,  their  father,  or  their  uncle,  Stephen  De  Lancey, 
the  title,  to  all  the  lands  in  this  town,  except  in  the  "oblong,"  is  derived. 
Prior  to  1731,  that  part  of  the  township  of  Salem  called  "  North  Salem," 
consisted  only  of  a  tract  of  land  about  four  miles  square,  the  same  being 
a  part  of  Courtland's  Manor.  Subsequently  that  portion  of  the  oblong 
lying  east  of  it,  was  also  included  in  the  township  of  North  Salem,  thus 

o  Surrogate's  office,  White  Plains. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


737 


making  it  about  six  miles  from  east  to  west  and  four  miles  from  north 
to  south." 

The  "oblong"  (or  "  Equivalent  Lands"),  consisting  of  62,000  acres, 
was  a  strip  one  mile,  three-quarters  and  twenty  rods  wide,  and  nearly 
sixty-two  miles  long,  set  off  by  Connecticut  to  New  York,  May  14th, 

Nortel 
Daniel  SnEuwooD's  Land, 
Beginning. 
170  roda.- 


West,  a 

a 


Solomon  Closb's  land, 
326  acres, 
June  8th,  1749. 


"180  rods. 


h 

E  EA6T. 


South. 
Common  Land. 

1 73 1  ;  and  a  grant  of  fifty  thousand  acres  thereof  made  to  Hawley  & 
Co.,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1731,  which  left  some  twelve  thousand  acres 
still  vested  in  the  Crown.  The  latter  were  denominated,  common  or  un- 
divided lands. 

James  Brown,  of  Ridgefield,  and  subsequently  of  Lower  Salem,  was 
one  of  Hawley' s  company;  and,  therefore,  rightly  seized  of  certain  lands 
in  the  East  Patent.    The  oblong  map  shows  that  he  held  lots  34  and 


a  TTpon  the  8th  of  Sept.,  177",  Stephen  De  Lancey  leased  farm  No.  8.  in  Lot  No.  10,  contain- 
ing 176  acres,  to  Nathaniel  Delavan,  for  the  term  of  99  years,  who  assigned  the  same  to  John 
Knox  in  1788.  This  farm,  known  as  the  "  Knox  farm, '  was  held  by  the  De  Lanceys  until  the 
lease  expired  by  itsown  limitation  in  lS74,a  portion  of  the  same  continuing  in  the" possession 
of  the  descendants  of  John  Knox,  as  tenants,  till  that  time.  Iu  1S75  the  fee  was  sold  by  the 
De  Lanceys  to  Harrison  Byington. 


738 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


38,  and  parts  of  29  and  78  of  that  grant.  On  the  8th  day  of  June,  1749, 
James  Brown,  then  of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  sold  to  Solomon  Close,  of  Green- 
wich, Conn.,  for  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  pounds,  current  money 
of  New  York,  "  a  tract  of  land  which  is  part  of  the  southermost  ten 
miles  of  said  oblong,  and  is  situated  north  of  and  near  unto  the  pond 
called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Long  Pond,  and  is  bounded  as  fol- 
lows, viz  :  Beginning  at  Jonah  Keeler's  northwest  corner  and  running 
south  seventy-seven  and  a  half  degrees  west,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
rods,  then  south  twelve  degrees  and  a  half  west,  three  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-five rods: — then  north  seventy-seven  and  a  half  degrees  east  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  rods : — then  north,  eight  degrees  east,  three  hundred  and 
twenty-five  rods ;  the  whole  containing  326  acres,  be  it  more  or  less; 
botinded  north  by  Daniel  Sherwood's  land;  west  by  the  twenty  mile  line ; 
south  by  Common  land;  and  east  by  Jonah  Keeler's  land."0 

One  of  the  principal  proprietors  of  the  oblong  portion  of  this  town, 
was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hawley,  the  first  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Ridgefield,  son  of  General  Joseph  Hawley,  of  Northampton, 
Mass.,  who  was  a  representative  of  that  place  as  early  as  1683,  and  a 
graduate  of  Harvard  College  in  1674;  descended  from  the  Hawleys^of 
the  counties  of  Somerset  and  Dorset,  England.  The  Rev.  Thomas 
Hawley,  who  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Ridgefield,  in  17 13,  was  born  at 
Northampton,  September  10th,  1689,  and  died  at  Ridgefield,  November 
8th,  1738,  and  by  his  wife  Abigail,  who  died  April  17th,  1749,  had  six 
sons.  Joseph  Hawley,  the  second  son,  was  a  distinguished  scholar  and 
antiquarian,  and  father  of  Ezekiel  Hawley,  one  of  the  Proprietors  of  the 
oblong  in  1753  ;  also  a  commissioned  officer  in  the  Continental  sen-ice, 
and  chairman,  throughout  the  Revolutionary  war,  of  the  Committee  of 
Public  Safety.  Ezekiel  died  suddenly  in  1788,  leaving  four  sons — Eze- 
kiel, Peter,  Joel  and  David.  Joel,  the  third  son,  was  the  father  of  the 
the  present  Alfred  S.  Hawley,  Esq.,  who  occupies  the  ancient  homestead 
in  this  town.  Thomas  Hawley,  the  fourth  son  of  Rev.  Thomas,  was 
born  February  20,  1722,  married  Elizabeth  Gould,  and  left  seven  sons; 
the  fourth,  Ezekiel,  had  Gould  Hawley,  of  South  Salem,  and  William 
Hawley  and  Elijah  Hawley,  of  Ridgefield.  Abigail,  only  daughter  of 
Thomas  Hawley,  married  James  Rockwell  (third  son  of  Thomas),  the 
father  of  Gould  Rockwell,  and  grandfather  of  the  present  Gould  Rock- 
well, of  Ridgefield,  Conn. 

The  Keelers,  who  own  much  land  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  town, 


o  Copied  from  the  original  deed  in  possession  of  the  late  Ebenezer  Close,  of  North  Salem. 
b  The  arms  of  the  Hawleys,  Ac,  vert,  a  saltier  eng.  ar.  Crest.  An  Indian's  goat's  head, 
holding  a  three-leaved  sprig  of  holly  ppi.  Motto — Sulvez  moi. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  739 

bordering  on  Fairfield  county,  called  Keelerville,  are  descended  from 
Jonah  Keeler,  another  of  the  proprietors  of  the  oblong,  in  1731.  The 
first  ancestor  in  this  county,  of  whom  we  find  any  record,  was  Ralph 
Keeler,  residing  at  Hartford  in  1639."  In  1650,  Ralph  Keeler  appears 
to  have  been  one  of  the  fourteen  who  agreed  with  Roger  Ludlow  for  the 
settling  and  planting  of  Norwalk,  and  the  next  year  bought  lands  of 
Rurckinghage  and  other  Indians.  He  must  have  died  before  1679, 
leaving  several  sons — John,  Samuel,  Ralph,  &c,  one  of  which  was  prob- 
ably the  Father  of  Jonah  Keeler.  Three  of  the  same  name,  viz:  Sam- 
uel Keeler,  Sen.,  and  his  son  Samuel  Keeler,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Keeler, 
then  inhabitants  of  Norwalk,  purchased  of  Katonah,  sachem,  and  other 
Indians,  Candatowa,  or  Ridgefield,  in  1708.  In  1731-2,  Jonah  Keeler 
obtained  the  following  release  from  the  other  patentees  of  the  oblong, 
or  Equivalent,  on  condition  of  his  always  paying  the  yearly  quit-rent  of 
two  shillings  and  sixpence  for  each  hundred  acres  of  land,  "  to  our  Lord, 
the  King,  at  Lady  Day,  yearly." 

RELEASE  OF  OBLONG  PROPRIETORS  TO  JONAH  KEELER. 

This  Indenture,  made  this  10th  day  of  March,  in  ye  sixth  year  of  ye  reign  of 
our  Sovereign  Lord,  George  the  Second,  King  of  Great  Britain,  &c,  Annoq  Dom- 
ini 1731-2,  witnesseth,  that  whereas  we,  Thomas  Halwey,  Nathan  St.  John, 
Samuel  Smith,  Benjamin  Benedict,  Richard  Olmsted,  Thomas  Smith,  Ebenezer 
Smith,  David  Sherwood,  Benjamin  Burt,  Thomas  Hyatt,  Benjamin  Willsou, 
Joseph  Lee,  Joseph  Keeler,  James  Benedict,  Richard  Osburn,  Samuel  Smith, 
Daniel  Olmsted,  Timothy  Keeler.  Matthew  Scamore,  Joseph  Northup  and  James 
Brown,  together  with  Adam  Ireland,  Benjamin  Birdsall  and  John  Thomas,  hav- 
ing jointly  obtained  a  patent  of  fifty  thousand  acres  of  ye  Oblong  or  Equivalent 
lands,  of  his  Excellency  John  Montgomery,  Esq.,  late  Governor  of  New  York, 
and  having  since  obtained  a  release  of  said  Ireland.  Birdsell  and  John  Thomas, 
of  the  Southern  ten  miles  of  said  pat  tent,  and  others  also,  whose  names  are  not  in 
said  pattent  or  release,  being  interested  theiein  by  obligation  from  us,  and  no 
division  having  been  made  of  ye  premises.  Wherefore,  we,  Thomas  Ilawley, 
Nathan  St.  John,  Samuel  Smith,  Benjamin  Benedict,  Richard  Olmsted,  Thomas 
Smith,  Ebenezer  Smith,  Daniel  Sherwood,  Benjamin  Burt,  Thomas  Hyatt,  Ben- 
jamin Willson,  Joseph  Lee,  Joseph  Keeler,  James  Benedict,  Richard  Osburn, 
Samuel  Smith,  Daniel  Olmsted,  Timothy  Keeler,  Matthew  Seaniore,  Joseph 
Northnip  and  James  Brown,  do  now  proceed  to  make  a  division  thereof  j  and  do 
give,  grant,  enfeoff,  alicne,  convey,  release  and  confirm,  and  by  these  presents 
have  given,  granted,  enfeoffed,  aliened,  conveyed  and  confirmed,  unto  Jonah 
Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  on  consideration  of  a  lease  obtained  of  said 
Jonah  Keeler,  and  bearing  date  herewith,  the  Following  tract  of  Land,  viz :  Be- 

a  E.  Halls,  Norwalk;  p.  19— ditto,  p.  ".2  35.  Fora  table  of  "estatesof  lands,  aivl  accommo- 
dations for  Norwalk,  in  653, occurs  the  names  of  Halph  and  Walter  Keeler.  E.  Halls.  Nor- 
walk, p.  IT.  Samuel  Keeler.  Jr..  who  married  Uebeccah,  daughter  of  James  Benedict,  of 
Panbnry,  January  IS,  1704,  died  Stli  of  May,  1T68,  leaving  Samuel,  born  January  nth,  1705 
and  Reuben,  born  October  ?8,  1708;  by  his  second  wife  left  Matthew,  born  March  14,  1717. 


74°  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

ginning  at  James  Benedict's  north-west  corner  and  runs  south  twenty-seven  de- 
grees and  a  half  west  an  huudred  and  fifty  rods  ;  then  south  eight  degrees  west 
three  hundred  and  twenty-five  rods,  then  north  twenty-seven  degrees  and  an 
half,  east  an  hundred  and  eighty  rods,  then  north  fourteen  degrees  east,  an 
hundred,  sixty  and  five  rods,  then  north  fourteen  degrees,  west  an  huudred  and 
fifty  rods,  and  is  bounded  South  by  undivided  land,  West,  by  James  Brown,  north, 
Joseph  Keeler  and  Daniel  Sherwood,  east,  Thomas  Smith  and  Ensign  Benedict. 
The  said  Keeler  being  in  lawful  possession  thereof.  To  Have  and  to  Hold  said 
granted  and  released  premises,  with  all  ye  privileges  and  appurtenances,  to  ye 
same  belonging  or  iu  any  wise  appertaining,  as  timbers,  trees,  stones,  minerals, 
water-courses,  springs,  herbage,  and  all  proffits  and  advantages  yt  may  arise, 
or  whatever  may  iu  any  wise  accrue  therefrom,  &  We,  ye  above  named  Thomas 
Ilawley,  Matthew  St.  John,  Samuel  Smith,  Benjamin  Benedict,  &c,  and  all  ye 
afore-mentioned  proprietors  of  said  released  ten  miles,  say  we  have  released, 
made  over  and  granted  ye  above  described  tract  of  land,  unto  said  Jonah  Keeler, 
his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  to  his  and  their  sole  and  proper  use  and  behoof  and 
benefitt,  who  shall  and  may  forever,  by  virtue  hereof,  Enter  upon,  possess  and 
Enjoy  ye  same,  convey,  convert,  alienate  and  improve  it  iu  what  way  and  man- 
ner, to  what  use  and  end  soever  the  said  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assignes  shall  see 
convenient ;  yet  reserving  to  ourselves,  heirs  and  assigns,  ye  usual  allowance  of 
five  acres  to  ye  huudred,  for  high-ways  and  roads,  which  shall  be  laid  out  by  a 
commttee  choosen  from  time  to  time  '(as  occasion  requires)  by  ye  major  of  ye 
said  proprietors  of  said  released  ten  miles,  ye  major  part  to  be  derived  by  their 
interest,  which  roads  and  highways  shall  be  laid  out  in  such  place  and  manner 
as  said  committee  shall  see  necessary  and  most  convenient ;  and  we,  ye  above 
named  Thomas  Hawley,  Nathan  St.  John,  Samuel  Smith,  &c,  and  ye  rest  of  ye 
proprietors  above  said,  do  Joyntly  and  Severally  Covenant  and  agree  for  ourselves 
and  heirs  aud  assigns,  with  ye  said  Jonah  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  and 
may  freely  and  clearly  for  Ever,  Have,  Hold  and  Enjoy  ye  above  released  prem- 
ises, without  any  manner  of  claim  or  incumberance  whatsoever  saving  :  y*  we 
do  hereby  oblidge  said  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  within  ye  space  of  three 
years  from  ye  date  hereof,  effectually  to  cultivate  three  acres  iu  every  fifty,  ac- 
cording to  Pattern ;  and  'tis  also  understood,  aud  t'is  the  true  intent  aud  meaning 
of  both  parties  of  ye  said  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  always  pay  ye 
yearly  quit-rent  at  ye  rate  of  two  shillings  and  sixpence  for  each  of  hundred 
acres  reserved,  payable  by  Letters  patent  to  our  Lord  ye  King :  at  Lady  day  yearly 
and  this  we  insert  as  an  abiding  duty  and  obligation  alwa3's  attending  this  release? 
and  as  a  special  Condition  thereof.  Furthermore,  we,  ye  said  Thomas  Hawley, 
Nathan  St.  John,  Sam'  Smith,  Benjamin  Benedict,  Thomas  Smith,  Ebnzr  Smith, 
Daniel  Sherwood,  Benjamin  Burt,  Thomas  Hyatt,  Benjamin  "Willson,  Joseph  Lee, 
Joseph  Keeler,  James  Benedict,  Richard  Osburn,  Sam1  Smith,  Daniel  Olmsted, 
Timothy  Keeler,  Matthew  Seamore,  Joseph  Northrup,  and  James  Brown,  and  ye 
survivors  and  survivour  of  us,  our  heirs  and  assigns,  shall,  and  will,  at  any  time 
hereafter  upon  ye  reasonable  request  and  at  3-e  cost  and  charge  in  ye  law,  of  yc 
said  Jonah  Keeler,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  make,  do,  acknowledge,  Execute  and  Per- 
form all  such  further  and  reasonable  act  and  acts,  thing  and  things,  assureances 
and  conveyances  in  the  law  for  ye  more  perfect  describing,  limiting,  conveying 
or  assureing  ye  above  released  premises  unto  yo  said  Keeler,  his  heirs  aud  assigns 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


741 


(provided  ye  same  do  not  contain  further  Covenants,  than  are  contained  in  these 
presents,  or  anything  contrary  to  ye  true  intent  and  meaning  hereof,  as  by  ye 
said  Jonah  Keeler,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  or  his  and  their  Council  learned  in  je 
law,  shall  be  reasonably  advised,  devised  or  required.  In  witness,  whereof,  we 
do  hereunto  set  our  names  and  seals  ye  day  and  year  above  written. 
In  presence  of  us  witnesses :  Thomas  Hawley,  Benjamin  Benedict. 
Recompeno  Thomas,  RiOHABn  Oi.mstead,    Benjamin  Burt, 

John  Rockwell,  Joseph  Lee,  Joseph  Northbup, 

Thomas  Smith,  Daniel  Olmsted, 

Nathan  Saint  John,   J oseph  Keeler, 
Ebenezek  Smith,       Timothy  Kebleb, 
Thomas  Hyatt,        James  Benedict, 
Samuel  Smith,  Daniel  Sheebwood, 

Richard  Osbubn,      Matthew  Seamore, 
Benjamin  Willson,   James  Brown, 
Samuel  Smith. 

Memorandum  this  20th  day  of  March,  1738, 
then  appeared  before  me  Recompence  Thomas 
and  under  oath  declared  that  he  sawe  all  the 
grantors  signe  this  Release,  and  also  sawe  John 
Rockwell  signe  with  him,  as  a  witness  to  the 
same  and  I  have  examined  and  finde  no  me- 
terall  inistak,  and  allowe  the  same  to  be  Re- 
corded. JOHN  THOMAS,  ye  Judge* 

Jonah  Keeler  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  Town,  and 
when  he  moved  up  here  from  Ridgefield  it  was  a  complete  wilderness 
infested  with  bears  and  wolves.  His  first  residence  was  a  log  cabin 
which  formerly  stood  near  the  brook  adjoining  the  present  mansion  of 
Floyd  Keeler.  His  son,  Jeremiah  Keeler,  by  will  devised  the  Keeler 
estate  to  his  three  sons,  Jonah,  Nathan  and  Lewis;  the  two  former 
bought  out  their  younger  brother's  interest.  Jonah  Keeler,  Jr.,  left  two 
sons— Walter  and  Jesse  B.  Keeler— who  with  Floyd,  the  son  of  Nathan, 
now  jointly  own  Keelerville  which  consists  of  three  hundred  acres. 
Lewis  Keeler,  the  youngest  son  of  Jeremiah,  removed  to  Madison 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  left  four  sons— Sarles,  Joel,  Hiram  and  George. 

The  views  from  Floyd  Keeler's  residence  are,  indeed,  charming ;  em- 
bracing hills  and  woods,  and  a  fine  panoramic  landscape  of  the  Mutigh- 
ticoos  valley  looking  north-west  with  the  distant  mountains  bordering 
on  Putnam  County  and  Hudson  River.  On  the  north  is  the  mansion 
of  Mr.  Walter  Keeler,  beautifully  surrounded  with  evergreens  and  other 
shubbery.  This  gentleman  has  done  much  to  improve  the  neighboring 
village  of  North  Salem,  having  erected  a  fine  store  in  the  upper  portion 

Abvjah  Gilbert,  clerk. 


742 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


of  which  is  occupied  as  Union  Hall  a  large  room  for  assemblies  and 
public  occasions  while  adjoining  is  Floral  Hall  for  fairs  and  horticultural 
exhibitions. 

In  the  midland  section  of  the  town  are  some  fine  grazing  farms; 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  Lobdell  estate.  This  property 
originally  consisting  of  nearly  two  hundred  acres  was  formerly  included 
in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  leased  by  Ebenezer  Lobdell  of  Stephen 
James  De  Lancey  before  the  Revolution,  and  subsequently  purchased 
by  him  at  a  sheriff's  sale.  Ebenezer  Lobdell  at  his  death  divided  the 
farm  between  his  two  sons,  Ebenezer  and  Jacob ;  the  latter  had  four 
sons — Anson,  Nathan,  Joshua  and  Samuel.  Nathan  was  the  father  of 
the  present  Mr.  Henry  Lobdell,  who  resides  on  a  portion  of  the  old  es- 
tate. 

This  parish,  which  appears  to  have  been  formerly  united  with  Ridge- 
field  and  Ridgebury,  was  first  organized  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Dibblee,  D.D.,  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  about  the  year  1749."  At 
that  period,  there  was  no  minister  of  the  Church  in  the  county  nearer 
than  Rye,  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  distant  from  Salem. 

Mr.  Dibblee  was  the  eldest  son  of  Wakefield  Dibblee,  of  Danbury, 
Conn  ,  whose  ancestor,  Thomas  Dibblee/  was  a  freeman  of  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  in  1639.  He  was  born  at  Danbury,  in  1712.  In  the  will  of 
Wakefield  Dibblee,  which  was  proved  May  2d,  1734,  he  directs  his  exec- 
utors to  pay  all  "ye  charges  which  do,  or  may  arise  upon  ye  education 
of  his  son  Ebenezer;  also  ^30  towards  furnishing  him  with  books," 

Mr.  Dibblee  was  graduated  A.M.  and  S.T.D.  at  Yale,  in  1734,  and  D.D. 
at  Columbia,  in  1793.  After  leaving  college  he  was  at  first  licensed  as 
a  candidate  among  the  Dissenters,  and  allowed  to  preach  in  their  con- 
gregations ;  he  soon,  however,  left  the  Congregational  persuasion  of  re- 
ligion, and  became  a  convert  to  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  went  to 
England  for  Holy  orders  in  1747,  returned  to  New  York  the  23d  of  Oc- 
tober, 1748,  and  was  appointed  missionary  at  Stamford,  where  he  ar- 
rived on  the  25th.d 

The  following  extract  occurs  in  a  letter  of  his  to  the  Venerable  So- 
ciety : 


a  Dr.  Dibblee.  savs:  "Arrived  at  my  mission  (Stamford)  the  26th  of  October,  174S,  and  be- 
gan to  do  duty  the  Sunday  following."  From  his  parochial  register  it  appears  that  his  first 
ministrations  commenced  in  the  oblong  November  11,  1749  ;  aud  he  continued,  with  but  short 
intervals,  his  services  both  In  the  Oblong  and  Cortland  Manor,  until  February,  1790. 

b  Arms  of  Diblee  or  Dibble— "  Sa,  on  a  ohief  arjr.  a  lion  passant,  gu. — Crest,  on  a  chapeau 
a  lion  statant  gnardant  and  ducally  gorged,  tail  extended. 

c  Will  made  January  1st,  1733-34.   Fairlleld  Prob.  Rec.  1716-1735,  page  263. 

d  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fnlham  (Hawks). 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


743 


MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"Stamford,  in  Conn.,  N.  E.,  March  25th,  1761. 
"  Rev.  Sib:— I  preached  at  Salem,  in  the  Upper  District,  on  Sunday,  the  22d 
of  February  last,  to  a  very  large  congregation ;  and  the  poor  people  scattered 
about  in  the  wilderness,  are,  I  am  informed, concerting  measures  to  build  a  small 
church,  as  a  private  house  will  seldom  contain  the  people  that  went  to  church 
when  I  preach  among  them — which  is  as  often  as  the  duties  of  my  extensive  mis- 
sion will  permit."* 

The  next  year,  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,  a  liberal  benefactor  of  the 
Church  in  this  county,  thus  addresses  the  same : 

TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(Extract.) 

"Barn  Island,  July  10,  1763. 
"  On  my  return  from  Connecticut  I  desired  Mr.  Dibblee  to  accompany  me  to 
Salem,  where  he  preached  the  first  Sunday  in  Trinity  to  a  large  congregation ;  not- 
withstanding it  was  a  very  rainy  day,  too  many  to  be  accommodated  in  a  private 
house,  and  gave  the  communion  to  about  thirty  persons,  who  behaved  very  de- 
cently. There  they  have  built  and  almost  covered  a  church ;  this  is  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York,  which  people  Mr.  Dibblee  hath  taken  principally  care  of  for 
several  years.  This  church  at  Salem  is  about  four  miles  from  Ridgebury,  to  the 
west,  and  seven  miles  from  Ridgefield,  where  they  have  raised  a  church,  &c."b 

The  church  to  which  Mr.  Talbot  alludes,  in  the  foregoing  letter,  was 
built  on  land  given  for  that  purpose  by  Stephen  de  Lancey,  in  1763, 
and  appears  to  have  been  first  opened  for  Divine  worship  on  Sunday  the 
31st  of  August,  1766,  by  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee ;  who,  a  few  months 
later,  sends  the  subjoined  communication  to  the  secretary : — 

[Extract.] 

"Stamford,  Conn.,  N.  E.,  Oct.  7th,  1766. 
"Rbv.  Sir: — I  preached  on  Sunday,  in  August, c  in  the  new  church  in  the 
upper  district  of  Salem,  to  a  numerous  and  devoutly-behaved  congregation  :  and 
gave  the  Holy  Communion  to  about  thirty  communicants,  and  baptised  fifteen 
children.    In  compassion  to  their  circumstances,  and  the  people  of  Ridgebiny 
and  Ridgefield,  who  are  contiguous  upon  the  borders  of  Connecticut,  Mr.  Learn- 
ing and  I  have  recommended  to  read  divine  service  and  sermons  to  them,  Mr. 
EpeDetus  Townsend — a  very  exemplary,  sober,  worthy  young  gentleman,  gradu- 
al Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fnlham  (Hawks). 
b  New  York  MSS.,  from  archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  i,  p.  317. 

c  Dr.  Dibblee  records  the  following  in  bis  register :—"  Salem,  Sunday,  1776,  Anp.  31,''  bap- 
tised "Fred.  Knox,  Kob't  Knox,  Jos.  Lobdell,  Daniel  Lobdell,  Levy  Lobdell,  Jacob  Lobdell. 
Rob't  Lobdell,  Ebenezer  Lobdell,  Abigail  Cable,  Sam'l  Cable,  Mary  Morehouse,  John  and 
Deborah  Morehouse,  Theophilus,  Daniel  and  Mary  Morehouse,  Philip  Pufcett  Piatt,  Isaac 
Piatt,  Jemima  Patterson,  William  and  Anna  Patterson,  (two  children,  names  and  parents  for- 
gotten,) Cornelius  Delivan,  Timothy  and  Hannah  Dellvan,  Stephen  Brush,  Stephen  and  Abia 
Brush,  Sarah  Palmer,  Gideon  and  Jane  Palmer,  Walter  Lockwood,  Joseph  and  Ann  Lock- 
wood."  on  Sunday,  the  25th  of  August,  1765,  he  had  baptized  fifteen  at  Salem.  (St.  John's 
Rec.,  Stamford.) 


744 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


ated  at  King's  College,  New  York,  who  is  very  acceptable  to  the  people,  whom 
we  wish  to  have  settled  among  them,  provided,  upon  their  qualifying  themselves, 
they  might  be  so  happy  as  to  obtain  the  Honorable  Society's  encouragement. 
Contiguous  to  Salem  is  Cortlandt's  manor  and  Philipse's  Patent,  where  numbers 
of  poor  people  are  settled,  and  stand  in  great  need  of  proper  instruction — many 
already  professing,  and  others  well  disposed  to  our  holy  Church,  notwithstanding 
their  distance,  it  being  about  twenty-five  miles  to  the  upper  district  of  Salem. 
As  no  other  missionary  is  contiguous — to  be  as  extremely  useful  as  may  be,  and 
in  tenderness  to  their  spiritual  wants — I  have  afforded  them  what  assistance  I 
could,  consistent  with  the  duties  of  my  particular  cure,  for  fifteen  or  sixteen 
years  past,  to  the  prejudice  of  my  family,  and  my  income  for  twelve  years,  be- 
ing too  considerable  to  my  necessities."* 

The  worthy  and  venerable  Dr.  Dibblee,  the  founder  of  this  parish, 
died  at  Stamford,  Conn.,  Thursday,  May  9th,  1799,  "  old  and  full  of 
days,  highly  respected  and  much  lamented  by  his  congregations.  His 
funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  people,  and  he  went  to  the 
grave  like  a  shock  of  corn,  fully  ripe  for  the  gamer."  6  "  He  is  described 
as  a  venerable  man,  of  dignified  appearance  ;  his  long  white  locks  flow- 
ing gracefully  over  his  shoulders."c  A  neat  marble  tablet  has  been  since 
erected  over  his  remains  in  St.  John's  church,  Stamford,  which  bears  the 
following  inscription : 

L  H.  8. 

REV.  EBENEZER  DIBBLEE,  D.D., 
Rector  of  St.  John's  Church, 1 
Stamford,  Conn. 

As  a  missionary  of  the  Society  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  parts,  he  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office,  October  26th,  1748,  and  con- 
tinued to  discharge  them  in  this  capacity  with  great  fidelity  and  zeal  un- 
til the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Subsequently  to  this  period  he 
fulfilled  his  duties  unconnected  with  the  Society  in  England  until  1799, 
when  he  died  full  of  years,  in  peace  with  God  and  charity  with  man. 

As  Rector  of  St.  John's  parish  for  51  years,  he  became  endeared  to  all 
by  his  unwavering  devotion  to  their  best  interests,  his  holy  life  and  un- 
wearied zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christ  and  His  Church." 

About  the  year  1764,  this  parish  united  with  the  churches  of  Ridge- 
field  and  Ridgebury,  in  Connecticut,  and  engaged  Mr.  Richard  S. 

a  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  1520.  (Hawks.)  One  of  the  missionaries  of  the 
Society,  writing  iu  1760,  says:— "Eye  tried  to  prevail  upon  him,  (Mr.  Dibblee.)  imt  the  good 
man,  though  In  greater  need  of  better  support,  apprehensive  of  the  great  detriment  it  would 
be  to  that  ("hnrch  (Stamford)  has  refused." 

b  Churchman's  Magazine,  new  scries,  vol.  lv :  2C9-270. 

e  Meade's  Hist,  of  Oireenwlch;  p.  271. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


745 


Clarke"  to  read  divine  service  and  sermons  on  Sundays.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Mr.  Epenetus  Townsend,  who  had  been  strongly  recommended 
by  Dr.  Dibblee,  as  a  lay  reader. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  1 767,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Auchmuty,  D.D.,  rec- 
tor of  Trinity  church,  New  York,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Venerable 
Propagation  Society,  enclosing  the  following  petition  from  the  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  of  Salem : — 

THE  CHURCH-WARDENS  AND  VESTRY  OF  SALEM,  &o.,  TO  THE 

SECRETARY. 

"Salem  in  Westchester  County,  Province  of  New  York,  ) 

August  31st,  1767.  j" 

May  it  Please  TnE  Venerable  Society  : 

Wc,  the  church-wardens  and  vestry  of  Salem,  and  parts  contiguous  in  the 
Province  of  New  York  in  America,  beg  leave  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  poor 
brethren,  professors  of  the  Church  of  England,  to  lay  before  you  our  unhappy 
circumstances ;  for  want  of  proper  religious  instruction  and  constant  administra- 
tion of  God's  word  and  sacraments,  according  to  our  religious  profession,  there 
being  no  minister  of  our  Holy  Church  in  the  Province  nearer  than  Rye,  between 
thirty  and  forty  miles  distant  to  Salein,  and  upon  Cortlandt's  manor  and  Pliil- 
ipse's  patent.  Many  of  us  already  have  a  high  esteem  for  the  doctrines,  worship 
and  government  of  the  Church  of  England ;  some  of  us  embrace  every  opportu- 
nity we  have  of  communicating  with  the  same,  and  a  number  of  others  are  well 
disposed  to  the  Church,  many  of  whom  are  not  under  the  care  of  a  minister  of 
any  denomination.  Through  the  goodness  and  compassion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dil>- 
blee,  the  nearest  missionary  (about  twenty-five  miles  distant),  who  for  many  years 
hath  annually  visited,  preached  and  administered  divine  ordinances  to  us  and  our 
children,  as  often  as  he  judges  consistent  with  the  duties  of  his  extensive  cure, 
our  numbers,  and  zeal  to  the  Church  establishment  have  increased.  To  prepare 
the  way  for  the  settled  administration  of  religion,  we  have  erected  a  decent 
church  with  galleries,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's  manor,  a  convenient  spot  of 
ground  for  the  church  and  burying  yard,  being  given  us  for  that  purpose  by  the 
good  Mr.  Stephen  De  Lancey,  present  proprietor.  We  have  covered,  closed  and 
glazed  the  house,  and  have  met  in  it  for  some  time.  As  the  laws  of  this  Govern- 
ment have  made  no  provision  for  the  establishment  and  support  of  religion  in 
general,  and  the  Lord's  Day  is  too  little  regarded  ;  in  tender  regard  to  ourselves 
and  families,  and  to  prevent  our  children  falling  a  prey  to  one  or  more  of  the  nu- 
merous sects,  which  abound  among  us— such  as  Quakers,  New  Light  Independ- 
ents, Baptists,  Antinomians,  &c,  whose  principles,  both  civil  and  religious,  we 
think  destructive  of  all  religion,  peace  and  good  order — wc  formerly  united  with 
our  brethren  of  the  Church  at  Ridgeneld  and  Ridgebury,  on  the  borders  of  Con- 

a  Richard  Clarke-  was  the  fifth  son  of  Samuel  Clarke,  of  West  Haven,  Conn.,  where  he 
was  born  A.D.  1T3T.  He  was  graduated  A.M.  at  Yale,  In  1762.  He  received  also  the  degree  of 
B.A.  from  Kings  (now  Columbia)  college,  New  York,  the  same  year,  and  that  of  A.M.  in  1766. 
In  1776,  went  to  England  for  Holy  orders,  aud  was  licensed  February  25,  1767.  He  was  Oral 
appointed  to  Guilford,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  uutll  1786:  then  went  to  New  Brunswick 
and  was  settled  at  Gnzetorid,  in  that  Pioviuce.  A  son  of  Ms  is  the  present  minister  of  tint 
parish,  He  died  at  St.  Stephen's,  on  the  St.  Croix,  In  1824. 


746  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


uecticut  Colony,  and  engaged  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  to  read  divine  service  and  ser- 
ine ins  to  us  00  Sundays.  Since  Mr.  Clark  left  us.  by  the  advice  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Dibblee  and  Mr.  Learning,  we  have  employed  the  worthy  Mr.  Epenctus  Town- 
send,  who  hath  for  some  time  alternately  read  to  us,  and  the  people  of  Ridge- 
field and  Ridgebury  ;  whose  exemplary  life,  sober  conversation  and  devout  per- 
formance of  religious  offices,  highly  recommend  him  to  our  esteem ;  and  as  we 
have  advice,  that  he  hath  leave  from  the  Society  to  go  for  Holy  Orders,  we  hum- 
bly beg  the  Venerable  Society  in  compassion  to  our  unhappy  state,  would  be 
pleased  to  appoint  him  their  missionary  to  us  at  Salem,  in  the  Province  of  New 
York,  and  to  itinerate  among  such  poor  people  as  stand  in  need  of  his  instruc- 
tion, with  such  a  salary  as  in  their  wisdom  they  think  proper.  We  have  already 
purchased  six  acres  of  good  land  contiguous  to  the  church,  and  made  it  over  for 
a  glebe  for  the  use  of  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  Euglaud,  or  missionary  for  the 
time  being,  forever,  and  promise  to  build  a  decent,  convenient  house  for  his  use 
when  required  ;  and  as  the  poor  people  of  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury  by  the  con- 
currence of  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry  in  this  memorial  hope  to  be  indulged 
in  being  included  under  his  care,  having  formerly  a  conjunction  with  some  of 
the  neighbouring  places  in  the  Province  of  New  York  experienced  the  goodness 
and  compassion  of  the  Venerable  Society  in  appointing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lamson  to 
officiate  among  them,  being  many  in  number,  having  built  a  church  in  each  of 
those  places.  Ridgefield  but  eight,  and  Ridgebury  but  four  miles  from  Salem,  but 
at  such  a  distance  from  Norwalk  that  they  can  expect  but  very  little  service 
from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Learning ;  whereupon  we  have  unitedly  sent  our  respective 
bonds  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Auchmaty,  of  New  York,  in  trust,  obliging  ourselves  to 
pay  in  each  place  equal  to  £10  sterling  per  annum,  on  the  whole  amounting  to 
£30  per  annum,  to  the  missionary  for  the  time  being,  aud  we  no  longer  expect  the 
Society's  favor  than  we  shall  continue  to  deserve  it.'"a 

Upon  the  receipt  of  this  petition  the  Society  granted  their  request, 
and  appointed  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend,  A.M.,  missionary;  a  gen- 
tleman educated  in  King's  college,  and  whose  exemplary  life  and  sober 
conversation,  they  have  already  had  experience  of.  He  was  the  third 
son  of  Micajah  Townsend  and  Elizabeth  Piatt,  the  grandson  of  John 
Townsend,6  of  Oyster  Bay,  L.  I.,  who  settled  at  that  place  in  1677.  He 
was  born  at  Cedar  Swamp,  near  Oyster  Bay,  in  April,  1742,  entered 
King's  college  (now  Columbia)  in  1755,  was  admitted  Bachelor  of  Arts 
pro  forma  in  1758,  and  graduated  Master  of  Arts  in  1762.  After  offici- 
ating for  a  short  time  as  a  lay-reader,  he  went  to  England  in  the  Fall  of 
1767,  for  Holy  Orders. 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  ii.  p.  433-5.  (TTnxrlcs.) 

h  This  ancieut  family  deduces  its  deHcent  from  Ludovic,  a  noble  Norman,  who,  settling  in 
England  during  the  reign  of  Henry  I,  assumed  the  surname  of  Townsend,  and  by  marrying 
with  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  SirThomas  Ue  Havtlle,  obtained  the  manor  of  Kayn- 
hani,  in  the  connty  of  Norfolk,  which  has  ever  since  remained  the  possession  of  his  descend- 
ants. Among  the  early  English  emigrants  to  Boston  and  its  vicinity,  were  John,  Henry  and 
William  Townsend,  brothers.  John  Townsend,  of  Oyster  Bay,  in  167",  had  Ave  sons.  Mica- 
jah, his  second  son,  was  born  in  1699,  married  23d  of'April,  1*732,  and  died  Novembers,  17S1. 
MiCHjan,  in  his  will,  made  the  30th  of  April,  1782.  proved  16th  of  May,  17S2,  bequeath  "unto  his 
son  Bpenetoa  £«fi,  which,  with  that  I  have  already  given  him,  makes  the  sum  of  £1,800." 
Surrogate's  Bee.,  N.  Y. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


747 


In  a  letter  of  Oct.  ist,  1767,  Mr.  Dibblee  of  Stamford,  writes  to  the 
Secretary  as  follows : — "  Mr.  Townsend  thankfully  accepts  the  leave  to 
go  home  for  Holy  Orders  ;  and  if  the  Society  is  not  pleased  to  appoint 
him  their  missionary  at  Salem  and  parts  contiguous,  where  he  is  much 
wanted,  he  will  submit  to  the  superior  wisdom  and  direction  of  the  So- 
ciety."" Mr.  Townsend's  license  from  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate 
as  a  missionary  in  this  province,  bears  date  December  21st,  1767.  The 
following  notice  of  his  return  appeared  in  the  New  York  Mercury  for 
April  25th,  1768:— "The  Rev.  Mr.  Townsend  arrived  last  Saturday, 
(22d)in  the  'Hope'  from  London."  Upon  the  29th  of  September,  176S, 
he  informed  the  Venerable  Society:—"  That  he  arrived  at  his  mission, 
on  the  26th  of  May,  1768,  and  was  kindly  received.  The  church- 
wardens also  of  Salem,  in  the  name  of  the  people  belonging  to  the  mis- 
sion, have  returned  thanks  to  the  Society  for  Mr.  Townsend's  appoint- 
ment." "  At  Salem  and  Ridgefield,  there  are  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Church  people.  At  Ridgefield,  eighty."  Mr.  Townsend  was  formally 
inducted  on  Sunday,  the  29th  of  May,  1768,  by  his  predecessor,  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee,  who  preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion.6 

Eight  months  prior  to  this  event  Mr.  Dibblee  writes,  Oct.  ist,  1767  : 
— "  I  preached  on  Sunday,  23d  of  August  last,  at  Salem  to  a  numerous 
and  devout  congregation,  baptized  sundry  children  and  gave  the  com- 
munion the  first  and  second  Sundays  after  Trinity  last.""  Mr.  Town- 
send  was  married  to  Lucy  Beach,  in  St.  James'  church,  Newtown,  L.  I., 
on  the  10th  of  September,  1769.  Upon  the  13th  of  June,  1769,  Stephen 
De  Lancey  and  wife  conveyed  to  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend  "  all 
that  land  being  part  of  farm  No.  12  in  north  lot  No.  10,  beginning  at 
a  white  oak  bush,  and  runs  south-west  twenty-six  degrees,  eight  chains 
and  twenty-four  links,  to  a  pile  of  stones,  thence  south-west  seventeen 
degrees,  sixteen  chains  and  thirteen  links,  to  a  pile  of  stones,  thence 
north-east  eighty-eight  degrees,  twenty-five  chains  and  fifty  links,  to  a 
pile  of  stones,  thence  south-east  seventy-four  degrees  and  a  half,  six 
chains  and  forty-five  links  to  a  stake  and  stones  by  the  church,  then 
north-east  fifteen  degrees,  five  chains  and  thirty-five  links  to  the  oblong 
line,  then  south-east  ten  degrees,  twenty-one '  chains  and  twenty-five 
links  to  a  stake  on  the  same  line,  then  south-west  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, containing  sixty  acres,  inclusive  of  /he  ground  upon  which  the 
church,  church  yard  and  burying  ground  stand,  which  is  not  included 

a  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  Ml.  (Hawks.) 
b  Fowler's  MSS.  Biographies  of  the  clergy,  vol.  vl.  lOfii. 

c  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p".  ail.  (Hawks..)  In  his  register  Mr.  Plbbleo  writes 
—  Cortlandt's  manor,  Province  of  New  York,  Salem,  1T07,  Aug.  23d,  baptized  James  Dickiu- 


748         '        HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

in  this  grant,  &ca  On  this  land,  adjoining  the  church,  Mr.  Townsend 
erected  the  same  year  a  large  dwelling  house,  which  is  still  standing,  and 
occupied  at  one  time  by  the  late  Venerable  Epenetus  Wallace,  M.  D., 
who  was  born  in  1766,  and  a  god-son  of  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend, 
by  whom  he  was  baptized  on  Friday,  April  10th,  1767. b  The  above 
mentioned  house  was  the  one  which  Mr.  Townsend's  father  enabled  him 
to  build  in  1769  and  the  sixty  acres  of  land  which  lie  had  bought  for 
him,  all  of  which  were  taken  possession  of  by  the  Continental  Conven- 
tion, 1776.  Dr.  Wallace's  predecessors  must  have  purchased  the  property 
from  the  executor  of  Micajah  Townsend,  father  of  Epenetus ;  for  in 
1786,  Jonathan  Townsend,  executor  of  the  last  will  of  Micajah  Town- 
send  (died  9th  of  November,  1781),  late  of  Queens  County,  deceased, 
sold  lands  in  this  town  to  Nath.  Brown  and  others. c  Upon  the  29th  of 
September,  1769,  he  thus  addresses  the  Society: — 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
(Extract.) 

"Salem,  Province  of  New  York,  Sept.  29tii,  1769. 
Rev.  Sir: — "Having  nothing  of  importance  to  acquaint  the  Society  with  in 
the  spring,  I  deferred  writing  till  now.  I  have  constantly  performed  divine 
service  equally  in  my  three  churches  ^of  Salem,  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury,  in 
each  of  which  places,  people  are  zealous  in  their  attendance  ou  public  worship; 
and  I  have  the  pleasure  to  observe  that  through  the  divine  blessing  on  my 
labors,  each  of  those  congregations  is  something  increased.  Since  my  arriving 
to  the  mission  I  have  baptized  in  the  year  past,  two  adults  and  thirty  infants, 
and  have  received  between  three  or  four  communicants,  but  expect  several  more 
very  soon.  The  fatigue  which  necessarily  arises  from  a  steady  performance  of 
my  duty  in  these  three  places,  I  have  hitherto,  and  I  trust  in  God  I  shall  for  the 
future  be  enabled  to  undergo  with  cheerfulness ;  though  I  expect  it  will  in  a  little 
while  be  increased — occasioned  by  the  building  of  a  new  church  in  Salem, 
which,  when  it  is  finished,  I  propose,  with  the  Society's  leave,  to  officiate  in 
sometimes.  To  acquaint  the  Society  with  the  propriety  of  building  a  new 
church  at  Salem  I  would  observe,  that  Salem  is  a  township  twelve  miles  in 
length  and  but  two  in  breadth,  joining  ou  the  one  side  to  Connecticut  and  on  the 
other  partly  to  Cortlandt's  manor,  which  extends  twenty  miles  westward  to 
Hudson  river,  and  partly  to  another  patent,  which  extends  several  miles  westward 
toward  Bedford,  which  is  the  utmost  limit  of  Mr.  Avery's  mission.  The  church 
which  is  already  built,  is  situated  within  about  two  miles  of  the  north  end  of 
Salem,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's  manor,  as  the  Society  was  informed  in  the 
petition  of  the  Church- wardens  and  Vestry.  It  was  built  by  the  people  of  this 
part  of  Salem  and  Cortlandt's  manor  in  conjunction,  and  this  congregation  is 
something  larger  than  either  of  those  in  Connecticut— there  being  generally,  in 

a  County  Rec.  Lib.  H.,  p.  3S4. 

b  Dr.  Dibblee  records  in  his  register  :  Salem,  1767,  April  10th,  baptized  Epenetus  Wallis, 

John  Wallis. 
c  County  Rec 


THE  TOWN  OK  NORTH  SALEM. 


74y 


good  weather,  in  the  summer  season,  upwards  of  two  hundred  people  assembled. 
Tlio  church  which  I  expect  will  soon  be  bui!t  in  Salem,  will  be  about  five  or  six 
miles  to  the  southward,  and  about  two  or  three  miles  to  the  westward  from 
Ridgefield,  Conn.,  where  I  have  been  informed  there  are  near  thirty  families  of 
Church  people,  besides  a  considerable  number  in  places  very  contiguous,  for 
whom  it  ia  extremely  difficult  to  attend  public  worship,  either  at  Ridgefield,  or 
at  the  church  towards  the  north  end  of  Salem,  in  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's 
manor,  where  I  reside.  When  this  church  is  built,  (if  the  Society  approves 
of  my  officiating  in  it  sometimes,  besides  my  attendance  at  the  other  three 
churches,)  I  would  request  the  favor  of  the  Society  to  give  a  quarto  Common 
Prayer  Book  and  Bible  to  that,  as  they  have  to  the  other  churches  of  Salem  and 
Ridgebury.  I  know  that  my  fatigue  in  attending  so  many  churches  must  be 
great ;  and  that  people  cannot  receive  so  much  profit  as  might  be  wished  from 
the  labors  of  a  minister,  when  they  are  divided  between  so  many  places.  But  as 
for  the  fatigue,  I  trust  that  God  will  enable  me  to  bear  it;  and  I  hope  yet,  in 
some  future  time,  the  Society  will  be  able  to  provide  better  for  the  edification  of 
the  people,  by  dividing  the  mission,  as  it  might  conveniently  be  done,  into  two 
equal  parts.  I  beg  leave  to  request  some  Common  Prayer  books,  which  are  very 
much  wauted  for  the  poor.  I  brought  but  two  dozen,  together  with  a  great  num- 
ber of  small  tracts,  but  a  much  larger  number  of  Prayer  Books  is  required ;  as 
many  people  in  my  mission  are  poor  and  unable  to  purchase  books  or  any  thing 
that  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  their  families.  I  beg 
leave  to  acquaint  the  Society  likewise,  that,  besides  the  attending  the  duties  of 
my  own  mission,  I  preached  last  spring,  on  the  next  Sunday  after  Easter,  at 
Woodbury,  a  town  in  Connecticut,  thirty  miles  distant  from  Salem,  to  a  congre- 
gation of  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty,  who  behaved  with  the  greatest  de- 
cency and  devotion — most  of  them  being  professors,  and  many  of  them  worthy 
members  of  our  Holy  Church.  This  town,  though  included  iu  Mr.  Clark's  mis- 
sion, enjoys  but  a  small  proportion  of  his  labors,  not  through  any  neglect  of  his, 
but  by  means  of  the  extensiveness  of  his  charge  ;  and  yet  it  is  a  town  containing 
six  parishes  of  Congregationalists,  and  part  of  another  ;  in  all  which,  there  are 
some  professors  of  the  Church  earnestly  desirous,  if  possible,  to  enjoy  the  public 
worship  of  God  according  to  their  Holy  profession.  And  in  compliance  with 
their  earnest  intreaties,  till  something  more  could  be  done  for  the  supply  of  their 
spiritual  wants,  several  of  the  Connecticut  clergy  agreed  to  preach  among  them 
by  turns.  The  summer  past,  the  first  Sunday  after  Trinity,  I  preached  at  Sharon, 
a  town  in  Connecticut  adjoining  this  province,  about  fifty  miles  to  the  northward, 
where  they  have  a  neat  little  church  and  a  pretty  congregation.  The  next  day  I 
preached  in  the  north  precinct  of  the  Oblong  in  this  Province,  about  five  or  six 
miles  from  Sharon.  There  they  have  a  new  church  just  raised,  which  they  intend 
to  cover  in  the  summer,  and  finish  as  soon  as  might  be.  There  is  a  large  body  of 
people  whose  religious  circumstances  truly  deserve  compassion ;  and  here,  un- 
doubtedly, would  soon  be  a  fine  congregation,  if  they  could  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
having  a  sober  minister  of  our  Church  settled  among  them,  by  the  assistance  of 
the  Society,  which  they  intend  earnestly  to  request  as  soon  as  they  can  qualify 
themselves  for  it,  by  finishing  their  church  and  procuring  a  glebe.  I  beg  liberty 
to  request  a  favor  from  the  Society,  which  may  perhaps  be  of  considerable  ser- 
vice to  me ;  the  professors  of  the  Church  in  Connecticut  are  taxed  for  the  sup- 


75° 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


port  of  the  minister  of  the  Church  in  the  same  proportion  as  the  Congregational- 
ists  for  the  support  of  their  minister.  This  tax  is  levied  and  collected  by  the 
Congregationahsts,  together  with  their  own,  and  by  them  paid  to  such  ministers 
of  the  Church  as  are  appointed  over  them  by  the  Society.  Now,  Itidgefield  and 
Ridgebury  being  in  Connecticut,  the  committee  appointed  for  raising  and  paying 
the  minister's  rate  at  Ridgebury  have  been  in  some  doubt  whether  I  am  entitled 
to  the  rates  of  the  Church  people  there  ;  because  it  is  certain  they  -were  formerly 
under  Mr.  Learning's  care,  and  had  no  written  appointment  or  anything  from 
under  the  Society's  hand  to  convince  them  that  the  Society  had  now  included 
them  within  this  mission.  Should  the  Venerable  Society  mention  Ridgefield  and 
Ridgebury  in  an  abstract  as  parts  cf  my  mission,  together  with  Salem ;  or  should 
they,  in  a  letter  to  the  Church-wardens  and  Vestry  of  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury, 
or  in  some  other  method,  give  assurance  that  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury  belong 
to  my  mission,  it  must  be  of  advantage  to  me,  as  it  would  remove  all  doubt 
whether  I  was  by  the  laws  of  that  Colony  entitled  to  the  Church  people's  rates  in 
those  places. "« 

In  the  year  1 7 7 1,  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend  again  addresses  the 
Society  as  follows  : — 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[Extract.] 

Salem,  "Westchester  Co.,  March  25th,  1771. 
Rev.  Sir  : — This  is  a  large  county,  full  of  people  without  any  constant  public 
worship  in  any  method ;  and  as  they  have  not  enjo}-ed  the  benefit  of  any  regular 
and  constant  administration  of  God's  word  and  sacraments,  since  the  first  settle- 
ment of  the  country,  vice  and  immorality  abound  among  them.  The  Sabbath  is, 
by  great  numbers,  spent  in  riding,  visiting,  hunting,  fishing  and  such  like  diver- 
sions ;  and  by  some,  it  is  profaned  by  practices  still  worse.  There  are  some 
Church  people,  Presbyterians,  Baptists  and  Quakers  scattered  among  them,  and 
great  numbers  who  don't  belong  to  any  particular  denomination  of  Christians. 
It  has  been  proposed  by  some  of  them  to  build  a  church  or  Presbyterian  meeting 
house,  but  nothing  is  yet  concluded.  I  believe  the  Church  people  would  exert 
themselves  and  immediately  build  a  small  church,  were  there  any  hopes  the  mis- 
sion might  be  divided  so  as  they  might  be  included,  and  enjoy  some  stated  por- 
tion of  a  minister's  labors ;  and,  indeed,  considering  their  destitute  circumstances 
and  the  prospect  of  advancing  the  interest  of  the  Church  and  promoting  piety 
among  them,  or  at  least  of  stopping  the  growth  of  immorality— considering  also 
the  increasing  fatigue  of  this  mission,  in  which  are  three  churches  at  present, 
and  a  fourth  building — I  would  humbly  request,  with  submission  to  the  Society, 
that  such  a  division  might  be  made ;  and  if  Danbury  also  was  included,  which 
is  in  great  need  of  a  minister  of  the  Church,  it  might  conveniently  be  divided 
into  two  equal  parts,  each  containing  three  churches ;  and  after  some  time,  as  the 
people  grow  more  able,  another  mission  might  be  added  to  great  advantage,  each 
of  the  three  having  the  care  of  two  churches."6  The  Society's  abstracts  for  1772; 

a  New  York  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  Vol.  ti.,490, 491,  492,  493.  (Hawks.) 
£New  York,  .MSS.  from  archives  at  FulUatn,  voL  ii.  649-50.  (Uawks.) 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


say  :  "  That  Mr.  Towusend,  missionary  at  Salem,  states  his  congregations  to  be 
increasing.  Hath  baptized  sixty-two  infants  and  two  adults."'*  In  1775,  they 
say  "  that  Mr.  Townsend  is  constant  in  the  performance  of  his  duty  in  his  own 
parish  and  preaches  frequently  in  the  parts  adjacent.  From  Lady  Day  to  Mi- 
chaelmas he  baptized  twenty-one  infants  and  one  adult,  and  admitted  two  new 
communicants.  "&  The  abstracts  for  1776  add  :  "That  one  letter  from  Mr.  Town- 
send  on  September  20th.  1775.  gives  the  same  account  of  his  mission,  in  which 
he  hath  baptized  thirty  infants,  buried  seven,  and  married  three  couple  in  the 
preceding  half  year."c 

The  last  communication  the  Society  received  from  Mr.  Townsend  was 
in  June,  1777,  soon  after  he  had  been  compelled  to  leave  the  scene  of 
his  labors  by  the  threatening  state  of  affairs. 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"Salem,  Province  of  New  York,  Juxe,  A.D.  1777. 

"  Rev.  Sin: — From  the  first  existence  of  the  present  rebellion,  I  could — give  the 
Honorable  Society  no  account  of  my  conduct  with  respect  to  public  affairs— be- 
cause my  distance  from  New  York,  and  the  excessive  vigilance  of  the  Rebel 
committees  in  getting  and  examining  all  letters,  rendered  such  a  step  extremely 
dangerous ;  but,  being  now,  by  God's  good  Providence,  banished  from  among  the 
Rebels  for  my  loyalty  to  his  Majesty,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  give  the  Honorable 
Society  a  short  account  of  my  conduct,  from  the  beginning  of  these  troubles, 
and  of  the  treatment  I  have  met  with  from  the  Rebels. 

"  In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1773,  and  the  beginningof  1774, 1  strongly  sus- 
pected that  the  leaders  of  the  opposition  to  government  in  America  were  aiming 
at  Independence,  and  the  Eastern  Provinces,  at  the  subversion  of  the  Church, 
likewise:''  and  that  in  pursuit  of  those  ends,  they  would,  if  possible,  influence 
the  people  to  a  revolt ;  but  when  the  first  Congress  approved  the  rebellious  re- 
solves of  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  I  had  no  longer  any  doubt 
of  their  intentions.  In  this  state  of  things,  therefore,  I  did  every  thing  that  lay 
in  my  power,  by  preaching,  reading  the  Homilies  against  Rebellion,  and  by  con- 
versation, to  give  my  parish  and  others,  a  just  idea  of  the  sacred  obligations  laid 
upon  us  by  Christianity — to  be  good  and  peaceful  subjects,  even  if  it  had  been 
our  lot  to  have  lived  under  wicked  and  oppressive  rulers,  and  much  more  so,  as 
Providence  hath  blessed  us  with  one  of  the  wisest  and  best  of  princes.  This,  I 
chose  to  do  before  any  blood  was  shed— while  people's  tempers  were  yet  cool ; 
lest  if  the  instruction  had  been  deferred  till  some  Mow  was  struck,  the  acts  of 
misrepresentation,  which  had  been  used  from  the  beginning,  might  influence 
their  passions  and  hurry  them  into  criminal  acts  before  reason  could  resume  its 

a  Society's  abstract  from  31st  February,  1772,  to  19th  February,  1773. 

6    ditto       ditto    from  17th  February,  1775,  to  16th  February,  1776. 

e    Ditto      ditto    from  16th  February,  1776.  to  21st  February,  1777. 

d  The  following  extracts  are  from  a  letter  of  John  Adams  to  Dr.  J.  Morse,  dated  Quincy, 
2d  Dec,  1SI5 :— "  That  the  apprehension  of  Episcopacy  contributed,  fifty  years  ago,  as  much 
as  any  other  cause,  to  arouse  the  attention,  not  only  nf'the  enquiring  mind,  but  the  common 
people,  and  urge  them  to  close  thinking  on  the  constitutional  authority  of  Parliament  over  the 
colonies.".  •' This,  nevertheless,  was  a  fact  as  certain  as  any  in  the  history  of  North 
America.  The  objection  was  not  merely  to  the  ofllc"  of  a  Bishop— though  even  that  was 
dreaded— but  to  the  authority  of  Parliament,  on  which  ir  must  be  founded."—"  Life  and  Works 
of  John  Adams,"  by  Chas.  Francis  Adams;  vol.  X.,  p.  1S5. 


752 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNT  V  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


place  and  tend  to  the  obligations  of  religion.  And  blessed  be  God,  I  have  this 
satisfaction,  that  the  Church  people  in  all  my  parishes  have  almost  unanimously 
(there  being  but  three  or  four  exceptions)  maintained  their  loyalty  from  the  first, 
for  which  many  of  them  suffered  greatly. 

In  May,  1776,  I  was  called  before  the  Rebel  Committee  of  Cortlandt's  manor, 
who  invited  me  to  join  their  association ;  upon  which  I  told  them  freely  that  I 
esteemed  their  resistance  of  his  Majesty's  authority  to  be  repugnant  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Gospel,  and,  therefore,  could  not  give  it  my  countenance.  I  was 
soon  after  required  to  furnish  some  blankets  for  the  use  of  the  Rebel  soldiers; 
which,  not  consenting  to  do,  I  was  sent  under  guard  to  the  Committee,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  a  guard  was  set  at  my  house,  who,  after  their  savage  manner, 
were  very  lavish  of  their  insults  to  Mrs.  Townsend.  The  Committee,  after  hav- 
ing in  vain  endeavored  to  pursuade  me  to  furnish  the  blankets,  gave  orders  to 
6earch  my  house  and  get  them  ;  but  the  proper  steps  having  been  taken,  none 
were  found.  The  next  time  the  Committee  met,  they  ordered  me  to  pay  up- 
wards of  thirty  shillings  to  these  guards,  which  I  refused ;  and  was  again  put 
under  guard  till  I  did  pay  it.  I  was  soon  after  sent  to  the  County  Committee  of 
Westchester,  on  a  complaint  from  the  Committee  of  Cortlandt's  manor,  that  I 
entertained  principles  inconsistent  with  the  American  cause.  Tbe  County  Com- 
mittee referred  the  matter  to  the  Provincial  Committee ;  but  as  my  principles 
were  only  complained  of,  without  any  part  of  my  conduct  being  impeached,  and 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  being  then  just  at  hand,  which,  it  was  thought, 
would  bring  the  clergy  in  general  under  persecution,  I  was,  for  that  time  dis- 
missed. 

"I  continued  the  services  of  the  Church  within  my  mission  for  three  Sundays 
after  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  the  Congress,  and  should  have  pro- 
ceeded still  and  took  the  consequences,  but  I  was  informed  that  all  the  clergy, 
in  this  and  the  neighboring  provinces,  had  discontinued  the  public  service  till  it 
might  be  performed  under  the  protection  of  his  Majesty,  excepting  only  Mr. 
Beach,  of  Connecticut,  who  hath  continued  his  church  till  very  lately.  Under  these 
circumstances,  I  considered  that  my  dissenting  from  the  practice  of  my  brethren 
would  not  only  set  me  up  as  a  single  mark  of  vengeance— and  as  every  appearance 
of  disunion  among  the  clergy  might  be  disadvantageous  to  the  Church  hereafter ; 
viewing  the  matter  in  this  light,  I  thought  it  best  to  comply  with  the  general 
practice  of  the  clergy.  On  the  21st  of  Oct.  I  was  made  a  prisoner  and  sent  to  the 
Court  of  Fishkill  as  an  enemy  to  the  Independence  of  America,  when  (except 
that  sometimes  1  was  indulged  to  visit  my  family  a  few  days)  I  was  kept  on  pa- 
role through  the  winter  at  my  own  expense,  which  was  very  great.  The  shock- 
ing insolence  and  inhumanity  of  the  Rebels  toward  the  friends  of  Government  qf 
which  I  was  a  daily  spectator,  rendered  the  place  of  my  imprisonment  very  dis- 
agreeable ;  and  the  cruel  treatment  which  my  family  received  from  them  in  my  ab- 
sence, was  exceedingly  distressing.  They  had  taken  me  from  a  wife  and  four  small 
children  the  two  youngest  not  sixteen  months  old,  which  was  my  whole  family — 
and  during  my  confinement  they  forbade  people  coming  to  my  house,  and  they 
threatened  all  that  should  assist  the  family  in  any  respect ;  by  this  means  they 
Buffered  much  for  want  of  free  intercourse  with  their  friends,  those  that  would 
gladly  have  assisted  them,  not  daring  to  do  it  unless  when  it  might  be  done  private- 
ly. In  this  situation  I  know  not  how  they  could  have  long  subsisted,  had  it  not  been 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


753 


for  a  man  with  a  small  family  who  had  removed  from  the  seat  of  war  at  the 
White  Plains,  and  had  as  yet  no  settled  habitation,  by  taking  this  family  into  my 
house  about  Christmas,  Mrs.  Townsend  had  a  friend  of  Government,  though 
under  some  disguise,  who,  living  under  the  same  roof,  was  able  to  do  many  things 
for  her  benefit.  To  this,  as  well  as  many  other  instances  during  my  imprison- 
ment, the  good  providence  of  God  always  found  some  method,  unforseen  by  us, 
to  support  us  under  the  greatest  difficulties,  and  after  he  had  thus  continued  us 
under  the  Rebel  discipline  for  near  six  months,  he  then  granted  us  a  happy  deliv- 
ance  ;  for  on  the  31st  of  March,  in  consequence  of  my  refusing  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  the  State  of  New  York,  I  received  an  order  to  depart  within  eight  days 
with  my  family,  apparel  and  household  furniture,  to  some  place  in  possession  of 
the  King's  troops,  on  penalty  of  my  being  confined  in  close  jail  and  otherwise 
treated  as  an  open  enemy  of  the  State.  With  this  order  I  readily  complied  ;  and 
after  procuring  a  flag  from  a  Rebel  general  to  transport  my  family  and  furniture 
to  Long  Island,  I  set  out.  The  Convention  taking  a  genteel  house  which  my 
father  had  enabled  me  to  build,  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he  had  bought  for  me, 
with  thirty  acres  of  wood  laud,  a  horse  and  a  small  stock  of  cattle  into  their  pos- 
session. At  Norwalk,  where  I  had  procured  a  boat  to  cross  the  Sound,  I  was 
stopped  four  days,  most  of  my  furniture  after  being  put  on  board  was  relanded, 
and  all  of  it  ransacked  under  pretence  of  searching  for  letters,  prohibited  articles, 
&c,  whereby  many  things  were  much  damaged,  and  others  stolen.  I  was  then 
obliged  to  pay  the  expenses  of  these  abuses  in  detaining,  searching,  &c,  which 
amounted  to  nine  pound  currency,  and  then  was  permitted  to  proceed.  On  the 
11th  of  April  we  landed  ou  Long  Island,  with  hearts  full  of  gratitude  to  God  for 
having  at  length  delivered  us  from  the  malice  and  cruelty  of  the  Rebels. 

I  am,  Rev.  Sir,  &c,  Epexetus  Townsexd."* 

In  1779,  Mr.  Townsend  was  appointed  chaplain  to  one  of  the  loyal 
battalions  then  stationed  at  New  York.  Here  he  remained  until  it  was 
ordered  to  Nova  Scotia,  when  himself  and  family  embarked  on  board  a 
vessel  bound  for  that  Province.  The  ship  foundered  in  Boston  bay,  and 
every  soul  on  board  perished.  Thus  terminated  the  short  and  sad  ca- 
reer of  the  first  rector  of  this  parish,  whose  "  only  crime  was,  that  he  was 
a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of  course  attached  to  the 
government  and  the  constitution  of  Church  and  State."  The  names  of 
Townsend,  Avery  and  Babcock,  belong  to  the  catalogue  of  worthies,  who 
once  faithful  soldiers  of  Christ's  Church  Militant,  are  now  singing  praises 
to  Him  who  redeemed  them  with  His  Blood,  in  the  Church  Triumphant 
above.  The  last  account  the  Venerable  Society  received  of  their  faithful 
missionary  was  the  following : 

MR.  INGLIS  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

V  Nbw  York,  Nov.  26th,  1T79. 
Rbv.  Sib  : — Mr.  Townsend,  the  Society's  missionary  for  Salem  in  this  Pro- 
vince, after  being  driven  within  the  King's  lines  by  the  Rebels  was  appointed 


a  New  York,  M3S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  toI.  ii.  621,  622, 623,  624.  (Eawks.) 


754 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  "WESTCHESTER. 


chaplain  to  one  of  the  new  raised  loyal  battelions.  His  battalion  was  ordered 
for  Halifax,  and  he  embarked  here,  with  his  wife  and  five  children  to  join  it. 
A  violent  storm  rose,  soon  after  the  fleet  in  which  he  sailed  left  Sandy  Hook, 
the  fleet  was  dispersed,  several  of  the  ships  perished,  and  poor  Townsend  has  not 
since  been  heard  of.  I  greatly  fear  the  vessel  in  which  he  went  has  shared  the 
same  fate."** 

"Sleep  on — sleep  on — the  glittering  depths 
Of  Ocean's  coral  caves  : — 
Are  thy  bright  urn — thy  requiem 
The  music  of  its  waves : — 
The  purple  gems  for  ever  bum 
In  fadeless  beauty  round  thy  urn ; 
And  pure  and  deep  as  infant  love, 
The  blue  sea  rolls  its  waves  above."— G.  D.  Peentice. 

The  names  of  the  children,  with  the  dates  of  their  birth,  as  recorded 
by  Mr.  Townsend  himself,  are  as  follows:  "  Epenetus,  born  31st  of 
October,  1770;  Lucy,  born  3d  of  November,  1772  ;  Micajah  and  John, 
twins,  born  28th  of  June,  1875."  Mr.  Townsend,  when  he  removed  to 
Salem  left  a  younger  brother,  Jotham,  who  continued  at  Oyster  Bay. 
and  died  in  181 5.  He  left  a  son,  Col.  Micajah  Townsend,  now  living 
at  Cedar  Swamp,  L.  I.  Micah,  another  brother,  is  the  father  of  the 
Rev.  Micajah  Townsend  of  Clarcenceville,  Canada  East. 

Previous  to  his  embarkation,  Mr.  Townsend  had  deposited  in  the 
hands  of  the  Rev.  Benj.  Moore,  (afterwards  Bishop  Moore)  the  library, 
silver  chalice  and  velvet  cushion  belonging  to  St.  James'  church  desiring 
him  to  keep  them  until  called  for.  The  latter,  in  1785,  informed  Mr. 
John  Wallace  and  Ebenezer  Lobdell,  church-wardens  of  the  parish : 
"  That  the  above  mentioned  articles  were  left  with  him  for  safe  keep- 
ing, and  that  St.  James'  church  might  have  them  by  sending  an  order  for 
that  purpose.  The  Rev.  David  Perry  was  accordingly  deputed  to  re- 
ceive them  in  the  name  of  the  vestry."  "  At  a  society  meeting  legally 
warned  and  holden  at  the  Independent  School  House,"  in  Ridgefield, 
"on  the  1 8th  day  of  April,  1803,  voted — that  the  Society  meeting  desire 
Dr.  Perry  to  deliver  to  Epenetus  Wallace  and  Joshua  Purdy,  Esq.,  of 
North  Salem,  the  Library  of  Books  which  are  in  his  care,  and  which  he  , 
received  of  Dr.  Moore  of  the  city  of  New  York,  being  those  books  which 
were  sent  by  the  Missionary  Society  in  England  for  the  use  of  Mr. 
Townsend."* 

The  Rev.  Micajah  Townsend,  (son  of  Micah,  youngest  brother  of  the 
Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend,)  of  Clarenceville,  Canada  East,  in  a  letter  ad- 

a  The  Rev.  Dr.  Inglis,  the  rector  of  Trinity  church,  N.  Y.,  reports  :  ■'  That  the  state  of  the 
clergy  of  New  YorK  is  much  the  same;  and  with  the  aforementioned  losses,  is  to  be  lamented 
that  of  Mr.  Townsend,  missionary  at  Salem,  who  with  all  his  family  was  lost  la  a  ship  which 
sank  in  its  passage  to  Halifax.''  8;>cietv's  abstracts  for  1 7 T9. 

b  Rec.  of  11  rst  Episcopal  Soc.,  Ridgelleid,  CoiUi.,  June,  1784,  Liber  I. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  755 

dressed  to  the  author,  says :  "  A  few  ancient  theological  books  had  stray- 
ed from  the  library  of  my  uncle  Epenetus  to  that  of  my  father,  and  are 
now  in  my  possession." 

Soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  Rev.  David  Perry,  A.M.,  M.D., 
officiated  here  and  in  the  neighboring  parishes.   This  individual  was  the 

son  of  Perry.    He  was  born  ,  1750;  admitted  B.  A.  at  Yale 

College,  1772,  and  graduated  AM.  1776;  studied  medicine,  and  settled  at 
Ridgefield  as  a  physician.  "  He  was  ordained  Deacon  by  Bishop  Sea- 
bury,  June  6th,  1790;  Priest,  16th  of  October,  1791 ;  and  took  charge 


St.  James'  Church,  North  Salem,  erected  A.D.  1S10. 


of  the  parishes  of  Salem,  Reading,  Ridgefield  and  Danbury.  Neglecting 
to  attend  the  convocations  of  the  clergy  and  the  Conventions  of  the  Dio- 
cese of  Connecticut  (probably  because  of  his  practice  as  a  physician), 
he  fell  under  censure ;  finally  resigned  his  letter  of  orders,  and  relinquish- 
ed the  clerical  profession  June  3d,  1 795.    He  continued  the  practice  of 

medicine,  and  died  ,  i8i7."<*   His  son  was  the  late  Nehemiah 

Perry,  M.D.,  of  Ridgefield,  the  father  of  the  present  Nehemiah  Perry, 
M.D.,  of  that  place.  The  parish  appears  to  have  been  favored  with  oc- 
casional sen-ices  only,  until  1804,  when  the  churches  of  Bedford,  North 
Salem  and  Stephentown  united,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  a  minister 
"  who  should  perform  divine  service  in  the  different  towns  of  Bedford, 
New  Castle,  North  Salem  and  Stephentown  so  often  as  should  be  in  pro- 
portion to  amount  of  their  several  subscriptions."  Upon  the  4th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1804,  the  Rev.  George  Shebeck  was  called  to  and  accepted  the 
rectorship  of  the  united  parishes,  which  he  resigned  in  March,  1S05. 


o  Hist.  Not.  of  clergy  ordained  by  Bishops  Seabury  and  Jarvls,  appended  to  the  Convocation 
Journal  of  Convention  No.  38. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


"  In  1807,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Rog- 
ers were  directed  by  the  Diocesan  Convention  to  supply  North  Salem, 
and  the  other  congregations  in  West  Chester  county,  on  some  days  in 
the  same  week  of  their  appointments  at  Bedford."*  ..For  nearly  four 
years  the  parish  appears  to  have  been  vacant,  but  in  the  spring  of  1 3 1  o 
the  Rev.  Nathan  Felch  was  called  as  minister.  The  same  year  he  re- 
ported to  the  Convention,  "  That  the  Episcopal  congregation  in  North 
Salem  is  exceedingly  prosperous ;  many  have  been  added  to  them  in  a 
few  months  past,  and  they  are  now  erecting  a  church."  For  Mr.  Felch' s 
successors,  see  list  of  ministers  and  rectors. 

St.  James'  church  occupies  an  elevated  situation  directly  opposite  the 
junction  of  the  cross-roads,  at  Salem  Centre,  and  presents  quite  a  pic- 
turesque object,  when  viewed  from  the  valley  of  the  Mutighticoos.  The 
new  church  was  erected  in  1869  at  a  cost,  including  furniture,  of  $9,900 ; 
and  was  consecrated  by  the  Right  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
D.C.L.,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  on  Wednesday,  June  2d,  1869.  The  style 
of  the  edifice  is  early  pointed,  and  consists  of  chancel,  nave,  vestry  room, 
recess  on  the  west  for  the  organ  and  choir,  and  tower;  height  of  the  tow- 
er and  spire,  about  feet.    The  roof  is  arched  inside,  with  timbers 

displayed.  The  chancel  window  is  of  three  lights,  the  centre  containing 
an  effigy  of  the  Saviour,  the  whole  ornamented  with  appropriate  symbols. 

MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS. 

INST.  OR  GALL.  INCUMBENTS.  VACATED  BY. 

A.D.  1750,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee,  D.D.,  Clericus,  resig. 

29th  May,  1768,  Rev.  Epenetus  Town-send,  A.M.,  CL,  death. 

1790,  Rev.  David  Perry,  M.D.,  Deacon,  per  resig. 

4th  Sept.,  1804,  Rev.  George  Strebeck,  Presb. 

1810,  Rev.  Nathan  Felch,  Deacon.  " 

16th  June,  1816,  Rev.  George  Weller,  A.M.,  Deacon.  &  " 

1820,  Rev.  Samuel  Nichols,  Presb.  " 

1829,  Rev.  Hiram  Jelliff,  Presb.  " 

1836,  Rev.  Alexander  Fraser,  Presb.  " 

23  July,  1836,  Rev.  Benjamin  Evans,  Presb. 

1841,  Rev.  David  Sitort,  Presb. 

]84'3,  Rev.  Albert  P.  Smith,  Presb.  " 

1847,  Rev.  Nathan  W.  Munroe,  Presb.  " 

June,  1848,  Rev.  Orsamus  H.  Smith,  Presb.  " 

24  May,  1851,  Rev.  John  Wells  Moore,  A.M.,  Presb. 

Oct.  1854,  Rev.  D.  H.  Short,  D.D..  Presb. 

1864,  Rev.  John  S.  Stone,  D.D.,  Presb. 

June,  1865,  Rev.  Russell  Trevett,  D.D.,  Presb.,  death.'' 

June,  1869,  Rev.  R.  Condiot  Russell,  Presb.,     present  incumbent. 

a  In  1S07,  this  church  was  supplied  by  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.D., 
Isaac  Wilkins,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  John  lienry  Hobart. 

b  This  gentleman  died  rector  of  Christ  church,  Nashville,  Tenn.  Ue  was  the  author  of  a 
reply  to  the  review  of  Dr.  Wyatt's  sermon,  and  Mr.  Sparks'  Letters  on  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  published  in  "Boston,  1S21.  Also  editor  of  the  Church  Hcyixd  <■,  an  Episcopal 
periodical  printed  In  Philadelphia. 

c  A  Dr.  Trevett  died  suddenly  March  8th,  1885.  lie  was  formerly  professor  in  St.  James' 
College    [Torn  copy]  and  the  author  of  a  volume  of  


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


757 


St.  James'  church  was  first  incorporated  on  the  3d  of  June,  1786, 
under  the  name  and  title  of  the  "  Episcopal  Reformed  Protestant 
Church  at  Upper  Salem;"  Ebenezer  Lobdell,  Daniel  Smith,  and 
Joseph  Purdy,  trustees.8  A  third  incorporation  of  St.  James'  church, 
at  North  Salem,  occurs  on  the  30th  of  June,  1797  ;  James  Bailey  and 
Benjamin  Close,  ch urch- wardens ;  Epenetus  Wallace,  John  Lobdell, 
Gershom  Hanford,  Joshua  Purdy,  Gilbert  Bailey,  Daniel  Sherwood, 
Jacob  Lobdell,  and  Joseph  Knox,  vestrymen.6  The  first  delegate  from 
fliis  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  was  Joseph  Purdy,  Esq. 

In  the  year  1797,  the  first  church  edifice  was  erected — in  1763  upon 
a  glebe  farm  given  by  Stephen  De  Lancey,  was  found  to  be  in  a  ruin- 
ous condition ;  whereupon  it  was  dismantled  and  sold  at  public  auction 
May  23d,  1797.  About  1810  the  late  venerable  Epenetus  Wallace,  M. 
D.,  induced  the  vestry  to  exchange  the  old  location  for  the  site  of  the 
present  church ;  which  old  location,  a  few  years  ago,  was  sold  to  the 
Presbyterian  Society  upon  which  they  have  erected  their  present  parson- 
age. 

Epenetus  Wallace  thus  describes  the  dismantling  of  the  old  church 
and  the  erection  of  the  second  edifice  in  a  MSS.  attached  to  the  vestry 
minutes,  with  which  we  have  been  favored  by  Mr.  Henry  Lobdell,  the 
present  clerk  of  the  vestry  : 

"  The  Society  being  scattered  and  many  of  them  died  during  the 
war,  continued  broken ;  and  divine  service  not  being  performed,  until 
peace  took  place,  and  the  old  church  went  to  decay  during  the  war,  and 
the  ravages  of  time,  and  the  society  diminished,  it  was  resolved  to  take 
down  the  church  and  sell  it  by  parcels  for  what  it  would  fetch ;  accord- 
ingly it  was  taken  down,  and  the  timber,  boards,  nails  and  what  glass 
remained  were  sold  in  lots.  The  silver  cup  was  sold  for  about  $100. 
The  proceeds,  together  with  the  rent  of  the  parsonage,  were  put  on  in- 
terest which  in  after  years  amounted  to  some  hundreds  of  dollars. 

The  old  wardens  being  dead,  (John  Wallace  and  Ebenezer  Lobdell) 
their  successors,  Benj.  Close  and  Gershom  Hanford,  together  with  the 
vestry,  resolved  on  building  a  new  church — although  the  funds  of  the 
church  was  not  adequate  to  finish  it.  It  was  commenced  in  the  year 
1 8 10,  the  lot  given  by  Epenetus  Wallace  on  which  the  new  church  stands 
containing  about  three  roods  of  land.  The  funds,  With  the  subscription 
money,  amounted  to  about  $1000.  The  timber  and  lumber  were  pro- 
cured, the  frame  was  raised,  covered  and  closed  and  completed  in  the 
year  1841 ;  having  received  a  donation  from  Trinity  church,  New  York, 
of  $1000.    The  whole  cost  about  $2000. 

The  Society  of  St.  James'  church  met  on  Thursday,  30th  of  August, 
181  o,  at  the  church  ground  and  the  first  corner  stone  being  laid  (which 


a  Religions  Soc.  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  A.  S. 
b  Ibid .  Lib.  A.  33,  73. 


753 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


is  the  south  east  corner  of  said  church  with  the  date  on  it)  by  the  war- 
dens, Ben.  Close  and  Gershom  Hanford,  the  Rev.  Nathan  Felch  de- 
livered a  well  adapted  discourse  from  fourth  chapter  of  Zachariah  before 
a  numerous  and  respectable  audience,  he  standing  on  the  said  stone." 

The  second  church  erected  in  1810,  consecrated  in  18 16,  and  re- 
moved 1868  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  building.  The  principal 
contributors  towards  the  erection  of  the  second  structure  were  Epen^.us 
Wallace,  M.D.,  and  Joseph  Purdy.  Trinity  church  also  liberally  con- 
tributed the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  in  18 13,  as  above  stated.  ' 

Mr.  Stebbins  Baxter,  a  resident  of  this  town,  who  died  on  the  28th  of 
February,  1820,  bequeathed  his  entire  property  to  St.  James'  parish, 
amounting  (according  to  an  inventory  of  his  estate)  to  $3000,  which, 
after  deducting  general  expenses,  &c,  left  a  balance  of  $2000.  The 
parish,  however,  owing  to  the  failure  of  his  executors,  only  obtained  the 
sum  of  $1 100. 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  John  Hanford,  and  his  sisters,  a  legacy  fell  to 
the  church  of  $300 ;  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lobdell  Palmer  bequeathed  to 
the  same,  the  sum  of  $500. 

At  no  great  distance  from  the  church  is  situated  the  parsonage,  erected 
in  1842  by  public  subscription  at  a  cost  of  $1 100.  It  deserves  to  be 
mentioned  that  the  former  parsonage  was  erected  by  the  vestry  about 
1 768,  upon  the  church  glebe  which  was  purchased  of  Stephen  De  Lancey 
in  1766,  just  previous  to  the  first  rector's  going  to  England  for  holy 
orders.  From  a  petition  to  the  court  of  Chancery  in  1842,  it  appears 
that  all  the  real  estate  then  held  or  owned  by  the  Rector,  Wardens  and 
Vestry — except  the  church  edifice  and  a  small  lot  of  land  on  which  it 
stood — consisted  of  about  six  acres  of  land  situated  in  the  town  of  North 
Salem  and  bounded  as  follows,  viz : 

"  On  the  west  by  land  cf  Charles  Cable  and  land  of  Epenetus  Howe, 
and  on  the  north  by  the  land  of  Benjamin  B.  Gray,  on  the  east  by  land 
of  the  above  named  Epenetus  Howe,  and  on  the  south  by  the  highway 
leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Somers."a  This  property  was  donated  to  the, 
church  by  John  Wallace  and  Benjamin  Close. 

In  1767-8,  the  church  was  furnished  by  the  Venerable  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  with  a  parochial  library  and 
a  quarto  Bible  and  Prayer  Book.  The  old  Bible,  which  is  handsomely 
bound  in  parchment  and  printed  by  Mark  Baskctt,  printer  to  the  Uni- 
versity of  Oxford,  A.D.  1765,  was  exchanged  in  1S50  for  the  present  1  e 
now  in  use,  by  some  members  of  the  Vestry,  and  removed  by  the  I*  . . 

a  Extract  from  petition  to  mortgage  said  property  In  fee,  to  secure  tne  snm  of  f~o0.  Tnis 
la  the  present  glebe  now  owned  by  the  cliurch. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


75-9 


John  W.  Moore,"  a  former  rector  of  the  parish,  and  a  great  nephew  to 
Dr.  Benjamin  Moore,  afterward  Bishop  of  New  York.  It  may  be  re- 
membered that  Dr.  Moore  received  this  very  book  from  the  hands  of  the 
Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend  for  safe  keeping  in  1779.  The  ancient  Prayer 
Book,  which  was  printed  at  Cambridge,  England,  by  Joseph  Bentham, 
in  1764,  is  still  preserved  in  the  parish.  About  1767,  Susannah  De 
i  icey  presented  to  the  church  a  silver  chalice,  which  was  subsequently 
sold  by  order  of  the  vestry.  This  lady  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  James  De  Lancey,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  in  1747,  and  Anne  Heatheote,  daughter  of  Col.  Caleb  Heatheote, 
and  great  grand  daughter  of  Anne  van  Cortlandt,  one  of  the  daughters 
and  devisees  of  the  Hon.  Stephanus  von  Cortlandt,  Lord  of  the  Manor 
of  Cortlandt.  She  died  unmarried  in  1815,  and  was  inferred  in  the 
family  cemetery,  on  Heatheote  hill,  Mamaroneck. 

Upon  an  elevated  piece  of  ground,  on  the  west  side  of  the  church, 
over-looking  the  village  on  the  east,  is  a  large  enclosure,  in  which  nu- 
merous interments  have  taken  place.  Here  repose  the  mortal  remains 
of  the  celebrated  Sarah  Bishop,  the  hermitess.    Also  the  following : 

COL.  THADDEUS  CRANE,  Erected 

died  to  the  memory  of  the 

Sept.  1st,  1S00,  REV.  ABRAHAM  PURDY,  A.M., 

aged  71  years,  5  mo.  who  died  at  Somers, 

and  20  days.  on  the  7th  day  of  August, 

A.D.  1825,  in  the  44th  year 
of  his  age. 

Beneath  this  Monument 
lies  the  remains  of 
Doctor 

BENJAMIN  DELAVAN, 

of  the 
United  States  Army, 
who  died  at  Natchitoches, 
State  of  Louisiana, 
26th  Nov.,  A.D.  1S27, 
in  the  36th  year  of  his  age, 
and  was  interred  here 
the  ISth  of  March,  A.D.  1829. 

a  "he  Rev.  John  W.  Moore,  of  Red  Hook.  N.  Y.,  when  respectfully  asSed  to  restore  this 
gift  ■  '  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  to  the  old  parish,  declined  on  the  ground  that  he 
inadi  jl  ftur  exchange  for  it ;  besides  which,  he  considers  it  unlit  for  use  and  a  sort  of  family 
heir  loom. 


70O 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER 


Upon  a  beautiful  marble  monument,  surmounted  with  the  sitting  fig- 
ure of  the  angel  of  the  resurrection,  his  left  hand  pointing  upward,  and 
his  right  holding  the  trumpet,  is  the  following  inscription  to  the  memory 
of  Dr.  Trevett,  a  former  rector  of  the  parish  : 

SACKED 

To  the  memory  of 
REV.  RUSSELL  TREVETT,  D.D., 
who  departed  this  life 
March  8th,  1865, 
Aged  47  years, 
2  months  and  6  days. 

"  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the  Lord  ;  he  that  belieyeth  in  me. 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live;  and  whosoever  hveth  and  heheveth  in 
me,  shall  never  die." 

"  The  graves  of  his  saint3  were  blessed, 
When  in  the  grave  He  lay ; 
And  rising  theflce,  their  hopes  He  raised 
To  everlasting  day. 

»  Soar  we  now  where  Christ  has  led, 
Following  our  exalted  Head ; 
Made  lite  Him,  HKe  Him  we  rise, 
Ours  the  cross,  the  grave  the  sties.' 

We  have  reason  to  believe 'that  a  Presbyterian  congregation  was 
gathered  in  this  town  not'long  after  its  settlement,  or  between  the  years 
1750  and  1760. 

Among  the  founders  of  this  congregation  was  Mr.  Solomon  Close,* 
the  father  of  three  Presbyterian  ministers— John,  David  and  Tompkins ; 
(David  was  settled  at  Patterson,  New  York.) 

From  the  first  mention  of  this  people,  in  1765,  they  appear  to  have 
been  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry.  Other  adverse  circumstances  are 
also  referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery.  The  congregation 
continued  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  for,  at  least,  ten  years; 
during  which  application  was  made  repeatedly  for  advice  and  aid.  In 
1772,  John  Blydenburgh,  a  candidate,  was  permitted  by  the  Presbytery 
to  preach  for  a  while  at  North  Salem.  In  1774  the  people  again  ap- 
plied for  direction,  but  the  Presbytery  declared  itself  unable  to  fefer 
them  to  a  candidate,  and  granted  them  supplies  for  two  months.6 

In  the  church  register-book,  entitled  "  The  Records  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  at  Upper  Salem,  now  North  Salem,  copied  in  the  year 
1814,"  occurs  the  following  memoranda :  "  Upper  Salem,  August  20th, 
1779.    At  a  meeting  of  the  church  members  living  In  Upper  Salem, 

~a  Solomon  Close  was,  however,  at  this  time,  an  WW*  S™thS*i™  Congregating 
b  The  Records  ol  Presbytery  do  not  mention  North  Salem  after  tms. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


Cortlandt's  manor  and  other  places  adjacent,  to  consult  whether  they 
were  desirous  of  uniting  for  forming  into  church  order.  Present,  Peter 
Benedict,  Jehiel  Tyler,  Jonathan  Rogers,  Thaddeus  Crane,  Solomon 
Close,  Ezekiel  Hawley,  Jesse  Trusdale,  Joseph  Doolittle,  John  Piatt, 
James  Wallace  and  Peter  Ferris,  voted  Mr.  Peter  Benedict  moderator." 
"August  25,  1779,  it  was  voted  to  form  and  unite  as  a  church  in  the 
order  of  the  Gospel.  Mr.  Mead  invited  to  attend."  "  At  a  meeting  of 
the  Society  of  the  upper  end  of  Salem, «nth  of  May,  1779,  at  the  upper 
Presbyterian  Meeting  House,"  it  was  voted  "  that  Jesse  Trusdale,  Solo- 
mon Close  and  Nathaniel  Delavan  should  form  a  committee  for  one 
year  to  get  preaching." 

In  the  records  of  the  North  Salem  Presbyterian  Society  is  the  follow- 
ing : — "  Agreeable  to  notice,  the  Society  met  at  the  meeting-house  on 
the  21st  day  of  June,  1840.  Richard  Lockwood  was  elected  moderator, 
and  John  Close  was  appointed  secretary.  On  motion,  resolved,  that  a 
quit-claim  of  the  land  whereon  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house  now 
stands,  eiven  by  Jesse  Close  to  the  said  Society,  be  recorded  in  the 
County  Clerk's  office."a 

The  first  settled  pastor  appears  to  have  been  the  Rev.  Joel  Benedict, 
in  1783.  This  individual  was  the  son  of  Peter  Benedict  of  North 
Salem,  who  was  deacon  of  this  church  for  many  years,  and  grandson  of 
Deacon  James  Benedict,6  of  Ridgefield,  brother  also  of  the  Rev.  Abner 
Benedict,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  place,  somewhere 
between  1787  and  1792,  and  of  Lieut.  Peter  Benedict,  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. The  Rev.  Joel  Benedict  was  graduated  A.  M.,  at  Princeton,  in 
1765,  from  whence  he  received  his  degree  of  D.  D.,  and  was  settled  in 
the  ministry  at  Lisbon,  Conn.,  eleven  years ;  and  afterwards,  leaving 
North  Salem,  was  settled  at  Plainfield,  Conn.,  where  he  died  February, 
13,  1816. 

The  incorporation  of  this  church  took  place  on  the  1st  of  February, 
1786,  under  the  style  of  the  "  Congregationalist  Society  in  Upper  Sa- 
lem ; "  John  Piatt,  Benjamin  Wood,  Abraham  Lockwood,  David  Smith, 
Bonage  Starr,  and  Moses  Richard,  trustees.* 

In  1832,  this  church  was  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bedford 

a  Rec.  of  North  Salem  Presb.  Soc,  L.  3. 

6  The  first  ancestor  of  this  family,  of  whom  any  tracp  has  been  fonnd,  was  William  Bene- 
dict, who,  tradition  says,  was  bom  in  Nottinghamshire,  England,  about  the  year  1500,  and  that 
he  was  the  only  son  of  his  father.  This  only  son  was  William,  of  Nottinghamshire ;  whose  son 
was  also  William,  of  the  same  county.  Thomas,  son  of  the  latter,  was  born  in  England  1617 : 
he  came  to  New  England,  and  first  settled  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  then  removed  to  South- 
hold,  L.  I.,  from  thence  to  Huntington,  and  finally  to  Norwalk,  in  1665.  He  died  In  1690. 
John,  his  second  son,  was  the  fatherof  James,  horn  January  5,  1685,  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Thos  Hyatt,  of  Norwalk,  in  1709,  and  settled  in  RUlgefleld.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
settlers  of  that  place,  and  bought  of  the  Indians.  He  died  Nov.  25,  1762 ;  he  was  the  deacon 
above  alluded  to— the  father  of  Peter. 

c  Religious  Soc.  Co.  Rec.  lab.  A,  p  8. 


762 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


Presbytery.  As  a  Presbyterian  church,  it  was  first  incorporated  on  the 
25th  of  September,  1832;  John  Wallace  Horace  Barnum,  and  Richard 
H.  Lock  wood,  trustees." 

LIST  OF  PASTORS  AXD  SUPPLIES. 


INST.  OK  CALL, 

MINISTERS, 

VACATED  BY 

1TS3 

Key.  Joel  Benedict, 

resig. 

Rev.  J«hn  Blydenbcegh, 

do 

1787 

Rev.  Amzi  Lewis, 

do 

Rev.  Abuse  Benedict, 

do 

1792 

Rev.  RicnAiuo  Andrews, 

do 

1798 

Rev.  Phelps, 

do 

99 

Rev.  JonN  Mi  Niece, 

do 

Rev.  Cornwall, 

do 

1S15 

Rev.  Abraham  Plrdy, 

do 

1S17 

Rev.  Herman  Daggett, 

do 

Rev.  David  Delavan, 

do 

1835 

Rev.  Alexander  Leadbettek, 

do 

1841 

Rev.  Joseph  Nimmo, 

do 

March  1850 

Rev.  David  Irving, 

do 

April  1856 

Rev.  John  White, 

do 

Oct'b'r  1857 

Rev.  A.  H.  Seelt, 

do 

Sept'r  1S63 

Rev.  E.  F.  Mundy, 

do 

Dec'r  1868 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Holloway, 

do 

29  Janu'y  1S72 

Rev.  Henry  Martin  IIazleton, 

present  pastor. 

First  Elders,  1832 

Richard  H.  Lock  wood,  John  Wallace. 

Present  Elders, 

G.  C.  Benedict,  James  0.  Eggleston  and 

Daniel  D.  Smith. 

The  present  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1847  (upon  land  pur- 
chased of  Tompkins  D.  Wallace,  the  year  previous),  and  dedicated  on 
the  15th  of  October,  of  the  same  year.  From  a  date  on  a  semi-circular 
stone,  lying  in  front  of  the  door,  we  learn  that  the  old  church,  or  meet- 
ing house,  which  stood  east  of  the  present  building,  was  erected  as  early 
as  1764,  upon  land  given  by  Jesse  Close.  This  is  confirmed  by  the 
following  items,  taken  from  an  old  account  book  in  the  possession  of 
Mr.  John  Close : 

"October,  the  year  1764,  T.  Ebenczer  Brown,  of  Salem,  have  receiv- 
ed of  Samuel  Cole,  of  Cortlandt  manor,  the  full  and  just  sum  of  five 
pounds,  received  by  me  on  the  acompt  of  the  Meetin  House." 

"November  the  20th,  the  year  1764,  Ebenezer  Brown,  of  Salem,  have 
received  of  Solomon  Close  two  pounds,  seven  shillings  and  tenpence,  on 
the  accompt  of  the  Meetin  House.    Received  by  Ebenezer  Brown." 

"  To  cash  by  Nathan,  -£o,  5s,  od,  1765  ;  Abner  Benedict,  cradit  to  a 


o  Religious  60c.  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  B,  p  10. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


763 


log  for  the  fore,  that  made  140  feet  to  158  feet  of  oak  boards,  ^o,  2s, 
\dd.  For  the  Meetin  House,  j£o,  7s,  ud.  To  370  feet  of  bords,  by 
Crane,  £0,  i8j,  6 J." 

This  old  building  and  site  were  sold  to  Mr.  Alfred  13.  Mead,  in  1847 

Attached  to  the  church  is  a  small  parsonage,  which  occupies  the  site 
of  the  first  Episcopal  church,  erected  in  1763." 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  North  Salem,  was  first  organized 
in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  and  incorporated  6th  of  January, 
1832  ;  Jonas  Keeler,  Abel  Smith,  William  Cable  and  Stephen  Ryder, 
trustees.6  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1833.  The  present  pas- 
tor is  the  Rev.  Aaron  Coons. 

The  Baptist  congregation  in  the  town  of  North  Salem  was  incorpor- 
ated on  the  1st  of  April,  1833:  Ebenezer  Whelppy,  Edward  Ganong, 
John  Wesley  Searles,  John  Braden  and  James  Mills  trustees." 

An  Universalist  Society  was  incorporated  upon  the  23d  of  January, 
1832  ;  Levi  Smith,  Epenetus  Howe,  William  Howe,  Henry  Hunt,  Samuel 
Hunt  and  Thomas  Smith,  trustees ;  Gilbert  Hunt,  collector ;  Jesse 
Smith,  treasurer.  The  first  church  was  erected  in  1833;  the  present 
beautiful  structure  was  built  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  about  $7000 ;  its  pas- 
tor is  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Lathrop. 

The  Friends'  meeting  house  is  erected  in  the  north-east  part  of  the 
town. 

A  little  west  of  the  Episcopal  church  stands  the  North  Salem  Acad- 
emy. 

"  This  edifice  was  erected  prior  to  1770  by  Stephen  De  Lancey,  one 
of  the  principal  proprietors  of  this  town.  It  was  intended  for  his  own 
residence,  and  occupied  by  him  as  such  for  many  years.  In  17S6  it 
was  purchased  by  a  company  and  completed  as  an  Academy,  which  went 
into  operation  about  that  date,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Amzi  Lewis. 
During  several  years  it  continued  in  a  very  flourishing  state  under  Mr. 
Lewis,  and  was  incorporated  by  the  regents  of  the  university,  April 
19th,  1790,  on  the  application  of  Benjamin  Haight  and  thirty-eight 
others.  It  was  the  first  incoqiorated  academy  in  the  county,  and  the 
third  in  the  State ;  Erasmus  Hall  at  Flatbush,  and  Clinton  Academy 
in  East  Hampton,  having  been  incorporated  near  the  close  of  17S7. 
Many  individuals,  who  afterwards  became  eminent,  were  prepared  for 
college  or  finished  their  education  here."  Among  the  most  distinguished 
may  be  reckoned,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Governor  of  the  State  ;  Daniel  D. 

a  St.  George  Talbot,  writing  to  tbe  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  July 
10: b,  1763,  pays  :  "  At  Salem  they  have  built  and  almost  covered  a  church.'' 
b  ReHgfaha  v'oc  Lib.  B.  11. 
e  Keligious  Soe.  Lib.  B.,  p.  15. 


764  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER.  \^ 

Tompkins,  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  3  Colonel  Tallmadge 
and  brother,  and  the  Hon.  James  Kent,  LL.D.  "  After  the  removal  of 
Mr.  Lewis,  the  institution  appears  to  have  declined  for  a  few  years.  A 
revival  of  its  prosperity,  however,  occurred  about  1801,  under  the  Rev. 
Mr.  McNiece.  This  gentleman  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  Irish 
patriots  of  179J,  who  left  his  country  at  the  same  time  with  Emmet, 
Adrain,  McNeven  and  others,  for  the  same  cause.  He  was  a  man  of 
learning  and  an  eloquent  preacher  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination, 


Academy,  North  Salem. 


and  the  Academy  under  him  had  at  one  time  eighty  scholars  in  attend- 
ance. From  this  period  the  reports  to  the  regents  indicate  great  fluct- 
uations in  the  number,  as  well  as  in  the  advancement  of  the  scholars. 
Some  years  present  no  report  from  the  trustees,  from  which  we  may 
imply  that  the  building  was  not  occupied  as  a  school  during  a  sufficient 
portion  of  the  year  (four  months^  to  entitle  them  to  a  share  of  the  liter- 
ature fund,  or  that  the  scholars  were  not  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  re- 
ported in  the  higher  branches  of  study.  The  reports  of  other  years 
indicate  a  better  condition.  And  among  the  teachers  are  mentioned 
the  Rev.  Hermon  Dagget,  Rev.  Abraham  Purdy,  A.M.,  Ebenezer  Close, 
Dr.  Samuel  B.  Mead,  Rev.  Hiram  Jelliff,  John  C.  Jones,  and  G.  S. 
Tozer. 

For  quite  a  number  of  years  North  Salem  Academy  held  a  respect- 
able standing  among  its  sister  institutions  in  this  part  of  the  State ; 
sometime  numbering  nearly  one  hundred  students,  and  generally,  during 
the  winter  sessions,  from  seventy  to  ninety.  The  last  annual  catalogue 
contained  the  names  of  one  hundred  and  forty-five  pupils.    We  regret 


THE  TOWN  OK  NORTH  SALEM. 


to  say  that,  for  the  last  five  years,  the  Academy  lias  been  closed  for 
educational  purposes  and  is  now  occupied  as  a  dwelling  house.  The 
last  principal  was  the  Rev.  Chas.  H.  Holloway.  During  the  Revolution, 
die  Academy  was  used  as  a  jail  and  court  house  for  the  detention  and 
trial  of  refractory  tories.  Here,  one  Paine  was  tried  and  condemned  as 
a  spy;  he  was  executed  about  half  a  mile  from  the  Academy,  though  it 
appears  that  circumstances  afterward  threw  some  doubt  upon  his  guilt. 
It  is  said  that  .a  reprieve  was  forwarded  from  head-quarters,  and  that 
when  the  unfortunate  man  was  swung  off,  the  bearer  had  just  reached 
the  Episcopal  church,  which  was  a  mile  as  the  road  then  ran,  from  the 
place  of  execution ;  he  was,  of  course,  too  late.  When  the  French  army 
passed  through  this  town  in  1781,  on  their  way  from  Rhode  Island  to 
Dobb's  Ferry,  where  they  crossed  the  Hudson  to  join  Washington,  they 
encamped  near  the  Academy  two  days,  and  Rochambeau  and  his  officers 
occupied  the  building."0  The  situation  of  the  Academy  is  exceedingly 
beautiful,  and  the  view  of  the  Mutighticoos  valley  is  such  as  can  seldom 
be  equalled. 

ACT  OF  INCORPORATION  OP  THE  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  ACADEMY 
OF  NORTH  SALEM. 

The  Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to  all  whom  these 
Presents  shall  or  may  come,  Greeting  :  Whereas,  Benjamin  Haight,  Philip  van 
Cortlandt,  Jun.,  Joseph  Travis,  David  Birdsall,  Thaddeus  Crane,  Philip  van 
Cortlandt,  Joseph  Browne,  Ebenezer  Purdy,  James  Duane,  Richard  Varick,  Al- 
exander Hamilton,  John  Lawrence,  Richard  Piatt,  Samuel  Jones,  Isaao  Stoleteu- 
burgh,  Peter  Jay  Munro,  Frederick  Jay,  William  Malcom,  Samuel  Barnum,  Dan- 
iel Dezevard.  Uriah  Wallace,  Daniel  Purdy,  Jun.,  John  Paulding,  Benjamin 
Wood,  Hackaliah  Brown,  Stephen  Ward,  James  McDonald,  Israel  Underbill, 
John  Strong,  Philip  Pell,  Junior,  Samuel  Lyon,  Ebenezer  Lockwood,  Richard 
Sackett,  senior,  Isaac  Webber,  Richard  Hatfield,  Jesse  Holly,  John  Thomas,  John 
Delivan,  and  John  Garrison,  by  an  Instrument  in  writing,  under  their  hands  and 
Seals,  bearing  date  the  ninth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  after  stating  among  other  things  that  they 
are  Founders  and  Benefactors  of  a  certain  Academy  at  North  Salem,  in  West 
Chester  County,  in  the  State  aforesaid,  who  have  contributed  more  than  one-half 
in  Value  of  the  real  and  personal  Property  and  Estate  collected  or  appropriated 
for  the  use  and  Benefit  of  the  said  academy,  did  make  application  to  us,  the  said 
Regents,  that  the  said  academy  might  be  incorporated  and  become  subject  to  the 
visitation  of  us  and  our  Successors,  and  that  we  would  signify  our  approbation 
that  Ebenezer  Purdy,  John  Delivan,  Solomon  Close,  Samuel  Barnam,  Benjamin 
Wood,  Thaddeus  Crane,  Philip  Livingston,  Benjamin  Haight,  Uriah  Wallace, 
Hackaliah  Brown,  Ebenezer  Lockwood,  John  Davenport,  John  Strong,  Silas 
Constant,  Ichabod  Lewis,  Samuel  Mills,  Philip  von  Cortlandt,  Jonathan  G.  Tom- 


a  Communicated  by  31  r.  JoodF.  Jenkms,  A.M.,  late  principal  of  the  North  Salem  Academy 


;66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


kins,  Thomas  Thomas,  Jesse  Tinesdale  and  Isaac  Keeler,  the  Trustees  named  in 
said  application  and  their  successors,  might  be  a  Body  corporate  and  Politic  by 
the  Name  and  Style  of  The  Trustees  of  tiib  Academy  of  North  Salem,  m  toe 
County  of  West  Chester.  Now,  Know  Ye,  that  the  said  Regents  having  in- 
quired into  the  allegations  contained  iu  the  said  Instrument  in  writing  aforesaid, 
and  found  the  same  to  be  true,  and  concerning  the  said  Academy  calculated  for 
the  Promotion  of  Literature,  Do,  by  these  Presents,  pursuant  to  the  State  in  such 
case  made  and  provided,  signify  our  approbation  of  the  Incorporation  of  the  said 
Ebcnezcr  Purely,  John  Dehvan,  Solomon  Close,  Samuel  Barnam,  Benjamin 
Wood,  Thaddcus  Close,  Philip  Livingston,  Benjamin  Haight,  Uriah  Wallace, 
Hackaliah  Brown,  Ebenezer  Lockwood,  John  Davenport,  John  Strong,  Silas 
Constant,  Ichabod  Lewis,  Samuel  Mills,  Philip  von  Cortlandt,  Jonathan  G.  Tom- 
kins,  Thomas  Thomas,  Jesse  Tinesdale  and  Isaac  Keeler,  the  Trustees  of  the  said 
academy,  as  aforesaid  named  by  the  Founders  thereof,  by  the  name  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Academy  of  Norflh  Salem,  in  the  County  of  West  Chester,  being 
the  name  mentioned  in  and  by  the  said  request  in  writing.  In  Testimony,  where- 
of, we  have  caused  our  Common  seal  to  be  hereunto  affixed  the  eighteenth  day  of 
March,  iu  the  fourteenth  year  of  American  Independence. 
Witness,  George  Clinton,  Esquire, 
Ctiancellor  of  tlie  University. 

GEORGE  CLINTON,  Chancellor. 

By  order  of  the  Regents, 
Rich.  Harrison,  Secretary* 

About  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Academy  is  to  be  seen  a  singular  phe- 
nomenon, called  the  Natural  Bridge.  "  Here  are  two  streams  which 
meet  and  run  under  the  road,  the  one  flowing  from  the  east  along  the 
road-side,  enters  the  ground  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  east  of  where  it 
seems  to  cross  the  road  ;  the  stream  from  the  north-east,  appears  to  run 
nearly  straight,  directly  under  the  road,  and  issues  from  the  earth  again, 
after  falling  ten  or  fifteen  feet  lower  than  where  it  enters ;  but  the  place 
where  it  issues  from  the  earth,  is,  at  least,  twenty-five  feet  perpendicular, 
the  top  of  which  precipice  is  within  ten  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  side  of 
the  road.  The  two  streams,  although  they  enter  the  ground  so  far  from 
each  other,  unite  under  ground  and  come  up  together."  The  question 
how  these  effects  are  to  be  accounted  for,  is  a  matter  we  leave  to  abler 
philosophers  than  ourselves  to  determine.  "  Crow  Hill,"  so  named  after 
one  of  the  Indian  Sagamores,  who  sold  land  bordering  on  Wepack,  or 
Long  Pond,  to  the  proprietors  of  Ridgefield  in  1729,  lies  half  a  mile  to 
the  north-east  of  the  Natural  Bridge.  There  is  a  lofty  hill  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  town,  bordering  the  Bedford  Road,  called  "Turkey 
Hill,"  on  account  of  the  great  number  of  wild  turkeys  that  once  fre- 
quented it. 


n.  Copied  from  the  original  document  In  the  possession  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
Secretary  of  State's  oiIIcj,  Albany,  Miscellaneous  BojK,  M.  K.A.  p.  303. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


767 


The  surface  of  North  Salem  is  in  part  covered  with  lofty  hills ;  the 
soil,  various,  but  chiefly  composed  of  a  gravelly  and  clay  loam,  well 
adapted  to  grass  and  summer  crops.  The  course  of  the  Mutighticoos 
River,  through  the  centre  of  this  town  is  marked  by  beautiful  mountain 
scenery,  and  rich  tracts  of  meadow  land,  which  skirt  the  margin  of  the 
stream.  The  Mutighticoos  empties  into  the  Croton,  a  little  south  of 
Dean's  bridge.  In  the  north-east  corner  of  the  town  lies  Peach  Pond,  a 
large  sheet  of  water  covering  over  four  hundred  acres  of  ground.  At  no 
great  distance  from  it,  is  situated  Beaver  Pond. 


Boulder  Stone. 


The  villages  north  of  Salem  and  Salem  Centre,  occupy  beautiful  posi- 
tions on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mutighticoos,  commanding  fine  views  of 
the  valley  and  surrounding  mountains.  They  contain  about  two  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  thirty-five  dwellings,  four  churches,  two  taverns,  three 
stores,  one  grist  mill,  and  one  clothiers'  works. 

Directly  opposite  the  residence  of  the  late  Epenetus  Howe,  issuing 
from  a  bank  upon  the  side  of  the  Mutighticoos  river,  is  a  very  fine  chaly- 
beate spring ;  the  waters;-of  which  are  said  to  be  highly  medicinal.  One 
of  the  most  interesting  objects  in  the  village  of  North  Salem,  is  an  im- 
mense granite  boulder  or  rock,  weighing  sixty  tons  or  upwards,  support- 
ed about  three  or  four  feet  from  the  ground  on  the  projecting  points  of 
five  smaller  lime-stone  rocks.  This  immense  block  of  stone  viewed 
from  the  valley  beneath,  on  account  of  its  sublime  appearance,  is  calcu- 
lated to  inspire  with  awe  ;  and  has  much  the  form  and  size  of  a  huge  mas- 
tadon  ascending  the  hill.  The  rocks  which  serve  as  pedestals,  have 
somewhat  the  appearance  of  pillars  ;  whether  fashioned  by  art,  or  the 
effect  of  accident  cannot  be  ascertained — as  time  and  weather  would 


7  68  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


long  ago  have  effaced  the  marks  of  the  tool,  had  any  been  employed. 
Such  rocks  as  these  were  venerated  by  the  northern  natives  of  Europe. 
Toland  informs  us  that  the  Druids  held  these  consecrated  rocks  in  such 
estimation,  that  they  covered  the  famous  stone  of  Clogher,  in  Ireland, 
(which  was  a  kind  of  pedestal  to  the  Kesmond  Kelstack,  the  Mercurius 
Celticus),  over  with  gold.  Our  native  Indians,  too,  held  them  in  high 
veneration,  viewing  them  as  holy  oracles.  Frqm  their  weather  beaten 
sides  the  Indian  magician  and  priest  deciphered  the  destinies  of  his 
tribe.  Upon  rising  ground  south-west  of  the  village  near  the  base  of 
the  Wepauck  Mountain,  is  situated  Inland  vale — the  residence  of  J.  S. 
Libby,  Esq.,  which  commands  splendid  views  of  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. The  Mutighticoos  River  and  valley  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  the 
scenery.  The  building  itself,  constructed  of  a  fine  blue  granite,  is  very 
large  and  commodious. 

OBITUARY. 

Father  John  Orsenigo. — The  death  of  this  well-known  clergyman, 
for  some  time  expected,  is  at  last  announced.  John  Orsenigo  was  born 
in  Italy,  emigrated  thence  and  entered  the  Roman  Catholic  priest- 
hood in  this  country.  For  many  years  he  faithfully  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  office  as  coadjutorx>f  theJate  Dr.  Cummings,  at  St.  Stephen's 
church  in  this  city.  Later  his  ministry  was  in  the  district  of  Mahopac 
and  Croton.  It  might  truly  be  said  of  him — he  was  a  Catholic  B  is 
great  heart  ever  throbbed  with  pity  for  the  unfortunate.  All  that  he 
had  was  the  common  property  of  his  suffering  fellow-creatur  es.  His  life 
was  one  great  kindness.  His  toleration  was  unbounded.  He  labored 
only  by  gentle  means,  and  very  diligently  j  and  he  steadfastly  sought  to 
ameliorate  the  condition  of  his  race  by  example  as  well  as  precept 

Near  the  junction  of  the  Kitchawan  or  Croton  and  Mutighticoos 
rivers,  on  the  west  border  of  the  town,  is  situated  Purdy*s  station  on  the 
Harlem  Railroad.  Here  is  quite  a  number  of  houses,  two  churches, 
post-office,  the  American  Condensed  Milk  Co.,  Sutton  &  Price's  marble 
works,  grist  and  saw  mill  and  two  hotels,  viz.,  the  Gunery  House  and 
Croton  River  House.  Immediately  north-east  of  the  depot  is  the  farrn. 
and  residence  of  the  late  Joshua  Purdy,  Esq.,  for  many  years  one  of  the 
Associate  Judges  of  the  county  and  senior  warden  of  the  parish,  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  nephew,  Isaac  Hart  Purdy. 

The  Croton  Falls  depot,  on  the  Harlem  Railroad,  is  situated  in  the 
north-west  corner  of  the  town.  Here  are,  besides  numerous  dwellings 
and  stores,  three  churches,  post-office,  the  Ctoton  River  paper  mill  of 
Hoffman  &  Bros.,  carriage  factory,  D.  Miller's  wrench  factory,  and  saw 
and  grist  mill. 

From  the  road  that  passes  over  the  summit  of  Long  Pond  Mountain, 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTH  SALEM. 


769 


in  the  south-east  corner  of  the  town,  a  fine  panoramic  view  is  obtained 
of  the  great  valley  of  the  Mutighticoos  and  the  surrounding  country. 
The  evening  is  the  most  propitious  6eason  to  enjoy  the  scene,  when  the 
valley  and  neighboring  hills  are  richly  illuminated  by  the  setting  sun, 
imparting  an  effect  that  surpasses  description.  To  those  who  have  read 
Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  it  will,  bear  strong  resemblance  to  the 
"  Delectable  Mountains, "  mentioned  in  that  beautiful  similitude.  The 
mountain  sides  are  covered  with  woods  in  which  are  dark,  rocky  recesses 
and  here  and  there  verdant  glades  and  valleys  bordered  with  tall  forest 
trees. 

The  following  entry  in  the  town  book,  relates  to  the  first  election  of 
town  offices. 


North  Salem,  this  sixth  day  of  April,  1790." 

"  A  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  town  house  in  North  Salem,  and  that  Jolm 
Quick,  Esq.,  was  chosen  moderator  (after  which),  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants 
of  said  town  proceeded  on  to  choosing  town  officers,  and  doing  all  other  business 
which  concerned  said  town.   And  that  Daniel  Delavau  was  chosen  Clerk." 


John  Quick,  chosen  Supervisor, 


Jons  Delavan,  ) 

Jonathan  Hallbtt,  [■  Commissioners  of  Roads. 
Uriah  Wallace,  ) 


Thomas  Smith,  ) 

Caleb  Smith,    >■  Assessors. 

Daniel  Purdy,) 


Thomas  Vail,  ) 

Timothy  Va'nsoqy,  >  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 
Thomas  Vail,  ) 


Timothy  Vansooy,  1 

Hen  a.!  ah  Star,       I  Trustees  to  provide  a  place  for  the  receipts  for  the 
Stephen  Baerr,     [  poor. 
Micajah  Fuller,  J 


Davto  Smith, 
Ebenezer  Purdy, 
Robert  Bloomer, 
Frederick  Knox, 
Thomas  Williams, 
Johh  Finch, 
Abraham  Knox, 

MlOAJAH  FrLLER, 

Abraham  Vansooi 
Jonathan  Brown, 


\  Path  Masters. 

•J 


77°  THE  TOWN*  OK  NORTH  SALEM. 


Benjamin  Close,  ") 
Jacob  Wallace,  | 
David  Baxter,  J.  Path  Masters. 
Isaac  Keelek,  ,' 
Reuben  Zl  Ml',  I 
Solomon  Close,  J 

Thomas  Baxter, 
Stephen  Bakek, 

John  Knox  ^  Fence  Viewers. 

Abraham  Purdy,  | 
John  Quick,  Jr., 
Gilbert  Bailey,  J 

Daniel  Delayan,  Pounder. 

William  Rogers,  Constable. 


Solomon  Close,  Collector 


REPORT 

OF  THE 

Flora  of  Westchester  County. 

PREPARED  FOR 

BOLTON'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

BY 

OLIVER  R.  WILLIS,  A.  M,  PH.  D., 
Author  of  "  CATALOGUS  PLANT ANUM  in  Nova  Caesarea  Repertaroi. 


.INTRODUCTION. 


THE  following  report  of  the  Flora  of  Westchester  Count}'  has  been 
prepared  at  the  request  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  for  publication 
in  the  revised  edition  of  his  history  of  the  county. 

It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  the  author  undertook  the  work ; 
though  he  has,  during  the  last  seventeen  years,  botanized  in  the  region, 
and  has  corresponded  with  and  examined  the  collections  of  botanists 
who  have  visited  parts  of  the  territory  not  examined  by  himself ;  yet  he 
feels  sure  that  there  are  plants  growing  in  the  limits  which  have  not 
been  noticed  by  botanists,  or,  at  least,  have  not  been  reported. 

He  set  out,  however,  with  the  determination  not  to  include  any  in 
the  list  except  such  as  he  himself,  or  some  one  in  whom  he  had  full 
confidence,  had  seen  growing  in  the  county.    As  no  one  has  examined 

7/i 


772 


INTRODUCTION'. 


the  region  with  the  intention  of  publishing  a  report,  until  within  the 
last  two  years,  it  is  reasonable  to  infer  that  many  plants  will  yet  be 
found  that  are  not  included  in  this  leport.  The  author  has  corres- 
ponded and  held  conferences  with  not  only  the  botanists  of  the  county, 
but  with  those  of  New  York  city. 

The  botanists  of  New  York  city  are  active,  industrious  collectors, 
and  have  absolutely  exhausted  most  of  the  localities  within  walking 
distance  of  the  city;  especially  such  portions  of  New  Jersey,  Staten 
Island  and  parts  of  Long  Island.  The  Harlem  River,  however,  seems 
to  have  been,  to  a  great  extent,  the  limit  to  their  excursions  in  this 
direction;  hence,  this  county  is  less  known  to  New  York  botanists 
than  any  other  region  within  the  same  distance  of  the  city.  The 
collecting  of  information  has,  therefore,  been  more  formidable  than 
suspected. 

The  State  of  New  York  has  a  remarkably  large  Flora  ;  but  it  has  a 
territory  extending  about  350  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  nearly  the 
same  distance  from  east  to  west — giving  it  a  wide  range  of  climate  and 
temperature.  It  has  plains  along  the  coast  elevated  just  a  little  above 
the  sea  level,  and  mountains  on  the  eastern  border  rising  6,000  feet 
above  the  ocean ;  it  possesses  every  variety  of  soil,  from  the  sands  of 
the  Sarenac  region  to  the  alluvial  plains  of  the  western  slope  and  the 
rich  bottom  lands  of  the  Head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  the  val- 
leys of  the  Mohawk  and  the  Upper  Hudson. 

Dr.  Torrey,  in  his  report  of  the  Flora  of  the  State,  stated  that  the 
number  of  flowering  plants  would  reach  1,450 ;  and  the  Ferns  and 
Lycopodiaceae.  sixty. 

There  will  be  great  reason,  then,  for  wonder,  when  it  is  found  that  the 
number  of  plants  growing  without  cultivation  in  Westchester  County — 
a  territory  about  fifty  miles  in  extent  from  north  to  south,  and  whose 
average  width  from  east  to  west  is  not  half  so  much — is  more  than  a 
thousand. 

There  are  1,142  flowering  plants  enumerated  in  this  catalogue,  and 
forty-six  ferns  and  their  allies. 

The  formation  of  the  county  is  chiefly  Gneisic  and  Limestone  rocks. 
Limestone  is  sprinkled  throughout,  but  especially  along  the  middle, 
from  north  to  south.  The  southern  half  is  divided  by  two  parallel  val- 
leys, which  trend  north  and  south — dipping  towards  the  south — and 
about  three  miles  apart,  separated  by  a  ridge  of  hills.  The  valley  on 
the  Eastern  side  of  the  ridge  is  drained  by  the  Bronx  River,  and  the 
other  (in  part)  by  Saw-Mill  River  continued  by  Tibbitt's  Brook.  This 
limited  territory  has  no  difference  of  climate  and  temperature. 


INTRODUCTION. 


773 


The  soil  is  made  up  of  abrasions  and  disintegrations  of  Gncisic  and 
Limestone  rocks  and  sand,  sparingly  mixed  with  clay;  forming  what 
agriculturalists  denominate  "Light  Loam" — a  soil  especially  adapted 
to  the  growth  of  cereals — yielding  abundant  crops  to  generous  cultiva- 
tion. But  in  such  narrow  limits,  we  cannot  have  a  wide  range  in  the 
variety  of  soil;  in  fact,  we  have  very  little  more  than  such  variety 
as  is  produced  by  Hill  and  Vale,  or  wet,  damp,  hilly  and  rocky — which 
is  not  so  much  a  variety  of  soil  as  a  difference  in  the  state  of  the  same 
soil. 

We  necessarily  infer  that  such  conditions  are  not  favorable  to  a 
prolific  Flora. 

There  are  other  features,  however,  that  must  not  be  overlooked,  that 
ought  to  give  rise  to  variety  in  the  plants  growing  in  the  county. 

The  territory  is  washed  on  one  side  by  the  Hudson — a  long  river 
flowing  through  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  State. 
On  the  other  side,  the  coast  of  the  Sound  gives  it  the  sea  beach  and  the 
salt  marsh  Three  railways  extend  through  it  from  north  to  south;  one 
of  which  is  part  of  the  great  highway  between  the  Atlantic  and  the 
Pacific  oceans ;  one  of  the  others,  by  its  connections,  reaches  the  shores 
of  tlie  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  third  extends  through  the  middle 
and  reaches  Canada.  We  should,  therefore,  expect  that  the  Flora 
would  be  enriched  and  greatly  enlarged  by  seeds  brought  and  sown 
along  the  lines  of  these  great  railways  and  floated  to  the  shores  by  the 
waters  of  the  Hudson  and  Long  Island  Sound.  In  this,  however,  we 
are  disappointed ;  for  it  is  remarkable  that  a  very  small  number  of  plants 
are  growing  in  the  county,  that  have  been  introduced  by  the  means 
above  mentioned. 

Of  the  plants  herein  enumerated,  eighty-eight  have  been  introduced 
from  Europe;  fifty-seven  of  this  number  are  growing  without  cultivation 
and  freely  propagating  themselves,  and  are  said  to  be  naturalized ;  the 
remainder,  thirty-one  in  number,  are  growing  without  cultivation,  but 
are  not  fully  established. 

As  already  stated,  there  has  been  detected  in  the  county  1.142  flow, 
ering  plants  and  forty-six  ferns  and  their  allies.  Of  the  flowering  plants, 
fifty  are  first-class  trees,  reaching  a  height  of  thirty  feet  and  upwards ; 
thirty-four  are  second-class  trees  which  attain  a  height  of  fifteen  to 
thirty  feet ;  and  sixty-nine  are  shrubs,  all  of  which  are  growing  without 
cultivation,  a  very  few  of  which  have  been  introduced. 

The  author  would  again  call  attention  to  what  was  stated  in  the 
beginning  of  this  introduction,  viz:  all  the  plants  named  in  this  report 
are  known  to  be  growing  within  these  limits  without  cultivation. 


774 


INTRODUCTION. 


By  including  hardy  trees  and  shrubs  which  have  been  introduced,  and 
are  growing  in  planted  grounds,  the  list  would  be  very  much  enlarged- 

EXPLANATIONS. 

The  arrangement  of  this  catalogne  corresponds  with  that  of  the 
latest  edition  of  Grafs  Manual  of  the  Northern  United  States,  and 
the  orders  are  numbered  to  agree  with  the  numbers  of  the  same  orders 
in  the  Manual. 

The  words  "  Nat.  Eu."  mean  the  same  as  they  do  in  the  Manual,  viz: 
that  the  plants  after  whose  names  they  appear,  have  been  introduced 
from  Europe  and  are  growing  and  propagating  themselves  freely  without 
cultivation,  and  are  fully  established.  "  Adv.  Eu."  indicate  that  plants 
after  whose  names  they  are  written,  are  from  Europe ;  that  they  are 
growing  without  cultivation,  but  are  not  propagating  themselves  with 
such  freedom  and  constancy  as  to  be  considered  fully  established 

AIDS  AND  SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION. 

In  the  collecting  of  the  material  for  this  report,  I  have  received  valu- 
able information  and  assistance  from  the  Botanists  of  the  county  and 
New  York  city.  One  of  the  most  valuable  sources  of  information  has 
been  the  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey  Botanical  Club. 

But  my  thanks  are  especially  due  to  Prof.  Alphonso  Wood,  Ph.D.,  of 
West  Farms,  Prof.  W.  H.  Leggett,  editors  of  the  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey 
Botanical  Club,  and  Curator  P.  V.  Le  Roy.  To  Miss  P.  A.  Mecabe  of 
Scarsdale,  Mr.  Chas.  C.  Hexama  of  New  Castle,  Dr.  G.  J.  Fisher  of 
Sing  Sing,  and  E.  P.  Bicknell  of  Yonkers. 


CATALOGUE  OF  PLANTS. 


SERIES  I. 
PHSNOGAMOUS  OR  FLOWERING  PLANTS. 


CLASS  I.-DICOTYLEDONOUS  OR  EXOGENOUS  PLANTS. 
Order  1— RANUNCULACEJE.  (Crowfoot  Family,) 

Clematis,  L.    (Virgin's  Bower.    Traveler's  Joy.) 
C.  verticillaris,  DC.    Rare.    (Dr.  Mead.) 

C.  Virginiana,  L.    Common  in  damp  thickets.     Bears  transplanting  well. 

Anemone,  L.    (Wind  Flower.) 

A.  cylindrica,  Gray.    Edges  of  woods.  Rare. 
A.  Virginiana,  L.    Damp  open  woods.  Rare. 
A.  Pennsylvania,  L.    Not  common.    (Le  Roy.) 
A.  nemorosa,  L.    Common  everywhere. 

Hepatica,  Dill.  (Liverleaf.) 

H.  triloba,  Chaix.    Woods  common. 
H.  acutiloba,  DC.    Not  common. 

Thalictrum,  Tourn.    (Meadow  Rue.) 

T.  anemonoides,  Mx.    Woods  common. 
T.  dioicum,  L.    Frequent  in  damp  woods. 
T.  purpurasceums,  L.    Not  common. 

Var.  ceriferum.    Austin.    Wnite  Plains  ;  also  Riverdale.    (T.  C.  B.) 
T.  Cornuti,  L.    Common  in  meadows. 

Ranunculus,  L.    (Crowfoot,  Buttercup,) 

R.  aquatilis,  L.    White  Plains,  slow  brooks.    Not  common  in  this  Count 
R.  alism.xfolius,  Geyer.    White  Plains.    Very  wet  places,  not  common. 
R.  abortivus,  L.  Frequent. 

Var.  micranthus.  Gray.    Not  rare. 
R.  sceleratus,  L.    Rather  rare. 
R.  recurvatus,  Foir.  Frequent. 
R.  Pennsylvaniens  L.    Not  common. 


776 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Ranunculus,  L.    (Crowfoot  Buttercup.) — Continued. 
R.  fascicularis,  Muhl.  frequeut. 
R.  repens,  L.    Common  in  damp  places. 
R,  bulbosus,  L.    Rare,  (Nat.  Eu.) 
R.  acris,  L.    (Buttercups,)    Common.    (Nat.  Etu) 

Caltha,  L.    (Cowslips,  Marsh  Marigola.) 

C.  palustris,  L.    Frequent,  in  wet  places. 

Trollius,  L.    (Globe  flower.) 
T.  laxus,  Salisb.  Frequent. 

Coptis,  Salisb.    (Gold  thread.) 
C.  trifolia,  Salisb.  Frequent. 

Aquilegia,  Toum.  (Columbine.) 

A.  Canadensis,  L.    Common  among  rocks.    Bears  transplanting. 

Actsea,  L.  (Baneberry.) 
A.  spicata,  L. 

A.  Var,  rubra,  Mx.    Frequent,  in  shady  woods. 

A.  alba,  Bigel.    (White  Baneberry.)    White  Plains. 

Cimicifuga,  L.  Bugbane. 

C.  racemosa,  Ell.    (Black  snake  root.)    Frequent  in  copses  and  woods. 

Order  2.—  MAGNOLIACE.E.  (Magnolia  Family.) 

Lirodendron,  L.    (White  Wood,  Tulip  tree.) 

L.  tulipifera.  L.  Not  rare.  This  is  a  fine  tree  for  ornamental  purposes,  and 
its  wood  is  used  much  by  cabinet  makers,  for  drawers  and  linings. 

Order  4—  MENISPERMACES.  Qiocnseed.) 
Menispermum,  L. 

M.  Canadense,  I..  Frequent. 

Order  5-—  BERBERIDACEiE.  (Barberry.) 

Berberis,  L. 

B.  vulgaris,  L.    Not  common.    About  New  Rochelle.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Caulophyllum,  Mx. 

C.  thalictroidcs,  L.    Not  common.  (Bicknell.) 

Podophyllum,  L.    (Mandrake,  Love  apple.) 

P.  peltatum,  L.     Near  I'eekskill.    Not  common.    (\.c.  Roy.) 

Brassenia,  Purgh. 

B.  peltate.    Mohegan  Lake.  (Leggett.) 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


777 


Order  6—  NYMPHEACFJE.  (Water  Lily.) 
Nymphoea,  Tourn. 

N.  odoraia,  Ait.  (Sweet  scented  water  lily.)  Common  in  mill  ponds  and 
lakes. 

Nuphar,  Smith. 

N.  advena,  Ait.    Common  in  ponds. 
N.  luteum,  Smith. 

Var.  pumilum,  Cray.    Near  Wood  Lawn.    Not  common. 

Order  7  — SARACENIACEE.  (Side-Saddle  Flower.— Pitcher  plant.) 
Saracenia,  Tourn. 

S.  purpurea,  L.    Bedford.    (Hexamer. — Jas.  Wood.) 

Order  8— PAPAVEBACEE.  (Poppy  Family.) 
Chelidonium,  L.  (Celandine.) 

C.  majus,  L.    Common  about  houses.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Sanguinaria.  Dill.    (Blood  Root.) 

S.  Canadensis,  L.    Common  about  White  Plains. 

Order  9.— FUMABIACES.  (Fumitory  Family.) 

Dicentra,  Bork. 

D.  cucullaria,  DC.    (Dutchman's  Breeches.)    Damp  banks,  not  common. 

Corydalis,  Vent. 

C.  glauca,  Pursh.    Rocks  about  White  Plains. 

Fumaria,  L.  (Fumitory.) 

F.  officinalis,  L.    Riverdale.    T.  C.  B.    (E.  P.  Bicknell.)     (Ad.  Eu.) 

Order  10-— CBUCIFEIIS.  (Mustard  Family.) 
Nasturtium,  R.  Br. 

N.  officinale,  R.  Br.    Banks  and  edges  of  Brooks.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

N.  sylvestre,  R.  Br.    (Yellow  cress.)    Peekskill,  (Leggett.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 

N.  Armoracia,  Fries.    Waysides  escaped  from  cultivation.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Dentaria,  L. 

D.  diphylla,  L.    About  White  Plains,  not  rare. 
D.  laciniata,  Muhl.    About  White  Plains. 

Cardamine,  L.    (Bitter  cress.) 

C.  rhomboidca,  DC,    Wet  places. 
C.  pratensis,  L.  Frequent. 
C.  hirsuta,  L.    New  Castle. 
Var.  sylvatica.  (Bicknell.) 


778 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA. 


Arabis,  L.    (Rock  Cress.) 

A.  lyrata,  L.    Rocky  woods,  not  rare. 
A.  dentate,  Torr  &  Gray.  Frequent. 
A.  laevigata,  DC.  Common. 

A.  Canadensis,  L.    Frequent  throughout. 

Barbarea,  R.  Br.    (Winter  Cress.) 

B.  vulgaris,  R.  Br.    Too  common  ;  a  troublesome  weea. 

B.  prcecox,  R.  Br.  (Early  Winter  Cress.)  (Scurvy  Grass,)  escaped  from  culti- 
vation— Riverdale,  (Bicknell.) 

Sysymbrium,  L.    (Hedge  Mustard.) 

S.  officinale,  Scop.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

S.  Thaliana,  Gaud.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

S.  Alliaria,  Brown.    Kings  Bridge.    (Bicknell — Adv.  Eu.) 

Hesperis,  L. 

H.  matronalis,  L.    Introduced  from  the  west.  (Bicknell.) 

Brassica,  Toum.  (Mustard,) 

B.  Sinapistrum.  Boissier.    Cultivated  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

B.  alba,  Gray.    In  cultivated  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

B.  nigra.  Gray.    Cultivated  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

B.  campestris,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.  (Bicknell.) 

B.  oleracea,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.  (Bicknell.) 

Draba,  L.    (Whitlow  Grass.) 

D.  Caroliniana,  Walt.    Not  rare. 

D.  verna,  L.    Mott  Haven,  along  the  railroad. 

Camelina,  Crantz.    (False  Flax.) 

C.  sativa,  Crantz.    Cultivated  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Capsella,  Vent.    (Shepherd's  Purse.) 

C.  Bursa-pastoris,  Mcench.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Lepidium,  L.    (Pepper  Grass.) 

L.  Virginicum,  L.    About  dwellings  ;  used  sometimes  for  salad. 
Li.  campestre,  L.    Bicknell.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Bapbanus,  L.  (Radish.) 

R.  Raphanistrum,  L.    Common,  and  troublesome  weed.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
B..  sativus.  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.  (Bicknell.) 

Order  11. -CAPP  ARIL  ACES.  (Caper  Family.) 

Polanisia,  Raf. 

P.  graveolens,  Raf.    Peekskill,  (Mead.) 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


779 


Order  12.— RESIDACEJE.  (Mignonette  Family) 

Reseda,  L. 

R.  Luteola,  L.    Roadsides.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Order  11-VI0LACE(E.  (Violet  Family.) 
Solea.  DC.    (Green  Violet.) 

S.  concolor,  Ging.    Near  Tarrytown,  not  common.  (Hall.) 

Viola,  L.  (Violet.) 

V.  rotundifolia,  Mx.  Near  Spuyten-Duyvil,  and  White  Plains,  sparingly 
throughout. 

V.  lanceolata,  L.    Near  Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

V.  primulxfolia,  L,    Wet  grounds  throughout  the  County. 

V.  blanda,  Willd.    Common  with  the  last. 

V.  cucullata,  Ait.  Common. 

Forms. 

"       a.  striata.    Petals  white  and  marked  with  purple  lines. 
"       b.  palmata,  Gray.    Leaves  varying  from  cordate  entire  to  palmate  or  pe- 
date  divided. 

"       C.  cordata,  Gray.    Very  broad  cordate,  sometimes  reniform. 
V.  sagittata,  Ait.    Frequent  about  White  Plains. 
Var.  ovata,  Nutt.    In  dry  grounds. 
V.  canina,  L.    Damp  grounds,  common. 
V.  rostrata,  Pursh.    New  Castle,  not  common. 
V.  striata,  Ait.    New  Castle,  not  common. 
V.  Canadensis,  L.    New  Castle,  not  common. 
V.  pubescens,  Ait.    Common  throughout  these  limits. 

Var.  scabriuscula,  Torr.  &  Gray.  Frequent. 
V.  tricolor,  L.  Near  Peekskill,  escaped  from  cultivation.  (Le  Roy — Adv.  Eu.) 
V.  odoratoa,  L.    Riverdale,  escaped  from  gardens.  (Bicknell). 

Order  14.— CISTACE£.  (Bock-rose  Family.) 

Heliantheruum,  Tourn. 

H.  Canadense,  Mx.  Road-sides. 

Lechea,  L. 

L.  Major  Mx.  Frequent. 
Li.  minor  Lam.  (Bicknell.) 
L.  racemulosa,  Mx. 


Order  15.— DROSESACE^l.  (Sundew  Family.) 

Drosera,  L.  (Sundew.) 

D.  rotundifolia,  L     Scarsdale.    (Miss  P.  A.  McCabe.) 


780 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  16.-HYPSEICACEiE.  (St.  Jotn's-Wort  Family.) 

Hypericum,  L. 

H.  prolificum,  L.    Riverdale.  (Bicknell.) 

H.  ellipticum,  Hook.    New  Castle. 

H.  corymbosum,  Muhl.    Pasture.  (Leggett.) 

H.  perforatum,  L.    Common  in  fields.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

H.  mutilum.  Damp  grounds,  common. 

H.  Canadense,  L.    Damp  sandy  grounds. 

H.  Sarothra,  Mx.    Common  in  sandy  fields. 

Elodes,  Adans.    (Marsh,  St.  John's-wort.) 
E.  Virginica,  Nutt.  Swamps. 

Order  17.— ELATINACE3.  (Water  wort  Family.) 

Elatine,  L. 

E.  Americana.  Arnott. 

Order  18.— CARY0PHYLLACE51. 

Dianthus,  L.  (Pink.) 

D.  Armeria,  L.    New  Castle.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Saponaria,  L.  (Soap-wort.) 

S.  officinalis,  L.    (Bouncing  Bet,)  common.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Vaccaria,  Medik.  (Cow-Herb.) 

V.  vulgaris,  Host.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.)    (Adv.  Eu.) 
Silene,  L. 

S.  stellata,  Ait.    Frequent  about  White  Plains. 

S.  inflata,  Smith.    About  White  Plains.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

S.  Pennsylvanica,  Mx.    White  Plains. 

S.  Armaria,  L.    Peekskill.  (Le  Roy.)  Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
S.  antirrhina,  L.    Peekskill,    (Le  Roy.) 
S.  noctiflora,  L.    Escaped.  (Bicknell.) 

Lychnis,  Tourn.  (Cockle.) 

E.  vespertina,  Sibth.    (Riverdale — Bicknell.)    (Adv.  Eu.) 
Li.  Cithago,  Lam.    In  grain  fields.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Arenaria,  L. 

A.  serpyllifolia,  L.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Stellaria,  L.  (Chickweed.) 

S.  media,.  Smith.    Common  about  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
S.  longifolia,  Muhl.    Not  rare. 


OK  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


78l 


Ccrastium,  L.    (Mouse-car — duckweed.) 
C.  vulgatum,  L. 
C.  viscosum.  L.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
C.  arvense,  L.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Sr.gina,  L.  (Pearl-wort.) 

S.  procumbens,  L.    Bronx  River,  near  Williams  bridge,  (Rickard.) 

Spergularia,  Pers.  (Sand-Spurrey.) 
S.  rubra,  l'ers. 

Var.  campestris,  Gray.    (Peekskill. — Le-Roy.) 

Spergula,  L.     Sandy  field. 
S.  arvensis,  L. 

Anychia  Mx.    (Forked  Chickweed.) 
A.  diehotoma,  Mx. 

Scleranthus,  L. 

S.  annuus.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Mollugo,  L.    (Indian  Chickweed.) 

M.  verticillata,  L.    Cultivated  grounds. 

Order  19.— PORTULACACEJE.  (Purslane  Family.) 

Portulaca.  Tourn.  (Purslane.) 

P.  oleracea,  L.  Common  in  gardens  and  cultivated  grounds.  (Nat.  Eu.) 
P.  grandiflora.    Escaped  from  cultivated  grounds. 

Claytonia,  L.    (Spring  Beauty.) 

C.  Virginica,  L.    About  White  Plains. 

C.  Caroliniana,  Mx.    About  White  Plains. 

Order  20.— HALVACES.  (Mallow  Family.) 

Althaea,  I..  (Marsh-Mallow.) 

A.  officinalis,  L.    Coast.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Malva,  L.  (Mallow.) 

M.  rotundifolia,  L.    Common  about  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
M.  sylvestris,  L.    (Adv.  En.)  Road-sides. 

M.  moschata,  L.    (Mush-Mallow.)    Wood-lawn.    (Bicknell — Adv.  Eu.) 

Abutilcm,  Tourn.    (Indian  Mallow.) 

A.  Aviccnnae,  Gaertn.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  India.) 

Hibiscus,  L.  (Rose-Mallow.) 

H.  Moscheutos,  I,.    Near  the  coast. 

H.  Trionum,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu.)    (Dr.  Fisher.) 


782 


ROPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  2L— TILICAEE,  (Linden  Family,) 

Tilia.  L.  (Basswood — Linden.) 
T.  Americana,  L. 

Order  23— LINAGES.  (Flas  Family,) 

Linum.  L.  (Flax.) 

Ij.  Virginianum,  L.    Frequent  in  borders  of  woods. 
Ii.  striatum,  Walt.    Riverdale.  (Bicknell.) 

Order  24— GERANEACE.E,   (Geraneum  Family,) 
Geraneum,  L.  (Cranesbill.) 

G.  maculatum,  L.    Bears  transplanting,  woods,  common 

G.  Carolinianum,  L.    White  Plains. 

G.  Robertianum,  L.    Dry  soil,  waste  grounds. 

Floerkea,  Wild.    (False  Mermaid.) 

F.  proserpinacoides,  Willd.    Riverdale.  (Bicknell.) 

Impatiens,  L.    (Jewel-weed — Touch-me-not.) 
I.  pallida,  Nutt.    (Dr.  Fisher.) 
I.  fulva,  Nutt.    Damp  grounds. 

Oxalis,  L,    (Wood-Sorrel — Sheep-Sorrel.) 

O.  acetosella,  L.    In  damp  woods,  not  common. 

O.  violacea,  L.    Along  fences  and  rocky  places. 

O.  stricta,  L.    Along  fences  and  cultivated  grounds,  common. 

Order  25.— RUTACE03.  (Rue  Family,) 

Zanthoxylum,  Colden.    (Prickly  Ash.) 
Z.  Americanum,  Mill,  Rare. 

Order  26— ANACARDIACEiE,   (Cashew  Family,) 

Rhus,  L.  (Sumach.) 

R.  typhina,  L.    Frequent  on  rocky  hill-sides. 

R.  glabra,  L.    Common  along  fences. 

R.  copallina,  L.    Hill-sides.  (Leggett.) 

R.  venenata,  DC.    Swamps  and  damp  grounds. 

R.  toxicodendron,  L.    Common,  especially  along  fences. 

Order  27-VITACE(E,  (Vine  Family,) 

Vitis,  Toum. 

V.  Labrasca,  L.  Damp  thickets  and  woods. 
V.  aestivalis,  Mx.  Thickets.  (Dr.  Fisher.) 
V.  cordifolia,  Mx.    Frost  Grape,  along  streams. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


733 


Ampelopsis,  Mx.    (Virginian  Creeper,) 

A.  qninquefolia,  Mx.    Common  in  rich  grounds. 

Order  28— EHAMNACEJE,   (Eu.cktb.orn  Family.) 

Ceanothus,  L.    (New  Jersey  Tea — Red-root.) 

C.  Americanus,  L.    Copses  and  borders  of  open  woods. 

Order  29— CELASTEACE.E,  (Staff-tree  Family,) 

Celastrus,  L.    (Staff-tree — Bitter-sweet.) 
C.  scandens,  L.    Frequent  throughout. 

Euonymus,  Toum.    (Burning  Bush.) 

E.  atropurpureus,  Jacq.    About  White  Plains. 

E.  Americanus,  L.    Riverdale.    Not  common.  (Hicknell.) 

Order  30— SAPINEACE.52,   (Soapberry  Family,) 
Staphylea,  L.  (Bladde-nut.) 

S.  trifolia,  L.    Throughout,  sparingly. 

Acer,  Toum.  (Maple.) 

A.  Pennsylvanicum,  L,    (Striped  Maple.) 
A.  spicatum,  Lam.    (Mountain  Maple.) 

A.  saccharinuin,  Wang,  (Sugar  Maple.)  This  is  a  favorite  shade  tree,  on  ac- 
count of  the  well  proportioned  head  it  forms,  and  the  beauty  of  its  foliage.  It  is 
claimed  that  it  is  also  a  fever  tree,  i.  e.  When  growing  it  absorbs  so  much  water  as  to 
render  malarial  districts  heathful.  In  the  northern  States  sugar  is  manufactured 
from  its  sap. 

A.  dasycarpum,  Ehrhart,  (White  Maple — Silver  Maple.)  This  tree  was  no 
doubt  introduced  from  the  west.  On  account  of  its  rapid  growth,  it  is  a  favorite 
street  tree.  It  however  forks  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  very  liable  to  damage  from 
high  winds. 

A.  rubrum,  L.  (Red  Maple.)  Common  in  swamps,  bears  transplanting  to 
upland  and  is  used  sparingly  for  a  shade  tree. 

Negundo,  Moench.    (Ash-leaved  Maple— Box-Elder.) 

N.  aceroides,  Moench,  A  good  shade  tree,  though  requiring  care  to  prevent  a 
straggling  habit  of  growth.     Growing  without  cultivation  about  dwellings. 

Order  31.— P0LYGALACE.E.  (Milk  Wort  Famly,) 

Polyagla.  Toum. 

P.  lutea,  L.    New  Castle,  not  common.  (Hexamer.) 
P.  sanguinea,  L.    Not  rare. 

P.  vcrticillata,  L.  Throughout  these  limits.  Note. — There  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  several  other  species  of  this  genus  grow  in  the  County. 


784 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  32  -LEGUMINOSiE  (Pulse  Famly,) 

Crotolaria,  L. 

C.  sagittalis,  L.    Road-sides,  frequent. 
Trifolium,  L.  (Clover.) 

T.  arvense,  L.    Sterile  fields,  common.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
T.  pratense,  L.    Red  clover.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
T.  repens,  L.    White  clover,  common. 

T.  agrarium,  L.    Sandy  fields  and  waste  places.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
T.  procumbens,  L.    Road-sides.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Melilotus,  Tourn    (Sweet  Clover.) 

M.  officinalis,  Wild.    Waste  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
M.  alba,  Lam.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Medicago,  L.  (Medic.) 

M.  Iupulina.  L,    Waste  lands.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Robin  ia,  L.    Locust  Tree. 

R.  Pseudacacia,  L.  This  tree  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  county,  but  in  late 
years  it  has  not  grown  well ;  it  is  attacked  by  a  borer,  and  dies  at  the  top  from  some 
other  cause.    (Nat.  from  the  west.) 

R.  viscosa.  Vent.  Planted  grounds,  and  found  growing  without  cultivation 
near  old  dwellings.    (From  the  west  ) 

Astragalus,  L.    (Milk  Vetch.) 

A.  Canadensis,  L.  Rare. 

Desmodhirn,  DC.    (Tick  Weed.) 

D.  nudiflorum,  DC.  Throughout. 
D.  acuminatum,  DC.  Throughout. 
D.  pauciflorum,  DC.    Not  common. 
D.  rotundifolium,  DC.  Frequent. 
D.  canescens,  DC.    Not  common. 

D.  cuspidatum,  Torr.  and  Cray.  Frequent. 

D.  viridiflorum,  Beck.    Frequent  in  the  middle  of  the  county. 

D.  Dillenii,  Darlingt.  (Bicknell.) 

D.  paniculatum  DC.    Shady  woods,  common. 

D.  Canadense,  DC.    Woods,  common. 

D.  rigidum,  DC.    Hill  sides  throughout. 

D.  ciliare,  DC.  (Bicknell.) 

D.  Marilandicum,  Boot.    Thickets,  common. 

Lespedeiza,  Mich.    (Bush  Clover.) 

L.  procumbens,  Mx.    Not  common. 

L.  repens,  Torr.  and  Gray.    Frequent,  Southern  exposures. 
L.  violacea,  Tcrs.    Not  rare. 

Var.  angustifolia.  Frequent. 
L.  hirta,  Ell.    Dry,  rocky  hill  sides. 
I*,  capitata,  Mx.    Rye,  near  the  shore  of  the  sound. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Vicia,  Toum.  (Vetch.) 

V,  saliva,  L.    Near  Peekskill.    (Le  Roy)    (Adv.  Eu.) 
V.  tetrasperma,  L.    About  Peekskill.  (Le  Roy.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 
V.  hirsute,  Koch.    About  Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 
V.  Americana,  Muhl.    About  Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Lathyrus,  L.    (Everlasting  Pea.) 

Jj,  marilimus,  Bigclow.    Coast,  common. 
L.  palustris,  L.    Moist  places, 

var.  myrtifoltus,  Gray.  (Bicknell.) 

Apios,  Boerhaave.    (Wild  Bean — Ground-nut.) 

A.  tubcrosa,  Mcech.    Shady  woods  and  damp  copses,  common. 

Paassolus,  L.    (Kidney  Bean.) 

P.  diversifolius,  Pers.  (Bicknell.) 

P.  perennis,  Walt.    Woods  and  copses. 

P.  helvolus,  L.    Not  rare,  sandy  fence  rows. 

Amphicarpaea,  Ell.    (Hog  Peanut.) 

A.  monoica,  Nutt.    Rich  woods. 

Baptisia,  Vent.    (False  Indigo.) 

B.  tinctoria,  R.  Br.  Common. 

Cassia,  L.  (Senna.) 

C.  Marilandica,  L.    Not  common  ;  the  leaves  are  purgative. 
C.  Chamxcrista,  L.    Frequent,  damp,  shady  soil. 

C.  nictitans,  L.    Common,  dry,  sandy  soil. 

Gleditschia,  L.    (Honey  Locust.) 

G.  triacanthos,  L.  This  tree  has  been  introduced  from  Southwest,  and  pro 
pagates  itself  ;  it  is  a  good  shade  tree. 

Order  33.— ROSACES.  (Rose  Family.) 

Primus,  Toum.    (Plum,  Cherry,  etc.) 

P.  Americana,  Marshall.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.) 
P.  maritima,  Wang.  Rye. 

P.  Pennsylvanica,  L.    Wood  lands  and  fence  rows. 
P.  serotina,  Ehrhart.    Fence  rows,  not  rare. 

Spiraea,  L.    (Meadow  Sweet.) 

S.  salicifolia,  L.    Damp  places,  not  rare. 

S.  tomentosa,  L.    Frequent  in  edges  of  meadows. 

Agrimoriia,  Tourn.  (Agrimony.) 

A.  Eupatoria,  L.    Frequent  in  edges  of  woods. 
A.  parviflora,  Ait.    Rivcrdale,  rare.  (Bicknell.) 


786  REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 

Poteriuin,  L.  (Bumet.) 

P.  Canadense,  Gray.    (Canadian  Burnet. ) 

Geum,  L.  (Avens.) 

G.  Virginianum,  L.  (Bicknell.) 

G.  album,  Gmelin.    Borders  of  woods. 

G.  strictum,  Ait.    Sing  Sing,  not  common.  (Bicknell.) 

G.  rivale,  L.    North  Salem.    (S.  B.  Mead.) 

Potentilla,  L.  (Five-finger.) 

P.  Norvegica,  L.    Not  common. 

P.  Canadensis,  L.    Along  fences,  and  in  old  fields,  common. 

Var.  simplex,  Torr  &  Gray.  Common. 
P.  argentea,  L.    Steril  grounds. 
P.  arguta  Pursh.  (Hall.) 

Fragaria,  Tourn.  (Strawberry.) 

F.  Virginiana,  Ehrhart.    Fields,  and  woods. 
F.  vesca,  L.  Fields. 

F.  Indica,  L.    Not  common.    (Adv.  India.) 

Rubus,  Tourn.    (Brier,  etc.) 

R.  odoratus,  L.    Woods  and  damp  copses. 

R.  strigosus,  Mx.    Edges  of  woods  and  fence  rows. 

R.  occidentalis,  L.    Along  fences,  and  borders  of  woods. 

R.  villosus,  Ait.    Pastures,  fence  rows  and  woods. 

Ft..  Canadensis,  L.    Pasture  fields  and  along  fences. 

R.  hispidus,  L.    Damp  grounds, 

Rosa,  Tourn.  (Rose.) 

R.  Carolina,  L.    Damp  grounds  and  meadows. 

R.  lucida,  Ehrhart.    Edges  of  meadows. 

R.  blanda,  Ait.    Rocky  places  and  edges  of  meadows. 

R.  rubiginosa,  L.    White  Plains,    (Nat  Eu.) 

R.  micrantha,  Smith.    White  Plains.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Crataegus,  L.  (Thorn.) 

C.  coccinea,  L.  Thickets. 

C.  tomentosa,  L.    Frequent  in  thickets. 

Pyrus,  L.    (Pear,  apple,  etc.) 

P.  arbutifolia,  Ait.    Thickets.  (Hexamer.) 

Var.  erithrocarpa,  Gray.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
P.  Americana,  DC.    Rocky  woods.  (Hexamer.) 

Amalanchier,  Medic.  (June-Berry.) 
A.  Canadensis,  T.  &  Gray. 

Var.  Botryapium,  T.  &  Gray.  Woods. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


787 


Order  35.— SAHFRAGACEJE.  (Sasifrage  Family.) 

Ribes,  L.    (Currant  and  Goosberry.) 

R.  Cynosbati,  L.  About  Pcekskill.  (Le  Roy.) 
R.  lacustrc,  Poir.  About  Pcekskill.  (Le  Roy.) 
R.  tloridum,  L.  Woods. 

Philadelphus,  L. 

P.  coronarius,  L.  Near  Jerome  Park.  (Bicknell.)  Escaped  from  planted 
grounds. 

Parnassia,  Poir.    (Grass  of  Parnassus.) 
P.  Caroliniana,  Mx.    Damp  grounds. 

Saxafraga,  Mx.    (Saxifrage — Rock-breaker.) 
S.  Virginicnsis,  Mx.    Damp  rocks. 
S.  Pennsylvania,  L.    Edges  of  wet  grounds. 

Heuchera,  L.  (Alum-root.) 

H,  Americana,  L.    Shaded  rocks. 

Mitella,  Tourn.    (Bishop's  cap.) 

M.  diphylla,  L.    Shaded  hill  sides. 

Tierella,  L, 

T.  cordifolia,  L.    Shaded  rocks. 

Chrysosplenium,  Tourn.    (Golden  Saxifrage.) 
C.  Amcricanum,  Schwein.    White  Plains. 

Order  36.— CRASULACE2E.  (Orpine  Family.) 
Penthorum,  C.ronor.    (Ditch  Stone-crop.) 
P.  sedoidcs,  L.    Wet  meadows. 

Tillaea,  L. 

T.  simplex,  Nutt.    Along  banks  of  streams. 

Sedum,  Tourn.    (Stone-crop — live  forever.) 
S.  acre,  L.  (Leggett.) 

S.  Telephium,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Nat.  Eh.) 

Ord:r  37.— HAMAMELACES.  (Witch-Hazel  Family.) 
Hamamelis,  L.  (Witch-IIazel.) 

H.  Virginica,  L.    Damp  woods,  frequent. 

Liquidamber,  L.    (Sweet-Gum  — Bilstcd.j 
L.  Styraciflua,  L.    Near  Pelham. 


788 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  38— HALORAGES.  (WaterJElfoil  Family.) 

Myriophyllum,  Vail.  (Water-Milfoil.) 
M.  tenellum,  Big.    Wet  places. 

Proserpinaca,  L.  (Mermaid-vveed.) 
P.  palustris,  L.  Swamps. 

Order  39.— QNAGRACE.E.  (Evenicg-Primrose Family.) 

Circaea,  Tourn.    (Enchanter's  Nightshade.) 

C.  Lutetiana,  L.    Damp  woods. 
Epilobium,  L. 

E.  angustifolium,  L.    Not  rare. 

E.  palustre,  L. 

Var.  lineare.    Damp  places,  frequent. 

E.  coloratum,  Muhl.    Damp  grounds. 

(Enothera,  L.    (Evening  Primrose.) 
(E.  biennis,  L.  Common. 
(E.  fruticosa,  L.    Kingsbridge.  (Leggett.) 
(E.  pumila,  L.    Rye  Lake. 

Ludwigia,  L.    (False  Loose-strife.) 
Tu.  altemifolia,  L.  Common. 
Jj.  sphaerocarpa,  Ell.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
L.  palustris,  Ell.  Peekskill. 

Order  41.— LYTHRACEJE.  (Loosestrife  Family.) 

Lythrum,  L.  (Loosestrife.) 

L.  Salicaria.  L.  Between  Fordham  and  Williams  Bridge.  (Bicknell.) 
Nesaea,  Commerson,  Juss.    (Swamp  Loose-strife.) 

N.  verticillata,  H.  B.  K..    Wet  places. 

Cuphea,  Jacq. 

C.  viscosissima,  Jacq.,  near  Lake  Mohegan. 

Order  43.— C  ACT  ACES.  (Cactus  Family.) 

Opuntia,  Tourn.    (Prickly  Pear.) 

0.  Rafincsquii,  Eng.    Rocks  near  New  Rochelle. 

Order  45. -CUCURBIT ACEffi  (Gourd  Family.) 

Sicyos,  L.    (One-seeded  Star-Cucumber.) 
S.  angulatus,  L.    Damp  grounds. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY.  789 

Order  46.— UMBELLIFE&E.  (Parsley  Family.) 

Hydrocotyle,  Touni.    (Water  Pennywort.) 
H.  Americana,  L.    Damp  grounds. 
H.  umbellata,  L.    Ponds  common. 

Crantzia,  Mutt. 

C.  lineata,  Nutt.    Coast,  of  the  Sound. 
Sanicula,  Tourn.    (Black  Snakeroot.) 

S.  Canadensis,  I..    Shaded  places. 

S.  Marilandica,  I..  Woods. 

Daucus,  Tourn.    (Wild  Carrot.) 

D.  Carota,  L.    Common.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Pastinaca,  Tourn.  (Parsnip.) 

P.  sativa,  L.  About  dwellings,  escaped  from  cultivation.  It  is  generally  sup- 
posed that  it  is  poisonous,  which  is  a  mistake  ;  it  is  the  Parsnip  of  the  garden  growing 
wild.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Archangelica,  Hoffm. 

A.  hirsuta,  Ton  &  Gray.  (Leggett.) 
A.  atropurpurea,  Hoffm.    Along  streams. 

Conioselinum,  Fischer.    (Hemlock  Parsley.) 

C.  Canadense,  T.  &  G. 

iEthusa,  L.    (Fools  Parsley.) 

2E.  Cynapium,  L.     (Adv.  Eu.) 
Thaspium,  Nutt,  (Meadow-Parsnip.) 

T.  aureum,  Nutt.    Sparingly  scattered  over  the  middle  of  the  County. 
Zizia,  DC. 

Z.  integerrima,  DC.    Not  common. 
Discopleura,  DC. 

D.  capillacea,  DC.    Salt  marshes.  (Leggett.) 
Cuscuta,  L.  (Water-Hemlock.) 

C.  maculata,  L.    (Beaver  Poison.)    Northern  part  of  the  county. 
C.  bulbifeia,  L.    Lake  Mohegan.  (Leggett.) 

Sium,  L.  (Water-Parsnip.) 

S.lineare,  Mx.    Wet  places. 
Cryptotsenia,  DC.  (Honewort.) 

C.  Canadensis,  DC.  Thickets. 

Osmorrhiza,  Rof.    (Sweet  Cicely.) 

O.  longistylis,  DC.    (Damp  woods.) 

O.  brevistylis,  DC.    (Woods  and  rich  copses. ) 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  47.— ABALIACES.  (Ginseng  Family.) 

Aralia,  Tourn.    (Wild  Sarsaprilla. 

A.  spinosa,  L.    Near  Van  Cortland  Lake.    (Bicknell. ) 
A.  nudicaulis.L.  (Bicknell.) 
A.  racemosa,  L.    Shady  woods. 
A.  trifolia,  Gray.  Woods. 

Order  48.— COENACEiE,  (Dogwood  Family.) 

Comus,  Toum  (Dogwood.) 

C.  florida,  L.    (Dogwood— Spoonwood.)    A  small  tree.  Common, 

C.  circinata,  L'Her.    Not  very  frequent. 

C.  sericea,  L.    Not  rare. 

C.  stolonifera,  Mx.    Edges  of  swampy  places. 

C.  paniculata,  L.  Her.    Fence  rows. 

C.  alternifolia,  L.    Edges  of  copses,  and  along  fences. 

Nyssa,  L.    (Sour  Gum — Pepperidge.) 

N.  multiflora,  Wang.    Damp  woods  and  thickets. 

Order  49.— CAPSIFOLIAC&E.  (Honeysuckle  Family.) 

Symphoricarpus,  Dill.  (Snowberry.) 

S.  vulgaris,  Mx.    Rocky  places.  (Bicknell.) 

Lonicera,  L. 

.  Li.  sempervirens,  Ait.    Edges  of  woods. 
L.  parviflora,  Lam.    Riverdale,  rare.  (Bicknell.) 

Diervilla,  Tourn.    (Bush  Honeysuckle.) 

D.  trifida,  Moench.    Rocky  places. 

Triosteum,  L.  (Horse-Gentian.) 

T.  perfoliatum,  L.    Edges  of  rich  woods. 

Sambucus,  Toum.  (Elder.) 

S.  Canadensis,  L.  Common. 

"Viburnum,  F.  (Arrow-wood.) 
V.  Lentago,  L.    Along  fences. 
V.  prunifolium,  L.  (Bicknell,) 
V.  nudum,  L,    Borders  of  swamps. 
V.  dentatum,  L.    Damp  grounds. 
V.  acerifolium,  L.    Woods  as  undergrowth. 
V.  paudflorum,  Pylaie. 

V.  Opulus,  L.    Damp  grounds.    (S.  B.  Mead.) 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Order  50—  RUBIACEJE,  (Madder  Family.) 

Galium,  L.    (Bcdstraw — Cleavers,) 
G.  aparine,  L.  Moss-woods. 
G.  asprellum,  Mx.    Damp  places. 
G.  trifidum,  L.  (Bicknell.) 
G.  triflomm,  Mx.  Woods. 
G.  pUosum,  Ait.  (Bicknell.) 
G.  circaezans,  Mx.    Open  Woods. 
G.  lanceolatum,  Tour.  Woods. 
G.  horcale,  L.    Damp  rocks. 

G.  verum,  L.    Peekskill.    (Le.  Roy.)  (Adv.  Eu.) 

Cephalanthus,  I..  (Hutton-bush.) 

C.  occidentalis,  L.    Edges  of  meadows, 

Mitchella,  L.  (Partridge-berry.) 
M.  repens,  L.    Shaded  places. 

Oldenlandia,  I'lumier,  L. 

O.  glomerata,  Mx.    Damp  places. 

Houstoilia,  L. 

H.  purpurea,  L. 

H.  coerulea,  L.    Among  grass,  not  common. 

Order  52.— DIPSACE.E.  (Teasel  Family.) 

Dipsacus,  Tourn. 

D.  sylvestris,  Mill,    Road-sides.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Order  53.— COMPOSITE.  (Composita  Family.) 

Vemonia,  Schreb.  (Iron-weed.) 

V.  Noveboracensis,  Willd.    Damp  places,  common. 

Liatris,  Schreb.    (Blazing  Star.) 

I*,  scariosa,  Willd.    Rocky  hills.) 

L.  spicata,  Willd.    Borders  of  salt  meadows,  Rye, 

Eupatorium,  Toum.  (Thoroughwort.) 

E.  purpureum,  L.    Damp  grounds,  common. 

E.  teucrifolium,  Willd.    Peekskill,    (I.e.  Roy.) 

E.  sessilifolium,  L.  (Bicknell.) 

E.  perfoliatum,  L.    Damp  grounds,  common. 

E.  ageratoides,  L.    New  Castle  and  Lake  Mohegan. 

E.  aromaticum,  L.  Bedford. 


7Q2 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Mikaria,  Willd. 

M.  ^candens,  L.    Tarrytown.    C  Paine.) 

Tussilago,  Tourn.  (Coltsfoot.) 

T.  Farfara  L.    Damp  shaded  banks. 

Sericocarpus,  Nees.  (White-topped  Aster.) 
S.  solidagineus,  Nees.  Thickets,  not  rare 
S.  conyzoides,  Nees.    Dry  copses. 

Aster,  L. 

A.  corym bogus,  Ait.    Woods,  not  rare. 
A.  macrophyllus,  L.    Damp  shady  woods. 
A.  patens.  Ait.    Along  fences. 
A.  laevis,  L.    Copses,  and  hedge  rows. 
A.  undulatus,  L.  Copses. 

A.  cordifolius,  L.     Road-sides  and  fence  rows. 

A.  sagittifolius,  Willd.    Along  fences. 

A.  ericoides,  L.    West  Farms. 

A.  multiflorus,  Ait,  Road-sides. 

A.  dumosus,  L.  (Bicknell.) 

A.  Tradescanti,  L.    Damp  grounds. 

A  miser.  L.,  Ait. 

A.  simplex,  Willd.    Moist  land. 

A.  tenuifolius,  L.    Damp  grounds. 

A.  longifolius,  Lam. 

A.  puniceus,  L.  Common. 

A  Novx-Anglire,  L.    Road-sides  and  meadows. 

A  acuminatus,  Mx.  Peekskill. 

A.  nemoralis,  Ait.  Coast. 

A.  flexuosus,  Nutt.  (Bicknell.) 

A.  Iinifolids,  L.    New  Castle. 

Erigeron,  L.  (Fleabane.) 

E.  Canadense,  L.    Very  common. 

E.  bellidifolium,  Muhl.    Edges  of  woods,  not  rare. 

E.  Philadelphicum,  L.  Frequent. 

E.  annuura.  Pers.    Fields,  not  common. 

E.  strigosum,  Muhl.    New  Castle,  sparingly  throughout. 

Diplopappus,  Cas,    (Douhle-bristled  Aster.) 
D.  Linifolius,  Hook.    Dry  copses. 
D.  umbellatus,  T.  &  G.    Damp  copses. 
D.  amygdalinus,  T.  &  G.    Cortlandt  Lake.  (Bicknell.) 

Solidago,  L.  (Golden-rod.) 

S.  -.quarrosa.  Nutt.    Rivcrdale.  (Bicknell.) 

S.  bicolor,  L.  Hedge-rows, 

S.  latifolia,  L.    Damp  shaded  jdaces. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


793 


S.  crcsia,  L.    Open  woods. 
S.  specula,  Nutt. 

Var.  angustata.  (Bicknell.) 
S.  puberula,  Nutt.    Sandy  fields. 
S.  rigida,  L.    Along  fence  rows. 
S.  sempervirens,  L.    Rye,  borders  of  salt  marsh. 
S.  elliptica,  Ait.    Borders  of  salt  marsh,  Rye. 
S.  oeglecta,  T.  &  G.    Wet  places. 
S.  patula,  Muhl.    Swampy  places. 
S.  arguta,  Ait.  Thickets. 

Var.  juncea,  G.  Thickets, 
S.  Muhlenbergii,  T.  &  Gray.    Edges  of  woods. 
S.  linoides,  Solander.  Swamps. 
S.  altissima,  L.    Along  fences. 
S.  ulmifolia,  Muhl.    Damp  thickets. 
S.  odora,  Ait.    I'eekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
S.  aemoralis,  Ait.    Fields  and  road-sides,  common. 
S.  Canadensis,  L.    Fields  and  road-sides. 
S.  serotina,  Ait.    Damp  grounds. 
S.  gigantea,  Ait.    Along  fences. 
S.  lanccolata,  L.    Damp  grounds. 
S.  tenuifolia,  Pursh.    Rye.  near  the  coast. 

Inula,  L.  (Elecampane.) 

Li.  Helenium,  L.    Road-sides,  near  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.y 

Pluchea,  Cass. 

P.  camphorata,  DC.    Along  the  coast. 

Baccharis,  L.  (Groundsel-Tree.) 
B.  halimifolia,  L.  (Leggett.) 

Iva,  L.    (Marsh  Elder.) 

L  frutcscens,  L.    Salt  meadows. 

Ambrosia,  Tourn.  (Rag-weed.) 
A.  trifida,  L,  Fields. 

A.  artmisisefolia,  L.  Said  to  be  the  plant  whose  pollen  causes  the  disease 
called  Hay  Fever.  In  confirmation  of  this  belief,  the  following  statement  was  made 
to  me  by  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Lockwood,  who  is  a  sufferer.  I  give,  as  near  as  I  can 
recollect,  his  own  words  :  In  a  walk  through  the  fields  I  came  to  a  wheat  stubble 
covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  Ambrosia,  Artimisircfolia,  in  a  state  just  ready  to 
discharge  its  pollen.  I  hestitated,  but  finally  concluded  to  cross  ;  at  once  I  found 
great  difficulty  in  breathing  and  when  I  reached  the  other  side,  I  was  completely 
prostrated  and  was  obliged  to  sit  for  some  time,  and  the  experiment  was  followed  by 
one  of  the  most  severe  attacks  of  Hay  Fever  I  have  ever  experienced. 

Xanthium,  Tourn.  (Cocklebur.) 

X.  strumarium,  L.    Spyten  Duyvil,  (Leggett.) 

Var.  echinatum,  Gray. 
Y.  spinosum,  L.    Coast.    (Nat.  from  the  south.) 


794  REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 

Heliopsis,  L.  (Tick-seed.) 
H.  lxvis,  Pers. 

Var.  scabra.    White  Plains.    A  single  plant  in  the  nothcrn  part  of  Sc-r- 
dale,  near  White  Plains,  found  by  Miss  A.  McCabe. 

Rudbeckia,  L.  (Cone-flower.) 

R.  laciniata,  L.    Fields,  sparingly  throughout. 
R.  hirta,  L.    Fields,  frequent. 

Helianthus,  L.  (Sun-flower.) 

H.  giganteus,  L.    Swampy  places. 
H.  strumosus,  L.    Damp  thickets. 
H.  divaricatus,  L.    Edges  of  woods. 
H.  decapetalus,  L.    Along  streams. 

H.  tuberosus,  L.  Escaped  from  cultivation.  The  tubers  of  this  species  are 
used  for  pickles. 

Coreopsis,  L.  (Tick-seed.) 

C.  tricosperma,  Mx.    Wet  places. 
Bidens,  L.    (Bur-Marigold — Pitchfork.) 

B.  frondosa.  L.    Damp  places. 

B.  connata,  Muhl.  Road-sides. 

B.  chrysanthemoides,  Mx.    New  Castle. 

B.  bipinnata,  L.    Road-sides  and  fence  rows. 

Helenium,  L.  (Sneeze-weed.) 
H.  autumnale,  L.  Meadows. 

Galinsoga,  Ruiz  &  Par. 

G.  parviflora,  Car.    (Adv.,  from  S.  America.) 
Maruta,  Cass.  (May-weed.) 

M.  Cotula,  DC.  Road-sides  and  wastes  about  dwellings,  common.  (Nat.  Eu.) 
Anthemis,  L.  (Chamomile.) 

A.  arvensis.    White  Plains.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
Achillea,  L.  (Yarrow.) 

A  Millefolium,  L.    Road-sides,  Common. 
Var,  rosea. 

Leucanthemum,  Toum.    (Ox-eye  Daisy.) 

Li.  vulgare,  Lam.  (Nat.  Eu.)  White  Plains  is  said  to  have  been  named 
from  the  appearance  of  the  fields  when  this  plant  was  in  flower.  (Doubtful.) 

Tanacetum,  L.  (Tansy.) 

T.  vulgare,  L.    Near  dwellings,  (Adv.  Eu.) 

Artemisia,  L.  (Wormwood.) 

A.  vulgaris.  L.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

A.  biennis,  Willd.    Along  H.  R.  R.  Road,  not  common. 


OK  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY.  795 

Gnaphaiium,  L,  (Cudweed.) 

G.  decurrens,  Tow.    Hills,  frequent. 
G.  polycephalum,  Mx.    Edges  of  wood  land. 
G.  uliginosum,  L,    Road-sides,  throughout. 
G.  puipureum,  L.    Common  in  sterile  soil. 

Antennaria,  Grertin,  (Everlasting.) 
A.  margaritacea,  R.  Brown.  Woods. 
A.  platiginifolia  Hook.    Sterile  hill  sides. 

Filago,  Tourn.  (Cotton-Rose.) 

F.  Gennanica,  L,    Old  fields.    (Xat.  Eu.) 

Erechthites,  Raf.  (Fireweed.) 

E.  hieracifolia,  Raf.    Clearings,  which  have  been  burned  over. 

Seneceo,  L.  (Groundsel.) 

S.  vulgaris,  L,    (Waste  places.)    (Adv.  Eu.) 
S.  aureus,  L.  Common. 

Centaurea,  L. 

C.  Cyanus,  L.  (I'ooley.) 

Cirsium,  Tourn. 

C.  lanceolatum.  Scop.    Road-sides,  (Nat.  Eu) 

C.  discolor.  Spreng.    Damp  thickets. 

C.  muticum,  Mx.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  pumilum,  Spreng.    Old  fields. 

C.  horridulum,  Mx.    Rye,  and  along  the  coast. 

C.  arvense,  Scop,  (Common  in  cultivated  grounds.)  This  plant  is  found 
throughout,  but  not  sufficiently  abundant  to  be  very  troublesome.  It  fruits,  if 
at  all,  very  sparingly  in  this  region. 

Lappa,  L.  (Burdock.) 

Li.  officinalis,  Allioni.    About  dwellings. 

Lampsana,  L. 

Li.  communis,  L.    Riverdale.    (Bicknell — Adv.  Eu.) 

Cichorium,  Tourn.  (Chickory.) 

C.  Intybus,  L.  Road-sides  and  about  dwellings.  The  root  of  this  plant  is 
used  to  adulterate  coffee. 

Krigia,  Schrcber.    (Dwarf  Dandelion.)] 

K.  Virginica,  Willd.    Sparingly  scattered  over  the  county. 

Cynthia,  Don. 

C.  Virginica,  Don.    Not  common. 


796 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Hieraciuni,  Tourn.  (Hawkweed.) 
H.  Canadense,  Mx.    New  Castle. 
H.  scabrum,  Mx.    Dry  copses  and  open  woods. 
H.  Gronovii,  L. 

H.  venosum,  I..    Dry  open  woods,  White  Plains. 
H.  paniculatum,  L.    Woods,  not  very  common. 

Nabalus,  Cass.  (Rattlesnake-root.) 

N.  altissimus,  Hook.    Damp  woods. 
N.  Fraseri,  DC.    New  Castle. 

N.  racemosus,  Hook.  Hudson  R.  R.  R.  track,  The  seeds  of  this  plant,  h 
no  doubt  been  brought  from  the  west  in  grain,  or  other  freight. 

Taraxacum,  Haller.  Dandelion. 

T.  Dens-leonis,  Desf.    Road-sides  and  lawns,  common. 

Lactuca,  Tourn.  (Lettuce.) 
I«.  Canadensis,  L. 

Var.  integrifolia,  T.  &  G.  (Leggett.) 
Var.  sanguinea,  T.  &  G.    Dry  grounds. 

Mulgedium.  Cass.    (Blue  Lettuce.) 

M.  leucophaeum,  DC.    Damp  grounds. 

Sonchus,  L.  (Sow-Thistle.) 

S.  oleraceus,  L.  near  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
S.  asper,  Vill.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
S.  arvensis,  L.    Road-sides.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Order  51— LOBELIACEE.  (Lobelia  Family) 

Lobelia,  L,  (Lobelia.) 

Ti.  cardinalis,  L.    Damp  grounds.    Very  showy  plant,  bears  cultivation. 

Li.  syphilitica,  L.    Road-sides  and  damp  places  ;  bears  cultivation  well. 

Jj.  inflata,  L.  Fields  and  pastures.  Used  by  the  Thomsonian  practitioners 
compounding  their  medicines. 

Li.  spicata,  Lam.     White  Plains.    (Miss  McCabe.) 

L.  Kalmii,  L.    White  Plains.    (Miss  McCabe.) 

Order  55.— CAMPANULACE.E.  (Campanula  Famuy.) 

Campanula,  Tourn.  (Bellflower.) 
C.  rotundifolia,  L.  Leggett. 

C.  ^paranoides,  Mx.    Damp  meadows,  among  grass. 
C.  iapunculoides,  L.    (Bicknell.)    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Specularia,  Heister.    (Venus's  Looking-glass.) 
S.  pcrfoliata,  A.  DC.  Frequent. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY.  797 


Order  56.—  EEICACE.E.  (Hoath  Famity.) 

Gaylussaoia,  II.  15.  K.  (Huckleberry.) 

G.  dumosa,  T.  &  G.  Damp  sandy  soil. 

G.  frondosa,  T.  &  O.  Damp  thickets. 

G.  resinosa,  T.  &  G.  Woodlands  and  swamps. 

Vaccinium,  L. 

V.  macrocarpon,  Ait.    The  cranberry  of  commerce.    Cranberry  Pond  neai 

Kensico. 

V.  stamineum,  L.    Dry  copses  and  open  woods. 

V.  Pennsylvanicum,  Lam.    Dry  copses  and  edges  of  woods. 

V.  vacillans,  Solander.  sandy  woods. 

V.  coiymbosnm,  L. 

Var.  atrococcum,  Gray.  (Bicknell.J 

Epigeea,  L.    (Trailing  Arbutus.) 

E.  repens,  L.  Cranberry  Pond,  and  valley  of  the  Bronx,  near  the  sound. — 
Somers  near  Coter's  Lake,  (James Wood.) — Sing  Sing,  (Dr.  Fisher.) 

Gaultheria,  Kalm.  (Wintergreen.) 
G.  procumbens,  L.    Damp  woods. 

Leucothoe,  Don. 

L.  racemosa.    Gray.  (Bicknell.) 

Cassandra,  Don.    (Leather  leaf.) 

C.  calyculata,  Don.    New  Castle.  Bogs. 

Andromeda,  L. 

A.  Mariana,  L.    Along  the  coast  of  the  Sound. 
A.  ligustrina,  Muhl.    White  Plains. 

Clethra,  L.    (Sweet  pepperbush.) 

C.  alnifolia,  Damp  grounds  and  borders  of  meadows,  bears  transplanting  and 
is  used  for  an  ornamental  shrub. 

Kalmia,  L.    (American  Laureb.) 

K.  latifolia,  L.  Woods  common,  four  to  ten  feet  high,  a  beautiful  evergreen 
shrub,  boars  transplanting  and  is  valued  for  its  heavy  green  leaves  and  showy  flowers. 

K.  angustifolia.  L.    New  Castle. 

Azalia,  L.    (False  Honeysuckle.) 

A.  viscosa.  L.    Not  common.  (Leggett.) 

A.  nudiflora,  L.    Woods  throughout. 
Note. — Both  the  above  species  bear  transplanting,  and  are  beautiful  objects  in  plan* 
ed grounds.     Shrubs  three  to  six  feet  in  height. 


798 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Rhodora,  Duhamel. 

R.  Canadensis.    Damp  woods. 

Pyrola,  Tourn.  (Shin-leaf.) 

P.  rotundifolia.    Boggy  places. 

Var.  asarifolia,  Gray,  not  rare. 
P.  elliptica,  Nutt.  White  Plains. 
P.  secunda,  L.  Woods. 

Chimaphila,  Pursh. 

C.  umbellata,  Nutt.    Woods  common. 

C.  maculata,  Pursh.    Woods  with  the  above. 

Pterospora,  Nutt.  (Pine-drops.) 
P.  Andromedea,  Nutt. 

Monotropa,  L.    (Indian  Pipe.) 
M.  uniflora,  L.    Dark  woods. 
M.  Hypopitys,  L.  Woods. 

Order  5S.-AQUIF0LIACE;E.   (Holly  Family.) 
Ilex,  L.  (Holly.) 

I.  verticillate,  Gray.    (Black  Alder.)    Damp  copses. 
I.  laevigata,  Gray.    (Smooth  winterberr}'.) 

Order  59.— LBENACEJE.   (Ebony  Family.) 

Diospyros,  L.    (Persimmon,  Medler.) 

D.  Virginiana,  L.  Pelham.  (Richard  S.  Collins.)  A  second-class  tree. 
Fruit  edible,  rare  in  these  limits  ;  no  doubt  introduced  by  seeds  from  further  south. 

Order  62.-PLANTAGINACEJE.   (Plantain  Family.) 

Plantago,  L.  (Plantain.) 
P.  major,  1..    (Xat.  Eu.) 

P.  Kugelii.    Decaisne.    (Leggett.)  Common. 
P.  lanceolata,  L.    Pastures  and  lawns.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
P.  Virginica,  L.    Sandy  ground. 
P.  pusilla,  Nutt.    Dry  grounds. 


Ord:r  63.— PLU1IBAGINACE33.  (Leadwort  Family.) 

Statice,  Tourn.  (Marsh-Rosemary.) 

S.  Limonium,  L.    Salt  meadows  along  the  Sound. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


799 


Order  61— PEIMULACEiE.  (Primrose  Family.) 

Trientalis,  L.  (Chickweed-Wintergreen.) 
P.  Americana,  Pursh.    Shady  woods. 

Steironema,  Rof. 

S.  ciliata,  L.    Low  grounds. 

S.  lanceolata,  Walt.    Wet  banks  of  streams. 

Lysimachia,  Toura.  (Loosestrife.) 
El  thyrsiflora,  L.    Swampy  places. 
Li.  stricta,  Ait.    Damp  places. 
Jj.  quadrifolia,  L.    Damp  ground. 

li.  nummularia,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.  (Leggett.) 

Anagallis,  Town.    (Pimpernel. ) 

A.  arvensis,  L.    Old  fields.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Saiuolus,  L. 

S.  Valerandi,  L. 

Var.  Amerieanus,  Gray,  (Leggett.) 

Hottonia,  L.    (Water  Violet.) 

H.  inilata,  Ell.    Stagnant  water. 

Order  65— LENTIBULACEE.  (Bladderwt  Family.) 

Utricularia,  L.  (Bladderwort.) 
U.  vulgaris,  L. 
TJ.  gibba,  L.    Shoal  water.) 

Order  66.— BIGNONIACE.E.  (Bignonia  Family.) 

Catalpa,  Scop.,  Walt.    (Catalpa.    Indian  Bean.    Smoking  Bean  Tree.) 

C.  bignonioides,  Walt.  This  tree  is  rather  a  favorite  as  a  shade  tree  on  ac- 
count of  its  fine  foliage  and  showey  flowers.  Introduced  from  the  West,  and  sows 
itself  and  grows  without  cultivation  along  the  road  sides.  In  late  years  nurscymen 
graft  it,  and  thereby  produce  a  more  compact  head. 

Order  67.— OBOBANCHACEJE.    (Broom-rape  Family.) 

Epiphegus,  Nutt.  (Beech-drops.) 
E.  Yirginiana,  Bart.    Shady  woods. 

Ccnopholis.  Wallrotta.  (Squaw-root.) 
C.  Americana,  Wallroth.  Woods. 

Aphyllon,  Mitchell.    (Naked  Broom-rape., 
A.  uniflorum,  T.  &  G.  Woods. 


8oo 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  68.— SCEOPHULABIACES.   (Figwt  Family.) 

Verbascum,  L.  (Mullein.) 

V.  Thapsus,  L.    Fields  common.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

V.  Blattaria,  L.    Fields  and  road  sides.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

liinaria,  Tourn.    (Toad  Flex.    Snap  Dragon.) 

L.  Canadensis,  Spreng.    About  Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Li,  vulgaris,  Mill.    Fields  and  pastures,  a  troublesome  weed.    (NTat.  Eu.) 

Scrophularia,  Tourn.  (Figwort.) 
S.  nodosa,  L.    Damp  thickets. 

Chelone,  Tourn.    (  Turtle-head.  Snake-head.) 
C.  glabra,  L.    Borders  of  wet  meadows. 

Pentstemon,  Mitchell.  (Beard-tongue.) 

P.  pubescens,  Solander.    Edges  of  thickets. 

Mimulus,  L.  (Monky-flower.) 

M.  ringens,  L.    Edges  of  meadows  and  wet  thickets. 

Gratiola,  L.  (Hedge-Hyssop.) 

G.  Virginiana,  L.    Banks  or  shores  of  ponds. 

Ilysanthes,  Raf. 

I.  gratioloides,  Benth.  (Bicknell.) 

Limosella,  L.  (Mudwort.) 
Li,  aquatica,  L. 

Var.  tenuifolia,  Hoffm.    Along  the  coast. 

Veronica,  L.  (Speedwell.) 
V.  Virginica,  L.  Woods. 

V.  Americana,  Schweinitz.    Along  the  edges  of  ditches. 

V.  scutellata,  L.  Swamps. 

V.  officinalis,  L.    Dry  grounds. 

V.  serpyllifolia,  L.    Road  sides  and  lawns. 

V.  pcrcgrina,  L.    Waste  places. 

V.  arvensis  L.    Gultivated  grounds. 

Gerardia,  L. 

G.  purpurea,  L.    Damp  places. 

G.  maritima,  Raf.    Rye  and  along  the  coast. 

G.  tenuifolia,  Vohl.  Woods. 

G.  flava,  L.    Woods  and  copses. 

G.  quercifolia,  Pursh.  Woods. 

Castilleia,  Mutis.  Painted-cup.) 
C.  coccinea,  Spreng. 


OK  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


So  I 


Pedicularis,  Tourn.  (Louscwort.) 
P.  Canadensis,  L.  Copses. 
P.  lanceolata,  Mx.    Edges  of  wet  meadows. 

Melampyrum,  Tourn.  Cow-wheat. 
M.  Americana,  Mx. 

Order  70.-VERBENACEJE.   (Vervain  Family.) 
Verbena,  L.  (Vervain.) 

V.  angustifolia,  Mx.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.) 

V.  hastata,  L.    Waste  places  about  dwellings. 

V.  urticifolia,  L.    Road-sides  and  borders  of  fields. 

Phryma,  L. 

P.  Leptostachya,  L.    Damp  woods. 

Order  71.— -LABIATE.   (Mint  Family.) 

Teucrium,  L.  (Germander.) 

T.  Canadense,  I..    Damp  places. 

Trichostema.    (Blue  Curls.) 

T.  dichotomum,  L.    Common  in  stubble. 

Mentha,  L.  (Mint.) 

M.  viridis,  L.    Damp  places.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
M.  piperita,  L.    Along  brooks.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
M.  aquatica,  L. 

Var.  crispa,  Benthem.    (Leggett.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 
M.  arvensis,  1..    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
M.  Canadensis,  L.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Lycopus.  L. 

Li.  Virginicus,  L.    Damp  meadows. 
Tj.  Europams.  L.  (Bieknell.) 

Cunila,  I..  (Dittany.) 

C.  Mariana,  L.    Old  fields. 

Pycnanthemum,  Mx.    (Sweet  Basil.    Mountain  mint.) 
P.  incanum,  Mx.    Edges  of  woods. 
P.  clinopodioides,  T.  &  G.  Copses. 
P.  muticnm,  Pers.    Along  fences. 
P.  lanceolatum,  Pursh.    Copses  and  along  fences. 
P.  linifolium,  Pursh.    Riverdale.  (Bieknell.) 

Origanum,  I..    Wild  Marjoram. 

O.  vulgare.  L.    Near  dwellings,  escaped  from  cultivation.    (Nat.  Eu.) 


802 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Thymus,  L.  (Thyme.) 

T.  Serpyllum,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Calamintha,  Mcench. 

C.  Clinopodium,  Benth.    Edges  of  thickets  and  along  fence  rows. 

Melissa,  L.  (Balm.) 

M.  officinalis,  L.  Near  dwellings  where  it  has  escaped  from  cultivation. 
(Nat.  Eu.) 

Hedeoma,  Pers.    (Mock  Pennyroyal.) 

H.  pulegioides.  Pers.    Old  fields  and  woods. 

Collinsonia,  L.    (Horse  Balm.) 

C.  Canadensis,  L.    Damp  shady  woods. 
Salvia,  L.  (Sage.) 

S.  lyrata,  L.    New  Castle.  (Hexamer.) 

Monarda,  L.    (Horse  Mint.) 

M.  didyma,  L.    Peekskill.    Not  common.    (Le  Roy.) 

M.  fistulosa,  L.    Old  fields  near  Little  Rye  Lake. 

M.  punctata,  L.    Not  common.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.) 

Blephilia,  Raf. 

B.  ciliata,  Raf.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Lophanthus,  Benth.    (Giant  Hyssop.) 

L.  scrophularioefolius,  Benth.    Edges  of  woods. 

Nepeta,  L.    (Cat-Mint.  Catnip.) 

N.  Cataria,  L.    Near  dwe'lings,  common.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
N.  Glechoma,  Benth.    A  weed  in  gardens. 

Physostegia,  Benth.    (False  Dragon-Head.) 
P.  Virginiana,  Benth.    Not  Common. 

Brunella,  Tourn.  (Self-Heal.) 

B.  vulgaris,  L.    Fields  and  open  woods, 

Scutellaria,  L.  (Skullcap.) 

S,  pilosa,  Mx.    Jerome  Park.  (Bicknell.) 
S.  integrifolia,  L.    Along  fences. 
S.  galericulata,  L.    Shady  places  along  brooks. 
S.  lateriflora,  L.    Damp  places. 

Marrubium,  L.  (Horchound.) 

M.  vulgare,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Galeopsis,  L.  (Hemp-Nettle.) 

G.  Tetrahit,  L.    Waste  places.    (Nat.  Eu.) 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Stachys,  L. 

S.  palustris,  L. 

I 'or.  aspera,  Gray.    Not  common.  (Leggett.) 

Leonurus,  L.  (Motherwort.) 

L.  Cardiaca,  L.    Near  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Lamium,  L.  (Dead-Nettie.) 

L.  amplexicaule,  L.    Weed  in  gardens.    (Adv.  Eu.) 


Order  72.—  BOREAG-INACSLE.   (Borage  Family.) 

ISchium,  Tourn.    Vipeis  Bugloss. 

E.  vulgare,  L.    Road-sides,  not  common.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Symphytum,  Tourn.  (Comfrey.) 

S.  officinale,  L.    Road-sides,  escape  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu 

Onosmodium,  Mx.    (False  Gromwell.) 
O,  Yiiginianum,  DC.    Hill  sides. 

Lithospermum,  Tourn.    (Gromwell.  Puccoon.) 
L.  officinale,  L.  Peekskill. 

Myosotis,  L.  (Forget-me-not.) 
M.  palustris,  Withering. 

Var.  hxa,  Gray.    Along  brooks  and  other  wet  places. 
M.  verna,  Nutt.  (Bicknell.) 

Cyaog-lossum,  Tourn.  (Hound's-Tongue.) 

C.  officinale,  L.    Damp  places  and  fields.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
C.  Morisoni,  DC.  (Pooley.) 


Ord.r  73.-HYDB0PHYLLACES.  (Waterleaf.) 

Hydrophyllum,  L.  (Waterleaf.) 
H.  Yirginicum,  L.    Shady  woods. 

Order  71— POLEMQNIACEiE.  (Polemonium  Family.) 

Phlox,  L. 

P.  subulata,  L.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Eisher.) 


Order  75.— CONVOLVULACEiE.   (Convolvulus  Family.) 

Quamcclit,  Tourn.  (Cypress-Vine.) 

Q,.  cocctnea,  Moench.    liauks  of  stream  .    (Nat.  Trop.  America.) 


8o4 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Ipomoea,  L.  (Morning-glory.) 

I.  purpurea,  Lam.    Near  dwellings.    (Adv.  from  South.) 
I.  pandurata,  Meyer.    Spuyten-Duyvil.  (Bicknell.) 
I.  Nil,  Roth.    (Bicknell.)    (Adv.  Trop.  America.) 

Convolvulus,  L.  (Bindweed.) 

C.  arvensis,  L.  Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Calystegia,  R.  Br.  (Bindweed.) 
C.  sepium,  R.  Br. 

Cuscuta.  Tourn.  (Dodder.) 

C.  inflexa,  Eng.    Damp  places,  Hudson  R.  R.  track,  and  Lake  Mohegan. 

C.  Gronovii,  Willd,    Common  in  damp  grounds. 

C.  compacta,  Juss.    Damp  places,  Hudson  R.  R.  track. 


Order  76.— S0LANACE5!.   (Nightshade  Family.) 

Solanum,  Tourn.  (Nightshade.) 

S.  Dulcamara,  L.    White  Plains.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
S.  nigrum,  L.    West  Farms.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Physalis,  L.    (Ground  cherry.    Ground  apple.) 
P.  pubescens,  L.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
P.  viscosa,  L.    Road-sides,  common. 

Nicandra,  Adans.    (Apple  of  Peru.) 

N.  physaloides,  Gasrtn.    Waste  grounds.    (Adv.  Peru.) 

Lycium,  L. 

L.  vulgare,  Dunal.    Matrimony-vine.    Near  dwellings,  rare.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Hyoscyamus,  Tourn.  (Henbane.) 

H.  niger,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Datura,  L.    (Simon  Pumpkin.    Thorn  apple.) 

D.  Stramonium.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Asia., 
D.  Tatula,  L.  (Pooley.) 

Order  77. — GENTI  ANACE.E.   (Gentian  Fam..y.) 

Sabbatia,  Adans.    (American  Centuary.) 
S.  angularis,  Pursh.  (Bicknell.) 
S.  stellaris,  Pursh.    Salt  marshes.  (Leggett.) 
S.  chloroides,  Pursh.    Along  the  coast. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


805 


Gentiana,  L.  (Gentian.) 

G.  crinita,  Froel.    Low  grounds. 

G.  Andrewsii,  Griseb.    Damp  grounds. 

Bartonia,  Muhl. 

B.  tcnclla,  Muhl.    Woods.  (Leggett.) 
Menyanthes,  Toum.  (Buckbean.) 

M.  trifoliata,  L.    Cranberry  Pond.  (Kensico.) 

Order  79.— APOCYNACE.E.   (Dogbane  Family.) 

Apocyrmm,  Toum.    (Indian  Hemp.) 

A.  androssmifolium,  L.    Edges  of  thickets. 
A.  cannabinum,  L.    Not  rare. 

Order  SO— ASCLEPIADACE.E.  (Milkweed  Family.) 

Asclepias,  L.    (Milkweed.  Silkweed.) 

A.  Cornuti.  Decaisne.  Common. 

A.  phytolaccoides,  Pursh.    New  Castle. 

A.  purpurascens,  L.    Copses  and  edges  of  woods. 

A.  variegata,  L.  Woods. 

A.  quadrifolia,  Jacq.    Shady  woods,  frequent. 

A.  incarnata,  L.    Damp  places. 

A.  tuberosa,  L.    Dry  fields  and  road-sides. 

A.  verticillata,  L.    Not  rare. 

Acerates,  Ell.    (Le  Roy.)    (Green  Milkweed.) 
A.  viridiflora,  Ell.    Not  rare. 

Order  SI.— OLE  ACES.   (Olive  Family.) 

Ligustrum,  Toum.    (Privet,  or  Prim.) 

L.  vulgare,  L.  A  graceful  shrub,  growing  frequently  without  cultivation,  used 
for  hedges.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Fraxinus,  L. 

F.  Americana,  L.  (White  Ash)  Throughout;  a  large  tree  used  for  ornamental 
purposes.    The  wood  is  strong,  is  used  for  oars,  and  also  for  flooring. 

F.  pubescens,  Lam.  (Red  Ash.)  A  middle  size  tree,  not  common  in  thesie 
limits.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.) 

F.  sambucifolia,  Lam.  (Black  Ash.)  Much  used  in  the  manufacture  of  strong 
baskets. 

Order  82.— ASISTCLCCHIACEiE.  (Birthwort  Family.) 
Asarum,  Tourn.    (Wild  Ginger.) 
A.  Canadense,  L.    White  Plains. 


8o6 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Aristolochia,  Tourn.  Birthwort. 

A.  serpcntaria,  L.    (White  snake  root.)    Not  common. 

A.  Sipho,  L.  Her.  (Dutchman's  Pipe.)  Planted  for  ornament  and  escaped, 
near  dwellings.    (From  south-west.) 

Order  81— PHYTOLACCACEJE.   (Pokeweed  Family.) 

Phytolacca,  Tourn.  (Pokeweed.) 

P.  decandra,  L.     Rich  grounds  and  clearings. 

Order  85— CHENOPODIACFJE.   (Goosefoot  Family.) 

Chenopodium,  L.  (Pigweed.) 

C.  album,  L.    A  weed  in  gardens.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
C.  urbicum,  L.    Cultivated  grounds.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
C.  murale,  L.    Peekskill.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
C.  hyhridum,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
C.  Botrys,  L.    West  Farms.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

C.  ambrosioides,  L.    Waste  grounds  about  dwellings.    (Nat.  Trop.  America. ) 
Note. —  The  last  tujo  species  are  used  in  medicine  as  a  vermifuge. 

Blitum,  Tourn. 

B.  maritimum,  Nutt.  Rye. 

B.  Bonus-Henricus,  Reichenbach.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Atriplex,  Tourn.  (Orache.) 
A.  patula,  L. 

Var.  hastata,  Gray.    Rye,  and  coast. 
A.  arenaria,  Nutt.    Rye,  and  along  the  coast. 

Salicornia,  Tourn.    (Glasswort.  Samphire.) 
S.  herbacea,  L.    Rye,  and  along  the  coast. 

Suaeda,  Forskal.    (Sea  Blite.) 

S.  maritima,  Dumortier,  Coasi. 
Salsola,  L.  (Saltwort.) 

S.  Kali,  L.    Coast  of  Long  Island  Sound. 

Order  SS.— AMARANTACE.E.   (Amaranth  Family.) 
Amarantus,  Tourn.  (Amaranth.) 

A.  hypochondriacus,  !..    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.    Trop.  America.) 
A.  paniculatus,  L.    Sing  Sing.    (Dr.  Fisher.    Trop.  America.) 
A.  rctroflexus,  L.    Weed  in  gardens. 

A.  albus.  L.    Wast  places  near  dwellings.    (Adv.  Trop.  America. ) 

A.  spinosus,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Trop.  America.) 

A.  pumilus,  Raf.    Near  Rye.  (Mead.) 

A.  viridis,  L.    Along  Hudson  River  R.  R.  track. 


in     V,  1  SI  CHESTI'  K    O  UN  IV. 


807 


Acnida,  L.    (Water  Hemp.) 
A.  cannabina,  L. 

Order  87.-P0LYG0NACEE.   (Buckwheat  Family.) 

Polygonum,  L.  (Knotweed.) 

P.  orientate,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  India.) 

P.  Careyi,  Olney.  (Bicknell.) 

P.  Pennsylvonicum,  L.    Damp  waste  places. 

P.  incarnatum,  Ell.  (Bicknell.) 

P.  Persicaria,  L.    Waste  places  ;  Commom. 

P.  Hydropiper,  L.     Moist  grounds. 

P.  acre,  11.  1!.  K.    Wet  grounds,  common. 

P.  hydropiperoides,  Mx,    Wet  places. 

P.  amphibium,  L.    Water  and  very  wet  places. 

P.  Yirginicum,  L.    Thickets  and  road-sides. 

P.  aviculare,  1.. 

Var.  erectum,  Roth.    About  dwellings  with  the  last,  but  larger. 
P.  maritimum,  L.    Coast  of  Long  Island  Sound. 
P.  tenue,  Mx.    Dry  soil. 
P.  arifolium,  L.    Wet  grounds. 
P.  sagittatum,  L.    Damp  grounds. 
P.  Convolvulus,  L.    Cultivated  fields.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
P.  cilinode,  Mx.     Rocks  and  thickets. 
P.  dumetorum,  L,    Damp  places. 
Var.  scandens,  Gray.  Thickets. 

Fagopyrum,  Tourn.  (Buckwheat.) 

F.  esculentum,  Mcench.    Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Rumex,  L.    Dock.  (Sorrel.) 

R.  Britannica,  L.     Damp  grounds. 

R.  crispus,  L.    (Curled  Dock.)    Common  in  grass  fields,  used  for  greens,  a 
troublesome  weed.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
R.  obtusifolius,  L. 

R.  Acetosella,  L.  (Horse  Sorrel.  Field  Sorrel.)  Troublesome  weed  in  old 
fields.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Order  88.— LAURACEiE.  (Laurel  Family.) 

Sassafras,  Nees. 

S.  officinale,  Nees.    Second-class  tree  in  woods. 


Lindera,  Thunberg.    (Wild  Allspice.  Spice-wood.) 
L.  Benzoin,  Meisncr.    Shady  woods. 


8o8 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  89.— THYMELEACES.   (Mezereum  Family.) 

Dirca,  L.    (Moose-wood.  Leatherwood.) 

D.  p:ilustris,  L.    Woods,  used  for  ornamental  purposes  ;  small  tree 

Order  91.— SANTALACEJE.   (Sandalwood  Family.) 

Comandra,  Mutt.    (Bastard  Toad-flax.) 
C.  umbellata,  Nutt.    Not  rare. 

Order  93.— SAURURACEE.   (Lizard's-Tail  Family.) 

Saururus,  L.  (Lizard's-tail.) 

S.  cernuus,  L.    Edges  of  sluggish  streams  and  pools. 

Ceratophyllum,  L. 

C.  demersum,  L. 

Order  97—  EUPHORBIAS.   (Spurge  Family.) 

Euphorbia,  L.  (Spurge.) 

E.  polygonifolia,  L.    Shores  of  the  Sound. 
E.  maeulata,  'L.    Road-sides,  common. 

E.  hypericifolia,  L.  A  weed.  Fields  and  gardens. 
E.  Cyparissias,  L.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Acalypba,  I..    (Three-seeded  Mercury.) 

A.  Virginica,  L.    A  weed  in  gardens  and  waste  places  about  dwellings. 

Order  99.   URTICACEiE.   (Nettle  Family.) 

Ulmus,  L.  (Elm.) 

U.  fulva,  Mx.  (Slippery  Elm.)  This  tree  is  well-known,  the  inner  bark  is 
charged  with  mucilage,  and  is  used  largely  for  poultices,  and  as  a  remedy  in  throat 
diseases  ;  from  30  to  40  feet  high. 

U.  Americana,  L.  (American  Elm.)  A  large  tree  reaching  the  height  of  80 
to  0,0  feet.  On  account  of  the  graceful  forking  of  its  branches,  it  is  highly  valued 
for  ornamental  purposes  ;  when  planted  in  rows  along  avenues,  the  forked  branches 
interlace,  forming  pointed  arches. 

TJ.  racemosa,  Thomas.  (White  Elm.  Corky  Elm.)  A  large  tree,  not  so 
desirable  as  the  last  for  a  shade  or  ornamental  tree,  on  account  of  the  roughness  of 
its  branchlets  which  arc  flanked  by  corky  wings. 

Celtis,  Tourn.    (Nettle-tree.  Hackberry.) 

C.  occidentalis,  L.    (Hackberry.)    River  banks. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


809 


Morus,  Tourn.  (Mulberry.) 

M.  rubra,  L.  (Red  Mulberry.)  Fields  and  hedge-rows,  a  small  tree  from  20  to  30 
feet  high,  bearing  edible  fruit  ;  the  timber  is  hard  and  durable,  the  roots  are  much 
used  for  the  knees  of  rowboats  and  skiffs. 

M.  alba.  I,.  (White  Mulberry.)  This  tree  grows  taller  than  the  last,  reaching 
the  height  of  50  feet;  the  timber  is  soft  anil  brash,  the  fruit  is  white  and  edible;  but 
insipid  and  less  desirable  than  the  last. 

TJrtica,  Toum.  (Nettle.) 

TJ.  gracilis  Ait.    Waste,  damp  grounds. 

XJ.  dioica,  L.    Waste  grounds  about  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

U.  urens,  L.    Waste  grounds  near  dwellings.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Laportea,  Gaudichaud.    Damp  woods. 

L.  Canadensis,  Gaudichaud.    Damp  woods. 

Pilea,  Lindl.  (Clearweed.) 

P.  pumila,  Gray.    Shady  places. 

Boehnieria,  Jacq.    (False  Nettle.) 

B.  cylindrica,  Willd.    Damp  shady  places. 

Cannabis,  Tourn.  (Hemp.) 

C.  saliva,  L.    Escaped  from  cultivation.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Humulus,  L.  (Hop.) 

H.  Lupulus,  L.    Damp  rich  copses. 

Order  100.— PLAT ANACEiE.  (Plane-tree  Family.) 

Platanus,  L.    (Plane-tree.  Buttonwood.) 

P.  occidentalis,  L.  (Sycamore.)  This  a  large  tree  planted  for  ornamental 
purposes,  especially  in  rows  by  the  load-sides. 

Juglans,  L. 

J.  cinerea,  L.  (Butter-nut,)  Grows  in  the  hills,  and  the  rocks  seem  favorite 
places  for  it.  The  fruit  is  valuable,  and  the  wood  is  used  for  cabinet  purposes.  It 
has  a  coarse  grain  but  takes  a  good  polish. 

J.  nigra,  L.  (Black  walnut.)  A  large  tree  reaching  the  height  of  80  to  100 
feet  ;  planted  about  houses  for  its  fruit.  The  wood  is  of  a  dark  color  and  is  much 
used  for  cabinet  work. 

Carya,  Nutt.  (Hickory.) 

C.  alba,  Nutt.  (Shell-bark  Hickory.  Shag-bark  Hickory.)  A  large  straight 
tree  growing  to  the  height  of  40  to  70  feet.  The  fruit  is  highly  valued  on  account  of 
its  excellence,  and  the  thinness  of  the  shell.  The  wood  splits  easily,  and  makes 
excellent  fuel. 


8io 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


C.  sulcata,  Nutt.  (Thick  Shell-bark.  Hickory.)  Large  tree  reaching  the 
height  of  80  feet,  the  fruit  is  much  larger  than  the  fruit  of  C.  Alba.  It  is  not  com- 
mon in  this  region,  and  has  undoubtedly  sprung  from  seed  brought  from  the  West. 
The  wood  and  bark  is  much  like  those  of  C.  Alba. 

C.  tomcntosa,  Nutt.  (White-heart  Hickory.  Bull-nut.)  A  large  tree,  nuts 
with  very  thick  shells.    Wood  with  straight  grain,  splits  well,  and  makes  good  fuel. 

C.  porcina,  Nutt.  (Pig-nut.  Broom  Hickory.)  The  fruit,  not  desirable. 
The  wood  is  tough,  and  is  used  for  axe  and  hammer  handles,  for  hubs  and  spokes  of 
wagon  wheels.    A  large  tree  sometimes  reaching  the  height  of  100  feet,  common. 

C.  amara,  Nutt.  (Bitter-nut  or  Swamp  Hickory.)  Large  tree,  reaching  40  to 
60  feet  in  height  ;  wood  not  valuable  for  timber,  though  it  makes  good  fuel.  The 
fruit  has  a  thin  shell  and  is  bitter,  common. 

Order  102—  CTJPULIFERJE.   (Oak  Family.) 

Quercus,  L.  (Oak.) 

Q,.  alba.  L.  (White  Oak.)  A  large  tree  reaching  the  height  of  75  feet,  or 
more;  and  not  unfrequently  attains  a  diameter  of  6  feet.  A  very  valuable  tree  on 
account  of  the  durability  of  its  wood,  common. 

Q,.  obtusiloba,  Mx.  (Post-oak  or  Box  White-oak.)  Small  tree,  wood  hard 
and  durable,  used  for  axe  and  pick  handles,  also  for  fence  posts. 

Q,.  macrocarpa,  Mx.  (Bur-oak.  Mossy-cup.  White-oak.)  A  middle  sized 
tree,  40  to  50  high,  forms  symetrical  head.  Have  not  seen  this  tree  in  these  limit.,, 
and  put  it  down  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Fisher,  of  Sing  Sing. 

Q,.  bicolor,  Willd.  (Swamp  White-oak.)  A  fine  tree,  reaching  the  height  of 
70  feet.    Its  wood  furnishes  durable  timber  and  excellent  fuel. 

Q,.  Prinos,  L.  (Chestnut-oak.)  Straight  growing  tree  of  middle  size  in  these 
limits;  the  wood  makes  excellent  fuel. 

Var.  acuminata,  Mx.  (Yellow  Chestnut  Oak.)  Leaves  like  those  of  the 
chestnut  tree.    A  middle  sized  tree  in  these  limits  ;  wood  soft,  used  for  fuel. 

Q,.  coccinea,  Wang.  (Scarlet  Oak.)  Large  tree,  wood  makes  good  fuel  ;  and 
the  bark  much  used  in  tanning  leather. 

Var.  tinctoria.  (Yellow  Bark  Oak,  Black  Oak.)  Large  tree  reaching  some- 
times to  the  height  of  100  feet  when  growing  in  the  forest.  Wood  used  for  fuel  and 
the  bark  for  tanning. 

Q,.  rubra,  L.    (Red  Oak.)    Large  tree,  coarse  grained,  used  for  fuel. 

Q,.  palustris,  Du  Roi.  (Pin  Oak,  Spanish  Oak,  Water  Oak.)  Wet  grounds  ; 
reaching  the  height  of  50  feet  or  more  in  these  limits,  and  three  to  four  feet  in  diam- 
eter ;  timber  hard  and  close,  difficult  to  split. 

Castanea,  Tourn.  (Chestnut.) 

C.  vesca.  L.  woods  and  fence  rows.  Common.  A  large  tree,  valued  on  ac- 
count of  its  excellent  fruit  and  durable  timber  ;  much  used  for  fencing,  and  in  late 
years,  largely  for  cabinet  work  ;  the  grain  is  coarse,  but  takes  a  good  polish  ; 
reaches  the  height  of  go  feet. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


SlI 


Fagus,  Tourn.  (Beech.) 

F.  ferniginea,  Ait.  (American  Beach.)  Large  tree,  40  to  70  feet  in  height  ; 
forms  a  graceful  head,  when  growing  separately,  and  on  that  account  is  a  desirable 
tree  for  ornamentable  purposes  ;  wood  makes  excellent  fuel. 

Corylus,  Tourn.  (Hazel-nut.) 

C.  Americana,  Walt.  (Wild  Hazel-nut.)  Thickets  and  road-sides  ;  fruit  ed- 
ible,   A  shrub  5  to  8  feet  high. 

C.  rostrata,  Ait.    (Beaked  Hazel-nut.)    A  shrub  like  the  last  ;  fruit  edible. 

Ostrya,  Micheli. 

O.  Virginica,  Willd.  (Hop-Hornbeam.  Iron-wood.)  Second  class  tree,  found 
in  the  borders  of  woods,  and  in  copses  ;  sometimes  used  for  ornamental  purposos. 

Carpinus.  L.    (Hornbeam.  Iron-wood.) 

C.  Americana,  Mx.  (American  Hornbeam,  Blue  Beach,  Water  Beach.)  A 
second  class  tree,  reaching  the  height  of  20  feet  ;  used  for  ornamental  purposes,  and 
for  hedging. 

Order  103.— MYRICACEJE.   (Sweet  Gale  Family.) 

Myrica,  (Bayberry.  Wax-Myrtle.) 

M.  cerifera,  L.  (Bayberry.)  Shrub,  sometime  used  for  ornamental  purposes, 
the  pulucrized  leaves  used  for  snuff  for  Cattarrah ;  and  the  bark  of  the  root  enters 
largely  into  the  Thompsonian  remedies. 

Comptonia,  Solandcr.  (Sweet-Fern.) 

C.  asplenifolia,  Ait.    Road-side,  in  sunny  places. 

Order  104 .— BETULACEiE.   Birch  Family.) 

Betula,  Tourn.  (Birch.) 

B.  lenta,  L.  (Sweet  Birch,  Black  Birch.)  A  large  tree,  making  excellent 
fuel,  and  used  also  for  cabinet  work. 

B.  lutea,  Mx.  f.  (Yellow  Birch.)  Large  tree,  sometimes  reaching  the  height 
of  So  feet,  and  3  to  4  feet  in  diameter  ;  rare  in  these  limits  ;  damp  cold  woods  ; 
used  in  Nova  Scotia,  in  ship  building.  The  keel  of  the  largest  ship  ever  built  in 
Nova  Scotia,  was  Birch. 

B.  alba. 

Var.  populifolia,  Spach.    (White  Birch.)    A  small  slender  tree. 
B.  nigra,  L.    (Red  Birch.)    Large  tree  growing  along  river  banks,  good  for 

fuel. 

Alnus,  Tourn.  (Alder.) 

A.  incana,  Willd.  (Speckled  Alder.)  A  shrubby  tree  15  to  iS  feet  high  ;  wet 
places. 

A.  serrulata,  Ait.  (Smooth  Alder.)  Shrub  10  feet  high  ;  wet  grounds  and 
swampy  places. 


8l2 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  105.— SALICACE2E.   (Willow  Family.) 

Salix,  Tourn.  (Willow.) 

S.  Candida,  Willd.    (Hoary  Willow.    Shrub  6  feet  high. 

S.  tristis,  Ait.    (Dwarf  Gray  Willow.)    Shrub  2  feet  high  ;  wet  places. 

S.  discolor,  Muhl,    (Glaucous  Willow.)    Banks  of  brooks  ;  15  feet  high. 

S.  sericea,  Marshall.    (Silkey  Willow.)    Banks  of  streams. 

S.  viminalis,  L.  (Basket  Willow.)  Shrub  growing  in  damp  ground.  (Adv.  Eu.) 

S.  cordata,  Muhl.    (Heart-leaved  Willow,)    Small  tree.  (Leggett.) 

S.  livida,  Wahl. 

Var.  occidentals,  Grey.     Shrub  10  feet  high.  (Leggett.) 
S.  petiolaris,  Smith.    Small  tree  15  to  20  feet  high. 
S.  lucida,  Muhl.    Along  streams,  15  feet  high. 
S.  nigra,  Marsh. 

Var.  falcata,  Gray.    Tree  30  feet  high. 
S.  fragilis,  L.    Large  tree,  wet  grounds,  and  river-banks.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
S.  alba.  L. 

Var.  vitellina,  Gray.    (Yellow  Willow.)    A  large  tree,  along  streams  and 

river-banks.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Populus,  Tourn.    (Poplar,  Aspen.) 

P.  tremuloides,  Mx.    (Aspan  Leaf.)    Large  tree. 

P.  grandidentata,  Mx.    Large  tree,  taller  than  the  last. 

P.  bnlsamifera,  L.    Balsam,  Poplar.  (Tacamahac.) 
Var.  candicans,  Gray.    (Balm  of  Gilead.)    Large  tree. 

P.  alba.  L.  (Abele  Tree.)  Shade  tree,  introduced  from  France,  by  nursery- 
men, sometimes  called  silver  leaved  poplar. 

Note. —  The  whole  genus  suckers  profusely,  and  is  on  that  account  objectionable 
for  lawn  purposes. 

Order  106.— CONIFEBJE.  (Pine  Family.) 

Pinus,  Tourn.  (Pine.) 

P.  rigida,  Miller.    (Pitch  Pine.)     Large  tree,  timber  hard  and  filled  with 

resin. 

P.  inops,  Ait.    (Scrub  Pine.)    Small  tree,  wood  hard  but  not  large  enough  for 
valuable  timber.    Sing  Sing,  Dr.  Fisher.    (Must  have  been  planted.') 
P.  mitis,  Mx.    (Yelow  Pine.)    Large  tree,  good  timber. 

P.  Strobus,  L.  (White  Pine.)  Largest  of  the  Genus,  growing  to  the  height 
of  150  feet,  makes  excellent  boards  and  planks. 

Abies,  Tourn.    (Spruce  Fir.) 

A.  nigra,  Poir.  (Black  Spruce.)  Large  tree  furnishing  excellent  timber. 
North  Salem.    (Dr.  Mead.) 

A.  Canadensis,  Mx.  (Hemlock.)  Large  tree,  used  for  ornamental  and  Hedg- 
ing purposes.    Largely  used  for  lumber. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


813 


Larix,  Tourn.  (Larch.) 

L.  Americana,  Mx.  (Larch,  Black  Larch,  Hackmatack,  Tamarack.)  A 
large  tree,  used  for  ornamental  purposes,  and  for  lumber. 

Thuja,  Tourn.    (Arbor  Vita?.) 

T.  occidental  is,  L.  (American  Arbor  Vitse.)  This  tree  is  also  called  Cedar, 
in  the  north  where  it  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  barrels.  It  is  a  favorite  orna- 
mental tree  ;  largely  used  in  hedges. 

Juniperus,  L.  (Juniper.) 

J.  Virginiana,  L.  (Red  Cedar.)  A  tree  from  15  to  40  feet  high  in  these 
limits  !  wood  is  close-grained  and  takes  a  good  polish  ;  makes  durable  fence  posts. 


GLASS  II.-M0N0C0TYLED0N0US  OR  ENDOGENOUS  PLANTS. 
Order  107—  ARACE.E,  (Arum  Family.) 

Arisaama,  Martius.    (Indian  Turnip.) 
A.  triphyllum,  Torr.    Damp  places. 

Peltandra,  Raf. 

P.  Virginica,  Raf.    Shoal  water,  or  very  wet  places.  (Leggett.) 

Calla,  L.    (Water  Arum.) 

C.  palustris,  L.    Cold  swampy  land.    Sing  Sing,  (Dr.  Fisher.) 

Symplocarpus,  Salisb.    (Skunk  Cabbage.) 

S.  fcetidus,  Salisb.    Damp  grounds  ;  common 

Acorus,  L.    (Sweet  Flag.  Calamus.) 

A.  Calamus,  L.    Margins  of  small  streams  in  swampy  places. 

Order  10S.-LEMNACE.iE.  (Duckweed  Family.) 

Lemna,  L.    (Duckweed.  Duck's-meat.) 
Li.  polyrrhiza,  L.    Ponds.  (Leggett.) 

Order  109.— TYPHACEE.   (Cat-tail  Family.) 

Typha,  Tourn.    (Cat-tail  Flag.) 
T.  latifolia,  L.    Wet  places. 
T.  angustifolia,  L.    Wet  places. 

Sparganium,  Tourn.  (Bur-reed) 

S.  eurycaqium,  Engelm.  (Bicknell.) 
S.  simplex,  Hudson.    Not  rare. 


814  REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 

Order  110.— NAIDACE2E.   (Pondweed  Family.) 

Naias,  I..  (Naiad.) 

N.  flexilis,  Rostk.  (Bicknell.) 

Zannichellia,  Micheli.    (Horned  rondweed.) 

Z.  palustris,  L.    Lower  part  of  the  county,  now  New  York.  (Bicknell.) 

Zostera,  L.    (Eel-grass.  Grass-wrack.) 
Z.  marina,  L. 

Ruppia,  L.  (Ditch-grass.) 

R.  maritima,  L.    Shoal  water  along  the  coast. 

.  Potamogeton,  Tourn.  (Pondweed.) 

P.  natans,  L.    Ditches  and  slow  streams. 
P.  Oakesianus,  Robbins.    Ponds  and  ditches. 
P.  hybridus,  Mx.  (Bicknell.) 
P.  amplifolius,  Tuckerman.    Slow  rivers. 
P.  perfoliatus,  L.  (Bicknell.) 

Order  111.— ALISMACEiE.   (Water  Plantain  Family.) 

Alisma,  L.    (Water  Plaintain. 

A.  Plantago,  L.    Shallow  water  and  edges  of  streams. 

Sagittaria,  L.    (Arrow  Head.) 
S.  variabilis,  Eng.    Wet  places. 

Var.  latifolia,  Gray.    With  the  last. 

Var.  diversifolia,  Gray.    With  the  last, 

Var.  augustifolia,  Gray.    With  the  last. 
S.  calvcina,  Eng.    Water  in  flooded  places. 

Var.  spongiosa,  Gray.    Along  brooks  with  the  last. 
S,  heterophylla,  Pursh.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 
S.  pusilla,  Nutt.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Order  112— HYDROCHARIDACES.  (Frog's-bitt  Family.) 

Anacharis,  Richard.  (Water-weed.) 

A.  Canadensis,  Planchon.    Slow  streams. 

Vallisneria,  Micheli.  (Eel-grass.) 

V.  spiralis,  L.    Slow  waters.    Along  the  coast. 

Order  114.— OECHIDACES.    (Orchis  Family.) 

Orchis,  L.  (Orchis.) 

O.  spectabilis,  L.    Shady  woods. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY.  8l 

Habenaria,  Willd,,  R.  Br.  (Rein-Orchis.) 

H.  tridentata,  Hook.  (Leggett.) 

H.  virescens,  Spreng.  Peekskill. 

H.  viridis,  R.  I!r.  (Lcggctt.) 

H.  Ilookeri,  Torr.    Borders  of  woods. 

H.  orbiculata,  Torr.    Pine  and  Hemlock  woods. 

H.  ciliaris,  R.  Br.    Wet  places  ;  not  common. 

H.  lacera,  R.  Br.    Damp  thickets. 

H.  psycodes,  Gray.    Wet  grounds. 

Goodyera,  R.  Br.  (Rattlesnake-Plantain.) 
G.  pubescens,  R.  Br.    Shady  woods. 

Spiranthes,  Richard.    (Ladies'  Tresses.) 
S.  latifolia  Torr.    White  Plains. 
S.  cernua,  Richard.    Damp  roadsides. 
S.  graminea,  Lindl.  (Bicknell.) 

Var.  Walteri,  Gray.    North  of  Kings  Bridge,  (Bicknell.) 
S.  gracilis,  Bigelow.    White  Plains. 
S.  simplex,  Gray.    Woodlawn  Cemetery.  (Bicknell.) 

Listera,  R.  Br.  (Twayblade.) 

Ii.  convallarioides,  Hook.    Damp  woods. 

Arethusa,  Gronov.  (Arethusa.) 
A.  bulbosa,  L.  Bogs. 

Pogonia,  Juss. 

P.  ophioglossoides,  Nutt.    White  Plains 
P.  verticilata,  R.  Br.    White  Plains. 

Calopogon,  R.  Br. 

C.  pulchellus,  R.  Br..  Bogs. 

Liparis,  Richard. 

Li.  liliifolia,  Richard.  Bogs. 
L.  I.<c>elii.  Richard.  (Leggett.) 

Corallorhiza,  Haller.  (Coral-root.) 
C.  multiflora,  Nutt-  Woods. 

Aplectrum,  Nutt.    (Adam  and  Ere.) 
A.  hyemale,  Nutt.    Rich  wood. 

Cypripedium,  L.  (Moccason-Flower.) 
C.  parviflorum,  Salisb.    Damp  woods. 
C.  pubescens,  Willd.    Boggy  places. 
C.  spectabile,  Swartz.  Bogs. 
C.  acaule,  Ait.    Dry  woods. 


8i6 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Order  115  — AMARYLLIDACES  —  (Amaryllis  Family.) 

Hypoxys,  L.  (Star-grass.) 

H.  erecta,  L.    Meadows  and  woods. 


Order  115.— HJEMODORACEJE.   (Blooiwort  Family.) 

Aletris,  L. 

A.  farinosa,  L.  (Bicknell.) 


Order  118.— IRIDACEiE.   (Iris  Family.) 

Iris,  L.  (Flower-de-Luce.) 

I,  versicolor,  L.    (Blue  Flag.)    Wet  places. 

Pardanthus,  Ker. 

P.  Chinensis,  Ker.    Escaped  from  cultivation.  (Bicknell.) 

Sisyrinchium,  L.    (Blue-eyed  Grass.) 
S.  Bermudiana,  L.    Among  grass. 


Order  119.-DI0SC0SEACE£.   (Yam  Family.) 


Dioscorea,  Plumier.  (Yam.) 
D.  villosa,  L.  Thickets. 


Order  120.— SMILACE2B.   (Smilas  Family.) 

Smilax,  Tourn.    (Greenbriar.  Cat-briar.) 
S.  rotundifolia,  L.    Damp  thickets. 

Var.  quadrangularis,  Gray.    With  the  last. 
S.  glauca,  Walt.    Dry  thickets. 
S.  herbacea,  L.    Damp  meadow  edges. 


Order  121— LILIACEJE.  Lily  Family. 

Trillium,  L.    (Three-leaved  Nightshade.) 
T.  erectum,  L.  Woods. 
T.  cemuum,  L.    Moist  woods. 
T.  erythrocarpum,  Mx.    North  Salem.  (Mead.) 

Modeola,  Gronov.    (Indian  Cucumber-root.) 
M.  Virginica,  L.    Rich  damp  woods. 

Melanthium,  L. 

M.  Yirginicum,  L.    Meadows,  and  uplands  also.    Near  White  Plains. 


Veratrum,  Tourn.    (False  Hellebore.) 
V.  viride,  Ait.    Edges  of  meadows. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Chamffilirium,  Willd.  (Devil's-Bit.) 

C.  luteum.    Low  grounds;  Scarsdale.    (Miss  McCrbe.) 

Uvularia,  L.  (Bell wort.) 

TJ.  perfoliata,  L.    Not  rare. 

U.  sessilifolia,  L.    Edges  of  woods  and  along  fences. 
U.  puberula,  Mx.    Peekskill.    (Le  Roy.) 

Streptopus,  Mx.  (Twisted-stalk.) 

S.  amplexifolius,  DC.    Damp  woods. 

Smilacina,  Desf.    (False  Solomon's  Seal.) 

S.  racemosa.  Desf     Copses  and  along  fences. 
S.  stellata,  Desf.    Along  fences, 
S.  trifolia,  Desf.    Damp  places. 
S.  bifolia.  Ker.    Moist  woods. 

Polygonatum,  Tourn.  (Solomon's  Seal.) 
P.  biflorum,  Ell.    Edges  of  woods. 
P.  giganteum,  Dietrich.  (Bicknell.) 
P.  latifolium,  Desf. 

Asparagus,  L. 

A.  officinalis,  L.    Along  the  coast.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Lilium,  L.  (Lily.) 

L.  Philidelphicum,  L.  Fields. 
Li.  Canadense,  L.  Meadows. 
L.  superbum,  L.    Low  grounds. 

Erythronium,  L.    (Dog's-tooth  Violet.) 
E.  Americanum,  Smith.    Damp  Copses. 

Ornithogalum,  Tourn. 

O,  umbellatum,  L.    Leggett.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Allium,  L.    (Onion  Garlic.) 
A.  tricoccum,  Ait.  Woods. 

A.  vineale,  L.  Moist  meadows  and  pastures.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

A.  Canadense,  Kalm.    Damp  meadows  and  rich  pasture  grounds. 

Hemerocallis,  L.  (Day-Lily.) 

H.  fulva,  L.    Roadsides.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Order  122— JUNCACEffi.   (Rush  Family.) 

Luzula,  DC.  (Wood-Rush.) 
Li.  pilosa,  Willd.  Woods. 

L.  campestris,  DC.    Fields  and  edges  of  woods. 


8i8 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Juncus,  L.  (Bog-Rush.) 

J.  effusus,  L.  (Soft-Rush.)    Wet  places  ;  common. 

J.  Balticus,  Dethard.    Along  the  coast  of  the  Sound. 

J.  Roemerianus,  Scheele.    Coast  of  the  Sound. 

J.  marginatus,  Rostkovius.    Coast  of  the  Sound. 

J.  bufonius,  L.    Damp  grounds. 

J.  Cierardi,  Loisel.  (Bicknell.) 

J.  tenuis,  Willd.    Damp  fields  and  road-sides. 

J.  pelocarpus,  E.  Myer.    Along  the  coast  of  the  Sound. 

J.    militaris,  Bigel.  Bogs. 

J.  acuminatus,  Mx.    Wet  sandy  ground. 

J.  Canadensis,  J.  Cay.  (Leggett.) 

Order  123.— PONTEDESIACEE.   (Pickerel-weed  Family.) 

Ppntederia,  L.  (Pickerel-weed.) 

P.  cordata,  L.    Edges  of  muddy  pools. 
Var.  angustifolia,  Gray.  (Mead.) 

Order  127.— CYPERACE2E.   (Sedge  Family.) 

Cyperus,  L. 

C.  diandrus,  Torr.    Damp  places. 
C.  inflexus,  Muhl.    Sandy  shores. 
C.  deutatus,  Torr.    Sandy  wet  ground. 
C.  strigosus,  L.    Fertile  soil. 

C.  Michauxianus,  Schultes.  (Leggett.) 

Dulichium,  Richard. 

D.  spathaceum,  Pers.    Near  ponds  and  sluggish  streams. 

Fuirena,  Rottboll.  (Umbrella-grass.) 
F.  squarrosa,  Mx.    Wet  sand. 

Eleocharis,  R.  Br.  (Spike-rush.) 

E.  equisetoides,  Torr.    In  shallow  pools  and  flooded  places. 
E.  quadrangulata,  R.  Br.    East  Long  Pond.  (Mead.) 

E.  tuberculosa,  R.  Br.    Coast  of  the  Sound. 

E.  obtusa,  Schultes.    Muddy  edges  of  slow  streams. 

E.  olivacea,  Torr.  (Leggett.) 

E.  palustris,  R.  Br.  In  flooded  places. 

E.  tenuis,  Schultes.    Wet  grounds. 

E.  acicularis,  R.  Br.    Edges  of  ponds  and  slow  streams. 

Scirpus,  L.  (Bulrush.) 

S.  pungens,  Vahl.    Along  the  salt  meadows,  in  the  edges  of  pools. 
S.  Olneyi,  Cray.    Salt  marshes,  coast  of  the  Sound. 
S.  Torrcyi,  Olney.     Along  the  coast  of  the  Sound. 
S.  vahdus,  Vahl.    Flooded  places. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


S.  dcbilis,  Push,    Swampy  places. 

S.  maritimus,  L.    Borders  of  salt  marshes  along  the  Sound. 
S.  fluviatilis,  Gray.    Edges  of  Rye  Lake. 
S.  atrovirens,  Muhl.    Wet  swampy  places. 

Eriophorum,  L. 

E.  Virginicum,  L.    Bogs,  and  wet  grounds. 

Fiinbristylis,  Vahl. 

F.  spadicea,  Vahl.    coast  of  the  Sound. 

F.  autumnalis,  Roem. — Schultz.    Wet  grounds. 

Rhynchospora,  Vahl,  (Beak-Rush.) 
R.  alba.  Vahl,    Bogs.    Wet  grounds. 
R.  glomcrata,  Vahl.    Wet  undrained  lands. 

Cladium,  P.  Browne.  (Twig-Rush.) 
C.  mariscoidcs,  Torr. 

Scleria,  L,  (Nut-Rush.) 

S.  triglomerata,  Mx.    Swampy  lands  ;  common. 

S.  reticularis,  Mx.    Edges  of  ponds  and  slow  streams. 

Carex,  L.  (Sedge.) 

C.  polytrichoides,  Muhl.    Bogs.  Common. 

C.  bromoidcs,  Schk.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  vulpinoidea,  Mx.    Damp  meadows. 

C.  alopecoidea,  Tuckerman.    Damp  woods. 

C.  sparganioides,  Muhl.    Damp  lands. 

C.  cephaloidea,  Dew.    Dry  woods  and  fields. 

C.  Muhlenbergii,  Schk.    Dry  fields. 

C.  rosea,  Schk.    Damp  woods. 

C.  retroflexa,  Muhl.    Moist  grounds. 

C.  tenella,  Schk.    Swamps  and  wet  places. 

C.  canescens,  L.  Wet  grounds. 

C.  stellulata,  L. 

Far.  scirpoides,  Gray.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  scoparia,  Schk.    Damp  meadows. 

C.  lagopodioides,  Schk.    Wet  shady  places. 

C.  cristata,  Schk.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  fcenea,  Willd. 

Var.  sabulonum,  Gray.  Coast. 

C.  straminea,  Schk.    Edges  of  woods. 

C.  stricta,  Lam.    Wet  places. 

C.  crinita,  Lam.    Along  streams. 

C.  granulans,  Muhl.    Wet  places. 

C.  pallescens,  L.  Meadows. 

C.  conoidea,  Schk.    Moist  meadows. 

C.  grisea,  Willd.    Moist  ground. 

C.  gracilHma,  Schk.    Wet  grounds. 


820 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


C.  virescens,  Muhl.    Dry  woods. 

C.  triceps,  Mx.    Open  woods. 

C.  plantaginea,  Lam.    Shady  woods. 

C.  platyphylla,  Carey.    Damp  woods. 

C.  retrocurva,  Dew.    Dry  woods  and  thickets. 

C.  digitalis,  Willd.    Edges  of  open  woods. 

C.  Iaxiflora,  Lam.  Woods. 

C.  oligocarpa,  Schk.  Woods. 

C.  pedunculata,  Muhl.    Woods,  fields. 

C.  Emmonsii,  Dew.    Open  woods  and  copses. 

C.  Pennsylvanica,  Lam.    Hill-sides  and  open  woods. 

C.  varia,  Muhl.    Copses  and  open  woods. 

C.  pubescens,  Muhl.    Damp  open  wood-lands. 

C.  miliacea,  Muhl.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  debilis,  Mx.    Moist  lands, 

C.  lanuginosa,  Mx.    Wet  grounds. 

C.  Pseudo-Cyperus,  L.    Borders  of  ponds. 

C.  hystricina,  Willd.    Wet  grass  land. 

C.  tentaculata,  Muhl. 

C.  intumescens,  Rudge.    Wet  grass  lands. 

C.  lupnlina,  Muhl.    Wet  grounds. 

P.  Squarross,  L.    Undrained  lands. 

Order  128.— GBAMINEJE.  (Grass  Family.) 

Leersia,  Solander.    (White  Grass.) 

L.  Virginica,  Willd.    Damp  Woods. 
Li.  oryzoides,  Mx.    Wet  grounds. 

Zizania,  Gronov.    (Indian  Rice.) 

Z.  aquatica,  L.    Borders  of  sluggish  streams. 

Phleum,  L.  (Timothy.) 

P.  pratense,  L.    Pastures  and  mowing  grounds.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Vilfa,  Adans.    (Rush  Grass.) 
V.  aspera,  Beau  v. 

V.  vaginaeflora,  Torr.    Old  sandy  fields, 

Sporobolus,  R.  Br.    (Drop-seed  Grass.) 
S.  serotinus,  Gray.    Wet  sandy  land. 

Agrostis,  L.  (Bent-Grass.) 

A.  scabra,  Willd.    Dry  places. 

A.  vulgaris,  With.  (Red-top.)  Grown  for  hay  and  pasture  in  damp  lands. 
A.  alba,  L.    (White  Bent-grass.)    Used  for  hay  as  the  above. 

Cinna,  L.    (Wood  Reed-grass.) 
C.  arundinacea,  L. 

V ar.  pendula,  Gray.    Shady  woods. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Muhlenbergia,  Schreber.    (Drop-seed  Grass.) 
M.  glomerata,  Trin.    Boggy  places. 
M.  Mexicana,  Trin.    Damp  undrained  grounds. 
M.  sylvatica,  Torr.  &  Gray.    Wet  woods. 
M.  Willdenovii,  Trin.    Shady  rocks. 
M.  diffusa,  Schreber.    Dry  woods. 

Brachyelytrum,  Beauv. 

B.  aristatum,  Beauv. 

Calamagrostis,  Adans.    (Reed  Bent-grass.' 

C.  Canadensis,  Beauv.    Damp  lands. 
C.  arenaria,  Toth.    Coast  of  the  Sound. 

Stipa,  L.  (Feather-grass.) 

S.  avenacea,  L.    (Oat-grass.)    Sandy  woods. 

Aristida,  L.    (Triple-awned  Grass.) 

A.  dichotoma,  Mx.  (Poverty  Grass.)  Barren  fields. 
A.  gracilis,  Ell.    Near  the  coast  of  the  Sound. 

Spartina,  Schreber.    (Marsh  Grass.) 
S.  polystachya,  Muhl.  (Leggett.) 
S.  juncea,  Willd.    Beach  of  the  Sound. 
S.  stricta,  Roth. 

Var.  glabra,  Gray.    Along  the  Sound. 

Var.  alterniflora.    Shore  of  the  Sound. 

Cynodori,  Richard.  (Scutch-grass.) 

C.  Dactylon,  Pens.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Eleusine,  Gsertn.  (Yard-Grass.) 
E.  Indica,  G«rtn.  Door-yards. 

Dactylis,  L.  (Orchard-Grass.) 

D.  glomerata,  L.    Grown  for  hay.    (Nat.  EuJ 

Kceleria,  Pers. 

K.  cristata,  Pers.    Dry  upland 

Eatonia,  Raf. 

E.  Pennsylvanica,  Gray.    Damp  woods  and  meadows. 

Glyceria,  R.  Br.,  Trin.  (Manna-Grass.) 
G.  Canadensis,  Trin.    Wet  grounds. 
G.  obtusa,  Trin.    Swampy  places. 
G.  nervata,  Trin.    Damp  grounds. 
G.  aquatica.  Smith.    Wet  grounds. 
G.  fluitans,  R.  Br.    Flooded  grounds. 
G.  distans,  Wahl.  (Leggett.) 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


Brizopyrum,  Link.  (Spike-grass.) 

B.  spicatum,  Hook.    Shore  of  the  Sound. 

Poa,  L.  (Meadow-Grass.) 

P.  annua,  L.  Cultivated  grounds. 
P.  compressa,  L.  Dry,  poor  land. 
P.  serotina,  Ehrhart.    (Fowl  Meadow-Grass.) 

P.  pratensis,  L.  This  is  the  grass  used  in  Bourbon  County,  Kentucky,  tor 
pasture,  and  called  Blue-grass  ;  it  is  misnamed,  for  it  is  green.  It  grows  well  in 
lime-stone  regions,  and  makes  excellent  pasture. 

P.  tnvialis,  L.    Damp  meadows.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Eragrostis,  Beauv. 

E.  poaoides,  Beauv.    Sandy  grounds.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
E.  pilosa,  Beauv.    Sterile  grounds.    (Nat.  Eu.) 
E.  capillaris,  Nees.    Dry  soil.  Common. 

E.  pectinacea,  Gray.    Sandy  land  near  the  Sound. 

Festuca,  L. 

F.  tenella,  Willd.  (Leggett.) 
F.  elatior,  L.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Var.  pratensis,  Gray. 
F.  nutans,  Willd. 

Bromus,  L.  (Broom-Grass.) 

B.  secalinus,  L.  (Cheat,  or  Chess-Grass.)  Troublesome  weed  in  grain  fields, 
(Adv.  Eu.) 

B.  ciliatus,  L.    Damp  wood-lands. 

B.  Sterilis,  L.    (Leggett.)    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Phragmites,  Trin.  (Reed.) 

P.  communis,  Trin.    Borders  of  ponds. 

Lolium,  L.  (Darnel.) 

L.  percnne,  L.    Used  for  pasture.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

Triticum,  L. 

T.  repens,  L.    (Quick-Grass.)    A  troublesome  weed  in  gardens. 

Hordeum,  L.  (Barley.) 

H.  jubatum,  L.    Shore  of  the  Sound. 

Elymus,  L.    (Wild  Rye.) 

E.  Virginicus,  L.    Banks  of  streams. 

E.  Canadensis,  L.    Banks  of  streams. 

E.  Hystrix,  (Bottle-brush  Grass.    Hedge-Hog  Grass.) 

Danthonia,  DC.    (Wild-oat  Grass.) 
D.  spicata,  Beauv.    Among  rocks. 


Aira,  L.  (Hair-Grass.) 

A.  flexuosa,  L.    Dry  soil. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


Holcus,  L.    (Meadow  Soft-Grass.) 
H.  lanatus,  L.  (Velvet-Grass.^ 

Hierochloa,  (Imelin.  (IIcly-Grass.) 

H.  borealis,  Roem.  it  Scluiltes.  (Leggett.) 

Anthoxanthum,  L.    (Sweet  Vernal-Grass.) 

A.  odoratum.     Pastures  and  lawns.    (Xat.  Eu.) 

Phalaris,  L.  (Canary-Grass.) 

P.  arundininacea,  L.    Wet  grounds. 

Milium.  (Millet-Grass.) 

M.  effusum,  L.     Damp  woods. 

Paspalxim,  L. 

P.  setaceum,  Mx.    Sandy  fields. 
P.  lseve,  Mx.  Frequent. 

Panicum,  L.  (Panic-Grass.) 

P.  filiforme,  L. 

P.  sanguinale,  L,    (Crab-Grass.)    Weed  in  cultivated  grour.ds.    (Nat.  Eu.) 

P.  agrostoides,  Spreng.    Frequent.    Wet  grounds. 

P.  proliferum,  Lam. 

P.  eapillare  L.    Cultivated  fields  ;  common. 

P.  virgatum,  L. 

P.  latifolium,  L.    Damp  thickets. 

P.  clandestinum,  L.    Damp  thickets. 

P.  pauciflorum,  EU. 

P.  dichotemum,  L.    Damp  grounds. 

P.  depauperatum,  Muhl.    Hills  ;  common. 

P.  Crus-galli,  L.    (Barn-yard  Grass.)     (Xat.  Eu.) 

Setaria,  Reauv.    (Fox-tail  Grass.) 

S.  virticillata,  Beauv.    About  dwellings.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
S.  glauca,  Beauv.    In  grain  stubble.    (Adv.  Eu.) 
S.  viridis,  Beauv.    Cultivated  grounds.    (Adv.  Eu.) 

Cenchrus,  L.  (Bar-Grass.) 

C.  Uibuloides,  L.    Near  the  co.osl  of  the  Sound. 

Andropogon,  L.  (Beard-Grass.) 
A.  furcatus,  Muhl. 
A.  scoparius,  Mx.  (Leggett.) 
A.  Virginicus,  L.    Sandy  soil. 


Sorghum,  Fers.  (Broom-Corn.) 
S.  nutans,  Gray.  (Leggett.) 


824 


REPORT  OF  THE  FLORA 


SERIES  II 
CRYPTOGAMOUS  OR  FLOWERLESS  PLANTS. 

CLASS  III .— ACEOGENS, 
Order  129.— EQUISELACE.E.  (Horsetail  Family.) 

Equisetum,  (Scouring  Rush.) 

E.  arvense,  L.    Wet  banks.    White  Plains 
E.  limosum,  L.    West  Farms.  (Wood.) 
E.  hyemale,  L.    Wet  banks  ;  common. 

Order  130.-FILICES.  (Ferns.) 

Poly  podium,  L. 

P.  vulgare,  I..    Shaded  rocks. 

Adiantirm,  L.    (Maiden, s  hair.) 
A.  pedatum,  L,    Shady  woods. 

Pteris,  L.  (Brake.) 

P.  acqulina.    Thickets  ;  common. 

Clieilanth.es,  Swartz.  (Lip-Fern.) 
C.  vestita,  Swartz.    Among  rocks. 

Woodwardia,  Smith.  (Chain-Fern.) 
W.  Virginica,  Smith.  Swamps. 

Asplemum.  L.  (Spleenwort.) 

A.  Trichomanes,  L.    Shaded  rocks. 
A.  ebeneum,  Ait.  Woods. 
A.  thelypteroides,  Mx.    Damp  woods. 
A  Filix-fcemina,  Bernh.    Damp  woods. 

Camptosorus,  Link.  (Walking-Fern.) 

C.  rhizophyllus,  Link.    On  gneisic  rocks  ;  sparingly  about  White  riains. 

Phegopteris,  Fee.  (Beech-Fern.) 

P.  hexagonoptera,  Fee.    Borders  of  Woods. 

Aspidium,  Swartz.  (Weod-Fern.) 

A.  Thelyptcris,  Swartz.    Marshy  places. 


OF  WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


A-  Noveboracense,  Swartz.    Swamps  anil  damp  woods. 
A.  spinulosum,  Swartz. 

Var.  intermedium,  Gray.    About  White  Plains. 

Var.  dilatatum,  Gray.    About  White  Plains. 
A.  cristatum,  Swartz.    Wet  thickets. 

Var.  Clintonianum,  Gray.    About  White  Plains. 
A.  Goldianum,  Hook.    Moist  woods. 

A.  marginale,  Swartz.    Shaded  rocks. 

A  acrostichoides,  Swart fl.    Near  White  Plains. 
Var.  incisum,  Gray.    White  Plains. 

Cystopteris,  Bernhardt  (Bladder-Fern.) 

C.  fragilis,  Bernh.    Shaded  Rocks. 

Strutriiopteris,  Willd,    (Ostrich  Fern.) 
S.  Gcrmanica,  Willd.    White  Plains. 

Onoclea,  L.  (Sensitive-Fern.) 

O.  sensibilis,  L.    White  Plains. 

Var.  obtusilobata,  Torr.    White  Plains. 

Woodsia,  R.  Brown. 

W.  obtusa,  Torr.  Cliffs  and  banks. 
W.  Ilvensis,  R.  Brown.  (Leggett.) 

Dicksonia,  L'Her. 

D.  punctilobula,  Kunze.    Damp  shady  places. 

Osmunda,  L.    (Flowering  Fern.) 

0.  regalis,  L.    Wet  woods  and  thickets. 

O.  Claytoniana,  L.    Damp  grounds. 

O.  cinnamomea,  L.    Swamps  and  low  thickets. 

Botrychium,  Swartz.  (Moonwort.) 

B.  lanceolatum,  Angstrcem. 

B.  Virginicum,  Swartz.  Throughout. 
B.  lunarioides,  Swartz. 

Var.  obliquum.  Gray.    White  Plains. 

Order  131— LYCOPODIACEJE.    (CUMINS  Family.) 

Lycopodium,  L.  (Club-Moss.) 

Lk  lucidulum,  Mx.    Damp  woods. 
L.  dendroideum,  Mx.    Not  common 
Id  clavatum,  L.  Woods. 
It.  complanatum,  L.    White  Plains. 

Selaginella,  Beauv. 

S.  rupestns,  Spring.     Dry  rocks. 

S.  apus,  Spring     Damp  shady  places. 


A  DE  N  D  A. 


ADDITIONS  TO  CATALOGUE  OF  PLANTS. 


Lechea,  L.    (p.  779.) 

L    Nova-Caesarea,  Aust.  (Leggctt.) 

Genista,    (p.  784.) 

G.  tinctoria.    Peekskill.    State.    Flora  and  Mead.    (Adv.  En. ; 

Tephrosia,  Pens,    (p.  7S4.) 

T.  Virginiana,  Pers.    Throgg's  Neck.  (Hall.) 

Habenaria.    (p.  815.) 

H.  viridis,  R.  Br. 

1'ar.  bracleata,  Reich.    (Leggctt.  1 

SJchollera,  schreber.    (p.  81S,  after  Pontederia.) 
S.  graminea,  Willd.    Croton  River.  (Mead.) 

Order  126.— EBIOCATJLONACEffi.  (Pipewort  Family.)  (p.  81S) 

Eriocaulon,  I..  (Pipewort.) 
'    E.  Septangulare.  Withering.    Ponds — common. 

Carax.    (p.  819.) 
C.  stipata,  Miml. 


